1
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Williams ET, Schiefelbein K, Schuster M, Ahmed IMM, De Vries M, Beveridge R, Zerbe O, Hartrampf N. Rapid flow-based synthesis of post-translationally modified peptides and proteins: a case study on MYC's transactivation domain. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8756-8765. [PMID: 38873065 PMCID: PMC11168107 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00481g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions of c-Myc (MYC) are often regulated by post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as phosphorylation, and crosstalk thereof. Studying these interactions requires proteins with unique PTM patterns, which are challenging to obtain by recombinant methods. Standard peptide synthesis and native chemical ligation can produce such modified proteins, but are time-consuming and therefore typically limited to the study of individual PTMs. Herein, we report the development of flow-based methods for the rapid synthesis of phosphorylated MYC sequences (up to 84 AA), and demonstrate the versatility of this approach for the incorporation of other PTMs (N ε-methylation, sulfation, acetylation, glycosylation) and combinations thereof. Peptides containing up to seven PTMs and phosphorylation at up to five sites were successfully prepared and isolated in high yield and purity. We further produced ten PTM-decorated analogues of the MYC Transactivation Domain (TAD) to screen for binding to the tumor suppressor protein, Bin1, using heteronuclear NMR and native mass spectrometry. We determined the effects of phosphorylation and glycosylation on the strength of the MYC:Bin1 interaction, and reveal an influence of MYC sequence length on binding. Our platform for the rapid synthesis of MYC sequences up to 84 AA with distinct PTM patterns thus enables the systematic study of PTM function at a molecular level, and offers a convenient way for expedited screening of constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyse T Williams
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Kevin Schiefelbein
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schuster
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Ikhlas M M Ahmed
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Marije De Vries
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Rebecca Beveridge
- Department for Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde 295 Cathedral St Glasgow G1 1XL UK
| | - Oliver Zerbe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
| | - Nina Hartrampf
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 8057 Zurich Switzerland
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2
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Liu Q, Zhang J, Guo C, Wang M, Wang C, Yan Y, Sun L, Wang D, Zhang L, Yu H, Hou L, Wu C, Zhu Y, Jiang G, Zhu H, Zhou Y, Fang S, Zhang T, Hu L, Li J, Liu Y, Zhang H, Zhang B, Ding L, Robles AI, Rodriguez H, Gao D, Ji H, Zhou H, Zhang P. Proteogenomic characterization of small cell lung cancer identifies biological insights and subtype-specific therapeutic strategies. Cell 2024; 187:184-203.e28. [PMID: 38181741 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
We performed comprehensive proteogenomic characterization of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) using paired tumors and adjacent lung tissues from 112 treatment-naive patients who underwent surgical resection. Integrated multi-omics analysis illustrated cancer biology downstream of genetic aberrations and highlighted oncogenic roles of FAT1 mutation, RB1 deletion, and chromosome 5q loss. Two prognostic biomarkers, HMGB3 and CASP10, were identified. Overexpression of HMGB3 promoted SCLC cell migration via transcriptional regulation of cell junction-related genes. Immune landscape characterization revealed an association between ZFHX3 mutation and high immune infiltration and underscored a potential immunosuppressive role of elevated DNA damage response activity via inhibition of the cGAS-STING pathway. Multi-omics clustering identified four subtypes with subtype-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities. Cell line and patient-derived xenograft-based drug tests validated the specific therapeutic responses predicted by multi-omics subtyping. This study provides a valuable resource as well as insights to better understand SCLC biology and improve clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China; Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chenchen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mengcheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chenfei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Frontier Science Center for Stem Cells, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yilv Yan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Liangdong Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lele Zhang
- Central Laboratory, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Huansha Yu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Likun Hou
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yuming Zhu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Gening Jiang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hongwen Zhu
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yanting Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Shanhua Fang
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Junqiang Li
- D1 Medical Technology, Shanghai 201800, China
| | - Yansheng Liu
- Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University School of Medicine, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Ana I Robles
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Henry Rodriguez
- Office of Cancer Clinical Proteomics Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Daming Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| | - Hongbin Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 200120, China.
| | - Hu Zhou
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200433, China.
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3
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Schütz S, Bergsdorf C, Goretzki B, Lingel A, Renatus M, Gossert AD, Jahnke W. The disordered MAX N-terminus modulates DNA binding of the transcription factor MYC:MAX. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167833. [PMID: 36174765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The intrinsically disordered protein MYC belongs to the family of basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) transcription factors (TFs). In complex with its cognate binding partner MAX, MYC preferentially binds to E-Box promotor sequences where it controls fundamental cellular processes such as cell cycle progression, metabolism, and apoptosis. Intramolecular regulation of MYC:MAX has not yet been investigated in detail. In this work, we use Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to identify and map interactions between the disordered MAX N-terminus and the MYC:MAX DNA binding domain (DBD). We find that this binding event is mainly driven by electrostatic interactions and that it is competitive with DNA binding. Using Nuclear Magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR), we demonstrate that the MAX N-terminus serves to accelerate DNA binding kinetics of MYC:MAX and MAX:MAX dimers, while it simultaneously provides specificity for E-Box DNA. We also establish that these effects are further enhanced by Casein Kinase 2-mediated phosphorylation of two serine residues in the MAX N-terminus. Our work provides new insights how bHLH-LZ TFs are regulated by intramolecular interactions between disordered regions and the folded DNA binding domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Schütz
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Bergsdorf
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Goretzki
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Lingel
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Martin Renatus
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alvar D Gossert
- Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Jahnke
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, CH-4056 Basel, Switzerland.
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4
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Kubota Y, Fujioka Y, Patil A, Takagi Y, Matsubara D, Iijima M, Momose I, Naka R, Nakai K, Noda NN, Takekawa M. Qualitative differences in disease-associated MEK mutants reveal molecular signatures and aberrant signaling-crosstalk in cancer. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4063. [PMID: 35831322 PMCID: PMC9279491 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31690-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Point-mutations of MEK1, a central component of ERK signaling, are present in cancer and RASopathies, but their precise biological effects remain obscure. Here, we report a mutant MEK1 structure that uncovers the mechanisms underlying abnormal activities of cancer- and RASopathy-associated MEK1 mutants. These two classes of MEK1 mutations differentially impact on spatiotemporal dynamics of ERK signaling, cellular transcriptional programs, gene expression profiles, and consequent biological outcomes. By making use of such distinct characteristics of the MEK1 mutants, we identified cancer- and RASopathy-signature genes that may serve as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for these diseases. In particular, two AKT-inhibitor molecules, PHLDA1 and 2, are simultaneously upregulated by oncogenic ERK signaling, and mediate cancer-specific ERK-AKT crosstalk. The combined expression of PHLDA1/2 is critical to confer resistance to ERK pathway-targeted therapeutics on cancer cells. Finally, we propose a therapeutic strategy to overcome this drug resistance. Our data provide vital insights into the etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic strategy of cancers and RASopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuji Kubota
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Yuko Fujioka
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Biological Molecular Mechanisms, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Ashwini Patil
- Laboratory of Functional Analysis In Silico, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.,Combinatics Inc., Chiba, Japan
| | - Yusuke Takagi
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Daisuke Matsubara
- Molecular Pathology Laboratory, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Masatomi Iijima
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Isao Momose
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Naka
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Kenta Nakai
- Laboratory of Functional Analysis In Silico, Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Nobuo N Noda
- Institute of Microbial Chemistry, Microbial Chemistry Research Foundation, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Division of Biological Molecular Mechanisms, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Mutsuhiro Takekawa
- Division of Cell Signaling and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan.
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5
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Alternative c-MYC mRNA Transcripts as an Additional Tool for c-Myc2 and c-MycS Production in BL60 Tumors. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060836. [PMID: 35740961 PMCID: PMC9221284 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
While studying c-Myc protein expression in several Burkitt lymphoma cell lines and in lymph nodes from a mouse model bearing a translocated c-MYC gene from the human BL line IARC-BL60, we surprisingly discovered a complex electrophoretic profile. Indeed, the BL60 cell line carrying the t(8;22) c-MYC translocation exhibits a simple pattern, with a single c-Myc2 isoform. Analysis of the c-MYC transcripts expressed by tumor lymph nodes in the mouse λc-MYC (Avy/a) showed for the first time five transcripts that are associated with t(8;22) c-MYC translocation. The five transcripts were correlated with the production of c-Myc2 and c-MycS, and loss of c-Myc1. The contribution of these transcripts to the oncogenic activation of the t(8;22) c-MYC is discussed.
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6
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Wei Y, Redel C, Ahlner A, Lemak A, Johansson-Åkhe I, Houliston S, Kenney TMG, Tamachi A, Morad V, Duan S, Andrews DW, Wallner B, Sunnerhagen M, Arrowsmith CH, Penn LZ. The MYC oncoprotein directly interacts with its chromatin cofactor PNUTS to recruit PP1 phosphatase. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:3505-3522. [PMID: 35244724 PMCID: PMC8989513 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite MYC dysregulation in most human cancers, strategies to target this potent oncogenic driver remain an urgent unmet need. Recent evidence shows the PP1 phosphatase and its regulatory subunit PNUTS control MYC phosphorylation, chromatin occupancy, and stability, however the molecular basis remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that MYC interacts directly with PNUTS through the MYC homology Box 0 (MB0), a highly conserved region recently shown to be important for MYC oncogenic activity. By NMR we identified a distinct peptide motif within MB0 that interacts with PNUTS residues 1–148, a functional unit, here termed PNUTS amino-terminal domain (PAD). Using NMR spectroscopy we determined the solution structure of PAD, and characterised its MYC-binding patch. Point mutations of residues at the MYC-PNUTS interface significantly weaken their interaction both in vitro and in vivo, leading to elevated MYC phosphorylation. These data demonstrate that the MB0 region of MYC directly interacts with the PAD of PNUTS, which provides new insight into the control mechanisms of MYC as a regulator of gene transcription and a pervasive cancer driver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wei
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Cornelia Redel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Alexandra Ahlner
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Alexander Lemak
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Isak Johansson-Åkhe
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Scott Houliston
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Tristan M G Kenney
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aaliya Tamachi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Vivian Morad
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | | | - David W Andrews
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Björn Wallner
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Maria Sunnerhagen
- Department of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC), University of Toronto, 101 College St., Suite 700, Toronto, ON, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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7
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Mergenthaler P, Hariharan S, Pemberton JM, Lourenco C, Penn LZ, Andrews DW. Rapid 3D phenotypic analysis of neurons and organoids using data-driven cell segmentation-free machine learning. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008630. [PMID: 33617523 PMCID: PMC7932518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic profiling of large three-dimensional microscopy data sets has not been widely adopted due to the challenges posed by cell segmentation and feature selection. The computational demands of automated processing further limit analysis of hard-to-segment images such as of neurons and organoids. Here we describe a comprehensive shallow-learning framework for automated quantitative phenotyping of three-dimensional (3D) image data using unsupervised data-driven voxel-based feature learning, which enables computationally facile classification, clustering and advanced data visualization. We demonstrate the analysis potential on complex 3D images by investigating the phenotypic alterations of: neurons in response to apoptosis-inducing treatments and morphogenesis for oncogene-expressing human mammary gland acinar organoids. Our novel implementation of image analysis algorithms called Phindr3D allowed rapid implementation of data-driven voxel-based feature learning into 3D high content analysis (HCA) operations and constitutes a major practical advance as the computed assignments represent the biology while preserving the heterogeneity of the underlying data. Phindr3D is provided as Matlab code and as a stand-alone program (https://github.com/DWALab/Phindr3D). Fluorescence microscopy is a fundamental technology for cell biology. However, unbiased quantitative phenotypic analysis of microscopy images of cells grown in 3D organoids or in dense culture conditions in large enough numbers to reach statistical clarity remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we report that using data-driven voxel-based features and machine learning it is possible to analyze complex 3D image data without compressing them to 2D, identifying individual cells or using computationally intensive deep learning techniques. Further, we present methods for analyzing this data by classification or clustering. Together these techniques provide the means for facile discovery and interpretation of meaningful patterns in a high dimensional feature space without complex image processing and prior knowledge or assumptions about the feature space. Our method enables novel opportunities for rapid large-scale multivariate phenotypic microscopy image analysis in 3D using a standard desktop computer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Mergenthaler
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Charité — Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Experimental Neurology, Department of Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail: (PM); (DWA)
| | - Santosh Hariharan
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James M. Pemberton
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Corey Lourenco
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Linda Z. Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David W. Andrews
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail: (PM); (DWA)
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8
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Vecchio E, Fiume G, Correnti S, Romano S, Iaccino E, Mimmi S, Maisano D, Nisticò N, Quinto I. Insights about MYC and Apoptosis in B-Lymphomagenesis: An Update from Murine Models. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4265. [PMID: 32549409 PMCID: PMC7352788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The balance between cell survival and cell death represents an essential part of human tissue homeostasis, while altered apoptosis contributes to several pathologies and can affect the treatment efficacy. Impaired apoptosis is one of the main cancer hallmarks and some types of lymphomas harbor mutations that directly affect key regulators of cell death (such as BCL-2 family members). The development of novel techniques in the field of immunology and new animal models has greatly accelerated our understanding of oncogenic mechanisms in MYC-associated lymphomas. Mouse models are a powerful tool to reveal multiple genes implicated in the genesis of lymphoma and are extensively used to clarify the molecular mechanism of lymphoma, validating the gene function. Key features of MYC-induced apoptosis will be discussed here along with more recent studies on MYC direct and indirect interactors, including their cooperative action in lymphomagenesis. We review our current knowledge about the role of MYC-induced apoptosis in B-cell malignancies, discussing the transcriptional regulation network of MYC and regulatory feedback action of miRs during MYC-driven lymphomagenesis. More importantly, the finding of new modulators of apoptosis now enabling researchers to translate the discoveries that have been made in the laboratory into clinical practice to positively impact human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Vecchio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.F.); (S.C.); (S.R.); (E.I.); (S.M.); (D.M.); (N.N.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ileana Quinto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (G.F.); (S.C.); (S.R.); (E.I.); (S.M.); (D.M.); (N.N.)
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9
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Beaulieu ME, Castillo F, Soucek L. Structural and Biophysical Insights into the Function of the Intrinsically Disordered Myc Oncoprotein. Cells 2020; 9:E1038. [PMID: 32331235 PMCID: PMC7226237 DOI: 10.3390/cells9041038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myc is a transcription factor driving growth and proliferation of cells and involved in the majority of human tumors. Despite a huge body of literature on this critical oncogene, our understanding of the exact molecular determinants and mechanisms that underlie its function is still surprisingly limited. Indubitably though, its crucial and non-redundant role in cancer biology makes it an attractive target. However, achieving successful clinical Myc inhibition has proven challenging so far, as this nuclear protein is an intrinsically disordered polypeptide devoid of any classical ligand binding pockets. Indeed, Myc only adopts a (partially) folded structure in some contexts and upon interacting with some protein partners, for instance when dimerizing with MAX to bind DNA. Here, we review the cumulative knowledge on Myc structure and biophysics and discuss the implications for its biological function and the development of improved Myc inhibitors. We focus this biophysical walkthrough mainly on the basic region helix-loop-helix leucine zipper motif (bHLHLZ), as it has been the principal target for inhibitory approaches so far.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Laura Soucek
- Peptomyc S.L., Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (F.C.); (L.S.)
- Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), Edifici Cellex, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Bellaterra, Spain
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10
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Multiple direct interactions of TBP with the MYC oncoprotein. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2019; 26:1035-1043. [DOI: 10.1038/s41594-019-0321-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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11
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Lourenco C, Kalkat M, Houlahan KE, De Melo J, Longo J, Done SJ, Boutros PC, Penn LZ. Modelling the MYC-driven normal-to-tumour switch in breast cancer. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:12/7/dmm038083. [PMID: 31350286 PMCID: PMC6679384 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.038083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The potent MYC oncoprotein is deregulated in many human cancers, including breast carcinoma, and is associated with aggressive disease. To understand the mechanisms and vulnerabilities of MYC-driven breast cancer, we have generated an in vivo model that mimics human disease in response to MYC deregulation. MCF10A cells ectopically expressing a common breast cancer mutation in the phosphoinositide 3 kinase pathway (PIK3CAH1047R) led to the development of organised acinar structures in mice. Expressing both PIK3CAH1047R and deregulated MYC led to the development of invasive ductal carcinoma. Therefore, the deregulation of MYC expression in this setting creates a MYC-dependent normal-to-tumour switch that can be measured in vivo. These MYC-driven tumours exhibit classic hallmarks of human breast cancer at both the pathological and molecular level. Moreover, tumour growth is dependent upon sustained deregulated MYC expression, further demonstrating addiction to this potent oncogene and regulator of gene transcription. We therefore provide a MYC-dependent model of breast cancer, which can be used to assay invivo tumour signalling pathways, proliferation and transformation from normal breast acini to invasive breast carcinoma. We anticipate that this novel MYC-driven transformation model will be a useful research tool to better understand the oncogenic function of MYC and for the identification of therapeutic vulnerabilities. Summary: We present a MYC-driven transformation model of breast cancer that recapitulates the disease in vivo and which can be used to identify MYC-dependent cancer vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey Lourenco
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Manpreet Kalkat
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Kathleen E Houlahan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Ave, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Jason De Melo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Joseph Longo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Susan J Done
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, 661 University Ave, Suite 510, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College St, Toronto, ON M5G 0A3, Canada .,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, 101 College Street Suite 15-701, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada
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12
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Dingar D, Tu WB, Resetca D, Lourenco C, Tamachi A, De Melo J, Houlahan KE, Kalkat M, Chan PK, Boutros PC, Raught B, Penn LZ. MYC dephosphorylation by the PP1/PNUTS phosphatase complex regulates chromatin binding and protein stability. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3502. [PMID: 30158517 PMCID: PMC6115416 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05660-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC (MYC) oncoprotein is deregulated in over 50% of cancers, yet regulatory mechanisms controlling MYC remain unclear. To this end, we interrogated the MYC interactome using BioID mass spectrometry (MS) and identified PP1 (protein phosphatase 1) and its regulatory subunit PNUTS (protein phosphatase-1 nuclear-targeting subunit) as MYC interactors. We demonstrate that endogenous MYC and PNUTS interact across multiple cell types and that they co-occupy MYC target gene promoters. Inhibiting PP1 by RNAi or pharmacological inhibition results in MYC hyperphosphorylation at multiple serine and threonine residues, leading to a decrease in MYC protein levels due to proteasomal degradation through the canonical SCFFBXW7 pathway. MYC hyperphosphorylation can be rescued specifically with exogenous PP1, but not other phosphatases. Hyperphosphorylated MYC retained interaction with its transcriptional partner MAX, but binding to chromatin is significantly compromised. Our work demonstrates that PP1/PNUTS stabilizes chromatin-bound MYC in proliferating cells. Deregulated MYC activity is oncogenic and is deregulated in a large fraction of human cancers. Here the authors find that protein phosphatase 1 and its regulatory subunit PNUTS controls MYC stability and its interaction with chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharmendra Dingar
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada
| | - William B Tu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Diana Resetca
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Corey Lourenco
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Aaliya Tamachi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada
| | - Jason De Melo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen E Houlahan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON Canada M5G 0A3, Canada
| | - Manpreet Kalkat
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Pak-Kei Chan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada
| | - Paul C Boutros
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada.,Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, Toronto, ON Canada M5G 0A3, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, M5G 1L7, ON, Canada. .,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, M5G 1L7, Canada.
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13
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Macek P, Cliff MJ, Embrey KJ, Holdgate GA, Nissink JWM, Panova S, Waltho JP, Davies RA. Myc phosphorylation in its basic helix-loop-helix region destabilizes transient α-helical structures, disrupting Max and DNA binding. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:9301-9310. [PMID: 29695509 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.002709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Myelocytomatosis proto-oncogene transcription factor (Myc) is an intrinsically disordered protein with critical roles in cellular homeostasis and neoplastic transformation. It is tightly regulated in the cell, with Myc phosphorylation playing a major role. In addition to the well-described tandem phosphorylation of Thr-52 and Ser-62 in the Myc transactivation domain linked to its degradation, P21 (RAC1)-activated kinase 2 (PAK2)-mediated phosphorylation of serine and threonine residues in the C-terminal basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) region regulates Myc transcriptional activity. Here we report that PAK2 preferentially phosphorylates Myc twice, at Thr-358 and Ser-373, with only a minor fraction being modified at the previously identified Thr-400 site. For transcriptional activity, Myc binds E-box DNA elements, requiring its heterodimerization with Myc-associated factor X (Max) via the bHLH-LZ regions. Using isothermal calorimetry (ITC), we found that Myc phosphorylation destabilizes this ternary protein-DNA complex by decreasing Myc's affinity for Max by 2 orders of magnitude, suggesting a major effect of phosphorylation on this complex. Phosphomimetic substitutions revealed that Ser-373 dominates the effect on Myc-Max heterodimerization. Moreover, a T400D substitution disrupted Myc's affinity for Max. ITC, NMR, and CD analyses of several Myc variants suggested that the effect of phosphorylation on the Myc-Max interaction is caused by secondary structure disruption during heterodimerization rather than by a change in the structurally disordered state of Myc or by phosphorylation-induced electrostatic repulsion in the heterodimer. Our findings provide critical insights into the effects of PAK2-catalyzed phosphorylation of Myc on its interactions with Max and DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Macek
- From AstraZeneca, IMED Discovery Sciences, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, United Kingdom,
| | - Matthew J Cliff
- the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin J Embrey
- AstraZeneca, IMED Discovery Sciences, Cambridge CB4 0WG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Stanislava Panova
- the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan P Waltho
- the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology and School of Chemistry, University of Manchester, Manchester M1 7DN, United Kingdom
| | - Rick A Davies
- From AstraZeneca, IMED Discovery Sciences, Alderley Park SK10 4TG, United Kingdom,
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14
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Chen P, Song W, Liu L. Genome-Wide Transcriptome Analysis of Estrogen Receptor-Positive and Human Epithelial Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancers by Ribonucleic Acid Sequencing. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2017; 83:338-348. [PMID: 29241203 DOI: 10.1159/000484244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim is to identify complex pathogenesis of breast cancer subtypes and disclose the whole landscape of altered transcriptional activities in these cancers. METHODS We downloaded raw expression data from public database, and performed transcriptome analysis of 8 estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer tissue samples, 8 human epithelial growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer tissue samples, and 3 normal breast tissues by identification, functional annotation, and prediction of upstream regulators and cell-surface biomarkers of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). RESULTS We identified over 5,000 DEGs in each of ER+ and HER2+ breast cancers compared to normal tissues. Functional enrichment analysis of shared DEGs indicated significant changes in the regulation of immune -systems in the 2 subtypes. We further identified 1,871 DEGs between the 2 subtypes and disclosed great tumor heterogeneity. We identified 533 shared upregulated genes and predicted 17 upstream transcription factors, as well as identified differentially expressed cell-surface biomarkers for distinguishing our ER+ and HER2+ breast cancers. Further analysis also highlighted the limitation of the usage of HER2 alone in breast cancer classification. CONCLUSION Our findings in ER+ and HER2+ breast cancers provided novel insights into heterogeneous transcriptional activities underlying complex mechanisms of oncogenesis in breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengtao Chen
- Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhoukou Central Hospital of Henan Province, Zhoukou, China
| | - Wei Song
- School of Life Science, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liangli Liu
- Intensive Care Unit, Zhoukou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Henan Province, Zhoukou, China
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15
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Inhibiting MYC binding to the E-box DNA motif by ME47 decreases tumour xenograft growth. Oncogene 2017; 36:6830-6837. [PMID: 28806396 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Revised: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Developing therapeutics to effectively inhibit the MYC oncoprotein would mark a key advance towards cancer patient care as MYC is deregulated in over 50% of human cancers. MYC deregulation is correlated with aggressive disease and poor patient outcome. Despite strong evidence in mouse models that inhibiting MYC would significantly impact tumour cell growth and patient survival, traditional approaches have not yet yielded the urgently needed therapeutic agents that directly target MYC. MYC functions through its interaction with MAX to regulate gene transcription by binding to E-box DNA response elements of MYC target genes. Here we used a structure-based strategy to design ME47, a small minimalist hybrid protein (MHP) able to disrupt the MAX:E-box interaction/binding and block transcriptional MYC activity. We show that inducing ME47 expression in established tumour xenografts inhibits tumour growth and decreases cellular proliferation. Mechanistically, we show by chromatin immunoprecipitation that ME47 binds to E-box binding sites of MYC target genes. Moreover, ME47 occupancy decreases MYC:DNA interaction at its cognate E-box binding sites. Taken together, ME47 is a prototypic MHP inhibitor that antagonizes tumour cell growth in vitro and in vivo and inhibits the interaction of MYC with DNA E-box elements. These results support ME47's role as a MYC inhibitor and suggest that MHPs provide an alternative therapeutic targeting system that can be used to target transcription factors important in human diseases, including cancer.
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16
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De Melo J, Kim SS, Lourenco C, Penn LZ. Lysine-52 stabilizes the MYC oncoprotein through an SCFFbxw7-independent mechanism. Oncogene 2017; 36:6815-6822. [DOI: 10.1038/onc.2017.268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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MYC Modulation around the CDK2/p27/SKP2 Axis. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8070174. [PMID: 28665315 PMCID: PMC5541307 DOI: 10.3390/genes8070174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 06/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a pleiotropic transcription factor that controls a number of fundamental cellular processes required for the proliferation and survival of normal and malignant cells, including the cell cycle. MYC interacts with several central cell cycle regulators that control the balance between cell cycle progression and temporary or permanent cell cycle arrest (cellular senescence). Among these are the cyclin E/A/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) complexes, the CDK inhibitor p27KIP1 (p27) and the E3 ubiquitin ligase component S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (SKP2), which control each other by forming a triangular network. MYC is engaged in bidirectional crosstalk with each of these players; while MYC regulates their expression and/or activity, these factors in turn modulate MYC through protein interactions and post-translational modifications including phosphorylation and ubiquitylation, impacting on MYC's transcriptional output on genes involved in cell cycle progression and senescence. Here we elaborate on these network interactions with MYC and their impact on transcription, cell cycle, replication and stress signaling, and on the role of other players interconnected to this network, such as CDK1, the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), the F-box proteins FBXW7 and FBXO28, the RAS oncoprotein and the ubiquitin/proteasome system. Finally, we describe how the MYC/CDK2/p27/SKP2 axis impacts on tumor development and discuss possible ways to interfere therapeutically with this system to improve cancer treatment.
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18
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Kalkat M, De Melo J, Hickman KA, Lourenco C, Redel C, Resetca D, Tamachi A, Tu WB, Penn LZ. MYC Deregulation in Primary Human Cancers. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:genes8060151. [PMID: 28587062 PMCID: PMC5485515 DOI: 10.3390/genes8060151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC regulates a complex biological program by transcriptionally activating and repressing its numerous target genes. As such, MYC is a master regulator of many processes, including cell cycle entry, ribosome biogenesis, and metabolism. In cancer, the activity of the MYC transcriptional network is frequently deregulated, contributing to the initiation and maintenance of disease. Deregulation often leads to constitutive overexpression of MYC, which can be achieved through gross genetic abnormalities, including copy number alterations, chromosomal translocations, increased enhancer activity, or through aberrant signal transduction leading to increased MYC transcription or increased MYC mRNA and protein stability. Herein, we summarize the frequency and modes of MYC deregulation and describe both well-established and more recent findings in a variety of cancer types. Notably, these studies have highlighted that with an increased appreciation for the basic mechanisms deregulating MYC in cancer, new therapeutic vulnerabilities can be discovered and potentially exploited for the inhibition of this potent oncogene in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manpreet Kalkat
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Jason De Melo
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Katherine Ashley Hickman
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Corey Lourenco
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Cornelia Redel
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Diana Resetca
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Aaliya Tamachi
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - William B Tu
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Linda Z Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1L7, Canada.
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2M9, Canada.
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19
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Elucidation of a novel phenformin derivative on glucose-deprived stress responses in HT-29 cells. Mol Cell Biochem 2016; 419:29-40. [PMID: 27392906 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-016-2747-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Recently, we developed a variety of phenformin derivatives as selective antitumor agents. Based on previous findings, this study evaluated a promising compound, 2-(2-chlorophenyl)ethylbiguanide (2-Cl-Phen), on the basis of stress responses in the human colon cancer cell line HT-29 under a serum- and glucose-deprived condition. 2-Cl-Phen triggered morphological changes such as shrinkage and plasma membrane disintegration, as well as a decrease in mitochondrial activity and an increase in LDH leakage. To understand intracellular issues relating to 2-Cl-Phen, this study focused on the expression levels of ER stress-inducible genes and several oncogenic genes. Serum and glucose deprivation significantly induced a variety of ER stress-inducible genes, but a 12-h treatment of 2-Cl-Phen down-regulated expression of several ER stress-related genes, with the exception of GADD153. Interestingly, the expression levels of ATF6α, GRP78, MANF, and CRELD2 mRNA were almost completely decreased by 2-Cl-Phen. This study also observed that a 24-h treatment of 2-Cl-Phen attenuated the expression levels of GRP78, GADD153, and c-Myc protein. The decrease in c-Myc protein occurred before the fluctuation of GRP78 protein, while the expression of c-Myc mRNA showed little change with cotreatment of serum and glucose deprivation with 2-Cl-Phen. To further understand the 2-Cl-Phen-induced down-regulation of ATF6-related genes, this study investigated the stability of ATF6α and GRP78 proteins using NanoLuc-tagged constructs. The expression levels of NanoLuc-tagged ATF6α and GRP78 were significantly down-regulated by 2-Cl-Phen in the presence or absence of the translation inhibitor cycloheximide. Taken together, our novel phenformin derivative 2-Cl-Phen has the unique characteristic of diminishing tumor adaptive responses, especially the expression of ATF6-related genes, as well as that of c-Myc protein, in a transcriptional and posttranscriptional manner under a serum- and glucose-deprived condition. Further characterization of cytotoxic mechanisms related to phenformin derivatives may give new insights into developing additional promising anticancer agents.
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20
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Stojanova A, Tu WB, Ponzielli R, Kotlyar M, Chan PK, Boutros PC, Khosravi F, Jurisica I, Raught B, Penn LZ. MYC interaction with the tumor suppressive SWI/SNF complex member INI1 regulates transcription and cellular transformation. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:1693-705. [PMID: 27267444 PMCID: PMC4957596 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1146836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
MYC is a key driver of cellular transformation and is deregulated in most human cancers. Studies of MYC and its interactors have provided mechanistic insight into its role as a regulator of gene transcription. MYC has been previously linked to chromatin regulation through its interaction with INI1 (SMARCB1/hSNF5/BAF47), a core member of the SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. INI1 is a potent tumor suppressor that is inactivated in several types of cancers, most prominently as the hallmark alteration in pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumors. However, the molecular and functional interaction of MYC and INI1 remains unclear. Here, we characterize the MYC-INI1 interaction in mammalian cells, mapping their minimal binding domains to functionally significant regions of MYC (leucine zipper) and INI1 (repeat motifs), and demonstrating that the interaction does not interfere with MYC-MAX interaction. Protein-protein interaction network analysis expands the MYC-INI1 interaction to the SWI/SNF complex and a larger network of chromatin regulatory complexes. Genome-wide analysis reveals that the DNA-binding regions and target genes of INI1 significantly overlap with those of MYC. In an INI1-deficient rhabdoid tumor system, we observe that with re-expression of INI1, MYC and INI1 bind to common target genes and have opposing effects on gene expression. Functionally, INI1 re-expression suppresses cell proliferation and MYC-potentiated transformation. Our findings thus establish the antagonistic roles of the INI1 and MYC transcriptional regulators in mediating cellular and oncogenic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelina Stojanova
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - William B Tu
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Romina Ponzielli
- b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Max Kotlyar
- b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Pak-Kei Chan
- b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Paul C Boutros
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,c Informatics and Biocomputing Program, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Fereshteh Khosravi
- b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Igor Jurisica
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,d Department of Computer Science , University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Linda Z Penn
- a Department of Medical Biophysics , Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada.,b Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
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21
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Evageliou NF, Haber M, Vu A, Laetsch TW, Murray J, Gamble LD, Cheng NC, Liu K, Reese M, Corrigan KA, Ziegler DS, Webber H, Hayes CS, Pawel B, Marshall GM, Zhao H, Gilmour SK, Norris MD, Hogarty MD. Polyamine Antagonist Therapies Inhibit Neuroblastoma Initiation and Progression. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:4391-404. [PMID: 27012811 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 03/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Deregulated MYC drives oncogenesis in many tissues yet direct pharmacologic inhibition has proven difficult. MYC coordinately regulates polyamine homeostasis as these essential cations support MYC functions, and drugs that antagonize polyamine sufficiency have synthetic-lethal interactions with MYC Neuroblastoma is a lethal tumor in which the MYC homologue MYCN, and ODC1, the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis, are frequently deregulated so we tested optimized polyamine depletion regimens for activity against neuroblastoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used complementary transgenic and xenograft-bearing neuroblastoma models to assess polyamine antagonists. We investigated difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; an inhibitor of Odc, the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis), SAM486 (an inhibitor of Amd1, the second rate-limiting enzyme), and celecoxib (an inducer of Sat1 and polyamine catabolism) in both the preemptive setting and in the treatment of established tumors. In vitro assays were performed to identify mechanisms of activity. RESULTS An optimized polyamine antagonist regimen using DFMO and SAM486 to inhibit both rate-limiting enzymes in polyamine synthesis potently blocked neuroblastoma initiation in transgenic mice, underscoring the requirement for polyamines in MYC-driven oncogenesis. Furthermore, the combination of DFMO with celecoxib was found to be highly active, alone, and combined with numerous chemotherapy regimens, in regressing established tumors in both models, including tumors harboring highest risk genetic lesions such as MYCN amplification, ALK mutation, and TP53 mutation with multidrug resistance. CONCLUSIONS Given the broad preclinical activity demonstrated by polyamine antagonist regimens across diverse in vivo models, clinical investigation of such approaches in neuroblastoma and potentially other MYC-driven tumors is warranted. Clin Cancer Res; 22(17); 4391-404. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas F Evageliou
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Center for Childhood Cancer Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michelle Haber
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Annette Vu
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Jayne Murray
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Laura D Gamble
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Kangning Liu
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Megan Reese
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelly A Corrigan
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - David S Ziegler
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. School of Women's and Children's Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hannah Webber
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Candice S Hayes
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
| | - Bruce Pawel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Glenn M Marshall
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia. Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Huaqing Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Susan K Gilmour
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania
| | - Murray D Norris
- Children's Cancer Institute Australia, Sydney, Australia. Center for Childhood Cancer Research, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael D Hogarty
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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22
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Xu-Monette ZY, Deng Q, Manyam GC, Tzankov A, Li L, Xia Y, Wang XX, Zou D, Visco C, Dybkær K, Li J, Zhang L, Liang H, Montes-Moreno S, Chiu A, Orazi A, Zu Y, Bhagat G, Richards KL, Hsi ED, Choi WWL, van Krieken JH, Huh J, Ponzoni M, Ferreri AJM, Parsons BM, Møller MB, Wang SA, Miranda RN, Piris MA, Winter JN, Medeiros LJ, Li Y, Young KH. Clinical and Biologic Significance of MYC Genetic Mutations in De Novo Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 22:3593-605. [PMID: 26927665 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-15-2296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE MYC is a critical driver oncogene in many cancers, and its deregulation in the forms of translocation and overexpression has been implicated in lymphomagenesis and progression of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The MYC mutational profile and its roles in DLBCL are unknown. This study aims to determine the spectrum of MYC mutations in a large group of patients with DLBCL, and to evaluate the clinical significance of MYC mutations in patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) immunochemotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We identified MYC mutations in 750 patients with DLBCL using Sanger sequencing and evaluated the prognostic significance in 602 R-CHOP-treated patients. RESULTS The frequency of MYC mutations was 33.3% at the DNA level (mutations in either the coding sequence or the untranslated regions) and 16.1% at the protein level (nonsynonymous mutations). Most of the nonsynonymous mutations correlated with better survival outcomes; in contrast, T58 and F138 mutations (which were associated with MYC rearrangements), as well as several mutations occurred at the 3' untranslated region, correlated with significantly worse survival outcomes. However, these mutations occurred infrequently (only in approximately 2% of DLBCL). A germline SNP encoding the Myc-N11S variant (observed in 6.5% of the study cohort) was associated with significantly better patient survival, and resulted in reduced tumorigenecity in mouse xenografts. CONCLUSIONS Various types of MYC gene mutations are present in DLBCL and show different impact on Myc function and clinical outcomes. Unlike MYC gene translocations and overexpression, most MYC gene mutations may not have a role in driving lymphomagenesis. Clin Cancer Res; 22(14); 3593-605. ©2016 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijun Y Xu-Monette
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Qipan Deng
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ganiraju C Manyam
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Ling Li
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yi Xia
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Xiao-Xiao Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Dehui Zou
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | | | - Jun Li
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | | | - April Chiu
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Attilio Orazi
- Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York
| | - Youli Zu
- The Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Govind Bhagat
- Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York
| | - Kristy L Richards
- University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | | | - William W L Choi
- University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong, China
| | - J Han van Krieken
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jooryung Huh
- Asan Medical Center, Ulsan University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | | | | | - Ben M Parsons
- Gundersen Lutheran Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin
| | | | - Sa A Wang
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Roberto N Miranda
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Miguel A Piris
- Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Jane N Winter
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - L Jeffrey Medeiros
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
| | - Ken H Young
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas. The University of Texas School of Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, Texas.
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23
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Bahram F, Hydbring P, Tronnersjö S, Zakaria SM, Frings O, Fahlén S, Nilsson H, Goodwin J, von der Lehr N, Su Y, Lüscher B, Castell A, Larsson LG. Interferon-γ-induced p27KIP1 binds to and targets MYC for proteasome-mediated degradation. Oncotarget 2016; 7:2837-54. [PMID: 26701207 PMCID: PMC4823075 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Myc oncoprotein is tightly regulated at multiple levels including ubiquitin-mediated protein turnover. We recently demonstrated that inhibition of Cdk2-mediated phosphorylation of Myc at Ser-62 pharmacologically or through interferon (IFN)-γ-induced expression of p27(Kip1) (p27) repressed Myc's activity to suppress cellular senescence and differentiation. In this study we identified an additional activity of p27 to interfere with Myc independent of Ser-62 phosphorylation. p27 is required and sufficient for IFN-γ-induced turnover of Myc. p27 interacted with Myc in the nucleus involving the C-termini of the two proteins, including Myc box 4 of Myc. The C-terminus but not the Cdk2 binding fragment of p27 was sufficient for inducing Myc degradation. Protein expression data of The Cancer Genome Atlas breast invasive carcinoma set revealed significantly lower Myc protein levels in tumors with highly expressed p27 lacking phosphorylation at Thr-157--a marker for active p27 localized in the nucleus. Further, these conditions correlated with favorable tumor stage and patient outcome. This novel regulation of Myc by IFN-γ/p27(KIP1) potentially offers new possibilities for therapeutic intervention in tumors with deregulated Myc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuad Bahram
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Moreinx AB, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Hydbring
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Susanna Tronnersjö
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- GE Healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Siti Mariam Zakaria
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver Frings
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sara Fahlén
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neuroscience, Swedish Medical Nanoscience Center, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helén Nilsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Molecular Pathology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jacob Goodwin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Natalie von der Lehr
- Department of Plant Biology and Forest Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- NatScience, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Yingtao Su
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Anxun International Co., Limited, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bernhard Lüscher
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical School, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alina Castell
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Gunnar Larsson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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24
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Bassiri H, Benavides A, Haber M, Gilmour SK, Norris MD, Hogarty MD. Translational development of difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) for the treatment of neuroblastoma. Transl Pediatr 2015; 4:226-38. [PMID: 26835380 PMCID: PMC4729051 DOI: 10.3978/j.issn.2224-4336.2015.04.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma is a childhood tumor in which MYC oncogenes are commonly activated to drive tumor progression. Survival for children with high-risk neuroblastoma remains poor despite treatment that incorporates high-dose chemotherapy, stem cell support, surgery, radiation therapy and immunotherapy. More effective and less toxic treatments are sought and one approach under clinical development involves re-purposing the anti-protozoan drug difluoromethylornithine (DFMO; Eflornithine) as a neuroblastoma therapeutic. DFMO is an irreversible inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (Odc), a MYC target gene, bona fide oncogene, and the rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine synthesis. DFMO is approved for the treatment of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense encephalitis ("African sleeping sickness") since polyamines are essential for the proliferation of these protozoa. However, polyamines are also critical for mammalian cell proliferation and the finding that MYC coordinately regulates all aspects of polyamine metabolism suggests polyamines may be required to support cancer promotion by MYC. Pre-emptive blockade of polyamine synthesis is sufficient to block tumor initiation in an otherwise fully penetrant transgenic mouse model of neuroblastoma driven by MYCN, underscoring the necessity of polyamines in this process. Moreover, polyamine depletion regimens exert potent anti-tumor activity in pre-clinical models of established neuroblastoma as well, in combination with numerous chemotherapeutic agents and even in tumors with unfavorable genetic features such as MYCN, ALK or TP53 mutation. This has led to the testing of DFMO in clinical trials for children with neuroblastoma. Current trial designs include testing lower dose DFMO alone (2,000 mg/m(2)/day) starting at the completion of standard therapy, or higher doses combined with chemotherapy (up to 9,000 mg/m(2)/day) for patients with relapsed disease that has progressed. In this review we will discuss important considerations for the future design of DFMO-based clinical trials for neuroblastoma, focusing on the need to better define the principal mechanisms of anti-tumor activity for polyamine depletion regimens. Putative DFMO activities that are both cancer cell intrinsic (targeting the principal oncogenic driver, MYC) and cancer cell extrinsic (altering the tumor microenvironment to support anti-tumor immunity) will be discussed. Understanding the mechanisms of DFMO activity are critical in determining how it might be best leveraged in upcoming clinical trials. This mechanistic approach also provides a platform by which iterative pre-clinical testing using translational tumor models may complement our clinical approaches.
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25
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Kalkat M, Chan PK, Wasylishen AR, Srikumar T, Kim SS, Ponzielli R, Bazett-Jones DP, Raught B, Penn LZ. Identification of c-MYC SUMOylation by mass spectrometry. PLoS One 2014; 9:e115337. [PMID: 25522242 PMCID: PMC4270761 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC transcription factor is a master regulator of many cellular processes and deregulation of this oncogene has been linked to more than 50% of all cancers. This deregulation can take many forms, including altered post-translational regulation. Here, using immunoprecipitation combined with mass spectrometry, we identified a MYC SUMOylation site (K326). Abrogation of signaling through this residue by substitution with arginine (K326R) has no obvious effects on MYC half-life, intracellular localization, transcriptional targets, nor on the biological effects of MYC overexpression in two different cell systems assessed for soft agar colony formation, proliferation, and apoptosis. While we have definitively demonstrated that MYC SUMOylation can occur on K326, future work will be needed to elucidate the mechanisms and biological significance of MYC regulation by SUMOylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manpreet Kalkat
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Pak-Kei Chan
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Amanda R. Wasylishen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Tharan Srikumar
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sam S. Kim
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Romina Ponzielli
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - David P. Bazett-Jones
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Linda Z. Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- * E-mail:
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26
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Abstract
Nickel is widely applied in industrial settings and Ni(II) compounds have been classified as group one human carcinogens. The molecular basis of Ni(II) carcinogenicity has proved complex, for many stress response pathways are activated and yield unexpected Ni(II)-specific toxicology profile. Ni(II)-induced toxicogenomic change has been associated with altered activity of HIF, p53, c-MYC, NFκB and iron and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases. Advancing high-throughput technology has indicated the toxicogenome of Ni(II) involves crosstalk between HIF, p53, c-MYC, NFκB and dioxygenases. This paper is intended to review the network of Ni(II)-induced common transcription-factor-governed pathways by discussing transcriptome alteration, its governing transcription factors and the underlying mechanism. Finally, we propose a putative target network of Ni(II) as a human carcinogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Yao
- Department of Environmental Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, 57 Old Forge Road, Tuxedo, NY, 10987, USA,
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