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Patton EE, Mueller KL, Adams DJ, Anandasabapathy N, Aplin AE, Bertolotto C, Bosenberg M, Ceol CJ, Burd CE, Chi P, Herlyn M, Holmen SL, Karreth FA, Kaufman CK, Khan S, Kobold S, Leucci E, Levy C, Lombard DB, Lund AW, Marie KL, Marine JC, Marais R, McMahon M, Robles-Espinoza CD, Ronai ZA, Samuels Y, Soengas MS, Villanueva J, Weeraratna AT, White RM, Yeh I, Zhu J, Zon LI, Hurlbert MS, Merlino G. Melanoma models for the next generation of therapies. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:610-631. [PMID: 33545064 PMCID: PMC8378471 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is a lack of appropriate melanoma models that can be used to evaluate the efficacy of novel therapeutic modalities. Here, we discuss the current state of the art of melanoma models including genetically engineered mouse, patient-derived xenograft, zebrafish, and ex vivo and in vitro models. We also identify five major challenges that can be addressed using such models, including metastasis and tumor dormancy, drug resistance, the melanoma immune response, and the impact of aging and environmental exposures on melanoma progression and drug resistance. Additionally, we discuss the opportunity for building models for rare subtypes of melanomas, which represent an unmet critical need. Finally, we identify key recommendations for melanoma models that may improve accuracy of preclinical testing and predict efficacy in clinical trials, to help usher in the next generation of melanoma therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Elizabeth Patton
- MRC Human Genetics Unit and Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
| | - Kristen L Mueller
- Melanoma Research Alliance, 730 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA.
| | - David J Adams
- Experimental Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Niroshana Anandasabapathy
- Department of Dermatology, Meyer Cancer Center, Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10026, USA
| | - Andrew E Aplin
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France; INSERM, Biology and Pathologies of Melanocytes, Team 1, Equipe Labellisée Ligue 2020, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Nice, France
| | - Marcus Bosenberg
- Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, and Immunobiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Craig J Ceol
- Program in Molecular Medicine and Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Christin E Burd
- Departments of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Biology, and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Biomedical Research Tower, Room 918, 460 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ping Chi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Sheri L Holmen
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Florian A Karreth
- Department of Molecular Oncology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Charles K Kaufman
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Oncology, Department of Developmental Biology, McDonnell Science Building, 4518 McKinley Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Shaheen Khan
- Department of Pathology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sebastian Kobold
- Center of Integrated Protein Science Munich (CIPS-M) and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine IV, Klinikum der Universität München, LMU, Munich, Germany; Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), German Center for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK), partner site Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eleonora Leucci
- Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, LKI, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Trace, Department of Oncology, LKI, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carmit Levy
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - David B Lombard
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Gerontology, and Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Amanda W Lund
- Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology and Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kerrie L Marie
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jean-Christophe Marine
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Richard Marais
- CRUK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
| | - Martin McMahon
- Department of Dermatology & Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Carla Daniela Robles-Espinoza
- Laboratorio Internacional de Investigación sobre el Genoma Humano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Santiago de Querétaro 76230, Mexico; Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Yardena Samuels
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Maria S Soengas
- Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jessie Villanueva
- The Wistar Institute, Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ashani T Weeraratna
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Richard M White
- Department of Cancer Biology & Genetics and Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iwei Yeh
- Departments of Dermatology and Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jiyue Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
| | - Leonard I Zon
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marc S Hurlbert
- Melanoma Research Alliance, 730 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, USA
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, 37 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Targeting p53 for Melanoma Treatment: Counteracting Tumour Proliferation, Dissemination and Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071648. [PMID: 33916029 PMCID: PMC8037490 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Melanoma is a highly metastatic and therapy-resistant cancer and is therefore associated with low survival rates of patients. In melanoma, the inactivation of the wild-type form of the p53 tumour suppressor protein is a frequent event, mainly through interactions with MDM2 and MDMX. In this work, our recently disclosed p53-activating agent, SLMP53-2, displayed promising in vitro and in vivo antitumour activity, with particular impacts on melanoma migration and invasion. Moreover, SLMP53-2 (re)sensitized melanoma cells to clinically used chemotherapeutic agents, potentially overcoming the therapeutic resistance issue. As a whole, the p53 activator SLMP53-2 may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for melanoma, particularly in combination with MAPK pathway-targeting drugs. Abstract Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, primarily due to its high metastatic propensity and therapeutic resistance in advanced stages. The frequent inactivation of the p53 tumour suppressor protein in melanomagenesis may predict promising outcomes for p53 activators in melanoma therapy. Herein, we aimed to investigate the antitumor potential of the p53-activating agent SLMP53-2 against melanoma. Two- and three-dimensional cell cultures and xenograft mouse models were used to unveil the antitumor activity and the underlying molecular mechanism of SLMP53-2 in melanoma. SLMP53-2 inhibited the growth of human melanoma cells in a p53-dependent manner through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Notably, SLMP53-2 induced p53 stabilization by disrupting the p53–MDM2 interaction, enhancing p53 transcriptional activity. It also promoted the expression of p53-regulated microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-145 and miR-23a. Moreover, it displayed anti-invasive and antimigratory properties in melanoma cells by inhibiting the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis and extracellular lactate production. Importantly, SLMP53-2 did not induce resistance in melanoma cells. Additionally, it synergized with vemurafenib, dacarbazine and cisplatin, and resensitized vemurafenib-resistant cells. SLMP53-2 also exhibited antitumor activity in human melanoma xenograft mouse models by repressing cell proliferation and EMT while stimulating apoptosis. This work discloses the p53-activating agent SLMP53-2 which has promising therapeutic potential in advanced melanoma, either as a single agent or in combination therapy. By targeting p53, SLMP53-2 may counteract major features of melanoma aggressiveness.
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Dutta B, Asami T, Imatomi T, Igarashi K, Nagata K, Watanabe-Asaka T, Yasuda T, Oda S, Shartl M, Mitani H. Strain difference in transgene-induced tumorigenesis and suppressive effect of ionizing radiation. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2021; 62:12-24. [PMID: 33231252 PMCID: PMC7779347 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rraa103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic expression in medaka of the Xiphophorus oncogene xmrk, under a pigment cell specific mitf promoter, induces hyperpigmentation and pigment cell tumors. In this study, we crossed the Hd-rR and HNI inbred strains because complete genome information is readily available for molecular and genetic analysis. We prepared an Hd-rR (p53+/-, p53-/-) and Hd-rR HNI hybrid (p53+/-) fish-based xmrk model system to study the progression of pigment cells from hyperpigmentation to malignant tumors on different genetic backgrounds. In all strains examined, most of the initial hyperpigmentation occurred in the posterior region. On the Hd-rR background, mitf:xmrk-induced tumorigenesis was less frequent in p53+/- fish than in p53-/- fish. The incidence of hyperpigmentation was more frequent in Hd-rR/HNI hybrids than in Hd-rR homozygotes; however, the frequency of malignant tumors was low, which suggested the presence of a tumor suppressor in HNI genetic background fish. The effects on tumorigenesis in xmrk-transgenic immature medaka of a single 1.3 Gy irradiation was assessed by quantifying tumor progression over 4 consecutive months. The results demonstrate that irradiation has a different level of suppressive effect on the frequency of hyperpigmentation in purebred Hd-rR compared with hybrids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibek Dutta
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Taichi Asami
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Tohru Imatomi
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kento Igarashi
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Kento Nagata
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Tomomi Watanabe-Asaka
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Takako Yasuda
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Shoji Oda
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Manfred Shartl
- University of Wuerzburg, Physiological Chemistry, Biocenter, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany and the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, 78666, USA
| | - Hiroshi Mitani
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Genome Stability, Department of Integrated Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5 Kashiwanoha 277-8562, Kashiwa, Japan. Tel: +81(4) 7136-3670; Fax:+81(4)7136-3669;
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4
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Inactivating p53 is essential for nerve growth factor receptor to promote melanoma-initiating cell-stemmed tumorigenesis. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:550. [PMID: 32686661 PMCID: PMC7371866 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02758-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR, CD271, or p75NTR) is highly expressed in melanoma-initiating cells (MICs) and is critical for their proliferation and tumorigenesis, and yet the underlying mechanism(s) remain incompletely understood. We previously showed that NGFR inhibits p53 activity in a negative feedback manner in various cancer cells. Here we report that this feedback inhibition of p53 by NGFR plays an essential role in maintaining the sphere formation (stem-like phenotype) and proliferation of MICs, and in promoting MIC-derived melanoma growth in vivo. Knockdown of NGFR markedly reduced the size and number of spheroid formation of melanoma cells, which can be rescued by ectopically expressed NGFR. This reduction was also reversed by depleting p53. Consistently, knockdown of NGFR led to the suppression of MIC-derived xenograft tumor growth by inducing the p53 pathway. These results demonstrate that the NGFR-p53 feedback loop is essential for maintaining MIC stem-like phenotype and MIC-derived tumorigenesis, and further validates NGFR as a potential target for developing a molecule-based therapy against melanoma.
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5
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Schade AE, Fischer M, DeCaprio JA. RB, p130 and p107 differentially repress G1/S and G2/M genes after p53 activation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 47:11197-11208. [PMID: 31667499 PMCID: PMC6868438 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell cycle gene expression occurs in two waves. The G1/S genes encode factors required for DNA synthesis and the G2/M genes contribute to mitosis. The Retinoblastoma protein (RB) and DREAM complex (DP, RB-like, E2F4 and MuvB) cooperate to repress all cell cycle genes during G1 and inhibit entry into the cell cycle. DNA damage activates p53 leading to increased levels of p21 and inhibition of cell cycle progression. Whether the G1/S and G2/M genes are differentially repressed by RB and the RB-like proteins p130 and p107 in response to DNA damage is not known. We performed gene expression profiling of primary human fibroblasts upon DNA damage and assessed the effects on G1/S and G2/M genes. Upon p53 activation, p130 and RB cooperated to repress the G1/S genes. In addition, in the absence of RB and p130, p107 contributed to repression of G1/S genes. In contrast, G2/M genes were repressed by p130 and p107 after p53 activation. Furthermore, repression of G2/M genes by p107 and p130 led to reduced entry into mitosis. Our data demonstrates specific roles for RB, p130-DREAM, and p107-DREAM in p53 and p21 mediated repression of cell cycle genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Schade
- Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Martin Fischer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Computational Biology Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging - Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), 07745, Jena, Germany
| | - James A DeCaprio
- Program in Virology, Division of Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA.,Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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6
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NRF3-POMP-20S Proteasome Assembly Axis Promotes Cancer Development via Ubiquitin-Independent Proteolysis of p53 and Retinoblastoma Protein. Mol Cell Biol 2020; 40:MCB.00597-19. [PMID: 32123008 PMCID: PMC7189095 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00597-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteasomes are essential protease complexes that maintain cellular homeostasis, and aberrant proteasomal activity supports cancer development. The regulatory mechanisms and biological function of the ubiquitin-26S proteasome have been studied extensively, while those of the ubiquitin-independent 20S proteasome system remain obscure. Here, we show that the cap 'n' collar (CNC) family transcription factor NRF3 specifically enhances 20S proteasome assembly in cancer cells and that 20S proteasomes contribute to colorectal cancer development through ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of the tumor suppressor p53 and retinoblastoma (Rb) proteins. The NRF3 gene is highly expressed in many cancer tissues and cell lines and is important for cancer cell growth. In cancer cells, NRF3 upregulates the assembly of the 20S proteasome by directly inducing the gene expression of the 20S proteasome maturation protein POMP. Interestingly, NRF3 knockdown not only increases p53 and Rb protein levels but also increases p53 activities for tumor suppression, including cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, protein stability and cell viability assays using two distinct proteasome inhibitor anticancer drugs, the 20S proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1 inhibitor TAK-243, show that the upregulation of the NRF3-POMP axis leads to ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of p53 and Rb and to impaired sensitivity to bortezomib but not TAK-243. More importantly, the NRF3-POMP axis supports tumorigenesis and metastasis, with higher NRF3/POMP expression levels correlating with poor prognoses in patients with colorectal or rectal adenocarcinoma. These results suggest that the NRF3-POMP-20S proteasome assembly axis is significant for cancer development via ubiquitin-independent proteolysis of tumor suppressor proteins.
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7
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González-Ruiz L, González-Moles MÁ, González-Ruiz I, Ruiz-Ávila I, Ayén Á, Ramos-García P. An update on the implications of cyclin D1 in melanomas. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2020; 33:788-805. [PMID: 32147907 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin D1 is a protein encoded by the CCND1 gene, located on 11q13 chromosome, which is a key component of the physiological regulation of the cell cycle. CCND1/cyclin D1 is upregulated in several types of human tumors including melanoma and is currently classified as an oncogene that promotes uncontrolled cell proliferation. Despite the demonstrated importance of CCND1/cyclin D1 as a central oncogene in several types of human tumors, its knowledge in melanoma is still limited. This review examines data published on upregulation of the CCND1 gene and cyclin D1 protein in the melanoma setting, focusing on the pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of the gene and on the clinical and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia González-Ruiz
- Dermatology Service, Ciudad Real General University Hospital, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | | | - Isabel Ruiz-Ávila
- Biohealth Research Institute, Granada, Spain.,Pathology Service, San Cecilio Hospital Complex, Granada, Spain
| | - Ángela Ayén
- Dermatology Service, San Cecilio Hospital Complex, Granada, Spain
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8
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Couto GK, Segatto NV, Oliveira TL, Seixas FK, Schachtschneider KM, Collares T. The Melding of Drug Screening Platforms for Melanoma. Front Oncol 2019; 9:512. [PMID: 31293965 PMCID: PMC6601395 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The global incidence of cancer is rising rapidly and continues to be one of the leading causes of death in the world. Melanoma deserves special attention since it represents one of the fastest growing types of cancer, with advanced metastatic forms presenting high mortality rates due to the development of drug resistance. The aim of this review is to evaluate how the screening of drugs and compounds for melanoma has been performed over the last seven decades. Thus, we performed literature searches to identify melanoma drug screening methods commonly used by research groups during this timeframe. In vitro and in vivo tests are essential for the development of new drugs; however, incorporation of in silico analyses increases the possibility of finding more suitable candidates for subsequent tests. In silico techniques, such as molecular docking, represent an important and necessary first step in the screening process. However, these techniques have not been widely used by research groups to date. Our research has shown that the vast majority of research groups still perform in vitro and in vivo tests, with emphasis on the use of in vitro enzymatic tests on melanoma cell lines such as SKMEL and in vivo tests using the B16 mouse model. We believe that the union of these three approaches (in silico, in vitro, and in vivo) is essential for improving the discovery and development of new molecules with potential antimelanoma action. This workflow would provide greater confidence and safety for preclinical trials, which will translate to more successful clinical trials and improve the translatability of new melanoma treatments into clinical practice while minimizing the unnecessary use of laboratory animals under the principles of the 3R's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Klein Couto
- Research Group in Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry and Bioprospecting, Cancer Biotechnology Laboratory, Center for Technological Development, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Natália Vieira Segatto
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larré Oliveira
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Kömmling Seixas
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - Kyle M Schachtschneider
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.,National Center for Supercomputing Applications, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Tiago Collares
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Molecular and Cellular Oncology Research Group, Laboratory of Cancer Biotechnology, Technology Development Center, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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9
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Molecular interactions in juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: preliminary signature and relevant review. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 276:93-100. [DOI: 10.1007/s00405-018-5178-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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10
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Ortega-Bernal D, La Rosa CHGD, Arechaga-Ocampo E, Alvarez-Avitia MA, Moreno NS, Rangel-Escareño C. A meta-analysis of transcriptome datasets characterizes malignant transformation from melanocytes and nevi to melanoma. Oncol Lett 2018; 16:1899-1911. [PMID: 30008882 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma represents one of the most aggressive malignancies and has a high tendency to metastasize. The present study aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of two pathways to cancer transformation with the purpose of identifying potential biomarkers. Our approach is based on a meta-analysis of gene expression profiling contrasting two scenarios: A model that describes a transformation pathway from melanocyte to melanoma and a second model where transformation occurs through an intermediary nevus. Data consists of three independent, publicly available microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database comprising samples from melanocytes, nevi and melanoma. The present analysis identified 808 differentially expressed genes (528 upregulated and 360 downregulated) in melanoma compared with nevi, and 2,331 differentially expressed genes (946 upregulated and 1,385 downregulated) in melanoma compared with melanocytes. Further analysis narrowed down this list, since 682 differentially expressed genes were found in both models (417 upregulated and 265 downregulated). Enrichment analysis identified relevant dysregulated pathways. This article also presented a discussion on significant genes including ADAM like decysin 1, neudesin neurotrophic factor, MMP19, apolipoprotein L6, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)8, basic, immunoglobulin-like variable motif containing and CXCL16. These are of particular interest because they encode secreted proteins hence represent potential blood biomarkers for the early detection of malignant transformation in both scenarios. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4, an important therapeutic target in melanoma treatment, was also upregulated in both comparisons indicating a potential involvement in immune tolerance, not only at advanced stages but also during the early transformation to melanoma. The results of the present study may provide a research direction for studying the mechanisms underlying the development of melanoma, depending on its origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ortega-Bernal
- Natural Sciences Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 05300, Mexico
| | | | - Elena Arechaga-Ocampo
- Natural Sciences Department, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 05300, Mexico
| | | | - Nora Sobrevilla Moreno
- Medical Oncology Department, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Claudia Rangel-Escareño
- Computational and Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Genómica, Mexico City 14610, Mexico
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11
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Gong X, Litchfield LM, Webster Y, Chio LC, Wong SS, Stewart TR, Dowless M, Dempsey J, Zeng Y, Torres R, Boehnke K, Mur C, Marugán C, Baquero C, Yu C, Bray SM, Wulur IH, Bi C, Chu S, Qian HR, Iversen PW, Merzoug FF, Ye XS, Reinhard C, De Dios A, Du J, Caldwell CW, Lallena MJ, Beckmann RP, Buchanan SG. Genomic Aberrations that Activate D-type Cyclins Are Associated with Enhanced Sensitivity to the CDK4 and CDK6 Inhibitor Abemaciclib. Cancer Cell 2017; 32:761-776.e6. [PMID: 29232554 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2017.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Most cancers preserve functional retinoblastoma (Rb) and may, therefore, respond to inhibition of D-cyclin-dependent Rb kinases, CDK4 and CDK6. To date, CDK4/6 inhibitors have shown promising clinical activity in breast cancer and lymphomas, but it is not clear which additional Rb-positive cancers might benefit from these agents. No systematic survey to compare relative sensitivities across tumor types and define molecular determinants of response has been described. We report a subset of cancers highly sensitive to CDK4/6 inhibition and characterized by various genomic aberrations known to elevate D-cyclin levels and describe a recurrent CCND1 3'UTR mutation associated with increased expression in endometrial cancer. The results suggest multiple additional classes of cancer that may benefit from CDK4/6-inhibiting drugs such as abemaciclib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqian Gong
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | | | - Yue Webster
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Li-Chun Chio
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jack Dempsey
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Yi Zeng
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | | | | | - Cecilia Mur
- Eli Lilly and Company, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chen Bi
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | - Shaoyou Chu
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jian Du
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA
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12
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Pérez-Guijarro E, Day CP, Merlino G, Zaidi MR. Genetically engineered mouse models of melanoma. Cancer 2017; 123:2089-2103. [PMID: 28543694 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a complex disease that exhibits highly heterogeneous etiological, histopathological, and genetic features, as well as therapeutic responses. Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models provide powerful tools to unravel the molecular mechanisms critical for melanoma development and drug resistance. Here, we expound briefly the basis of the mouse modeling design, the available technology for genetic engineering, and the aspects influencing the use of GEMs to model melanoma. Furthermore, we describe in detail the currently available GEM models of melanoma. Cancer 2017;123:2089-103. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pérez-Guijarro
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Chi-Ping Day
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Glenn Merlino
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - M Raza Zaidi
- Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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13
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Zhang YM, Zhang ZM, Guan QL, Liu YQ, Wu ZW, Li JT, Su Y, Yan CL, Luo YL, Qin J, Wang Q, Xie XD. Co-culture with lung cancer A549 cells promotes the proliferation and migration of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:2983-2991. [PMID: 28966680 PMCID: PMC5613203 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The initiation and progression of various types of tumors, such as lung neoplasms, are driven by a population of cells with stem cell properties and their microenvironment. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in long-term in vitro culture may exhibit spontaneous changes in stem cell biological properties, including malignant transformations; however, the molecular mechanisms of this have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, a BM-MSC and lung cancer A549 cell co-culture system was utilized to investigate how the tumor microenvironment may spontaneously change the proliferation, migration and differentiation of BM-MSCs. It was demonstrated that the lung cancer A549 microenvironment is able to induce changes in the cell morphology, proliferation, karyotype, cytoskeleton and migration ability of BM-MSCs in vitro. Compared with the control group BM-MSCs, the expression of Ras, phosphorylated-extracellular regulated protein kinases, nuclear factor-κB, P62 and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) proteins in groups of co-cultured BM-MSCs increased significantly (P<0.05) and the expression of P53, Bcl-2 associated X protein and caspase-3 protein decreased significantly (P<0.05). The mechanisms responsible for the changes observed in BM-MSCs may be related to abnormal expression of related genes in the ERK signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue-Mei Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Ming Zhang
- Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and The Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Quan-Lin Guan
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Yong-Qi Liu
- Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and The Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Dunhuang Medical and Transformation, Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Zhi-Wei Wu
- Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and The Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China.,Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Tian Li
- Provincial-Level Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine of Major Diseases and The Prevention and Treatment with Traditional Chinese Medicine Research in Gansu Colleges and Universities, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of Dunhuang Medical and Transformation, Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Yun Su
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Lu Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Ya-Li Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Jie Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Qian Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Dong Xie
- Institute of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, P.R. China
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14
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Najem A, Krayem M, Salès F, Hussein N, Badran B, Robert C, Awada A, Journe F, Ghanem GE. P53 and MITF/Bcl-2 identified as key pathways in the acquired resistance of NRAS-mutant melanoma to MEK inhibition. Eur J Cancer 2017; 83:154-165. [PMID: 28738256 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2017.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Activating mutations in Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) are found in 15-30% of melanomas and are associated with a poor prognosis. Although MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors used as single agents showed a limited clinical benefit in patients with NRAS-mutant melanoma due to their rather cytostatic effect and high toxicity, their combination with other inhibitors of pathways known to cooperate with MEK inhibition may maximise their antitumour activity. Similarly, in a context where p53 is largely inactivated in melanoma, hyperexpression of Microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF) and its downstream anti-apoptotic targets may be the cause of the restraint cytotoxic effects of MEK inhibitors. Indeed, drug combinations targeting both mutant BRAF and MITF or one of its important targets Bcl-2 were effective in mutant BRAF melanoma but had no effect on acquired resistance. Therefore, we aimed to further investigate the downstream MITF targets that can explain this anti-apoptotic effect and to evaluate in parallel the effect of p53 reactivation on the promotion of apoptosis under MEK inhibition in a panel of Q61NRAS-mutant melanoma cells. First, we showed that MEK inhibition (pimasertib) led to a significant inhibition of cell proliferation but with a limited effect on apoptosis that could be explained by the systematic MITF upregulation. Mimicking the MITF effect via cyclic adenosine monophosphate activation conferred resistance to MEK inhibition and upregulated Bcl-2 expression. In addition, acquired resistance to MEK inhibition was associated with a strong activation of the anti-apoptotic signalling MITF/Bcl-2. More importantly, selective Bcl-2 inhibition by ABT-199 or Bcl-2 knockout using CRISPR/Cas9 system annihilated the acquired resistance and restored the sensitivity of NRAS-mutant melanoma cells to MEK inhibition. Strikingly and similarly, direct p53 reactivation (PRIMA-1Met, APR-246) also broke resistance and synergised with MEK inhibition to induce massive apoptosis in NRAS-mutant melanoma cells with wild-type or mutant p53. Hence, our data identify MITF/Bcl-2 as a key mechanism underlying resistance of NRAS-mutant melanoma cells to apoptosis by MEK inhibitors and paves the way for a promising drug combination that could prevent or reverse anti-MEK resistance in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Najem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mohammad Krayem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - François Salès
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Department of Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nader Hussein
- Department of Biochemistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Bassam Badran
- Department of Biochemistry, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | | | - Ahmad Awada
- Medical Oncology Clinic, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Fabrice Journe
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium; Service d'Anatomie Humaine et d'Oncologie Expérimentale, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium
| | - Ghanem E Ghanem
- Laboratory of Oncology and Experimental Surgery, Institut Jules Bordet, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
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15
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Agaësse G, Barbollat-Boutrand L, El Kharbili M, Berthier-Vergnes O, Masse I. p53 targets TSPAN8 to prevent invasion in melanoma cells. Oncogenesis 2017; 6:e309. [PMID: 28368391 PMCID: PMC5520488 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2017.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is a very deadly cancer because of its proclivity to metastasize. Despite the recent development of targeted and immune therapies, patient survival remains low. It is therefore crucial to enhance understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying invasion. We previously identified tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8) as an important modulator of melanoma invasiveness, and several of its transcriptional regulators, which affect TSPAN8 expression during melanoma progression toward an invasive stage. This study found that TSPAN8 promoter contains consensus-binding sites for p53 transcription factor. We demonstrated that p53 silencing was sufficient to turn on Tspan8 expression in non-invasive melanoma cells and that p53 acts as a direct transcriptional repressor of TSPAN8. We also showed that p53 modulated matrigel invasion in melanoma cells in a TSPAN8-dependent manner. In conclusion, this study reveals p53 as a negative regulator of Tspan8 expression. As TP53 gene is rarely mutated in melanoma, it was hitherto poorly studied but its role in apoptosis and growth suppression in melanoma is increasingly becoming clear. The study highlights the importance of p53 as a regulator of melanoma invasion and the concept that reactivating p53 could provide a strategy for modulating not only proliferative but also invasive capacity in melanoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Agaësse
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, France
| | - L Barbollat-Boutrand
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, France
| | - M El Kharbili
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, France
| | - O Berthier-Vergnes
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, France
| | - I Masse
- Université de Lyon, Lyon, France.,Université Lyon 1, Lyon, France.,CNRS, UMR5534, Centre de Génétique et de Physiologie Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Villeurbanne, France
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16
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de Polo A, Luo Z, Gerarduzzi C, Chen X, Little JB, Yuan ZM. AXL receptor signalling suppresses p53 in melanoma through stabilization of the MDMX-MDM2 complex. J Mol Cell Biol 2017; 9:154-165. [PMID: 27927748 PMCID: PMC5907837 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjw045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the tyrosine kinase signalling is often associated with tumour progression and drug resistance, but its underlying mechanisms are only partly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL on the stability of the MDMX-MDM2 heterocomplex and the activity of p53 in melanoma cells. Our data demonstrated that AXL overexpression or activation through growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) ligand stimulation increases MDMX and MDM2 protein levels and decreases p53 activity. Upon activation, AXL stabilizes MDMX through a post-translational modification that involves phosphorylation of MDMX on the phosphosite Ser314, leading to increased affinity between MDMX and MDM2 and favouring MDMX nuclear translocation. Ser314 phosphorylation can also protect MDMX from MDM2-mediated degradation, leading to stabilization of the MDMX-MDM2 complex. We identified CDK4/6 and p38 MAPK as the two kinases mediating AXL-induced modulation of the MDMX-MDM2 complex, and demonstrated that suppression of AXL, either through siRNA silencing or pharmacological inhibition, increases expression levels of p53 target genes P21, MDM2, and PUMA, improves p53 pathway response to chemotherapy, and sensitizes cells to both Cisplatin and Vemurafenib. Our findings offer an insight into a novel signalling axis linking AXL to p53 and provide a potentially druggable pathway to restore p53 function in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna de Polo
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhongling Luo
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - Casimiro Gerarduzzi
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China
| | - John B. Little
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhi-Min Yuan
- John B. Little Center for Radiation Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Correspondence to: Zhi-Min Yuan, E-mail:
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17
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Tonks ID, Mukhopadhyay P, Schroder WA, Sorolla A, Mould AW, Handoko HY, Ferguson B, Muller HK, Keith P, Hayward NK, Walker GJ, Kay GF. Melanocyte transformation requires complete loss of all pocket protein function via a mechanism that mitigates the need for MAPK pathway activation. Oncogene 2017; 36:3789-3795. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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18
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Herraiz C, Calvo F, Pandya P, Cantelli G, Rodriguez-Hernandez I, Orgaz JL, Kang N, Chu T, Sahai E, Sanz-Moreno V. Reactivation of p53 by a Cytoskeletal Sensor to Control the Balance Between DNA Damage and Tumor Dissemination. J Natl Cancer Inst 2016; 108:djv289. [PMID: 26464464 PMCID: PMC4712681 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djv289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal cell migration and invasion underlie metastasis, and actomyosin contractility is a key regulator of tumor invasion. The links between cancer migratory behavior and DNA damage are poorly understood. METHODS Using 3D collagen systems to recapitulate melanoma extracellular matrix, we analyzed the relationship between the actomyosin cytoskeleton of migrating cells and DNA damage. We used multiple melanoma cell lines and microarray analysis to study changes in gene expression and in vivo intravital imaging (n = 7 mice per condition) to understand how DNA damage impacts invasive behavior. We used Protein Tissue Microarrays (n = 164 melanomas) and patient databases (n = 354 melanoma samples) to investigate the associations between markers of DNA damage and actomyosin cytoskeletal features. Data were analyzed with Student's and multiple t tests, Mann-Whitney's test, one-way analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Melanoma cells with low levels of Rho-ROCK-driven actomyosin are subjected to oxidative stress-dependent DNA damage and ATM-mediated p53 protein stabilization. This results in a specific transcriptional signature enriched in DNA damage/oxidative stress responsive genes, including Tumor Protein p53 Inducible Protein 3 (TP53I3 or PIG3). PIG3, which functions in DNA damage repair, uses an unexpected catalytic mechanism to suppress Rho-ROCK activity and impair tumor invasion in vivo. This regulation was suppressed by antioxidants. Furthermore, PIG3 levels decreased while ROCK1/2 levels increased in human metastatic melanomas (ROCK1 vs PIG3; r = -0.2261, P < .0001; ROCK2 vs PIG3: r = -0.1381, P = .0093). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest using Rho-kinase inhibitors to reactivate the p53-PIG3 axis as a novel therapeutic strategy; we suggest that the use of antioxidants in melanoma should be very carefully evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Herraiz
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Fernando Calvo
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Pahini Pandya
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Gaia Cantelli
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Irene Rodriguez-Hernandez
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Jose L Orgaz
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - NaRa Kang
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Tinghine Chu
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Erik Sahai
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH)
| | - Victoria Sanz-Moreno
- Tumor Plasticity Laboratory, Randall Division of Cell and Molecular Biophysics, King's College London, London, UK (CH, PP, GC, IRH, JLO, NK, TC, VSM); Tumor Cell Biology Laboratory, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, London, UK (FC, ES).Current affiliations: Tumor Microenvironment Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Chester Beatty Laboratories, London, UK (FC); Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain (CH).
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19
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Kuzu OF, Nguyen FD, Noory MA, Sharma A. Current State of Animal (Mouse) Modeling in Melanoma Research. CANCER GROWTH AND METASTASIS 2015; 8:81-94. [PMID: 26483610 PMCID: PMC4597587 DOI: 10.4137/cgm.s21214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Despite the considerable progress in understanding the biology of human cancer and technological advancement in drug discovery, treatment failure remains an inevitable outcome for most cancer patients with advanced diseases, including melanoma. Despite FDA-approved BRAF-targeted therapies for advanced stage melanoma showed a great deal of promise, development of rapid resistance limits the success. Hence, the overall success rate of melanoma therapy still remains to be one of the worst compared to other malignancies. Advancement of next-generation sequencing technology allowed better identification of alterations that trigger melanoma development. As development of successful therapies strongly depends on clinically relevant preclinical models, together with the new findings, more advanced melanoma models have been generated. In this article, besides traditional mouse models of melanoma, we will discuss recent ones, such as patient-derived tumor xenografts, topically inducible BRAF mouse model and RCAS/TVA-based model, and their advantages as well as limitations. Although mouse models of melanoma are often criticized as poor predictors of whether an experimental drug would be an effective treatment, development of new and more relevant models could circumvent this problem in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer F Kuzu
- Department of Pharmacology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Felix D Nguyen
- The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mohammad A Noory
- Department of Pharmacology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Arati Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
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20
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Vilgelm AE, Pawlikowski JS, Liu Y, Hawkins OE, Davis TA, Smith J, Weller KP, Horton LW, McClain CM, Ayers GD, Turner DC, Essaka DC, Stewart CF, Sosman JA, Kelley MC, Ecsedy JA, Johnston JN, Richmond A. Mdm2 and aurora kinase a inhibitors synergize to block melanoma growth by driving apoptosis and immune clearance of tumor cells. Cancer Res 2014; 75:181-93. [PMID: 25398437 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-14-2405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutics that induce cancer cell senescence can block cell proliferation and promote immune rejection. However, the risk of tumor relapse due to senescence escape may remain high due to the long lifespan of senescent cells that are not cleared. Here, we show how combining a senescence-inducing inhibitor of the mitotic kinase Aurora A (AURKA) with an MDM2 antagonist activates p53 in senescent tumors harboring wild-type 53. In the model studied, this effect is accompanied by proliferation arrest, mitochondrial depolarization, apoptosis, and immune clearance of cancer cells by antitumor leukocytes in a manner reliant upon Ccl5, Ccl1, and Cxcl9. The AURKA/MDM2 combination therapy shows adequate bioavailability and low toxicity to the host. Moreover, the prominent response of patient-derived melanoma tumors to coadministered MDM2 and AURKA inhibitors offers a sound rationale for clinical evaluation. Taken together, our work provides a preclinical proof of concept for a combination treatment that leverages both senescence and immune surveillance to therapeutic ends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Vilgelm
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeff S Pawlikowski
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Yan Liu
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Oriana E Hawkins
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Tyler A Davis
- Department of Chemistry and Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | | | - Kevin P Weller
- Flow Cytometry Shared Resource, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Linda W Horton
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Colt M McClain
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Gregory D Ayers
- Division of Cancer Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David C Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - David C Essaka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Clinton F Stewart
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mark C Kelley
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffrey A Ecsedy
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co., Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey N Johnston
- Department of Chemistry and Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Ann Richmond
- Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
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21
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Kim M. Cooperative interactions of PTEN deficiency and RAS activation in melanoma metastasis. Small GTPases 2014; 1:161-164. [PMID: 21686270 DOI: 10.4161/sgtp.1.3.14344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2010] [Revised: 11/30/2010] [Accepted: 12/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma displays frequent activation of RAS/RAF/MAPK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways as well as inactivation of CDKN2A (INK4a/ARF) and PTEN tumor suppressors via genetic and epigenetic alterations. Pathogenetic roles of these melanoma-prone mutations and their genetic interactions have been established in genetically engineered mouse models. Here, we catalog frequent genetic alterations observed in human melanomas and describe mouse models of melanoma initiation and progression, including our recent study that investigated the genetic interactions of RAS activation and PTEN loss in a CDKN2A (INK4a/ARF) null melanoma prone genetic background. We showed that loss of PTEN cooperates with HRAS activation, leading to increased development of melanoma and emergence of metastasis. Moreover, we observed that RNA i-mediated PTEN inactivation in RAS-driven melanomas enhanced migration and invasion with concomitant downregulation of E-cadherin, the major regulator of epithelial and mesenchymal transition, and enhanced AKT2 phosphorylation, which has been previously linked to invasion and metastasis of several cancer types, including breast and ovary. These data show that activated RAS cooperates with PTEN loss in melanoma genesis and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjung Kim
- Molecular Oncology Department; Comprehensive Melanoma Research Center; H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute; Tampa, FL USA
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22
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Coleman DJ, Chagani S, Hyter S, Sherman AM, Löhr CV, Liang X, Ganguli-Indra G, Indra AK. Loss of keratinocytic RXRα combined with activated CDK4 or oncogenic NRAS generates UVB-induced melanomas via loss of p53 and PTEN in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer Res 2014; 13:186-96. [PMID: 25189354 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind formation of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is crucial for improved diagnosis and treatment. One key is to better understand the cross-talk between epidermal keratinocytes and pigment-producing melanocytes. Here, using a bigenic mouse model system combining mutant oncogenic NRAS(Q61K) (constitutively active RAS) or mutant activated CDK4(R24C/R24C) (prevents binding of CDK4 by kinase inhibitor p16(INK4A)) with an epidermis-specific knockout of the nuclear retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα(ep-/-)) results in increased melanoma formation after chronic ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation compared with control mice with functional RXRα. Melanomas from both groups of bigenic RXRα(ep-/-) mice are larger in size with higher proliferative capacity, and exhibit enhanced angiogenic properties and increased expression of malignant melanoma markers. Analysis of tumor adjacent normal skin from these mice revealed altered expression of several biomarkers indicative of enhanced melanoma susceptibility, including reduced expression of tumor suppressor p53 and loss of PTEN, with concomitant increase in activated AKT. Loss of epidermal RXRα in combination with UVB significantly enhances invasion of melanocytic cells to draining lymph nodes in bigenic mice expressing oncogenic NRAS(Q61K) compared with controls with functional RXRα. These results suggest a crucial role of keratinocytic RXRα to suppress formation of UVB-induced melanomas and their progression to malignant cancers in the context of driver mutations such as activated CDK4(R24C/R24C) or oncogenic NRAS(Q61K). IMPLICATIONS These findings suggest that RXRα may serve as a clinical diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in melanoma progression and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Coleman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Sharmeen Chagani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Stephen Hyter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Anna M Sherman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. BioResource Research Program, College of Agricultural Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Christiane V Löhr
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Xiaobo Liang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Gitali Ganguli-Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Arup K Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Environmental Health Science Center, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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23
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Johnson DB, Smalley KSM, Sosman JA. Molecular pathways: targeting NRAS in melanoma and acute myelogenous leukemia. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 20:4186-92. [PMID: 24895460 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-13-3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Successful targeting of specific oncogenic "driver" mutations with small-molecule inhibitors has represented a major advance in cancer therapeutics over the past 10 to 15 years. The most common activating oncogene in human malignancy, RAS (rat sarcoma), has proved to be an elusive target. Activating mutations in RAS induce mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase-AKT pathway signaling and drive malignant progression in up to 30% of cancers. Oncogenic NRAS mutations occur in several cancer types, notably melanoma, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), and less commonly, colon adenocarcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, and other hematologic malignancies. Although NRAS-mutant tumors have been recalcitrant to targeted therapeutic strategies historically, newer agents targeting MAP/ERK kinase 1 (MEK1)/2 have recently shown signs of clinical efficacy as monotherapy. Combination strategies of MEK inhibitors with other targeted agents have strong preclinical support and are being evaluated in clinical trials. This review discusses the recent preclinical and clinical studies about the role of NRAS in cancer, with a focus on melanoma and AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas B Johnson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; and
| | - Keiran S M Smalley
- Departments of Molecular Oncology and Cutaneous Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jeffrey A Sosman
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee; and
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24
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Jiang H, Wortsman J, Matsuoka L, Granese J, Carlson JA, Mihm M, Slominski A. Molecular spectrum of pigmented skin lesions: from nevus to melanoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1586/17469872.1.5.679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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25
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Abstract
The rapidly increasing incidence of melanoma, coupled with its highly aggressive metastatic nature, is of urgent concern. In order to design rational therapies, it is of critical importance to identify the genetic determinants that drive melanoma formation and progression. To date, signaling cascades emanating from the EGF receptor, c-MET and other receptors are known to be altered in melanoma. Important mutations in signaling molecules, such as BRAF and N-RAS, have been identified. In this review, some of the major genetic alterations and signaling pathways involved in melanoma will be discussed. Given the great deal of genetic heterogeneity observed in melanoma, it is likely that many more genetic determinants exist. Through the use of powerful genomic technologies, it is now possible to identify these additional genetic alterations in melanoma. A critical step in this analysis will be culling bystanders from functionally important drivers, as this will highlight genetic elements that will be promising therapeutic targets. Such technologies and the important points to consider in understanding the genetics of melanoma will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papia Ghosh
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Medical Oncology, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02215, USA, Tel.: +1 617 258 8614, ,
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26
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Abstract
Melanocytes (MC) sit along the epidermal basal layer, largely quiescent except for constitutive melanin production. They are usually only activated after sun exposure. The recent paper by McGowan et al. (1) describes a novel mechanism by which melanocytes are induced to proliferate upon p53 activation in adjacent keratinocytes (KC). In this study, small subunit ribosomal protein mutations cause a dramatic activation of p53 that we propose mimics important aspects of the skin sunburn response after ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. McGowan et al. show that the phenotype of their hyperpigmented mouse mutants results from p53-dependent upregulation of KITLG, a cytokine that binds to the KIT receptor on melanocytes and influences melanin synthesis, melanocyte proliferation, and dictates MC localization at the dermo-epidermal junction. These findings extend our knowledge about skin stress responses, in particular, how p53 activity in keratinocytes is central to the regulation of melanocyte behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graeme Walker
- Oncogenomics Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, 300 Herston Rd, Herston, 4029, Qld, Australia
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27
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Liu Y, Sánchez-Tilló E, Lu X, Huang L, Clem B, Telang S, Jenson AB, Cuatrecasas M, Chesney J, Postigo A, Dean DC. The ZEB1 transcription factor acts in a negative feedback loop with miR200 downstream of Ras and Rb1 to regulate Bmi1 expression. J Biol Chem 2013; 289:4116-25. [PMID: 24371144 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m113.533505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Ras mutations are frequent in cancer cells where they drive proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. However in primary cells, mutant Ras instead can cause oncogene-induced senescence, a tumor suppressor function linked to repression of the polycomb factor Bmi1, which normally regulates cell cycle inhibitory cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (cdki). It is unclear how Ras causes repression of Bmi1 in primary cells to suppress tumor formation while inducing the gene in cancer cells to drive tumor progression. Ras also induces the EMT transcription factor ZEB1 to trigger tumor invasion and metastasis. Beyond its well-documented role in EMT, ZEB1 is important for maintaining repression of cdki. Indeed, heterozygous mutation of ZEB1 is sufficient for elevated cdki expression, leading to premature senescence of primary cells. A similar phenotype is evident with Bmi1 mutation. We show that activation of Rb1 in response to mutant Ras causes dominant repression of ZEB1 in primary cells, but loss of the Rb1 pathway is a hallmark of cancer cells and in the absence of such Rb1 repression Ras induces ZEB1 in cancer cells. ZEB1 represses miR-200 in the context of a mutual repression loop. Because miR-200 represses Bmi1, induction of ZEB1 leads to induction of Bmi1. Rb1 pathway status then dictates the opposing effects of mutant Ras on the ZEB1-miR-200 loop in primary versus cancer cells. This loop not only triggers EMT, surprisingly we show it acts downstream of Ras to regulate Bmi1 expression and thus the critical decision between oncogene-induced senescence and tumor initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqing Liu
- From the Molecular Targets Program, James Brown Cancer Center
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28
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Abstract
The American Cancer Society estimates that skin cancer is the most prevalent of all cancers with over 2 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer each year and 75,000 melanoma cases in 2012. Representative animal cancer models are important for understanding the underlying molecular pathogenesis of these cancers and the development of novel targeted anticancer therapeutics. In this review, we will discuss some of the important animal models that have been useful to identify important pathways involved in basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Gober
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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29
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Costa C, Paramio JM, Santos M. Skin Tumors Rb(eing) Uncovered. Front Oncol 2013; 3:307. [PMID: 24381932 PMCID: PMC3865458 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Rb1 gene was the first bona fide tumor suppressor identified and cloned more than 25 years ago. Since then, a plethora of studies have revealed the functions of pRb and the existence of a sophisticated and strictly regulated pathway that modulates such functional roles. An emerging paradox affecting Rb1 in cancer connects the relatively low number of mutations affecting Rb1 gene in specific human tumors, compared with the widely functional inactivation of pRb in most, if not in all, human cancers. The existence of a retinoblastoma family of proteins pRb, p107, and p130 and their potential unique and overlapping functions as master regulators of cell cycle progression and transcriptional modulation by similar processes, may provide potential clues to explain such conundrum. Here, we will review the development of different genetically engineered mouse models, in particular those affecting stratified epithelia, and how they have offered new avenues to understand the roles of the Rb family members and their targets in the context of tumor development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Costa
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Basic Research, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Teconológicas (ed70A) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Jesús M Paramio
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Basic Research, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Teconológicas (ed70A) , Madrid , Spain
| | - Mirentxu Santos
- Molecular Oncology Unit, Department of Basic Research, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Teconológicas (ed70A) , Madrid , Spain
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30
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Bertolotto C. Melanoma: from melanocyte to genetic alterations and clinical options. SCIENTIFICA 2013; 2013:635203. [PMID: 24416617 PMCID: PMC3874946 DOI: 10.1155/2013/635203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Metastatic melanoma remained for decades without any effective treatment and was thus considered as a paradigm of cancer resistance. Recent progress with understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying melanoma initiation and progression revealed that melanomas are genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous tumors. This recent progress has allowed for the development of treatment able to improve for the first time the overall disease-free survival of metastatic melanoma patients. However, clinical responses are still either too transient or limited to restricted patient subsets. The complete cure of metastatic melanoma therefore remains a challenge in the clinic. This review aims to present the recent knowledge and discoveries of the molecular mechanisms involved in melanoma pathogenesis and their exploitation into clinic that have recently facilitated bench to bedside advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corine Bertolotto
- INSERM, U1065 (Équipe 1), C3M, 06204 Nice, France
- University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis, UFR Médecine, 06204 Nice, France
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31
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Mierke CT. The role of focal adhesion kinase in the regulation of cellular mechanical properties. Phys Biol 2013; 10:065005. [PMID: 24304934 DOI: 10.1088/1478-3975/10/6/065005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of mechanical properties is necessary for cell invasion into connective tissue or intra- and extravasation through the endothelium of blood or lymph vessels. Cell invasion is important for the regulation of many healthy processes such as immune response reactions and wound healing. In addition, cell invasion plays a role in disease-related processes such as tumor metastasis and autoimmune responses. Until now the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in regulating mechanical properties of cells and its impact on cell invasion efficiency is still not well known. Thus, this review focuses on mechanical properties regulated by FAK in comparison to the mechano-regulating protein vinculin. Moreover, it points out the connection between cancer cell invasion and metastasis and FAK by showing that FAK regulates cellular mechanical properties required for cellular motility. Furthermore, it sheds light on the indirect interaction of FAK with vinculin by binding to paxillin, which then impairs the binding of paxillin to vinculin. In addition, this review emphasizes whether FAK fulfills regulatory functions similar to vinculin. In particular, it discusses the differences and the similarities between FAK and vinculin in regulating the biomechanical properties of cells. Finally, this paper highlights that both focal adhesion proteins, vinculin and FAK, synergize their functions to regulate the mechanical properties of cells such as stiffness and contractile forces. Subsequently, these mechanical properties determine cellular invasiveness into tissues and provide a source sink for future drug developments to inhibit excessive cell invasion and hence, metastases formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth Science, Institute of Experimental Physics I, Biological Physics Division, University of Leipzig, Linnéstr. 5, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
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32
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Yuan X, He J, Sun F, Gu J. Effects and interactions of MiR-577 and TSGA10 in regulating esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2013; 6:2651-2667. [PMID: 24294352 PMCID: PMC3843246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/29/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Testis specific 10 (TSGA10) was originally identified as a testis-specific protein and tumor-associated antigen in a number of cancer types. In this study, we found that down-regulation of TSGA10 was associated with increased malignancy and clinical features of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs). Moreover, increased expression of TSGA10 inhibited, while its knockdown promoted, tumor formation in vivo in nude mice. At the 3'UTR of the TSGA10 gene we identified two binding sites for microRNA-577 (miR-577). Further investigation demonstrated that expression levels of miR-577 and TSGA10 were negatively correlated to each other in ESCC cell lines and tumor samples. Moreover, manipulation of miR-577 and TSGA10 expression confirmed that miR-577 can regulate TSGA10 and in turn affect cell proliferation in vitro. Additionally, with flow cytometry and manipulation of the mir-577/TSGA10 axis, it was found that mir-577/TSGA10 axis influenced the growth of ESCC through regulating the G1-S phase transition. We also obtained evidence to establish that mir-577/TSGA10 axis activation was always accompanied by inactivation of the p53 pathway or the Rb pathway or both, thus, the latter two pathways are obligatory for progression of ESCCs with mir-577/TSGA10 axis activation. In addition, we found that such an interactive pathway in regulating cancer cell proliferation was restricted to a few cancer types including ESCC, but not uniformly applicable to other cancer types. This newly discovered regulatory mechanism provides a new dimension for ESCC diagnosis and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Yuan
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Peking UniversityBeijing 100083, China
| | - Jiangtu He
- Department of Central Laboratory, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji UniversityShanghai 200072, China
| | - Fenyong Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People’s Hospital of Tongji UniversityShanghai 200072, China
| | - Jiang Gu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Science, Peking UniversityBeijing 100083, China
- Molecular Pathology Laboratory and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Immunopathology, Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou 515041, China
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33
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Conde-Perez A, Larue L. Human relevance of NRAS/BRAF mouse melanoma models. Eur J Cell Biol 2013; 93:82-6. [PMID: 24342721 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2013.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2013] [Revised: 10/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is a major problem for many individuals worldwide. Although no effective treatment is available, promising new strategies are being developed. A better understanding of the inner workings of the disease would undoubtedly lead to improved treatments. Mouse melanoma models have been used to elucidate many key regulatory pathways involved in melanoma initiation and progression, and models with mutations in the oncogenes RAF and RAS have been particularly informative. Here, we summarize and evaluate the human relevance of various RAF and RAS mouse melanoma models and their contribution to our understanding of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Conde-Perez
- Institut Curie, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, 91405 Orsay, France; CNRS UMR3347, France; INSERM U1021, France
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, Normal and Pathological Development of Melanocytes, 91405 Orsay, France; CNRS UMR3347, France; INSERM U1021, France.
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34
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35
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Handoko HY, Boyle GM, Ferguson B, Muller HK, Soyer HP, Walker GJ. Plasticity of melanoma in vivo: murine lesions resulting from Trp53, but not Cdk4 or Arf deregulation, display neural transdifferentiation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2013; 26:731-4. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Glen M. Boyle
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research; Herston; Qld; Australia
| | - Blake Ferguson
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research; Herston; Qld; Australia
| | - H. Konrad Muller
- School of Medicine; University of Tasmania; Hobart; Tas.; Australia
| | - H. Peter Soyer
- Dermatology Research Centre; The University of Queensland School of Medicine; Princess Alexandra Hospital; Brisbane; Qld; Australia
| | - Graeme J. Walker
- Queensland Institute of Medical Research; Herston; Qld; Australia
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36
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Abstract
Genomic variation is a trend observed in various human diseases including cancer. Genetic studies have set out to understand how and why these variations result in cancer, why some populations are pre-disposed to the disease, and also how genetics affect drug responses. The melanoma incidence has been increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. The burden posed by melanoma has made it a necessity to understand the fundamental signaling pathways involved in this deadly disease. Signaling cascades such as mitogen-activated protein kinase and PI3K/AKT have been shown to be crucial in the regulation of processes that are commonly dysregulated during cancer development such as aberrant proliferation, loss of cell cycle control, impaired apoptosis, and altered drug metabolism. Understanding how these and other oncogenic pathways are regulated has been integral in our challenge to develop potent anti-melanoma drugs. With advances in technology and especially in next generation sequencing, we have been able to explore melanoma genomes and exomes leading to the identification of previously unknown genes with functions in melanomagenesis such as GRIN2A and PREX2. The therapeutic potential of these novel candidate genes is actively being pursued with some presenting as druggable targets while others serve as indicators of therapeutic responses. In addition, the analysis of the mutational signatures of melanoma tumors continues to cement the causative role of UV exposure in melanoma pathogenesis. It has become distinctly clear that melanomas from sun-exposed skin areas have distinct mutational signatures including C to T transitions indicative of UV-induced damage. It is thus necessary to continue spreading awareness on how to decrease the risk factors of developing the disease while at the same time working for a cure. Given the large amount of information gained from these sequencing studies, it is likely that in the future, treatment of melanoma will follow a highly personalized route that takes into account the differential mutational signatures of each individual’s cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Wangari-Talbot
- Susan Lehman Cullman Laboratory for Cancer Research, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey Piscataway, NJ, USA
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37
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NRAS mutant melanoma: biological behavior and future strategies for therapeutic management. Oncogene 2012; 32:3009-18. [PMID: 23069660 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The recent years have seen a significant shift in the expectations for the therapeutic management of disseminated melanoma. The clinical success of BRAF targeted therapy suggests that long-term disease control may one day be a reality for genetically defined subgroups of melanoma patients. Despite this progress, few advances have been made in developing targeted therapeutic strategies for the 50% of patients whose melanomas are BRAF wild-type. The most well-characterized subgroup of BRAF wild-type tumors is the 15-20% of all melanomas that harbor activating NRAS (Neuroblastoma Rat Sarcoma Virus) mutations. Emerging preclinical and clinical evidence suggests that NRAS mutant melanomas have patterns of signal transduction and biological behavior that is distinct from BRAF mutant melanomas. This overview will discuss the unique clinical and prognostic behavior of NRAS mutant melanoma and will summarize the emerging data on how NRAS-driven signaling networks can be translated into novel therapeutic strategies.
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38
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Yang Y, Wu J, Demir A, Castillo-Martin M, Melamed RD, Zhang G, Fukunaga-Kanabis M, Perez-Lorenzo R, Zheng B, Silvers DN, Brunner G, Wang S, Rabadan R, Cordon-Cardo C, Celebi JT. GAB2 induces tumor angiogenesis in NRAS-driven melanoma. Oncogene 2012; 32:3627-37. [PMID: 22926523 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2011] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
GAB2 is a scaffold protein with diverse upstream and downstream effectors. MAPK and PI3K signaling pathways are known effectors of GAB2. It is amplified and overexpressed in a variety of human tumors including melanoma. Here we show a previously undescribed role for GAB2 in NRAS-driven melanoma. Specifically, we found that GAB2 is co-expressed with mutant NRAS in melanoma cell lines and tumor samples and its expression correlated with metastatic potential. Co-expression of GAB2(WT) and NRAS(G12D) in melanocytes and in melanoma cells increased anchorage-independent growth by providing GAB2-expressing cells a survival advantage through upregulation of BCL-2 family of anti-apoptotic factors. Of note, collaboration of GAB2 with mutant NRAS enhanced tumorigenesis in vivo and led to an increased vessel density with strong CD34 and VEGFR2 activity. We found that GAB2 facilitiated an angiogenic switch by upregulating HIF-1α and VEGF levels. This angiogenic response was significantly suppressed with the MEK inhibitor PD325901. These data suggest that GAB2-mediated signaling cascades collaborate with NRAS-driven downstream activation for conferring an aggressive phenotype in melanoma. Second, we show that GAB2/NRAS signaling axis is non-linear and non-redundant in melanocytes and melanoma, and thus are acting independent of each other. Finally, we establish a link between GAB2 and angiogenesis in melanoma for the first time. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that GAB2 is a novel regulator of tumor angiogenesis in NRAS-driven melanoma through regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expressions mediated by RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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39
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Gembarska A, Luciani F, Fedele C, Russell EA, Dewaele M, Villar S, Zwolinska A, Haupt S, de Lange J, Yip D, Goydos J, Haigh JJ, Haupt Y, Larue L, Jochemsen A, Shi H, Moriceau G, Lo RS, Ghanem G, Shackleton M, Bernal F, Marine JC. MDM4 is a key therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma. Nat Med 2012; 18:1239-47. [PMID: 22820643 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The inactivation of the p53 tumor suppressor pathway, which often occurs through mutations in TP53 (encoding tumor protein 53) is a common step in human cancer. However, in melanoma-a highly chemotherapy-resistant disease-TP53 mutations are rare, raising the possibility that this cancer uses alternative ways to overcome p53-mediated tumor suppression. Here we show that Mdm4 p53 binding protein homolog (MDM4), a negative regulator of p53, is upregulated in a substantial proportion (∼65%) of stage I-IV human melanomas and that melanocyte-specific Mdm4 overexpression enhanced tumorigenesis in a mouse model of melanoma induced by the oncogene Nras. MDM4 promotes the survival of human metastatic melanoma by antagonizing p53 proapoptotic function. Notably, inhibition of the MDM4-p53 interaction restored p53 function in melanoma cells, resulting in increased sensitivity to cytotoxic chemotherapy and to inhibitors of the BRAF (V600E) oncogene. Our results identify MDM4 as a key determinant of impaired p53 function in human melanoma and designate MDM4 as a promising target for antimelanoma combination therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Gembarska
- Center for the Biology of Disease, Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), Leuven, Belgium; Center for Human Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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40
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Abstract
Melanoma is often considered one of the most aggressive and treatment-resistant human cancers. It is a disease that, due to the presence of melanin pigment, was accurately diagnosed earlier than most other malignancies and that has been subjected to countless therapeutic strategies. Aside from early surgical resection, no therapeutic modality has been found to afford a high likelihood of curative outcome. However, discoveries reported in recent years have revealed a near avalanche of breakthroughs in the melanoma field-breakthroughs that span fundamental understanding of the molecular basis of the disease all the way to new therapeutic strategies that produce unquestionable clinical benefit. These discoveries have been born from the successful fruits of numerous researchers working in many-sometimes-related, although also distinct-biomedical disciplines. Discoveries of frequent mutations involving BRAF(V600E), developmental and oncogenic roles for the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) pathway, clinical efficacy of BRAF-targeted small molecules, and emerging mechanisms underlying resistance to targeted therapeutics represent just a sample of the findings that have created a striking inflection in the quest for clinically meaningful progress in the melanoma field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hensin Tsao
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
- The Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
| | - Lynda Chin
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Levi A. Garraway
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
| | - David E. Fisher
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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41
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Abstract
Melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, has increased in incidence more rapidly than any other cancer. The completion of the human genome project and advancements in genomics technologies has allowed us to investigate genetic alterations of melanoma at a scale and depth that is unprecedented. Here, we survey the history of the different approaches taken to understand the genomics of melanoma - from early candidate genes, to gene families, to genome-wide studies. The new era of whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing has paved the way for an in-depth understanding of melanoma biology, identification of new therapeutic targets, and development of novel personalized therapies for melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Walia
- The Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Euphemia W. Mu
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jimmy C. Lin
- Division of Laboratory and Genomic Medicine, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Yardena Samuels
- The Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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42
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Wang XD, Morgan SC, Loeken MR. Pax3 stimulates p53 ubiquitination and degradation independent of transcription. PLoS One 2011; 6:e29379. [PMID: 22216266 PMCID: PMC3247257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Accepted: 11/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pax3 is a developmental transcription factor that is required for neural tube and neural crest development. We previously showed that inactivating the p53 tumor suppressor protein prevents neural tube and cardiac neural crest defects in Pax3-mutant mouse embryos. This demonstrates that Pax3 regulates these processes by blocking p53 function. Here we investigated the mechanism by which Pax3 blocks p53 function. Methodology/Principal Findings We employed murine embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived neuronal precursors as a cell culture model of embryonic neuroepithelium or neural crest. Pax3 reduced p53 protein stability, but had no effect on p53 mRNA levels or the rate of p53 synthesis. Full length Pax3 as well as fragments that contained either the DNA-binding paired box or the homeodomain, expressed as GST or FLAG fusion proteins, physically associated with p53 and Mdm2 both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, Splotch Pax3, which causes neural tube and neural crest defects in homozygous embryos, bound weakly, or not at all, to p53 or Mdm2. The paired domain and homeodomain each stimulated Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination of p53 and p53 degradation in the absence of the Pax3 transcription regulatory domains, whereas Splotch Pax3 did not stimulate p53 ubiquitination or degradation. Conclusions/Significance Pax3 inactivates p53 function by stimulating its ubiquitination and degradation. This process utilizes the Pax3 paired domain and homeodomain but is independent of DNA-binding and transcription regulation. Because inactivating p53 is the only required Pax3 function during neural tube closure and cardiac neural crest development, and inactivating p53 does not require Pax3-dependent transcription regulation, this indicates that Pax3 is not required to function as a transcription factor during neural tube closure and cardiac neural crest development. These findings further suggest novel explanations for PAX3 functions in human diseases, such as in neural crest-derived cancers and Waardenburg syndrome types 1 and 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Dan Wang
- Section on Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah C. Morgan
- Section on Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mary R. Loeken
- Section on Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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43
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Verhaegen M, Checinska A, Riblett MB, Wang S, Soengas MS. E2F1-dependent oncogenic addiction of melanoma cells to MDM2. Oncogene 2011; 31:828-41. [PMID: 21743494 PMCID: PMC3193861 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2011.277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the defining features of aggressive melanomas is their complexity. Hundreds of mutations and an ever increasing list of changes in the transcriptome and proteome distinguish normal from malignant melanocytic cells. Yet, despite this altered genetic background, a long-known attribute of melanomas is a relatively low rate of mutations in the p53 gene. However, it is unclear whether p53 is maintained in melanoma cells because it is required for their survival, or because it is functionally disabled. More pressing from a translational perspective, is to define whether there is a tumor cell-selective wiring of p53 that offers a window for therapeutic intervention. Here we provide genetic and pharmacological evidence demonstrating that p53 represents a liability to melanoma cells which they thwart by assuming an oncogenic dependency on the E3 ligase MDM2. Specifically, we used a combination of RNA interference and two structurally independent small molecule inhibitors of the p53/MDM2 interaction to assess the relative requirement of both proteins for the viability of normal melanocytes and a broad panel of melanoma cell lines. We demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that MDM2 is selectively required to blunt latent pro-senescence signals in melanoma cells. Notably, the outcome of MDM2 inactivation depends not only on the mutational status of p53, but also on its ability to signal to the transcription factor E2F1. These data support MDM2 as a drug target in melanoma cells, and identify E2F1 as a biomarker to consider when stratifying putative candidates for clinical studies of p53/MDM2 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Verhaegen
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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44
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Giuliano S, Ohanna M, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C. Advances in melanoma senescence and potential clinical application. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2011; 24:295-308. [PMID: 21143770 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2010.00820.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Normal cells possess a limited proliferative life span, after which they enter a state of irreversible growth arrest, called replicative senescence, which acts as a potent barrier against transformation. Transformed cells have escaped the process of replicative senescence and theoretically can not re-enter senescence. However, recent observations showed that transformed cells, and particularly the melanoma cells, can still undergo oncogene or stress-induced senescence. This senescence state is accompanied by many of the markers associated with replicative senescence, such as flattened shape, increased acidic β-galactosidase activity, characteristic changes in gene expression and growth arrest. Interestingly, in some cancers, senescence induction following chemotherapy has been correlated with a favorable patient outcome. In this review, we gathered recent results describing senescence-like phenotype induction in melanoma cells and discuss why senescence may also be exploited as a therapeutic strategy in melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Giuliano
- Inserm, U895, Equipe 1, Biologie et Pathologies des Mélanocytes: de la Pigmentation Cutanée au Mélanome, C3M, Nice, France
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45
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Pérot G, Chibon F, Montero A, Lagarde P, de Thé H, Terrier P, Guillou L, Ranchère D, Coindre JM, Aurias A. Constant p53 pathway inactivation in a large series of soft tissue sarcomas with complex genetics. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2011; 177:2080-90. [PMID: 20884963 DOI: 10.2353/ajpath.2010.100104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of the p53 pathway are among the most frequent aberrations observed in human cancers. We have performed an exhaustive analysis of TP53, p14, p15, and p16 status in a large series of 143 soft tissue sarcomas, rare tumors accounting for around 1% of all adult cancers, with complex genetics. For this purpose, we performed genomic studies, combining sequencing, copy number assessment, and expression analyses. TP53 mutations and deletions are more frequent in leiomyosarcomas than in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. Moreover, 50% of leiomyosarcomas present TP53 biallelic inactivation, whereas most undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas retain one wild-type TP53 allele (87.2%). The spectrum of mutations between these two groups of sarcomas is different, particularly with a higher rate of complex mutations in undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas. Most tumors without TP53 alteration exhibit a deletion of p14 and/or lack of mRNA expression, suggesting that p14 loss could be an alternative genotype for direct TP53 inactivation. Nevertheless, the fact that even in tumors altered for TP53, we could not detect p14 protein suggests that other p14 functions, independent of p53, could be implicated in sarcoma oncogenesis. In addition, both p15 and p16 are frequently codeleted or transcriptionally co-inhibited with p14, essentially in tumors with two wild-type TP53 alleles. Conversely, in TP53-altered tumors, p15 and p16 are well expressed, a feature not incompatible with an oncogenic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaëlle Pérot
- Institut Curie, Genetics and Biology of Cancers, Paris, France
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46
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McKinney AJ, Holmen SL. Animal models of melanoma: a somatic cell gene delivery mouse model allows rapid evaluation of genes implicated in human melanoma. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CANCER 2011; 30:153-62. [PMID: 21352692 PMCID: PMC4013311 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.011.10007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Revised: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 01/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The increasing incidence and mortality associated with advanced stages of melanoma are cause for concern. Few treatment options are available for advanced melanoma and the 5-year survival rate is less than 15%. Targeted therapies may revolutionize melanoma treatment by providing less toxic and more effective strategies. However, maximizing effectiveness requires further understanding of the molecular alterations that drive tumor formation, progression, and maintenance, as well as elucidating the mechanisms of resistance. Several different genetic alterations identified in human melanoma have been recapitulated in mice. This review outlines recent progress made in the development of mouse models of melanoma and summarizes what these findings reveal about the human disease. We begin with a discussion of traditional models and conclude with the recently developed RCAS/TVA somatic cell gene delivery mouse model of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea J McKinney
- Department of Drug and Target Discovery, Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas, NV 89135, USA
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47
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Terzian T, Torchia EC, Dai D, Robinson SE, Murao K, Stiegmann RA, Gonzalez V, Boyle GM, Powell MB, Pollock PM, Lozano G, Robinson WA, Roop DR, Box NF. p53 prevents progression of nevi to melanoma predominantly through cell cycle regulation. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2011; 23:781-94. [PMID: 20849464 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2010.00773.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
p53 is the central member of a critical tumor suppressor pathway in virtually all tumor types, where it is silenced mainly by missense mutations. In melanoma, p53 predominantly remains wild type, thus its role has been neglected. To study the effect of p53 on melanocyte function and melanomagenesis, we crossed the ‘high-p53’Mdm4+/− mouse to the well-established TP-ras0/+ murine melanoma progression model. After treatment with the carcinogen dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), TP-ras0/+ mice on the Mdm4+/− background developed fewer tumors with a delay in the age of onset of melanomas compared to TP-ras0/+ mice. Furthermore, we observed a dramatic decrease in tumor growth, lack of metastasis with increased survival of TP-ras0/+: Mdm4+/− mice. Thus, p53 effectively prevented the conversion of small benign tumors to malignant and metastatic melanoma. p53 activation in cultured primary melanocyte and melanoma cell lines using Nutlin-3, a specific Mdm2 antagonist, supported these findings. Moreover, global gene expression and network analysis of Nutlin-3-treated primary human melanocytes indicated that cell cycle regulation through the p21WAF1/CIP1 signaling network may be the key anti-melanomagenic activity of p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Terzian
- Department of Dermatology and Charles C Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, UC Denver, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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48
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Damsky
- Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
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49
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Ferguson B, Konrad Muller H, Handoko HY, Khosrotehrani K, Beermann F, Hacker E, Soyer HP, Bosenberg M, Walker GJ. Differential roles of the pRb and Arf/p53 pathways in murine naevus and melanoma genesis. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2010; 23:771-80. [PMID: 20718941 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2010.00752.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
We report on a systematic analysis of genotype-specific melanocyte (MC) UVR responses in transgenic mouse melanoma models along with tumour penetrance and comparative histopathology. pRb or p53 pathway mutations cooperated with Nras(Q61K) to transform MCs. We previously reported that MCs migrate from the follicular outer root sheath into the epidermis after neonatal UVR. Here, we found that Arf or p53 loss markedly diminished this response. Despite this, mice carrying these mutations developed melanoma with very early age of onset after neonatal UVR. Cdk4(R24C) did not affect the MC migration. Instead, independent of UVR exposure, interfollicular dermal MCs were more prevalent in Cdk4(R24C) mice. Subsequently, in adulthood, these mutants developed dermal MC proliferations reminiscent of superficial congenital naevi. Two types of melanoma were observed in this model. The location and growth pattern of the first was consistent with derivation from the naevi, while the second appeared to be of deep dermal origin. In animals carrying the Arf or p53 defects, no naevi were detected, with all tumours ostensibly skipping the benign precursor stage in progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake Ferguson
- Skin Carcinogenesis Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Herston, Qld, Australia
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50
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Nogueira C, Kim KH, Sung H, Paraiso KHT, Dannenberg JH, Bosenberg M, Chin L, Kim M. Cooperative interactions of PTEN deficiency and RAS activation in melanoma metastasis. Oncogene 2010; 29:6222-32. [PMID: 20711233 PMCID: PMC2989338 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2010.349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and AKT pathways are frequently co-activated in melanoma through overexpression of receptor tyrosine kinases, mutations in their signaling surrogates, such as RAS and BRAF, or loss of negative regulators such as PTEN. As RAS can be a positive upstream regulator of PI3-K, it has been proposed that the loss of PTEN and the activation of RAS are redundant events in melanoma pathogenesis. Here, in genetically engineered mouse models of cutaneous melanomas, we sought to better understand the genetic interactions between HRAS activation and PTEN inactivation in melanoma genesis and progression in vivo. We showed that HRAS activation cooperates with Pten+/- and Ink4a/Arf-/- to increase melanoma penetrance and promote metastasis. Correspondingly, gain- and loss-of-function studies established that Pten loss increases invasion and migration of melanoma cells and non-transformed melanocytes, and such biological activity correlates with a shift to phosphorylation of AKT2 isoform and E-cadherin down-regulation. Thus, Pten inactivation can drive the genesis and promote the metastatic progression of RAS activated Ink4a/Arf deficient melanomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Nogueira
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
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