1
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Choi SR, Lee J, Seo YJ, Jin HS, Ahn HB, Go Y, Kim NK, Ryu KS, Lee JH. Molecular basis of facilitated target search and sequence discrimination of TALE homeodomain transcription factor Meis1. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6984. [PMID: 39143123 PMCID: PMC11325038 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Transcription factors specifically bind to their consensus sequence motifs and regulate transcription efficiency. Transcription factors are also able to non-specifically contact the phosphate backbone of DNA through electrostatic interaction. The homeodomain of Meis1 TALE human transcription factor (Meis1-HD) recognizes its target DNA sequences via two DNA contact regions, the L1-α1 region and the α3 helix (specific binding mode). This study demonstrates that the non-specific binding mode of Meis1-HD is the energetically favored process during DNA binding, achieved by the interaction of the L1-α1 region with the phosphate backbone. An NMR dynamics study suggests that non-specific binding might set up an intermediate structure which can then rapidly and easily find the consensus region on a long section of genomic DNA in a facilitated binding process. Structural analysis using NMR and molecular dynamics shows that key structural distortions in the Meis1-HD-DNA complex are induced by various single nucleotide mutations in the consensus sequence, resulting in decreased DNA binding affinity. Collectively, our results elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of how Meis1-HD recognizes single nucleotide mutations within its consensus sequence: (i) through the conformational features of the α3 helix; and (ii) by the dynamic features (rigid or flexible) of the L1 loop and the α3 helix. These findings enhance our understanding of how single nucleotide mutations in transcription factor consensus sequences lead to dysfunctional transcription and, ultimately, human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seo-Ree Choi
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
- Advanced Analysis Data Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02456, Republic of Korea
| | - Juyong Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, and College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea.
- Arontier Co., Seoul, 06735, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yeo-Jin Seo
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Seong Jin
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Bin Ahn
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Youyeon Go
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Nak-Kyoon Kim
- Advanced Analysis Data Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02456, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung-Seok Ryu
- Protein Structure Research Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon-Hwa Lee
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, 52828, Republic of Korea
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2
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Allen B, Savoy L, Ryabinin P, Bottomly D, Chen R, Goff B, Wang A, McWeeney SK, Zhang H. Upregulation of HOXA3 by isoform-specific Wilms tumour 1 drives chemotherapy resistance in acute myeloid leukaemia. Br J Haematol 2024; 205:207-219. [PMID: 38867543 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19563] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Upregulation of the Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) gene is common in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and is associated with poor prognosis. WT1 generates 12 primary transcripts through different translation initiation sites and alternative splicing. The short WT1 transcripts express abundantly in primary leukaemia samples. We observed that overexpression of short WT1 transcripts lacking exon 5 with and without the KTS motif (sWT1+/- and sWT1-/-) led to reduced cell growth. However, only sWT1+/- overexpression resulted in decreased CD71 expression, G1 arrest, and cytarabine resistance. Primary AML patient cells with low CD71 expression exhibit resistance to cytarabine, suggesting that CD71 may serve as a potential biomarker for chemotherapy. RNAseq differential expressed gene analysis identified two transcription factors, HOXA3 and GATA2, that are specifically upregulated in sWT1+/- cells, whereas CDKN1A is upregulated in sWT1-/- cells. Overexpression of either HOXA3 or GATA2 reproduced the effects of sWT1+/-, including decreased cell growth, G1 arrest, reduced CD71 expression and cytarabine resistance. HOXA3 expression correlates with chemotherapy response and overall survival in NPM1 mutation-negative leukaemia specimens. Overexpression of HOXA3 leads to drug resistance against a broad spectrum of chemotherapeutic agents. Our results suggest that WT1 regulates cell proliferation and drug sensitivity in an isoform-specific manner.
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MESH Headings
- Humans
- Antigens, CD/genetics
- Antigens, CD/metabolism
- Antigens, CD/biosynthesis
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Cytarabine/pharmacology
- Cytarabine/therapeutic use
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic/drug effects
- Homeodomain Proteins/genetics
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Nucleophosmin
- Protein Isoforms
- Receptors, Transferrin
- Up-Regulation
- WT1 Proteins/genetics
- WT1 Proteins/metabolism
- WT1 Proteins/biosynthesis
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Affiliation(s)
- Basil Allen
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Lindsey Savoy
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Peter Ryabinin
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Daniel Bottomly
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Reid Chen
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Bonnie Goff
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Anthony Wang
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Shannon K McWeeney
- Division of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Haijiao Zhang
- Division of Oncological Sciences, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
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3
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Dvoretskova E, Ho MC, Kittke V, Neuhaus F, Vitali I, Lam DD, Delgado I, Feng C, Torres M, Winkelmann J, Mayer C. Spatial enhancer activation influences inhibitory neuron identity during mouse embryonic development. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:862-872. [PMID: 38528203 PMCID: PMC11088997 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01611-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The mammalian telencephalon contains distinct GABAergic projection neuron and interneuron types, originating in the germinal zone of the embryonic basal ganglia. How genetic information in the germinal zone determines cell types is unclear. Here we use a combination of in vivo CRISPR perturbation, lineage tracing and ChIP-sequencing analyses and show that the transcription factor MEIS2 favors the development of projection neurons by binding enhancer regions in projection-neuron-specific genes during mouse embryonic development. MEIS2 requires the presence of the homeodomain transcription factor DLX5 to direct its functional activity toward the appropriate binding sites. In interneuron precursors, the transcription factor LHX6 represses the MEIS2-DLX5-dependent activation of projection-neuron-specific enhancers. Mutations of Meis2 result in decreased activation of regulatory enhancers, affecting GABAergic differentiation. We propose a differential binding model where the binding of transcription factors at cis-regulatory elements determines differential gene expression programs regulating cell fate specification in the mouse ganglionic eminence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Dvoretskova
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - May C Ho
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Volker Kittke
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Neuhaus
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Ilaria Vitali
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Daniel D Lam
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Chao Feng
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juliane Winkelmann
- Institute of Neurogenomics, Helmholtz Zentrum München GmbH, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuhererg, Germany
- TUM School of Medicine and Health, Institute of Human Genetics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZPG (German Center for Mental Health), Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Mayer
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany.
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4
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Bobola N, Sagerström CG. TALE transcription factors: Cofactors no more. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 152-153:76-84. [PMID: 36509674 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.015] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Exd/PBX, Hth/MEIS and PREP proteins belong to the TALE (three-amino-acid loop extension) superclass of transcription factors (TFs) with an atypical homedomain (HD). Originally discovered as "cofactors" to HOX proteins, revisiting their traditional role in light of genome-wide experiments reveals a strong and reproducible pattern of HOX and TALE co-occupancy across diverse embryonic tissues. While confirming that TALE increases HOX specificity and selectivity in vivo, this wider outlook also reveals novel aspects of HOX:TALE collaboration, namely that HOX TFs generally require pre-bound TALE factors to access their functional binding sites in vivo. In contrast to the restricted expression domains of HOX TFs, TALE factors are largely ubiquitous, and PBX and PREP are expressed at the earliest developmental stages. PBX and MEIS control development of many organs and tissues and their dysregulation is associated with congenital disease and cancer. Accordingly, many instances of TALE cooperation with non HOX TFs have been documented in various systems. The model that emerges from these studies is that TALE TFs create a permissive chromatin platform that is selected by tissue-restricted TFs for binding. In turn, HOX and other tissue-restricted TFs selectively convert a ubiquitous pool of low affinity TALE binding events into high confidence, tissue-restricted binding events associated with transcriptional activation. As a result, TALE:TF complexes are associated with active chromatin and domain/lineage-specific gene activity. TALE ubiquitous expression and broad genomic occupancy, as well as the increasing examples of TALE tissue-specific partners, reveal a universal and obligatory role for TALE in the control of tissue and lineage-specific transcriptional programs, beyond their initial discovery as HOX co-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoletta Bobola
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
| | - Charles G Sagerström
- Section of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Medical School, Aurora, CO, USA.
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5
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Salomone J, Farrow E, Gebelein B. Homeodomain complex formation and biomolecular condensates in Hox gene regulation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 152-153:93-100. [PMID: 36517343 PMCID: PMC10258226 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.11.016] [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: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes are a family of homeodomain transcription factors that regulate specialized morphological structures along the anterior-posterior axis of metazoans. Over the past few decades, researchers have focused on defining how Hox factors with similar in vitro DNA binding activities achieve sufficient target specificity to regulate distinct cell fates in vivo. In this review, we highlight how protein interactions with other transcription factors, many of which are also homeodomain proteins, result in the formation of transcription factor complexes with enhanced DNA binding specificity. These findings suggest that Hox-regulated enhancers utilize distinct combinations of homeodomain binding sites, many of which are low-affinity, to recruit specific Hox complexes. However, low-affinity sites can only yield reproducible responses with high transcription factor concentrations. To overcome this limitation, recent studies revealed how transcription factors, including Hox factors, use intrinsically disordered domains (IDRs) to form biomolecular condensates that increase protein concentrations. Moreover, Hox factors with altered IDRs have been associated with altered transcriptional activity and human disease states, demonstrating the importance of IDRs in mediating essential Hox output. Collectively, these studies highlight how Hox factors use their DNA binding domains, protein-protein interaction domains, and IDRs to form specific transcription factor complexes that yield accurate gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Salomone
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Edward Farrow
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, MLC 7007, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
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6
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Zhang M, Zhang Q, Cao Z, Cai X, Liu J, Jiang Y, Zhu Y, Zhou J, Yu L, Zhen X, Hu Y, Yan G, Sun H. MEKK4-mediated Phosphorylation of HOXA10 at Threonine 362 facilitates embryo adhesion to the endometrial epithelium. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:415. [PMID: 36216824 PMCID: PMC9550837 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-01203-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Embryo adhesion is a very important step in the embryo implantation process. Homeobox A10 (HOXA10), a key transcriptional factor of endometrial receptivity, is indispensable for embryo adhesion. However, how to control the activation status of HOXA10 remains elusive. Here, we found that Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 4 (MEKK4) was associated with HOXA10 and directly phosphorylated HOXA10 at threonine 362. This MEKK4-mediated phosphorylation enhanced HOXA10-mediated transcriptional responses and adhesion between the embryo and endometrial epithelium. Specific deletion or kinase inactivation of MEKK4 in endometrial epithelial cells attenuates adhesion between embryo and epithelium. Therefore, the identification of MEKK4 as a novel physiological positive regulator of HOXA10 activation provides mechanistic insights to improve embryo implantation success. Moreover, when Thr362 was mutated to alanine (T362A) to mimic its dephosphorylation, the protein stability and transcriptional regulation of HOXA10 were decreased. In addition, HOXA10 -promoted embryo adhesion was weakened after the mutation of Thr362, suggesting that the phosphorylation of HOXA10 at this site may be a new indicator for evaluating endometrial receptivity and judging the ‘implantation window’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xinyu Cai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jingyu Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yingchun Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Jidong Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Lina Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xin Zhen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211116, China.
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7
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Singh NP, Krumlauf R. Diversification and Functional Evolution of HOX Proteins. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:798812. [PMID: 35646905 PMCID: PMC9136108 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.798812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene duplication and divergence is a major contributor to the generation of morphological diversity and the emergence of novel features in vertebrates during evolution. The availability of sequenced genomes has facilitated our understanding of the evolution of genes and regulatory elements. However, progress in understanding conservation and divergence in the function of proteins has been slow and mainly assessed by comparing protein sequences in combination with in vitro analyses. These approaches help to classify proteins into different families and sub-families, such as distinct types of transcription factors, but how protein function varies within a gene family is less well understood. Some studies have explored the functional evolution of closely related proteins and important insights have begun to emerge. In this review, we will provide a general overview of gene duplication and functional divergence and then focus on the functional evolution of HOX proteins to illustrate evolutionary changes underlying diversification and their role in animal evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robb Krumlauf
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, MO, United States
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, United States
- *Correspondence: Robb Krumlauf,
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8
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Meriç N, Kocabaş F. The Historical Relationship Between Meis1 and Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1387:127-144. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2021_705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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9
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Gavory G, Baril C, Laberge G, Bidla G, Koonpaew S, Sonea T, Sauvageau G, Therrien M. A genetic screen in Drosophila uncovers the multifaceted properties of the NUP98-HOXA9 oncogene. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009730. [PMID: 34383740 PMCID: PMC8384169 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) underlies the uncontrolled accumulation of immature myeloid blasts. Several cytogenetic abnormalities have been associated with AML. Among these is the NUP98-HOXA9 (NA9) translocation that fuses the Phe-Gly repeats of nucleoporin NUP98 to the homeodomain of the transcription factor HOXA9. The mechanisms enabling NA9-induced leukemia are poorly understood. Here, we conducted a genetic screen in Drosophila for modifiers of NA9. The screen uncovered 29 complementation groups, including genes with mammalian homologs known to impinge on NA9 activity. Markedly, the modifiers encompassed a diversity of functional categories, suggesting that NA9 perturbs multiple intracellular events. Unexpectedly, we discovered that NA9 promotes cell fate transdetermination and that this phenomenon is greatly influenced by NA9 modifiers involved in epigenetic regulation. Together, our work reveals a network of genes functionally connected to NA9 that not only provides insights into its mechanism of action, but also represents potential therapeutic targets. Acute myeloid leukemia or AML is a cancer of blood cells. Despite significant progress in recent years, a majority of afflicted individuals still succumbs to the disease. A variety of genetic defects have been associated to AML. Among these are chromosomal translocations, which entail the fusion of two genes, leading to the production of cancer-inducing chimeric proteins. A representative example is the NUP98-HOXA9 oncoprotein, which results from the fusion of the NUP98 and HOXA9 genes. The mechanism of action of NUP98-HOXA9 remains poorly understood. Given the evolutionarily conservation of NUP98 and HOXA9 as well as basic cellular processes across multicellular organisms, we took advantage of Drosophila fruit flies as a genetic tool to identify genes that impinge on the activity of human NUP98-HOXA9. Surprisingly, this approach identified a relatively large spectrum of conserved genes that engaged in functional interplay with NUP98-HOXA9, which indicated the pervasive effects that this oncogene has on basic cellular events. While some genes have been previously linked to NUP98-HOXA9, thus validating our experimental approach, several others are novel and as such represent potentially new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwenaëlle Gavory
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Caroline Baril
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gino Laberge
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Gawa Bidla
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Surapong Koonpaew
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Thomas Sonea
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Guy Sauvageau
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Marc Therrien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada.,Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
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10
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Yao M, Gu Y, Yang Z, Zhong K, Chen Z. MEIS1 and its potential as a cancer therapeutic target (Review). Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:181. [PMID: 34318904 PMCID: PMC8354308 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Meis homeobox 1 (Meis1) was initially discovered in 1995 as a factor involved in leukemia in an animal model. Subsequently, 2 years later, MEIS1, the human homolog, was cloned in the liver and cerebellum, and was found to be highly expressed in myeloid leukemia cells. The MEIS1 gene, located on chromosome 2p14, encodes a 390-amino acid protein with six domains. The expression of homeobox protein MEIS1 is affected by cell type, age and environmental conditions, as well as the pathological state. Certain types of modifications of MEIS1 and its protein interaction with homeobox or pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox proteins have been described. As a transcription factor, MEIS1 protein is involved in cell proliferation in leukemia and some solid tumors. The present review article discusses the molecular biology, modifications, protein-protein interactions, as well as the role of MEIS1 in cell proliferation of cancer cells and MEIS1 inhibitors. It is suggested by the available literature MEIS1 has potential to become a cancer therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maozhong Yao
- Clinical Research Center, Hainan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Haikou, Hainan 570203, P.R. China
| | - Yong Gu
- Clinical Research Center, Hainan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Haikou, Hainan 570203, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoxin Yang
- Teaching Experimental Animal Center, Research Center for Drug Safety Evaluation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
| | - Keyan Zhong
- Teaching Experimental Animal Center, Research Center for Drug Safety Evaluation of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
| | - Zhanjuan Chen
- Chemical Experiment Teaching Center, College of Pharmacy, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 571199, P.R. China
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11
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Delgado I, Giovinazzo G, Temiño S, Gauthier Y, Balsalobre A, Drouin J, Torres M. Control of mouse limb initiation and antero-posterior patterning by Meis transcription factors. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3086. [PMID: 34035267 PMCID: PMC8149412 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23373-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Meis1 and Meis2 are homeodomain transcription factors that regulate organogenesis through cooperation with Hox proteins. Elimination of Meis genes after limb induction has shown their role in limb proximo-distal patterning; however, limb development in the complete absence of Meis function has not been studied. Here, we report that Meis1/2 inactivation in the lateral plate mesoderm of mouse embryos leads to limb agenesis. Meis and Tbx factors converge in this function, extensively co-binding with Tbx to genomic sites and co-regulating enhancers of Fgf10, a critical factor in limb initiation. Limbs with three deleted Meis alleles show proximal-specific skeletal hypoplasia and agenesis of posterior skeletal elements. This failure in posterior specification results from an early role of Meis factors in establishing the limb antero-posterior prepattern required for Shh activation. Our results demonstrate roles for Meis transcription factors in early limb development and identify their involvement in previously undescribed interaction networks that regulate organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Giovanna Giovinazzo
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Temiño
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Yves Gauthier
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aurelio Balsalobre
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacques Drouin
- Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Xu B, Geerts D, Hu S, Yue J, Li Z, Zhu G, Jin L. The depot GnRH agonist protocol improves the live birth rate per fresh embryo transfer cycle, but not the cumulative live birth rate in normal responders: a randomized controlled trial and molecular mechanism study. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:1306-1318. [PMID: 32478400 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do cumulative live birth rates (CLBRs) after one complete ART cycle differ between the three commonly used controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) protocols (GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa (GnRH agonist) and long GnRHa) in normal responders undergoing IVF/ICSI? SUMMARY ANSWER There were similar CLBRs between the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa and long GnRHa protocols. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY There is no consensus on which COS protocol is the most optimal in women with normal ovarian response. The CLBR provides the final success rate after one complete ART cycle, including the fresh and all subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (ET) cycles. We suggest that the CLBR measure would allow for better comparisons between the different treatment protocols. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective controlled, randomized, open label trial was performed between May 2016 and May 2017. A total of 819 patients were allocated to the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa or long GnRHa protocol in a 1:1:1 ratio. The minimum follow-up time from the first IVF cycle was 2 years. To further investigate the potential effect of COS with the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa or long GnRHa protocol on endometrial receptivity, the expression of homeobox A10 (HOXA10), myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS1) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) endometrial receptivity markers was evaluated in endometrial tissue from patients treated with the different COS protocols. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Infertile women with normal ovarian response (n = 819) undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment were randomized to the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa or long GnRHa protocol. Both IVF and ICSI cycles were included, and the sperm samples used were either fresh or frozen partner ejaculates or frozen donor ejaculates. The primary outcome was the live birth rate (LBR) per fresh ET cycle, and the CLBR after one complete ART cycle, until the birth of a first child (after 28 weeks) or until all frozen embryos were used, whichever occurred first. Pipelle endometrial biopsies from 34 female patients were obtained on Days 7-8 after oocyte retrieval or spontaneous ovulation in natural cycles, respectively, and HOXA10, MEIS1 and LIF mRNA and protein expression levels in the human endometrium was determined by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE There were no significant differences in CLBRs between the GnRH antagonist, depot GnRHa or long GnRHa protocol (71.4 versus 75.5 versus 72.2%, respectively). However, there was a significantly higher LBR per fresh ET cycle in the depot GnRHa protocol than in the long GnRHa and GnRH antagonist protocols (62.6 versus 52.1% versus 45.6%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, HOXA10, MEIS1 and LIF mRNA and protein expression in endometrium all showed significantly higher in the depot GnRHa protocol than in the long GnRHa and GnRH antagonist protocols (P < 0.05). LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION A limitation of our study was that both our clinicians and patients were not blinded to the randomization for the randomized controlled trial (RCT). An inclusion criterion for the current retrospective cohort study was based on the 'actual ovarian response' during COS treatment, while the included population for the RCT was 'expected normal responders' based on maternal age and ovarian reserve test. In addition, the analysis was restricted to patients under 40 years of age undergoing their first IVF cycle. Furthermore, the endometrial tissue was collected from patients who cancelled the fresh ET, which may include some patients at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, however only patients with 4-19 oocytes retrieved were included in the molecular study. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The depot GnRH agonist protocol improves the live birth rate per fresh ET cycle, but not the cumulative live birth rate in normal responders. A possible explanation for the improved LBR after fresh ET in the depot GnRHa protocol could be molecular signalling at the level of endometrial receptivity. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This project was funded by Grant 81571439 from the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China and Grant 2016YFC1000206-5 from the National Key Research & Development Program of China. The authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The RCT trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Study Number: ChiCTR-INR-16008220. TRIAL REGISTRATION DATE 5 April 2016. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT’S ENROLLMENT 12 May 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Shiqiao Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Yue
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhou Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Guijin Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medicine College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 JieFang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, People's Republic of China
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13
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López-Delgado AC, Delgado I, Cadenas V, Sánchez-Cabo F, Torres M. Axial skeleton anterior-posterior patterning is regulated through feedback regulation between Meis transcription factors and retinoic acid. Development 2021; 148:dev.193813. [PMID: 33298461 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Vertebrate axial skeletal patterning is controlled by co-linear expression of Hox genes and axial level-dependent activity of HOX protein combinations. MEIS transcription factors act as co-factors of HOX proteins and profusely bind to Hox complex DNA; however, their roles in mammalian axial patterning remain unknown. Retinoic acid (RA) is known to regulate axial skeletal element identity through the transcriptional activity of its receptors; however, whether this role is related to MEIS/HOX activity remains unknown. Here, we study the role of Meis in axial skeleton formation and its relationship to the RA pathway in mice. Meis elimination in the paraxial mesoderm produces anterior homeotic transformations and rib mis-patterning associated to alterations of the hypaxial myotome. Although Raldh2 and Meis positively regulate each other, Raldh2 elimination largely recapitulates the defects associated with Meis deficiency, and Meis overexpression rescues the axial skeletal defects in Raldh2 mutants. We propose a Meis-RA-positive feedback loop, the output of which is Meis levels, that is essential to establish anterior-posterior identities and patterning of the vertebrate axial skeleton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra C López-Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Irene Delgado
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Vanessa Cadenas
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Fátima Sánchez-Cabo
- Bioinformatics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
| | - Miguel Torres
- Cardiovascular Development Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Madrid 28003, Spain
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14
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VanOpstall C, Perike S, Brechka H, Gillard M, Lamperis S, Zhu B, Brown R, Bhanvadia R, Vander Griend DJ. MEIS-mediated suppression of human prostate cancer growth and metastasis through HOXB13-dependent regulation of proteoglycans. eLife 2020; 9:e53600. [PMID: 32553107 PMCID: PMC7371429 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular roles of HOX transcriptional activity in human prostate epithelial cells remain unclear, impeding the implementation of new treatment strategies for cancer prevention and therapy. MEIS proteins are transcription factors that bind and direct HOX protein activity. MEIS proteins are putative tumor suppressors that are frequently silenced in aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Here we show that MEIS1 expression is sufficient to decrease proliferation and metastasis of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo murine xenograft models. HOXB13 deletion demonstrates that the tumor-suppressive activity of MEIS1 is dependent on HOXB13. Integration of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq data revealed direct and HOXB13-dependent regulation of proteoglycans including decorin (DCN) as a mechanism of MEIS1-driven tumor suppression. These results define and underscore the importance of MEIS1-HOXB13 transcriptional regulation in suppressing prostate cancer progression and provide a mechanistic framework for the investigation of HOXB13 mutants and oncogenic cofactors when MEIS1/2 are silenced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calvin VanOpstall
- The Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Srikanth Perike
- Department of Pathology, The University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Hannah Brechka
- The Committee on Cancer Biology, The University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Marc Gillard
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Sophia Lamperis
- Department of Pathology, The University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Baizhen Zhu
- Department of Surgery, Section of Urology, The University of ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Ryan Brown
- Department of Pathology, The University of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoUnited States
| | - Raj Bhanvadia
- Department of Urology, UT SouthwesternDallasUnited States
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15
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Hankey W, Chen Z, Wang Q. Shaping Chromatin States in Prostate Cancer by Pioneer Transcription Factors. Cancer Res 2020; 80:2427-2436. [PMID: 32094298 PMCID: PMC7299826 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-3447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is a critical therapeutic target in prostate cancer that responds to antagonists in primary disease, but inevitably becomes reactivated, signaling onset of the lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage. Epigenomic investigation of the chromatin environment and interacting partners required for AR transcriptional activity has uncovered three pioneer factors that open up chromatin and facilitate AR-driven transcriptional programs. FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are required for normal AR transcription in prostate epithelial development and for oncogenic AR transcription during prostate carcinogenesis. AR signaling is dependent upon these three pioneer factors both before and after the clinical transition from treatable androgen-dependent disease to untreatable CRPC. Agents targeting their respective DNA binding or downstream chromatin-remodeling events have shown promise in preclinical studies of CRPC. AR-independent functions of FOXA1, HOXB13, and GATA2 are emerging as well. While all three pioneer factors exert effects that promote carcinogenesis, some of their functions may inhibit certain stages of prostate cancer progression. In all, these pioneer factors represent some of the most promising potential therapeutic targets to emerge thus far from the study of the prostate cancer epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Hankey
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Qianben Wang
- Department of Pathology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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16
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Nguyen NUN, Canseco DC, Xiao F, Nakada Y, Li S, Lam NT, Muralidhar SA, Savla JJ, Hill JA, Le V, Zidan KA, El-Feky HW, Wang Z, Ahmed MS, Hubbi ME, Menendez-Montes I, Moon J, Ali SR, Le V, Villalobos E, Mohamed MS, Elhelaly WM, Thet S, Anene-Nzelu CG, Tan WLW, Foo RS, Meng X, Kanchwala M, Xing C, Roy J, Cyert MS, Rothermel BA, Sadek HA. A calcineurin-Hoxb13 axis regulates growth mode of mammalian cardiomyocytes. Nature 2020; 582:271-276. [PMID: 32499640 PMCID: PMC7670845 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2228-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A major factor in the progression to heart failure in humans is the inability of the adult heart to repair itself after injury. We recently demonstrated that the early postnatal mammalian heart is capable of regeneration following injury through proliferation of preexisting cardiomyocytes1,2 and that Meis1, a three amino acid loop extension (TALE) family homeodomain transcription factor, translocates to cardiomyocyte nuclei shortly after birth and mediates postnatal cell cycle arrest3. Here we report that Hoxb13 acts as a cofactor of Meis1 in postnatal cardiomyocytes. Cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of Hoxb13 can extend the postnatal window of cardiomyocyte proliferation and reactivate the cardiomyocyte cell cycle in the adult heart. Moreover, adult Meis1-Hoxb13 double-knockout hearts display widespread cardiomyocyte mitosis, sarcomere disassembly and improved left ventricular systolic function following myocardial infarction, as demonstrated by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing demonstrates that Meis1 and Hoxb13 act cooperatively to regulate cardiomyocyte maturation and cell cycle. Finally, we show that the calcium-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin dephosphorylates Hoxb13 at serine-204, resulting in its nuclear localization and cell cycle arrest. These results demonstrate that Meis1 and Hoxb13 act cooperatively to regulate cardiomyocyte maturation and proliferation and provide mechanistic insights into the link between hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc Uyen Nhi Nguyen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diana C Canseco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Feng Xiao
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yuji Nakada
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shujuan Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Nicholas T Lam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shalini A Muralidhar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jainy J Savla
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joseph A Hill
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Victor Le
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kareem A Zidan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hamed W El-Feky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zhaoning Wang
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Mahmoud Salama Ahmed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Maimon E Hubbi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ivan Menendez-Montes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jesung Moon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Shah R Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Victoria Le
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Elisa Villalobos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Magid S Mohamed
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Waleed M Elhelaly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Suwannee Thet
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chukwuemeka George Anene-Nzelu
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wilson Lek Wen Tan
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Roger S Foo
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Xun Meng
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Mohammed Kanchwala
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Chao Xing
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development/Center for Human Genetics, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jagoree Roy
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Martha S Cyert
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Beverly A Rothermel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hesham A Sadek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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17
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Schulte D, Geerts D. MEIS transcription factors in development and disease. Development 2019; 146:146/16/dev174706. [PMID: 31416930 DOI: 10.1242/dev.174706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MEIS transcription factors are key regulators of embryonic development and cancer. Research on MEIS genes in the embryo and in stem cell systems has revealed novel and surprising mechanisms by which these proteins control gene expression. This Primer summarizes recent findings about MEIS protein activity and regulation in development, and discusses new insights into the role of MEIS genes in disease, focusing on the pathogenesis of solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Schulte
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute), University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Dirk Geerts
- Department of Medical Biology L2-109, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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18
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Durston AJ. What are the roles of retinoids, other morphogens, and Hox genes in setting up the vertebrate body axis? Genesis 2019; 57:e23296. [PMID: 31021058 PMCID: PMC6767176 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
This article is concerned with the roles of retinoids and other known anterior-posterior morphogens in setting up the embryonic vertebrate anterior-posterior axis. The discussion is restricted to the very earliest events in setting up the anterior-posterior axis (from blastula to tailbud stages in Xenopus embryos). In these earliest developmental stages, morphogen concentration gradients are not relevant for setting up this axis. It emerges that at these stages, the core patterning mechanism is timing: BMP-anti BMP mediated time space translation that regulates Hox temporal and spatial collinearities and Hox-Hox auto- and cross- regulation. The known anterior-posterior morphogens and signaling pathways--retinoids, FGF's, Cdx, Wnts, Gdf11 and others--interact with this core mechanism at and after space-time defined "decision points," leading to the separation of distinct axial domains. There are also other roles for signaling pathways. Besides the Hox regulated hindbrain/trunk part of the axis, there is a rostral part (including the anterior part of the head and the extreme anterior domain [EAD]) that appears to be regulated by additional mechanisms. Key aspects of anterior-posterior axial patterning, including: the nature of different phases in early patterning and in the whole process; the specificities of Hox action and of intercellular signaling; and the mechanisms of Hox temporal and spatial collinearities, are discussed in relation to the facts and hypotheses proposed above.
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19
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Nagy Á, Ősz Á, Budczies J, Krizsán S, Szombath G, Demeter J, Bödör C, Győrffy B. Elevated HOX gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with NPM1 mutations and poor survival. J Adv Res 2019; 20:105-116. [PMID: 31333881 PMCID: PMC6614546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clonal disorder of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the most common malignant myeloid disorder in adults. Several gene mutations such as in NPM1 (nucleophosmin 1) are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of AML. The aim of this study was to identify genes whose expression is associated with driver mutations and survival outcome. Genotype data (somatic mutations) and gene expression data including RNA-seq, microarray, and qPCR data were used for the analysis. Multiple datasets were utilized as training sets (GSE6891, TCGA, and GSE1159). A new clinical sample cohort (Semmelweis set) was established for in vitro validation. Wilcoxon analysis was used to identify genes with expression alterations between the mutant and wild type samples. Cox regression analysis was performed to examine the association between gene expression and survival outcome. Data analysis was performed in the R statistical environment. Eighty-five genes were identified with significantly altered expression when comparing NPM1 mutant and wild type patient groups in the GSE6891 set. Additional training sets were used as a filter to condense the six most significant genes associated with NPM1 mutations. Then, the expression changes of these six genes were confirmed in the Semmelweis set: HOXA5 (P = 3.06E-12, FC = 8.3), HOXA10 (P = 2.44E-09, FC = 3.3), HOXB5 (P = 1.86E-13, FC = 37), MEIS1 (P = 9.82E-10, FC = 4.4), PBX3 (P = 1.03E-13, FC = 5.4) and ITM2A (P = 0.004, FC = 0.4). Cox regression analysis showed that higher expression of these genes - with the exception of ITM2A - was associated with worse overall survival. Higher expression of the HOX genes was identified in tumors harboring NPM1 gene mutations by computationally linking genotype and gene expression. In vitro validation of these genes supports their potential therapeutic application in AML.
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Key Words
- AML, acute myeloid leukemia
- Acute myeloid leukemia
- Clinical samples
- FAB classification, French–American–British classification
- FC, fold change
- Gene expression
- HOX genes
- HOX, homeobox
- HR, hazard ratio
- ITD, internal tandem duplication
- MEIS, myeloid ecotropic viral integration site
- Mutation
- NCBI GEO, National Center for Biotechnology Gene expression Omnibus
- OS, overall survival
- PBX, pre-B-cell leukemia homeobox
- Survival
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- WHO, World Health Organization
- qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction
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Affiliation(s)
- Ádám Nagy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Ősz
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Jan Budczies
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Szilvia Krizsán
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gergely Szombath
- 3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Demeter
- 1st Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Csaba Bödör
- MTA-SE Lendület Molecular Oncohematology Research Group, 1st Department of Pathology, and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Győrffy
- MTA TTK Lendület Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, Magyar Tudósok körútja 2, 1117 Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University 2nd Dept. of Pediatrics, Tűzoltó utca 7-9, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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The human HOXA9 protein uses paralog-specific residues of the homeodomain to interact with TALE-class cofactors. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5664. [PMID: 30952900 PMCID: PMC6450960 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42096-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
HOX proteins interact with PBX and MEIS cofactors, which belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain (HD)-containing transcription factors. Although the formation of HOX-PBX complexes depends on a unique conserved HOX motif called hexapeptide (HX), the additional presence of MEIS induces a remodeling of the interaction, leading to a global dispensability of the HX motif for trimeric complex formation in the large majority of HOX proteins. In addition, it was shown that the anterior HOXB3 and central HOXA7 and HOXC8 proteins could use different alternative TALE interaction motifs, with or without the HX motif, depending on the DNA-binding site and cell context. Here we dissected the molecular interaction properties of the human posterior HOXA9 protein with its TALE cofactors, PBX1 and MEIS1. Analysis was performed on different DNA-binding sites in vitro and by doing Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation (BiFC) in different cell lines. Notably, we observed that the HOXA9-TALE interaction relies consistently on the redundant activity of the HX motif and two paralog-specific residues of the HOXA9 HD. Together with previous work, our results show that HOX proteins interact with their generic TALE cofactors through various modalities, ranging from unique and context-independent to versatile and context-dependent TALE binding interfaces.
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Johng D, Torga G, Ewing CM, Jin K, Norris JD, McDonnell DP, Isaacs WB. HOXB13 interaction with MEIS1 modifies proliferation and gene expression in prostate cancer. Prostate 2019; 79:414-424. [PMID: 30560549 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recurrent p.Gly84Glu germline mutation (G84E) in HOXB13 is consistently associated with prostate cancer (PCa), although the mechanisms underlying such linkage remain elusive. The majority of the PCa-associated HOXB13 mutations identified are localized to two conserved domains in HOXB13 that have been shown to mediate the interaction with MEIS cofactors belonging to the TALE family of homeodomain transcription factors. In this study, we sought to interrogate the biochemical and functional interactions between HOXB13 and MEIS in prostatic cells with a goal of defining how the HOXB13-MEIS complex impacts PCa pathobiology and define the extent to which the oncogenic activity of G84E is related to its effect on HOXB13-MEIS interaction/function. METHODS HOXB13 and MEIS paralog expression in prostate epithelial cells and PCa cell lines was characterized by qPCR and immunoblot analyses. HOXB13 and MEIS1 co-expression in human prostate tissue was confirmed by IHC, followed by co-IP mapping of HOXB13-MEIS1 interactions. Proliferation of the PCa cell line LAPC4 following shRNA-mediated knockdown of each gene or both genes was assessed using DNA- and metabolic-based assays. Transcriptional targets of HOXB13 and MEIS1 were identified by gene expression profiling and qPCR. Finally, protein stability of HOXB13 in the context of MEIS1 was determined using pulse-chase assays. RESULTS HOXB13 and MEIS1 are co-expressed and interact in prostate cells. Both of the putative MEIS interacting domains (MID) within HOXB13 were shown to be capable of mediating the interaction between HOXB13 and MEIS1 independently and such interactions were not influenced by the G84E mutation. The inhibitory effect of either HOXB13 or MEIS1 knockdown on cellular proliferation was augmented by knockdown of both genes, and MEIS1 knockdown abolished HOXB13-driven regulation of BCHE and TNFSF10 mRNA expression. Notably, we demonstrated that MEIS1 stabilized the HOXB13 protein in LAPC4 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence for functional HOXB13-MEIS1 interactions in PCa. MEIS1 may contribute to the cancer-promoting actions of HOXB13 in cellular proliferation and gene regulation by prolonging HOXB13 half-life. Our data demonstrates that G84E is not a loss-of-function mutation that interferes with HOXB13 stability or ability to interact with MEIS1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorhyun Johng
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gonzalo Torga
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Charles M Ewing
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kideok Jin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, New York
| | - John D Norris
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Donald P McDonnell
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - William B Isaacs
- Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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22
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Chen R, Li H, Li Y, Fazli L, Gleave M, Nappi L, Dong X. Loss of Nuclear Functions of HOXA10 Is Associated With Testicular Cancer Proliferation. Front Oncol 2018; 8:594. [PMID: 30581773 PMCID: PMC6292994 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: HOXA10 is a key transcriptional factor that regulates testis development as reported from previous transgenic mouse models and human inherited diseases. However, whether it also plays important roles in promoting the development of testicular cancer is not well-understood. Objective: To study the expression of HOXA10 and its regulated signaling pathways in testicular cancers. Design, Setting, and Participants: A tissue microarray was constructed with benign and cancerous testis. TCam2, NT-2, and NCCIT cell models were applied in this study. Intervention: Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to measure the expression and cellular localization of HOXA10 in testicular cancer tissues and cell models. Cell proliferation and cell cycling rates were determined by BrdU incorporation and flow cytometry assays. HOXA10 transcriptomes were profiled with Ampliseq RNA-seq in testicular cancer cells. Immunoblotting assays were used to detect HOXA10-regulated signaling. Results: HOXA10 is a nuclear protein in benign spermatocytes. Reduced nuclear expression and increased cytoplasmic expression of HOXA10 are associated with testicular cancers. These changes are consistent in both seminoma and non-seminoma. Enhanced HOXA10 expression in testicular cancer cell models inhibits cell proliferation and delays cell cycle progression through G2/M phases. These functions of HOXA10 mainly affect the TP53, cKit, STAT3, AKT, and ERK signaling pathways. Conclusions: Loss of nuclear functions of HOXA10 enhances proliferation of testicular cancer cells, suggesting that downregulation of HOXA10 transcription activity may promote the development of testicular cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Chen
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, King's College Circle Toronto, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haolong Li
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yinan Li
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ladan Fazli
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Martin Gleave
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lucia Nappi
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Xuesen Dong
- Department of Urologic Sciences, Vancouver Prostate Centre, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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23
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Arabanian LS, Johansson P, Staffas A, Nilsson T, Rouhi A, Fogelstrand L, Palmqvist L. The endothelin receptor type A is a downstream target of Hoxa9 and Meis1 in acute myeloid leukemia. Leuk Res 2018; 75:61-68. [DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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24
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Ladam F, Stanney W, Donaldson IJ, Yildiz O, Bobola N, Sagerström CG. TALE factors use two distinct functional modes to control an essential zebrafish gene expression program. eLife 2018; 7:36144. [PMID: 29911973 PMCID: PMC6023610 DOI: 10.7554/elife.36144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 06/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
TALE factors are broadly expressed embryonically and known to function in complexes with transcription factors (TFs) like Hox proteins at gastrula/segmentation stages, but it is unclear if such generally expressed factors act by the same mechanism throughout embryogenesis. We identify a TALE-dependent gene regulatory network (GRN) required for anterior development and detect TALE occupancy associated with this GRN throughout embryogenesis. At blastula stages, we uncover a novel functional mode for TALE factors, where they occupy genomic DECA motifs with nearby NF-Y sites. We demonstrate that TALE and NF-Y form complexes and regulate chromatin state at genes of this GRN. At segmentation stages, GRN-associated TALE occupancy expands to include HEXA motifs near PBX:HOX sites. Hence, TALE factors control a key GRN, but utilize distinct DNA motifs and protein partners at different stages – a strategy that may also explain their oncogenic potential and may be employed by other broadly expressed TFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Ladam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - William Stanney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Ian J Donaldson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ozge Yildiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
| | - Nicoletta Bobola
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Charles G Sagerström
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, United States
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25
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Rossmann MP, Orkin SH, Chute JP. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Biology. Hematology 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-35762-3.00009-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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26
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Laganà AS, Vitale SG, Salmeri FM, Triolo O, Ban Frangež H, Vrtačnik-Bokal E, Stojanovska L, Apostolopoulos V, Granese R, Sofo V. Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno: A novel, evidence-based, unifying theory for the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Med Hypotheses 2017; 103:10-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2017.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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27
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Shin JH, Haggadone MD, Sunwoo JB. Transcription factor Dlx3 induces aryl hydrocarbon receptor promoter activity. Biochem Biophys Rep 2016; 7:353-360. [PMID: 27777986 PMCID: PMC5074085 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2016.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The Distal-less (Dlx) homeobox transcription factors (TFs) play a prominent role in regulating multiple facets of vertebrate biology. Though widely studied as mediators of tissue development, recent work has uncovered a role for this TF family in modulating the vertebrate hematopoietic compartment. Pertinent to our study, murine Dlx1-3 are expressed in an innate lymphocyte population known as natural killer (NK) cells, and they are implicated to assume a functional role in the NK cell maturation pathway. However, Dlx target genes are poorly understood. In Drosophila, the invertebrate Dlx ortholog Distal-less (Dll) regulates another transcription factor called Spineless (ss), which is critical for specifying distal antennal segments. Importantly, the vertebrate ortholog of ss is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a transcription factor recently shown to be important in the regulation of a number of immune cell subsets, including NK cells. Given these findings, we investigated whether Dlx TF family members might analogously regulate AhR in an NK cell context. Our results demonstrate that Dlx3 is constitutively co-expressed with AhR in murine and human CD127+ NK cells. Critically, we show that Dlx3 induces AhR promoter activity by binding to a regulatory region that resides ~5.5 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site. This mechanism is functionally relevant, as Dlx3 expression in human NK cells significantly enhances TF activity at AhR DNA-binding elements (Xenobiotic Responsive Elements, XREs). Thus, our study defines Dlx3 as a positive regulator of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- June Ho Shin
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - Mikel D Haggadone
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305, USA
| | - John B Sunwoo
- Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Program in Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Stanford Cancer Institute and Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford CA 94305, USA
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Abstract
Metazoans encode clusters of paralogous Hox genes that are critical for proper development of the body plan. However, there are a number of unresolved issues regarding how paralogous Hox factors achieve specificity to control distinct cell fates. First, how do Hox paralogs, which have very similar DNA binding preferences in vitro, drive different transcriptional programs in vivo? Second, the number of potential Hox binding sites within the genome is vast compared to the number of sites bound. Hence, what determines where in the genome Hox factors bind? Third, what determines whether a Hox factor will activate or repress a specific target gene? Here, we review the current evidence that is beginning to shed light onto these questions. In particular, we highlight how cooperative interactions with other transcription factors (especially PBC and HMP proteins) and the sequences of cis-regulatory modules provide a basis for the mechanisms of Hox specificity. We conclude by integrating a number of the concepts described throughout the review in a case study of a highly interrogated Drosophila cis-regulatory module named “The Distal-less Conserved Regulatory Element” (DCRE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Arya Zandvakili
- Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Medical-Scientist Training Program, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA;
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-513-636-3366
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29
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Uhl JD, Zandvakili A, Gebelein B. A Hox Transcription Factor Collective Binds a Highly Conserved Distal-less cis-Regulatory Module to Generate Robust Transcriptional Outcomes. PLoS Genet 2016; 12:e1005981. [PMID: 27058369 PMCID: PMC4825978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) generate precise expression patterns by integrating numerous transcription factors (TFs). Surprisingly, CRMs that control essential gene patterns can differ greatly in conservation, suggesting distinct constraints on TF binding sites. Here, we show that a highly conserved Distal-less regulatory element (DCRE) that controls gene expression in leg precursor cells recruits multiple Hox, Extradenticle (Exd) and Homothorax (Hth) complexes to mediate dual outputs: thoracic activation and abdominal repression. Using reporter assays, we found that abdominal repression is particularly robust, as neither individual binding site mutations nor a DNA binding deficient Hth protein abolished cooperative DNA binding and in vivo repression. Moreover, a re-engineered DCRE containing a distinct configuration of Hox, Exd, and Hth sites also mediated abdominal Hox repression. However, the re-engineered DCRE failed to perform additional segment-specific functions such as thoracic activation. These findings are consistent with two emerging concepts in gene regulation: First, the abdominal Hox/Exd/Hth factors utilize protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to form repression complexes on flexible combinations of sites, consistent with the TF collective model of CRM organization. Second, the conserved DCRE mediates multiple cell-type specific outputs, consistent with recent findings that pleiotropic CRMs are associated with conserved TF binding and added evolutionary constraints. Enhancers are regulatory elements that interact with transcription factor proteins to control cell-specific gene expression during development. Surprisingly, only a subset of enhancers are highly conserved at the sequence level, even though the expression patterns they control are often conserved and essential for proper development. Why some enhancer sequences are highly conserved whereas others are not is not well understood. In this study, we characterize a highly conserved enhancer that regulates gene expression in leg precursor cells. We find that this enhancer has dual regulatory activities that include gene activation in thoracic segments and gene repression in abdominal segments. Surprisingly, we show that the conserved enhancer can tolerate numerous sequence changes yet mediate robust transcription factor binding and abdominal repression. These findings are consistent with abdominal transcription factors binding numerous different configurations of binding sites. So, why is this enhancer highly conserved? We found that overlapping sequences within the enhancer also contribute to thoracic activation, suggesting the enhancer sequences are under added functional constraints. Altogether, our results provide new insights into why some enhancers are highly conserved at the sequence level while others can tolerate sequence changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juli D Uhl
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.,Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Arya Zandvakili
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America.,Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
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30
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Merabet S, Mann RS. To Be Specific or Not: The Critical Relationship Between Hox And TALE Proteins. Trends Genet 2016; 32:334-347. [PMID: 27066866 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hox proteins are key regulatory transcription factors that act in different tissues of the embryo to provide specific spatial and temporal coordinates to each cell. These patterning functions often depend on the presence of the TALE-homeodomain class cofactors, which form cooperative DNA-binding complexes with all Hox proteins. How this family of cofactors contributes to the highly diverse and specific functions of Hox proteins in vivo remains an important unsolved question. We review here the most recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Hox-TALE function. In particular, we discuss the role of DNA shape, DNA-binding affinity, and protein-protein interaction flexibility in dictating Hox-TALE specificity. We propose several models to explain how these mechanisms are integrated with each other in the context of the many distinct functions that Hox and TALE factors carry out in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Merabet
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, France.
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31
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Yuan H, Kajiyama H, Ito S, Chen D, Shibata K, Hamaguchi M, Kikkawa F, Senga T. HOXB13 and ALX4 induce SLUG expression for the promotion of EMT and cell invasion in ovarian cancer cells. Oncotarget 2016; 6:13359-70. [PMID: 25944620 PMCID: PMC4537020 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 03/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeoproteins, a family of transcription factors that have conserved homeobox domains, play critical roles in embryonic development in a wide range of species. Accumulating studies have revealed that homeoproteins are aberrantly expressed in multiple tumors and function as either tumor promoters or suppressors. In this study, we show that two homeoproteins, HOXB13 and ALX4, are associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and invasion of ovarian cancer cells. HOXB13 and ALX4 formed a complex in cells, and exogenous expression of either protein promoted EMT and invasion. Conversely, depletion of either protein suppressed invasion and induced reversion of EMT. SLUG is a C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor that promotes EMT in various cell lines. Knockdown of HOXB13 or ALX4 suppressed SLUG expression, and exogenous expression of either protein promoted SLUG expression. Finally, we showed that SLUG expression was essential for the HOXB13- or ALX4-mediated EMT and invasion. Our results show that HOXB13/SLUG and ALX4/SLUG axes are novel pathways that promote EMT and invasion of ovarian cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kajiyama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Satoko Ito
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Dan Chen
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Kiyosumi Shibata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Michinari Hamaguchi
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Fumitaka Kikkawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Takeshi Senga
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
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32
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Thorne RMW, Milne TA. Dangerous liaisons: cooperation between Pbx3, Meis1 and Hoxa9 in leukemia. Haematologica 2016; 100:850-3. [PMID: 26130510 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2015.129932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ross M W Thorne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Thomas A Milne
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, UK
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33
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Golonzhka O, Nord A, Tang PLF, Lindtner S, Ypsilanti AR, Ferretti E, Visel A, Selleri L, Rubenstein JLR. Pbx Regulates Patterning of the Cerebral Cortex in Progenitors and Postmitotic Neurons. Neuron 2015; 88:1192-1207. [PMID: 26671461 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.10.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 10/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate using conditional mutagenesis that Pbx1, with and without Pbx2(+/-) sensitization, regulates regional identity and laminar patterning of the developing mouse neocortex in cortical progenitors (Emx1-Cre) and in newly generated neurons (Nex1-Cre). Pbx1/2 mutants have three salient molecular phenotypes of cortical regional and laminar organization: hypoplasia of the frontal cortex, ventral expansion of the dorsomedial cortex, and ventral expansion of Reelin expression in the cortical plate of the frontal cortex, concomitant with an inversion of cortical layering in the rostral cortex. Molecular analyses, including PBX ChIP-seq, provide evidence that PBX promotes frontal cortex identity by repressing genes that promote dorsocaudal fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Golonzhka
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Acetylon Pharmaceuticals, 70 Fargo Street, Suite 205, Boston, MA 02210, USA.
| | - Alex Nord
- Departments of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95618, USA
| | - Paul L F Tang
- Institute for Human Genetics, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Susan Lindtner
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Athena R Ypsilanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Elisabetta Ferretti
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA; The Danish Stem Cell Center, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, DK-2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Axel Visel
- Genomics Division, MS 84-171, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, USA; School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Licia Selleri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - John L R Rubenstein
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Program and the Nina Ireland Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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34
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AlQuraishi M, Tang S, Xia X. An affinity-structure database of helix-turn-helix: DNA complexes with a universal coordinate system. BMC Bioinformatics 2015; 16:390. [PMID: 26586237 PMCID: PMC4653904 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-015-0819-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Molecular interactions between proteins and DNA molecules underlie many cellular processes, including transcriptional regulation, chromosome replication, and nucleosome positioning. Computational analyses of protein-DNA interactions rely on experimental data characterizing known protein-DNA interactions structurally and biochemically. While many databases exist that contain either structural or biochemical data, few integrate these two data sources in a unified fashion. Such integration is becoming increasingly critical with the rapid growth of structural and biochemical data, and the emergence of algorithms that rely on the synthesis of multiple data types to derive computational models of molecular interactions. Description We have developed an integrated affinity-structure database in which the experimental and quantitative DNA binding affinities of helix-turn-helix proteins are mapped onto the crystal structures of the corresponding protein-DNA complexes. This database provides access to: (i) protein-DNA structures, (ii) quantitative summaries of protein-DNA binding affinities using position weight matrices, and (iii) raw experimental data of protein-DNA binding instances. Critically, this database establishes a correspondence between experimental structural data and quantitative binding affinity data at the single basepair level. Furthermore, we present a novel alignment algorithm that structurally aligns the protein-DNA complexes in the database and creates a unified residue-level coordinate system for comparing the physico-chemical environments at the interface between complexes. Using this unified coordinate system, we compute the statistics of atomic interactions at the protein-DNA interface of helix-turn-helix proteins. We provide an interactive website for visualization, querying, and analyzing this database, and a downloadable version to facilitate programmatic analysis. Conclusions This database will facilitate the analysis of protein-DNA interactions and the development of programmatic computational methods that capitalize on integration of structural and biochemical datasets. The database can be accessed at http://ProteinDNA.hms.harvard.edu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed AlQuraishi
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,HMS Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Shengdong Tang
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,HMS Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xide Xia
- Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,HMS Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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35
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Jolma A, Yin Y, Nitta KR, Dave K, Popov A, Taipale M, Enge M, Kivioja T, Morgunova E, Taipale J. DNA-dependent formation of transcription factor pairs alters their binding specificity. Nature 2015; 527:384-8. [DOI: 10.1038/nature15518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 369] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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36
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Somerville TDD, Wiseman DH, Spencer GJ, Huang X, Lynch JT, Leong HS, Williams EL, Cheesman E, Somervaille TCP. Frequent Derepression of the Mesenchymal Transcription Factor Gene FOXC1 in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Cell 2015; 28:329-42. [PMID: 26373280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2015.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Through in silico and other analyses, we identified FOXC1 as expressed in at least 20% of human AML cases, but not in normal hematopoietic populations. FOXC1 expression in AML was almost exclusively associated with expression of the HOXA/B locus. Functional experiments demonstrated that FOXC1 contributes to a block in monocyte/macrophage differentiation and enhances clonogenic potential. In in vivo analyses, FOXC1 collaborates with HOXA9 to accelerate significantly the onset of symptomatic leukemia. A FOXC1-repressed gene set identified in murine leukemia exhibited quantitative repression in human AML in accordance with FOXC1 expression, and FOXC1(high) human AML cases exhibited reduced morphologic monocytic differentiation and inferior survival. Thus, FOXC1 is frequently derepressed to functional effect in human AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim D D Somerville
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Daniel H Wiseman
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Gary J Spencer
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Xu Huang
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - James T Lynch
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Hui Sun Leong
- Computational Biology Support Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Emma L Williams
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Edmund Cheesman
- Department of Diagnostic Paediatric Pathology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester M13 9WL, UK
| | - Tim C P Somervaille
- Leukaemia Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
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37
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Merabet S, Galliot B. The TALE face of Hox proteins in animal evolution. Front Genet 2015; 6:267. [PMID: 26347770 PMCID: PMC4539518 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2015.00267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hox genes are major regulators of embryonic development. One of their most conserved functions is to coordinate the formation of specific body structures along the anterior-posterior (AP) axis in Bilateria. This architectural role was at the basis of several morphological innovations across bilaterian evolution. In this review, we traced the origin of the Hox patterning system by considering the partnership with PBC and Meis proteins. PBC and Meis belong to the TALE-class of homeodomain-containing transcription factors and act as generic cofactors of Hox proteins for AP axis patterning in Bilateria. Recent data indicate that Hox proteins acquired the ability to interact with their TALE partners in the last common ancestor of Bilateria and Cnidaria. These interactions relied initially on a short peptide motif called hexapeptide (HX), which is present in Hox and non-Hox protein families. Remarkably, Hox proteins can also recruit the TALE cofactors by using specific PBC Interaction Motifs (SPIMs). We describe how a functional Hox/TALE patterning system emerged in eumetazoans through the acquisition of SPIMs. We anticipate that interaction flexibility could be found in other patterning systems, being at the heart of the astonishing morphological diversity observed in the animal kingdom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samir Merabet
- Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon Lyon, France ; Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon Lyon, France
| | - Brigitte Galliot
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Faculty of Science, Institute of Genetics and Genomics in Geneva, University of Geneva Geneva, Switzerland
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Role of HOXA9 in leukemia: dysregulation, cofactors and essential targets. Oncogene 2015; 35:1090-8. [PMID: 26028034 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
HOXA9 is a homeodomain-containing transcription factor that has an important role in hematopoietic stem cell expansion and is commonly deregulated in acute leukemias. A variety of upstream genetic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia lead to overexpression of HOXA9, which is a strong predictor of poor prognosis. In many cases, HOXA9 has been shown to be necessary for maintaining leukemic transformation; however, the molecular mechanisms through which it promotes leukemogenesis remain elusive. Recent work has established that HOXA9 regulates downstream gene expression through binding at promoter distal enhancers along with a subset of cell-specific cofactor and collaborator proteins. Increasing efforts are being made to identify both the critical cofactors and target genes required for maintaining transformation in HOXA9-overexpressing leukemias. With continued advances in understanding HOXA9-mediated transformation, there is a wealth of opportunity for developing novel therapeutics that would be applicable for greater than 50% of AML with overexpression of HOXA9.
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39
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Garcia-Cuellar MP, Steger J, Füller E, Hetzner K, Slany RK. Pbx3 and Meis1 cooperate through multiple mechanisms to support Hox-induced murine leukemia. Haematologica 2015; 100:905-13. [PMID: 25911551 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2015.124032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hox homeobox transcription factors drive leukemogenesis efficiently only in the presence of Meis or Pbx proteins. Here we show that Pbx3 and Meis1 need to dimerize to support Hox-induced leukemia and we analyze the molecular details of this cooperation. In the absence of Pbx3, Meis1 was highly unstable. As shown by a deletion analysis Meis1 degradation was contingent on a motif coinciding with the Pbx-binding domain. Either deletion of this sequence or binding to Pbx3 prolonged the half-life of Meis1 by preventing its ubiquitination. Meis1 break-down could also be blocked by inhibition of the ubiquitin proteasome system, indicating tight post-transcriptional control. In addition, Meis1 and Pbx3 cooperated genetically as overexpression of Pbx3 induced endogenous Meis1 transcription. These functional interactions translated into in vivo activity. Blocking Meis1/Pbx3 dimerization abrogated the ability to enhance proliferation and colony-forming cell numbers in primary cells transformed by Hoxa9. Furthermore, expression of Meis1 target genes Flt3 and Trib2 was dependent on Pbx3/Meis1 dimerization. This correlated with the requirement of Meis1 to bind Pbx3 in order to form high affinity DNA/Hoxa9/Meis1/Pbx3 complexes in vitro. Finally, kinetics and severity of disease in transplantation assays indicated that Pbx3/Meis1 dimers are rate-limiting factors for Hoxa9-induced leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julia Steger
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Elisa Füller
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Katrin Hetzner
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert K Slany
- Department of Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen, Germany
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40
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Musialik E, Bujko M, Kober P, Wypych A, Gawle-Krawczyk K, Matysiak M, Siedlecki JA. Promoter methylation and expression levels of selected hematopoietic genes in pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood Res 2015; 50:26-32. [PMID: 25830127 PMCID: PMC4377334 DOI: 10.5045/br.2015.50.1.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 09/28/2014] [Accepted: 01/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL) is the most common neoplasm in children and is characterized by genetic and epigenetic aberrations in hematopoietic transcription factor (TF) genes. This study evaluated promoter DNA methylation and aberrant expression levels of early- and late-acting hematopoietic TF genes homeobox A4 and A5 (HOXA4 and HOXA5), Meis homeobox 1 (MEIS1), T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia 1 (TAL1), and interferon regulatory factors 4 and 8 (IRF4 and IRF8) in pediatric B-cell ALL. Methods Blood samples of 38 ALL patients and 20 controls were obtained. DNA was treated with sodium bisulfite and DNA methylation level of HOXA4, HOXA5, MEIS1, TAL1, IRF4, and IRF8 was assessed using quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Relative gene expression was measured using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Results Aberrant methylation of TAL1, IRF8, MEIS1, and IRF4 was observed in 26.3%, 7.9%, 5.3%, and 2.6% patients, respectively, but not in controls. HOXA4 and HOXA5 were methylated in some controls and hypermethylated in 16% and 5% patients, respectively. IRF8, MEIS1, and TAL1 expression was lower in patients than in controls. MEIS1 expression was inversely correlated with white blood cell (WBC) count. HOXA4 expression was down-regulated in patients with high risk according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) classification. TAL1 methylation was slightly elevated in patients aged >9 years and in patients showing relapse, suggesting its potential prognostic value. Conclusion Aberrant methylation and expression of the selected hematopoietic genes were correlated with demographic/clinical prognostic factors of pediatric ALL, such as age, WBC count, and NCI risk classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Musialik
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Mateusz Bujko
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Kober
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Wypych
- Department of Pediatric Haematology & Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Gawle-Krawczyk
- Department of Pediatric Haematology & Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal Matysiak
- Department of Pediatric Haematology & Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz Aleksander Siedlecki
- Department of Molecular and Translational Oncology, Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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41
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Ebina W, Rossi DJ. Transcription factor-mediated reprogramming toward hematopoietic stem cells. EMBO J 2015; 34:694-709. [PMID: 25712209 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201490804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
De novo generation of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from renewable cell types has been a long sought-after but elusive goal in regenerative medicine. Paralleling efforts to guide pluripotent stem cell differentiation by manipulating developmental cues, substantial progress has been made recently toward HSC generation via combinatorial transcription factor (TF)-mediated fate conversion, a paradigm established by Yamanaka's induction of pluripotency in somatic cells by mere four TFs. This review will integrate the recently reported strategies to directly convert a variety of starting cell types toward HSCs in the context of hematopoietic transcriptional regulation and discuss how these findings could be further developed toward the ultimate generation of therapeutic human HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wataru Ebina
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Derrick J Rossi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
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MOZ regulates B-cell progenitors and, consequently, Moz haploinsufficiency dramatically retards MYC-induced lymphoma development. Blood 2015; 125:1910-21. [PMID: 25605372 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-08-594655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone acetyltransferase MOZ (MYST3, KAT6A) is the target of recurrent chromosomal translocations fusing the MOZ gene to CBP, p300, NCOA3, or TIF2 in particularly aggressive cases of acute myeloid leukemia. In this study, we report the role of wild-type MOZ in regulating B-cell progenitor proliferation and hematopoietic malignancy. In the Eμ-Myc model of aggressive pre-B/B-cell lymphoma, the loss of just one allele of Moz increased the median survival of mice by 3.9-fold. MOZ was required to maintain the proliferative capacity of B-cell progenitors, even in the presence of c-MYC overexpression, by directly maintaining the transcriptional activity of genes required for normal B-cell development. Hence, B-cell progenitor numbers were significantly reduced in Moz haploinsufficient animals. Interestingly, we find a significant overlap in genes regulated by MOZ, mixed lineage leukemia 1, and mixed lineage leukemia 1 cofactor menin. This includes Meis1, a TALE class homeobox transcription factor required for B-cell development, characteristically upregulated as a result of MLL1 translocations in leukemia. We demonstrate that MOZ localizes to the Meis1 locus in pre-B-cells and maintains Meis1 expression. Our results suggest that even partial inhibition of MOZ may reduce the proliferative capacity of MEIS1, and HOX-driven lymphoma and leukemia cells.
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Schulte D. Meis: New friends of Pax. NEUROGENESIS 2014; 1:e976014. [PMID: 27502016 PMCID: PMC4973581 DOI: 10.4161/23262133.2014.976014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The generation of neuronal diversity in the mammalian brain is a multistep process, beginning with the regional patterning of neural stem- and progenitor cell domains, the commitment of these cells toward a general neuronal fate, followed by the selection of a particular neuronal subtype and the differentiation of postmitotic neurons. Each of these steps as well as the transitions between them require precisely controlled changes in transcriptional programs. Although a large number of transcription factors are known to regulate neurogenesis in the embryonic and adult central nervous system, the sheer number of neuronal cell types in the brain and the complexity of the cellular processes that accompany their production suggest that transcription factors act cooperatively to control individual steps in neurogenesis. In fact, combinatorial regulation by sets of transcription factors has emerged as a versatile mode to control cell fate specification. Here, I discuss our recent finding that members of the MEIS-subfamily of TALE-transcription factors, originally identified as HOX cofactors in non-neural tissues, function in concert with PAX-proteins in the regulation of cell fate specification and neuronal differentiation in the embryonic and adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Schulte
- Institute of Neurology (Edinger Institute); University Hospital Goethe University ; Frankfurt, Germany
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44
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Brumatti G, Salmanidis M, Kok CH, Bilardi RA, Sandow JJ, Silke N, Mason K, Visser J, Jabbour AM, Glaser SP, Okamoto T, Bouillet P, D'Andrea RJ, Ekert PG. HoxA9 regulated Bcl-2 expression mediates survival of myeloid progenitors and the severity of HoxA9-dependent leukemia. Oncotarget 2014; 4:1933-47. [PMID: 24177192 PMCID: PMC3875760 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulated expression of Hox genes such as HoxA9 is associated with development of myeloproliferative disorders and leukemia and indicates a poor prognosis. To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which HoxA9 promotes immortalization of hematopoietic cells, we generated growth factor dependent myeloid cells in which HoxA9 expression is regulated by administration of 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen. Maintenance of HoxA9 overexpression is required for continued cell survival and proliferation, even in the presence of growth factors. We show for the first time that maintenance of Bcl-2 expression is critical for HoxA9-dependent immortalization and influences the latency of HoxA9-dependent leukemia. Hematopoietic cells lacking Bcl-2 were not immortalized by HoxA9 in vitro. Furthermore, deletion of Bcl-2 delayed the onset and reduced the severity of HoxA9/Meis1 and MLL-AF9 leukemias. This is the first description of a molecular link between HoxA9 and the regulation of Bcl-2 family members in acute myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Brumatti
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Australia
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Gilmour J, Assi SA, Jaegle U, Kulu D, van de Werken H, Clarke D, Westhead DR, Philipsen S, Bonifer C. A crucial role for the ubiquitously expressed transcription factor Sp1 at early stages of hematopoietic specification. Development 2014; 141:2391-401. [PMID: 24850855 PMCID: PMC4050696 DOI: 10.1242/dev.106054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mammalian development is regulated by the interplay of tissue-specific and ubiquitously expressed transcription factors, such as Sp1. Sp1 knockout mice die in utero with multiple phenotypic aberrations, but the underlying molecular mechanism of this differentiation failure has been elusive. Here, we have used conditional knockout mice as well as the differentiation of mouse ES cells as a model with which to address this issue. To this end, we examined differentiation potential, global gene expression patterns and Sp1 target regions in Sp1 wild-type and Sp1-deficient cells representing different stages of hematopoiesis. Sp1(-/-) cells progress through most embryonic stages of blood cell development but cannot complete terminal differentiation. This failure to fully differentiate is not seen when Sp1 is knocked out at later developmental stages. For most Sp1 target and non-target genes, gene expression is unaffected by Sp1 inactivation. However, Cdx genes and multiple Hox genes are stage-specific targets of Sp1 and are downregulated at an early stage. As a consequence, expression of genes involved in hematopoietic specification is progressively deregulated. Our work demonstrates that the early absence of active Sp1 sets a cascade in motion that culminates in a failure of terminal hematopoietic differentiation and emphasizes the role of ubiquitously expressed transcription factors for tissue-specific gene regulation. In addition, our global side-by-side analysis of the response of the transcriptional network to perturbation sheds a new light on the regulatory hierarchy of hematopoietic specification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Gilmour
- School of Cancer Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Salam A Assi
- School of Cancer Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Ulrike Jaegle
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Divine Kulu
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | | | - Deborah Clarke
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS9 7TS, UK
| | - David R Westhead
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Sjaak Philipsen
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands
| | - Constanze Bonifer
- School of Cancer Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
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Hudry B, Thomas-Chollier M, Volovik Y, Duffraisse M, Dard A, Frank D, Technau U, Merabet S. Molecular insights into the origin of the Hox-TALE patterning system. eLife 2014; 3:e01939. [PMID: 24642410 PMCID: PMC3957477 DOI: 10.7554/elife.01939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous body form diversity in nature, bilaterian animals share common sets of developmental genes that display conserved expression patterns in the embryo. Among them are the Hox genes, which define different identities along the anterior–posterior axis. Hox proteins exert their function by interaction with TALE transcription factors. Hox and TALE members are also present in some but not all non-bilaterian phyla, raising the question of how Hox–TALE interactions evolved to provide positional information. By using proteins from unicellular and multicellular lineages, we showed that these networks emerged from an ancestral generic motif present in Hox and other related protein families. Interestingly, Hox-TALE networks experienced additional and extensive molecular innovations that were likely crucial for differentiating Hox functions along body plans. Together our results highlight how homeobox gene families evolved during eukaryote evolution to eventually constitute a major patterning system in Eumetazoans. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01939.001 Any animal with a body that is symmetric about an imaginary line that runs from its head to its tail is known as a bilaterian. Humans and most animals are bilateral, whereas jellyfish and starfish are not. Bilateral symmetry can take many forms—as demonstrated by the differences between flies, frogs and humans—but all bilaterians express many of the same genes during development. One of these groups of genes is known as the Hox family. The expression of specific Hox genes at specific times instructs cells in the developing embryo to adopt different fates according to their position along the anterior–posterior (head to tail) axis. The patterning function of Hox genes relies on the presence of two additional cofactors that belong to the so-called TALE family. Although both Hox and TALE proteins were present early on during animal evolution, it is unclear how and when the interactions between them first began to generate symmetrical body plans. Now, Hudry et al. have provided insights into the origin of the Hox-TALE network by analysing the expression and molecular properties of Hox and TALE proteins from various multicellular and unicellular organisms. These experiments revealed that Hox and TALE proteins of the sea anemone Nematostella, which belongs to a group of animals called cnidarians that have radial rather than bilateral symmetry, interact with one another in a similar manner to the interactions seen in bilaterians. Hudry et al. then showed that two Nematostella Hox genes were able to substitute for their bilaterian equivalents in fruit flies, and that a Nematostella TALE gene was able to take over neuronal functions of its equivalent in Xenopus frogs. This striking conservation of function between species suggests that Hox and TALE genes were already working together in the common ancestor of all bilaterian and cnidarian animals. By contrast, TALE members from a unicellular amoeba were unable to interact with Hox proteins, suggesting that Hox–TALE interactions first emerged in multicellular animals. In addition to increasing our knowledge of highly conserved Hox signalling, these data provide insight into the molecular mechanisms that gave rise to the symmetrical body plan that has been adopted, and adapted, by the majority of animals since. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01939.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Hudry
- MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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47
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Velu CS, Chaubey A, Phelan JD, Horman SR, Wunderlich M, Guzman ML, Jegga AG, Zeleznik-Le NJ, Chen J, Mulloy JC, Cancelas JA, Jordan CT, Aronow BJ, Marcucci G, Bhat B, Gebelein B, Grimes HL. Therapeutic antagonists of microRNAs deplete leukemia-initiating cell activity. J Clin Invest 2014; 124:222-36. [PMID: 24334453 PMCID: PMC3871218 DOI: 10.1172/jci66005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) subtypes that result from oncogenic activation of homeobox (HOX) transcription factors are associated with poor prognosis. The HOXA9 transcription activator and growth factor independent 1 (GFI1) transcriptional repressor compete for occupancy at DNA-binding sites for the regulation of common target genes. We exploited this HOXA9 versus GFI1 antagonism to identify the genes encoding microRNA-21 and microRNA-196b as transcriptional targets of HOX-based leukemia oncoproteins. Therapeutic inhibition of microRNA-21 and microRNA-196b inhibited in vitro leukemic colony forming activity and depleted in vivo leukemia-initiating cell activity of HOX-based leukemias, which led to leukemia-free survival in a murine AML model and delayed disease onset in xenograft models. These data establish microRNA as functional effectors of endogenous HOXA9 and HOX-based leukemia oncoproteins, provide a concise in vivo platform to test RNA therapeutics, and suggest therapeutic value for microRNA antagonists in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Base Sequence
- Binding Sites
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Neoplastic/metabolism
- Combined Modality Therapy
- Cytarabine/administration & dosage
- DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism
- Doxorubicin/administration & dosage
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism
- Humans
- Induction Chemotherapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- MicroRNAs/genetics
- MicroRNAs/metabolism
- Myeloid Ecotropic Viral Integration Site 1 Protein
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplastic Stem Cells/physiology
- Phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides/genetics
- Pre-B-Cell Leukemia Transcription Factor 1
- Protein Binding
- Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism
- Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
- Transcription Factors/metabolism
- Transcriptome
- Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinavenmeni S. Velu
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Aditya Chaubey
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James D. Phelan
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Shane R. Horman
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Monica L. Guzman
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Nancy J. Zeleznik-Le
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - James C. Mulloy
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Jose A. Cancelas
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Bruce J. Aronow
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Guido Marcucci
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Balkrishen Bhat
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian Gebelein
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - H. Leighton Grimes
- Division of Immunobiology and
Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Weill Cornell College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.
Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, USA.
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA.
The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Regulus Therapeutics, San Diego, California, USA.
Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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48
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Ladam F, Sagerström CG. Hox regulation of transcription: more complex(es). Dev Dyn 2013; 243:4-15. [PMID: 23765878 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hox genes encode transcription factors with important roles during embryogenesis and tissue differentiation. Genetic analyses initially demonstrated that interfering with Hox genes has profound effects on the specification of cell identity, suggesting that Hox proteins regulate very specific sets of target genes. However, subsequent biochemical analyses revealed that Hox proteins bind DNA with relatively low affinity and specificity. Furthermore, it became clear that a given Hox protein could activate or repress transcription, depending on the context. A resolution to these paradoxes presented itself with the discovery that Hox proteins do not function in isolation, but interact with other factors in complexes. The first such "cofactors" were members of the Extradenticle/Pbx and Homothorax/Meis/Prep families. However, the list of Hox-interacting proteins has continued to grow, suggesting that Hox complexes contain many more components than initially thought. Additionally, the activities of the various components and the exact mechanisms whereby they modulate the activity of the complex remain puzzling. Here, we review the various proteins known to participate in Hox complexes and discuss their likely functions. We also consider that Hox complexes of different compositions may have different activities and discuss mechanisms whereby Hox complexes may be switched between active and inactive states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franck Ladam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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49
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Salmanidis M, Brumatti G, Narayan N, Green BD, van den Bergen JA, Sandow JJ, Bert AG, Silke N, Sladic R, Puthalakath H, Rohrbeck L, Okamoto T, Bouillet P, Herold MJ, Goodall GJ, Jabbour AM, Ekert PG. Hoxb8 regulates expression of microRNAs to control cell death and differentiation. Cell Death Differ 2013; 20:1370-80. [PMID: 23872792 DOI: 10.1038/cdd.2013.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hoxb8 overexpression immortalises haematopoietic progenitor cells in a growth-factor-dependant manner and co-operates with interleukin-3 (IL-3) to cause acute myeloid leukaemia. To further understand how Hoxb8 contributes to myeloid cell immortalisation, we generated IL-3-dependant myeloid cells expressing Hoxb8 under the control of an inducible promoter. Downregulation of Hoxb8, in the presence of IL-3, caused cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in the majority of cells. Apoptosis was dependant on Bax and Bak and, in part, on Bim, which was repressed by Hoxb8. Deletion of the miR-17∼92 seed sequences in the Bim 3'UTR abolished Hoxb8-dependant regulation of Bim reporter constructs. Expression of all six miRNAs from this cluster were elevated when Hoxb8 was overexpressed. The miR-17∼92 cluster was required for repression of Bim in Hoxb8-immortalised cells and deletion of the miR-17∼92 cluster substantially inhibited Hoxb8, but not Hoxa9, mediated survival and proliferation. Hoxb8 appears to promote miR-17∼92 expression through c-Myc, a known transcriptional regulator of the miR-17∼92 cluster. We have uncovered a previously unrecognised link between Hoxb8 expression and microRNAs that provides a new insight into the oncogenic functions of Hoxb8.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Salmanidis
- Cell signalling and Cell Death Division, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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50
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Stott-Miller M, Karyadi DM, King T, Kwon EM, Kolb S, Stanford JL, Ostrander EA. HOXB13 mutations in a population-based, case-control study of prostate cancer. Prostate 2013; 73:634-41. [PMID: 23129385 PMCID: PMC3612366 DOI: 10.1002/pros.22604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 09/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prostate cancer (PC) is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin malignancy in men in the Western world, yet few disease-associated mutations have been found. Recently, a low frequency recurring mutation in the HOXB13 gene was reported among both hereditary PC families and men from the general population. MATERIALS AND METHODS We determined the distribution and frequency of the G84E HOXB13 variant in 1,310 incipient PC cases and 1,259 age-mated controls from a population-based, case-control study of PC. RESULTS The G84E mutation was more frequent in cases than controls (1.3% vs. 0.4%, respectively), and men with the HOXB13 G84E variant had a 3.3-fold higher relative risk of PC compared with noncarriers (95% CI, 1.21-8.96). There was a stronger association between the G84E variant and PC among men with no first-degree relative with PC (OR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.12-14.51) compared to men with a family history of PC (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.30-7.50; P = 0.36 for interaction). We observed some evidence of higher risk estimates associated with the variant for men with higher versus lower Gleason score (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.38-12.38 vs. OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 0.88-8.30), and advanced versus local stage (OR, 4.47; 95% CI, 1.28-15.57 vs. OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.04-8.49), however these differences were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the association of a rare HOXB13 mutation with PC in the general population and suggest that this variant may be associated with features of more aggressive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marni Stott-Miller
- Division of Public Health Sciences, 1100 Fairview Ave N., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA, 98109
| | - Danielle M. Karyadi
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD 20892
| | - Tiffany King
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD 20892
| | - Erika M. Kwon
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD 20892
| | - Suzanne Kolb
- Division of Public Health Sciences, 1100 Fairview Ave N., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA, 98109
| | - Janet L. Stanford
- Division of Public Health Sciences, 1100 Fairview Ave N., Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle WA, 98109
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Elaine A. Ostrander
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD 20892
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