1
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Cabarcas-Petroski S, Meneses PI, Schramm L. A meta-analysis of BRF2 as a prognostic biomarker in invasive breast carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:1093. [PMID: 33176745 PMCID: PMC7659115 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07569-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deregulation of the RNA polymerase III specific TFIIIB subunit BRF2 occurs in subtypes of human cancers. However, correlations between BRF2 alterations and clinical outcomes in breast cancer are limited. We conducted this review to analyze BRF2 alterations in genomic data sets housed in Oncomine and cBioPortal to identify potential correlations between BRF2 alterations and clinical outcomes. METHODS The authors queried both Oncomine and cBioPortal for alterations in BRF2 in human cancers and performed meta-analyses identifying significant correlations between BRF2 and clinical outcomes in invasive breast cancer (IBC). RESULTS A meta cancer outlier profile analysis (COPA) of 715 data sets (86,733 samples) in Oncomine identified BRF2 as overexpressed in 60% of breast cancer data sets. COPA scores in IBC data sets (3594 patients) are comparable for HER2 (24.211, median gene rank 60) and BRF2 (29.656, median gene rank 36.5). Overall survival in IBC patients with BRF2 alterations (21%) is significantly decreased (p = 9.332e-3). IBC patients with BRF2 alterations aged 46 to 50 have a significantly poor survival outcome (p = 7.093e-3). Strikingly, in metastatic breast cancer, BRF2 is altered in 33% of women aged 45-50. BRF2 deletions are predominant in this age group. CONCLUSION This study suggests BRF2 may be an prognostic biomarker in invasive breast carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Schramm
- Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens, NY, USA.
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2
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Bian Y, Li Q, Li Q, Pan R. Silencing of BRF2 inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Mol Med Rep 2020; 22:1767-1774. [PMID: 32705258 PMCID: PMC7411291 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor II B (TFIIB)‑related factor 2 (BRF2) is involved in the development of cancer, but its role in lung cancer is underreported. The present study aimed to explore the role of BRF2 in the regulation of lung cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect BRF2 protein expression in human lung cancer cells and tissues. Following cell transfection with small interfering RNA for silencing BRF2, the cell proliferation was examined by Cell Counting Kit‑8 and MTT assays. Cell apoptosis, migration and invasion were determined by flow cytometry, wound‑healing and Transwell assay. The expression levels of Akt, phosphorylated (p)‑Akt, Bax, E‑cadherin, Bcl‑2, N‑cadherin, Snail and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in human lung cancer A549 cells were detected by western blotting. The results demonstrated that BRF2 expression was increased in human lung cancer cells and tissues, and that silencing of BRF2 promoted cell apoptosis but inhibited cell proliferation and migration. The protein expression levels of Akt, E‑cadherin, p‑Akt, Bcl‑2, N‑cadherin, Snail and EGFR in A549 cells were inhibited by silencing of BRF2, while expression levels of Bax and E‑cadherin were increased by silencing BRF2. In conclusion, BRF2 demonstrates high expression in lung cancer and silencing of BRF2 inhibits the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells. The current findings provide a novel approach for the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Bian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, P.R. China
| | - Qiu Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, P.R. China
| | - Qiaolian Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, P.R. China
| | - Ruigen Pan
- Department of Radiology, Zhuji Affiliated Hospital of Shaoxing University, Zhuji, Zhejiang 311800, P.R. China
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3
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Verma N, Hurlburt AM, Wolfe A, Kim MK, Kang YS, Kang JJ, Stumph WE. Bdp1 interacts with SNAPc bound to a U6, but not U1, snRNA gene promoter element to establish a stable protein-DNA complex. FEBS Lett 2018; 592:2489-2498. [PMID: 29932462 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In metazoans, U6 small nuclear RNA (snRNA) gene promoters utilize a proximal sequence element (PSE) recognized by the small nuclear RNA-activating protein complex (SNAPc). SNAPc interacts with the transcription factor TFIIIB, which consists of the subunits TBP, Brf1 (Brf2 in vertebrates), and Bdp1. Here, we show that, in Drosophila melanogaster, DmSNAPc directly recruits Bdp1 to the U6 promoter, and we identify an 87-residue region of Bdp1 involved in this interaction. Importantly, Bdp1 recruitment requires that DmSNAPc be bound to a U6 PSE rather than a U1 PSE. This is consistent with the concept that DmSNAPc adopts different conformations on U6 and U1 PSEs, which lead to the subsequent recruitment of distinct general transcription factors and RNA polymerases for U6 and U1 gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Verma
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Ann Marie Hurlburt
- Department of Biology, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Angela Wolfe
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Mun Kyoung Kim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Yoon Soon Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Jin Joo Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - William E Stumph
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, San Diego State University, CA, USA
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4
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Dergai O, Cousin P, Gouge J, Satia K, Praz V, Kuhlman T, Lhôte P, Vannini A, Hernandez N. Mechanism of selective recruitment of RNA polymerases II and III to snRNA gene promoters. Genes Dev 2018; 32:711-722. [PMID: 29785964 PMCID: PMC6004067 DOI: 10.1101/gad.314245.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
RNA polymerase II (Pol II) small nuclear RNA (snRNA) promoters and type 3 Pol III promoters have highly similar structures; both contain an interchangeable enhancer and "proximal sequence element" (PSE), which recruits the SNAP complex (SNAPc). The main distinguishing feature is the presence, in the type 3 promoters only, of a TATA box, which determines Pol III specificity. To understand the mechanism by which the absence or presence of a TATA box results in specific Pol recruitment, we examined how SNAPc and general transcription factors required for Pol II or Pol III transcription of SNAPc-dependent genes (i.e., TATA-box-binding protein [TBP], TFIIB, and TFIIA for Pol II transcription and TBP and BRF2 for Pol III transcription) assemble to ensure specific Pol recruitment. TFIIB and BRF2 could each, in a mutually exclusive fashion, be recruited to SNAPc. In contrast, TBP-TFIIB and TBP-BRF2 complexes were not recruited unless a TATA box was present, which allowed selective and efficient recruitment of the TBP-BRF2 complex. Thus, TBP both prevented BRF2 recruitment to Pol II promoters and enhanced BRF2 recruitment to Pol III promoters. On Pol II promoters, TBP recruitment was separate from TFIIB recruitment and enhanced by TFIIA. Our results provide a model for specific Pol recruitment at SNAPc-dependent promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oleksandr Dergai
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pascal Cousin
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jerome Gouge
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, United Kingdom
| | - Karishma Satia
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, United Kingdom
| | - Viviane Praz
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tracy Kuhlman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724, USA
| | - Philippe Lhôte
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Vannini
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, United Kingdom
| | - Nouria Hernandez
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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5
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Wang L, Qu J, Zhou L, Liao F, Wang J. MicroRNA-373 Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Invasion via Targeting BRF2 in Human Non-small Cell Lung Cancer A549 Cell Line. Cancer Res Treat 2017; 50:936-949. [PMID: 29025258 PMCID: PMC6056964 DOI: 10.4143/crt.2017.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological role and mechanism of miR-373 targeting of TFIIB-related factor 2 (BRF2) in the regulation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Materials and Methods miRNA microarray chip analysis of four paired NSCLC and adjacent non-tumor tissues was performed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) andwestern blotting were used to detect the expression levels of miR-373 and BRF2 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The dual-luciferase reporter method was performed to determine if BRF2 is a target of miR-373. MTT, wound-healing, Transwell, and flow cytometric assays were conducted to examine the proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of NSCLC A549 cells, respectively; western blotting was used to detect the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)–related proteins. Results The miRNA microarray chip analysis demonstrated that miR-373 was down-regulated in NSCLC tissues, and this result was confirmed by qRT-PCR. Additionally, miR-373 was confirmed to target BRF2. Moreover, miR-373 expression was inversely correlated with BRF2 expression in NSCLC tissues and cell lines; both miR-373 down-regulation and BRF2 up-regulation were strongly associated with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of NSCLC patients. In vitro, overexpression of miR-373 markedly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin; and down-regulated the expression of N-cadherin and Snail in A549 cell. Knockdown BRF2 by siRNA resulted in effects similar to those caused by overexpression of miR-373. Conclusion MiR-373 is decreased in NSCLC, and overexpression of miR-373 can suppress cell EMT, and inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 cells by targeting BRF2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Junfeng Qu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Zhou
- The Central Operating Room, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Fei Liao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Ju Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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6
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Kang JJ, Kang YS, Stumph WE. TFIIIB subunit locations on U6 gene promoter DNA mapped by site-specific protein-DNA photo-cross-linking. FEBS Lett 2016; 590:1488-97. [PMID: 27112515 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.12185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
RNA polymerase III-transcribed U6 snRNA genes have gene-external promoters that contain TATA boxes. U6 TATA sequences are bound by TFIIIB that in Drosophila contains the three subunits TBP, Brf1, and Bdp1. The overall structure of TFIIIB is still not well understood. We have therefore studied the mode of TFIIIB binding to DNA by site-specific protein-DNA photo-cross-linking. The results indicate that a portion of Brf1 is sandwiched between Bdp1 and TBP upstream of the TATA box. Furthermore, Bdp1 traverses the DNA under the N-terminal stirrup of TBP to interact with the DNA (and very likely Brf1) downstream of the TATA sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Joo Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - Yoon Soon Kang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, CA, USA
| | - William E Stumph
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, CA, USA
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7
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Gouge J, Satia K, Guthertz N, Widya M, Thompson AJ, Cousin P, Dergai O, Hernandez N, Vannini A. Redox Signaling by the RNA Polymerase III TFIIB-Related Factor Brf2. Cell 2016; 163:1375-87. [PMID: 26638071 PMCID: PMC4671959 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
TFIIB-related factor 2 (Brf2) is a member of the family of TFIIB-like core transcription factors. Brf2 recruits RNA polymerase (Pol) III to type III gene-external promoters, including the U6 spliceosomal RNA and selenocysteine tRNA genes. Found only in vertebrates, Brf2 has been linked to tumorigenesis but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We have solved crystal structures of a human Brf2-TBP complex bound to natural promoters, obtaining a detailed view of the molecular interactions occurring at Brf2-dependent Pol III promoters and highlighting the general structural and functional conservation of human Pol II and Pol III pre-initiation complexes. Surprisingly, our structural and functional studies unravel a Brf2 redox-sensing module capable of specifically regulating Pol III transcriptional output in living cells. Furthermore, we establish Brf2 as a central redox-sensing transcription factor involved in the oxidative stress pathway and provide a mechanistic model for Brf2 genetic activation in lung and breast cancer. Architectural conservation of TFIIB and TFIIB-related factors Brf2 is a redox-sensing RNA polymerase III core transcription factor Brf2 regulates cellular responses to oxidative stress Brf2 amplification enables cancer cells to evade oxidative stress-induced apoptosis
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerome Gouge
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Karishma Satia
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Nicolas Guthertz
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Marcella Widya
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Andrew James Thompson
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK
| | - Pascal Cousin
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Oleksandr Dergai
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nouria Hernandez
- Center for Integrative Genomics, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Vannini
- Division of Structural Biology, The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW7 3RP, UK.
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8
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Affiliation(s)
- Finn Werner
- RNAP Laboratory, Institute for Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London , Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, U.K
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9
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Knutson BA, Hahn S. TFIIB-related factors in RNA polymerase I transcription. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2012; 1829:265-73. [PMID: 22960599 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Revised: 08/20/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic RNA polymerases (Pol) I, II, III and archaeal Pol use a related set of general transcription factors to recognize promoter sequences and recruit Pol to promoters and to function at key points in the transcription initiation mechanism. The TFIIB-like general transcription factors (GTFs) function during several important and conserved steps in the initiation pathway for Pols II, III, and archaeal Pol. Until recently, the mechanism of Pol I initiation seemed unique, since it appeared to lack a GTF paralogous to the TFIIB-like proteins. The surprising recent discovery of TFIIB-related Pol I general factors in yeast and humans highlights the evolutionary conservation of transcription initiation mechanisms for all eukaryotic and archaeal Pols. These findings reveal new roles for the function of the Pol I GTFs and insight into the function of TFIIB-related factors. Models for Pol I transcription initiation are reexamined in light of these recent findings. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Transcription by Odd Pols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Knutson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Division of Basic Sciences, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, P.O. Box 19024, Mailstop A1-162, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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10
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Jun SH, Reichlen MJ, Tajiri M, Murakami KS. Archaeal RNA polymerase and transcription regulation. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2011; 46:27-40. [PMID: 21250781 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2010.538662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
To elucidate the mechanism of transcription by cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs), high-resolution X-ray crystal structures together with structure-guided biochemical, biophysical, and genetics studies are essential. The recently solved X-ray crystal structures of archaeal RNAP allow a structural comparison of the transcription machinery among all three domains of life. The archaea were once thought of closely related to bacteria, but they are now considered to be more closely related to the eukaryote at the molecular level than bacteria. According to these structures, the archaeal transcription apparatus, which includes RNAP and general transcription factors (GTFs), is similar to the eukaryotic transcription machinery. Yet, the transcription regulators, activators and repressors, encoded by archaeal genomes are closely related to bacterial factors. Therefore, archaeal transcription appears to possess an intriguing hybrid of eukaryotic-type transcription apparatus and bacterial-like regulatory mechanisms. Elucidating the transcription mechanism in archaea, which possesses a combination of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription mechanisms that are commonly regarded as separate and mutually exclusive, can provide data that will bring basic transcription mechanisms across all life forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hoon Jun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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11
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Cabarcas S, Schramm L. RNA polymerase III transcription in cancer: the BRF2 connection. Mol Cancer 2011; 10:47. [PMID: 21518452 PMCID: PMC3098206 DOI: 10.1186/1476-4598-10-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 04/25/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription is responsible for the transcription of small, untranslated RNAs involved in fundamental metabolic processes such mRNA processing (U6 snRNA) and translation (tRNAs). RNA pol III transcription contributes to the regulation of the biosynthetic capacity of a cell and a direct link exists between cancer cell proliferation and deregulation of RNA pol III transcription. Accurate transcription by RNA pol III requires TFIIIB, a known target of regulation by oncogenes and tumor suppressors. There have been significant advances in our understanding of how TFIIIB-mediated transcription is deregulated in a variety of cancers. Recently, BRF2, a component of TFIIIB required for gene external RNA pol III transcription, was identified as an oncogene in squamous cell carcinomas of the lung through integrative genomic analysis. In this review, we focus on recent advances demonstrating how BRF2-TFIIIB mediated transcription is regulated by tumor suppressors and oncogenes. Additionally, we present novel data further confirming the role of BRF2 as an oncogene, extracted from the Oncomine database, a cancer microarray database containing datasets derived from patient samples, providing evidence that BRF2 has the potential to be used as a biomarker for patients at risk for metastasis. This data further supports the idea that BRF2 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in a variety of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cabarcas
- National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Cancer Stem Cell Section, 1050 Boyles Street, Building 560, Room 21-81, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
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12
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Integrative genomic analyses identify BRF2 as a novel lineage-specific oncogene in lung squamous cell carcinoma. PLoS Med 2010; 7:e1000315. [PMID: 20668658 PMCID: PMC2910599 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2009] [Accepted: 06/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traditionally, non-small cell lung cancer is treated as a single disease entity in terms of systemic therapy. Emerging evidence suggests the major subtypes--adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC)--respond differently to therapy. Identification of the molecular differences between these tumor types will have a significant impact in designing novel therapies that can improve the treatment outcome. METHODS AND FINDINGS We used an integrative genomics approach, combing high-resolution comparative genomic hybridization and gene expression microarray profiles, to compare AC and SqCC tumors in order to uncover alterations at the DNA level, with corresponding gene transcription changes, which are selected for during development of lung cancer subtypes. Through the analysis of multiple independent cohorts of clinical tumor samples (>330), normal lung tissues and bronchial epithelial cells obtained by bronchial brushing in smokers without lung cancer, we identified the overexpression of BRF2, a gene on Chromosome 8p12, which is specific for development of SqCC of lung. Genetic activation of BRF2, which encodes a RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription initiation factor, was found to be associated with increased expression of small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs) that are involved in processes essential for cell growth, such as RNA splicing. Ectopic expression of BRF2 in human bronchial epithelial cells induced a transformed phenotype and demonstrates downstream oncogenic effects, whereas RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown suppressed growth and colony formation of SqCC cells overexpressing BRF2, but not AC cells. Frequent activation of BRF2 in >35% preinvasive bronchial carcinoma in situ, as well as in dysplastic lesions, provides evidence that BRF2 expression is an early event in cancer development of this cell lineage. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study, to our knowledge, to show that the focal amplification of a gene in Chromosome 8p12, plays a key role in squamous cell lineage specificity of the disease. Our data suggest that genetic activation of BRF2 represents a unique mechanism of SqCC lung tumorigenesis through the increase of Pol III-mediated transcription. It can serve as a marker for lung SqCC and may provide a novel target for therapy. Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary.
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13
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Shor B, Wu J, Shakey Q, Toral-Barza L, Shi C, Follettie M, Yu K. Requirement of the mTOR kinase for the regulation of Maf1 phosphorylation and control of RNA polymerase III-dependent transcription in cancer cells. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:15380-15392. [PMID: 20233713 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.071639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulates growth via promoting translation and transcription. Here, employing an mTOR active-site inhibitor WYE-125132 (WYE-132), we have performed quantitative phospho-proteomics and identified a Ser-75-containing phosphopeptide from Maf1, a known repressor of RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription. Treatment of cancer cells with WYE-132 or the rapamycin analog CCI-779 led to a rapid loss of the phosphorylation at Ser-75, whereas this effect was not seen in cells treated with cytotoxic agents or unrelated inhibitors. WYE-132-induced Maf1 dephosphorylation correlated with its accumulation in the nucleus and a marked decline in the cellular levels of pre-tRNAs. Depletion of cellular Maf1 via small interfering RNA increased basal pre-tRNA and rendered tRNA synthesis refractory to mTOR inhibitors. Maf1 mutant proteins carrying S75A alone or with S60A, T64A, and S68A (Maf1-S75A, Maf1-4A) progressively enhanced basal repression of tRNA in actively proliferating cells and attenuated amino acid-induced tRNA transcription. Gene alignment revealed conservation of all four Ser/Thr sites in high eukaryotes, further supporting a critical role of these residues in Maf1 function. Interestingly, mTOR inhibition led to an increase in the occupancy of Maf1 on a set of Pol III-dependent genes, with concomitant reduction in the binding of Pol III and Brf1. Unexpectedly, mTORC1 itself was also enriched at the same set of Pol III templates, but this association was not influenced by mTOR inhibitor treatment. Our results highlight a new and unique mode of regulation of Pol III transcription by mTOR and suggest that normalization of Pol III activity may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of mTOR inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Shor
- Discovery Oncology, Wyeth Research, Pearl River, New York 10965.
| | - Jiang Wu
- Biological Technologies, Wyeth Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
| | - Quazi Shakey
- Biological Technologies, Wyeth Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
| | | | - Celine Shi
- Discovery Oncology, Wyeth Research, Pearl River, New York 10965
| | - Max Follettie
- Biological Technologies, Wyeth Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
| | - Ker Yu
- Discovery Oncology, Wyeth Research, Pearl River, New York 10965.
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14
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Abstract
RNA transcription by all the three RNA polymerases (RNAPs) is tightly controlled, and loss of regulation can lead to, for example, cellular transformation and cancer. While most transcription factors act specifically with one polymerase, a small number have been shown to affect more than one polymerase to coordinate overall levels of transcription in cells. Here we show that TLS (translocated in liposarcoma), a protein originally identified as the product of a chromosomal translocation and which associates with both RNAP II and the spliceosome, also represses transcription by RNAP III. TLS was found to repress transcription from all three classes of RNAP III promoters in vitro and to associate with RNAP III genes in vivo, perhaps via a direct interaction with the pan-specific transcription factor TATA-binding protein (TBP). Depletion of TLS by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in HeLa cells resulted in increased steady-state levels of RNAP III transcripts as well as increased RNAP III and TBP occupancy at RNAP III-transcribed genes. Conversely, overexpression of TLS decreased accumulation of RNAP III transcripts. These unexpected findings indicate that TLS regulates both RNAPs II and III and supports the possibility that cross-regulation between RNA polymerases is important in maintaining normal cell growth.
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15
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Li T, He H, Wang Y, Zheng H, Skogerbø G, Chen R. In vivo analysis of Caenorhabditis elegans noncoding RNA promoter motifs. BMC Mol Biol 2008; 9:71. [PMID: 18680611 PMCID: PMC2527325 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2199-9-71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2008] [Accepted: 08/05/2008] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important roles in a variety of cellular processes. Characterizing the transcriptional activity of ncRNA promoters is therefore a critical step toward understanding the complex cellular roles of ncRNAs. Results Here we present an in vivo transcriptional analysis of three C. elegans ncRNA upstream motifs (UM1-3). Transcriptional activity of all three motifs has been demonstrated, and mutational analysis revealed differential contributions of different parts of each motif. We showed that upstream motif 1 (UM1) can drive the expression of green fluorescent protein (GFP), and utilized this for detailed analysis of temporal and spatial expression patterns of 5 SL2 RNAs. Upstream motifs 2 and 3 do not drive GFP expression, and termination at consecutive T runs suggests transcription by RNA polymerase III. The UM2 sequence resembles the tRNA promoter, and is actually embedded within its own short-lived, primary transcript. This is a structure which is also found at a few plant and yeast loci, and may indicate an evolutionarily very old dicistronic transcription pattern in which a tRNA serves as a promoter for an adjacent snoRNA. Conclusion The study has demonstrated that the three upstream motifs UM1-3 have promoter activity. The UM1 sequence can drive expression of GFP, which allows for the use of UM1::GFP fusion constructs to study temporal-spatial expression patterns of UM1 ncRNA loci. The UM1 loci appear to act in concert with other upstream sequences, whereas the transcriptional activities of the UM2 and UM3 are confined to the motifs themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Li
- Bioinformatics Laboratory and National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101, PR China.
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Jawdekar GW, Henry RW. Transcriptional regulation of human small nuclear RNA genes. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2008; 1779:295-305. [PMID: 18442490 PMCID: PMC2684849 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2008.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2007] [Revised: 04/01/2008] [Accepted: 04/02/2008] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The products of human snRNA genes have been frequently described as performing housekeeping functions and their synthesis refractory to regulation. However, recent studies have emphasized that snRNA and other related non-coding RNA molecules control multiple facets of the central dogma, and their regulated expression is critical to cellular homeostasis during normal growth and in response to stress. Human snRNA genes contain compact and yet powerful promoters that are recognized by increasingly well-characterized transcription factors, thus providing a premier model system to study gene regulation. This review summarizes many recent advances deciphering the mechanism by which the transcription of human snRNA and related genes are regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri W. Jawdekar
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - R. William Henry
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
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Rollins J, Veras I, Cabarcas S, Willis I, Schramm L. Human Maf1 negatively regulates RNA polymerase III transcription via the TFIIB family members Brf1 and Brf2. Int J Biol Sci 2007; 3:292-302. [PMID: 17505538 PMCID: PMC1865091 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.3.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2007] [Accepted: 04/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA polymerase III (RNA pol III) transcribes many of the small structural RNA molecules involved in processing and translation, thereby regulating the growth rate of a cell. Initiation of pol III transcription requires the evolutionarily conserved pol III initiation factor TFIIIB. TFIIIB is the molecular target of regulation by tumor suppressors, including p53, RB and the RB-related pocket proteins. However, our understanding of negative regulation of human TFIIIB-mediated transcription by other proteins is limited. In this study we characterize a RNA pol III luciferase assay and further demonstrate in vivo that a human homolog of yeast Maf1 represses RNA pol III transcription. Additionally, we show that Maf1 repression of RNA pol III transcription occurs via TFIIIB, specifically through the TFIIB family members Brf1 and Brf2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Rollins
- 1. Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens NY, USA
| | - Ingrid Veras
- 1. Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens NY, USA
| | - Stephanie Cabarcas
- 1. Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens NY, USA
| | - Ian Willis
- 2. Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx NY, USA
| | - Laura Schramm
- 1. Department of Biological Sciences, St. John's University, Queens NY, USA
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Reina JH, Azzouz TN, Hernandez N. Maf1, a new player in the regulation of human RNA polymerase III transcription. PLoS One 2006; 1:e134. [PMID: 17205138 PMCID: PMC1762419 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2006] [Accepted: 12/05/2006] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human RNA polymerase III (pol III) transcription is regulated by several factors, including the tumor suppressors P53 and Rb, and the proto-oncogene c-Myc. In yeast, which lacks these proteins, a central regulator of pol III transcription, called Maf1, has been described. Maf1 is required for repression of pol III transcription in response to several signal transduction pathways and is broadly conserved in eukaryotes. Methodology/Principal Findings We show that human endogenous Maf1 can be co-immunoprecipitated with pol III and associates in vitro with two pol III subunits, the largest subunit RPC1 and the α-like subunit RPAC2. Maf1 represses pol III transcription in vitro and in vivo and is required for maximal pol III repression after exposure to MMS or rapamycin, treatments that both lead to Maf1 dephosphorylation. Conclusions/Significance These data suggest that Maf1 is a major regulator of pol III transcription in human cells.
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Jawdekar GW, Hanzlowsky A, Hovde SL, Jelencic B, Feig M, Geiger JH, Henry RW. The unorthodox SNAP50 zinc finger domain contributes to cooperative promoter recognition by human SNAPC. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:31050-60. [PMID: 16901896 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m603810200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Human small nuclear RNA gene transcription by RNA polymerases II and III depends upon promoter recognition by the SNAPC general transcription factor. DNA binding by SNAPC involves direct DNA contacts by the SNAP190 subunit in cooperation with SNAP50 and SNAP43. The data presented herein shows that SNAP50 plays an important role in DNA binding by SNAPC through its zinc finger domain. The SNAP50 zinc finger domain contains 15 cysteine and histidine residues configured in two potential zinc coordination arrangements. Individual alanine substitution of each cysteine and histidine residue demonstrated that eight sites are important for DNA binding by SNAPC. However, metal binding studies revealed that SNAPC contains a single zinc atom indicating that only one coordination site functions as a zinc finger. Of the eight residues critical for DNA binding, four cysteine residues were also essential for both U1 and U6 transcription by RNA polymerase II and III, respectively. Surprisingly, the remaining four residues, although critical for U1 transcription could support partial U6 transcription. DNA binding studies showed that defects in DNA binding by SNAPC alone could be suppressed through cooperative DNA binding with another member of the RNA polymerase III general transcription machinery, TFIIIB. These results suggest that these eight cysteine and histidine residues perform different functions during DNA binding with those residues involved in zinc coordination likely performing a dominant role in domain stabilization and the others involved in DNA binding. These data further define the unorthodox SNAP50 zinc finger region as an evolutionarily conserved DNA binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gauri W Jawdekar
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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Emran F, Florens L, Ma B, Swanson SK, Washburn MP, Hernandez N. A role for Yin Yang-1 (YY1) in the assembly of snRNA transcription complexes. Gene 2006; 377:96-108. [PMID: 16769183 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2006.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2006] [Revised: 03/17/2006] [Accepted: 03/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The RNA polymerase (pol) II and III human small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes have very similar promoters and recruit a number of common factors. In particular, both types of promoters utilize the small nuclear RNA activating protein complex (SNAP(c)) and the TATA box binding protein (TBP) for basal transcription, and are activated by Oct-1. We find that SNAP(c) purified from cell lines expressing tagged SNAP(c) subunits is associated with Yin Yang-1 (YY1), a factor implicated in both activation and repression of transcription. Recombinant YY1 accelerates the binding of SNAP(c) to the proximal sequence element, its target within snRNA promoters. Moreover, it enhances the formation of a complex on the pol III U6 snRNA promoter containing all the factors (SNAP(c), TBP, TFIIB-related factor 2 (Brf2), and B double prime 1 (Bdp1)) that are sufficient to direct in vitro U6 transcription when complemented with purified pol III, as well as that of a subcomplex containing TBP, Brf2, and Bdp1. YY1 is found on both the RNA polymerase II U1 and the RNA polymerase III U6 promoters as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitations. Thus, YY1 represents a new factor that participates in transcription complexes formed on both pol II and III promoters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farida Emran
- Stony Brook University, Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
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Kassavetis GA, Driscoll R, Geiduschek EP. Mapping the Principal Interaction Site of the Brf1 and Bdp1 Subunits of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIIB. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:14321-9. [PMID: 16551611 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m601702200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The Brf1 subunit of the central RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription initiation factor TFIIIB is bipartite; its N-terminal TFIIB-related half is principally responsible for recruiting pol III to the promoter and for promoter opening near the transcriptional start site, whereas its pol III-specific C-terminal half contributes most of the affinities that hold the three subunits of TFIIIB together. Here, the principal attachment site of Brf1 for the Bdp1 subunit of TFIIIB has been mapped by a combination of structure-informed, site-directed mutagenesis and photochemical protein-DNA cross-linking. A 66-amino acid segment of Brf1 is shown to serve as a two-sided adhesive surface, with the side chains projecting away from its extended interface with TATA-binding protein anchoring Bdp1 binding. An extensive collection of N-terminal, C-terminal, and internal deletion proteins has been used to demarcate the interacting Bdp1 domain to a 66-amino acid segment that includes the SANT domain of this subunit and is phylogenetically the most conserved region of Bdp1.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Kassavetis
- Division of Biological Sciences and Center for Molecular Genetics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0634, USA.
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