1
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Shen J, He Y, Li S, Chen H. Crosstalk of methylation and tamoxifen in breast cancer (Review). Mol Med Rep 2024; 30:180. [PMID: 39129315 PMCID: PMC11338244 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen is a widely used anti‑estrogen drug in the endocrine therapy of breast cancer (BC). It blocks estrogen signaling by competitively binding to estrogen receptor α (ERα), thereby inhibiting the growth of BC cells. However, with the long‑term application of tamoxifen, a subset of patients with BC have shown resistance to tamoxifen, which leads to low overall survival and progression‑free survival. The molecular mechanism of resistance is mainly due to downregulation of ERα expression and abnormal activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, the downregulation of targeted gene expression mediated by DNA methylation is an important regulatory mode to control protein expression. In the present review, methylation and tamoxifen are briefly introduced, followed by a focus on the effect of methylation on tamoxifen resistance and sensitivity. Finally, the clinical application of methylation for tamoxifen is described, including its use as a prognostic indicator. Finally, it is hypothesized that when methylation is used in combination with tamoxifen, it could recover the resistance of tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Shen
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Yan He
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Shengpeng Li
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Huimin Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Zhuzhou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
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2
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Corbin J, Yu X, Jin J, Cai L, Wang GG. EZH2 PROTACs target EZH2- and FOXM1-associated oncogenic nodes, suppressing breast cancer cell growth. Oncogene 2024; 43:2722-2736. [PMID: 39112519 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-024-03119-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related mortalities in women. Resistance to hormone therapies such as tamoxifen, an estrogen receptor (ER) inhibitor, is a major hurdle in the treatment of BC. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the methyltransferase component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), has been implicated in tamoxifen resistance. Evidence suggests that EZH2 often functions noncanonically, in a methyltransferase-independent manner, as a transcription coactivator through interacting with oncogenic transcription factors. Unlike methyltransferase inhibitors, proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTAC) can suppress both activating and repressive functions of EZH2. Here, we find that EZH2 PROTACs, MS177 and MS8815, effectively inhibited the growth of BC cells, including those with acquired tamoxifen resistance, to a much greater degree when compared to methyltransferase inhibitors. Mechanistically, EZH2 associates with forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) and binds to the promoters of FOXM1 target genes. EZH2 PROTACs induce degradation of both EZH2 and FOXM1, leading to reduced expression of target genes involved in cell cycle progression and tamoxifen resistance. Together, this study supports that EZH2-targeted PROTACs represent a promising avenue of research for the future treatment of BC, including in the setting of tamoxifen resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Corbin
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Xufen Yu
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ling Cai
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Gang Greg Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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3
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Cole J. Self-consistent signal transduction analysis for modeling context-specific signaling cascades and perturbations. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:78. [PMID: 39030258 PMCID: PMC11271576 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological signal transduction networks are central to information processing and regulation of gene expression across all domains of life. Dysregulation is known to cause a wide array of diseases, including cancers. Here I introduce self-consistent signal transduction analysis, which utilizes genome-scale -omics data (specifically transcriptomics and/or proteomics) in order to predict the flow of information through these networks in an individualized manner. I apply the method to the study of endocrine therapy in breast cancer patients, and show that drugs that inhibit estrogen receptor α elicit a wide array of antitumoral effects, and that their most clinically-impactful ones are through the modulation of proliferative signals that control the genes GREB1, HK1, AKT1, MAPK1, AKT2, and NQO1. This method offers researchers a valuable tool in understanding how and why dysregulation occurs, and how perturbations to the network (such as targeted therapies) effect the network itself, and ultimately patient outcomes.
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Niu MY, Liu YJ, Shi JJ, Chen RY, Zhang S, Li CY, Cao JF, Yang GJ, Chen J. The Emerging Role of Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 36 (USP36) in Cancer and Beyond. Biomolecules 2024; 14:572. [PMID: 38785979 PMCID: PMC11118191 DOI: 10.3390/biom14050572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The balance between ubiquitination and deubiquitination is instrumental in the regulation of protein stability and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. The deubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin-specific protease 36 (USP36), a member of the USP family, plays a crucial role in this dynamic equilibrium by hydrolyzing and removing ubiquitin chains from target proteins and facilitating their proteasome-dependent degradation. The multifaceted functions of USP36 have been implicated in various disease processes, including cancer, infections, and inflammation, via the modulation of numerous cellular events, including gene transcription regulation, cell cycle regulation, immune responses, signal transduction, tumor growth, and inflammatory processes. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current state of research on the roles of USP36 in different pathological conditions. By synthesizing the findings from previous studies, we have aimed to increase our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these diseases and identify potential therapeutic targets for their treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Yao Niu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Yan-Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Jin-Jin Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Ru-Yi Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China;
| | - Chang-Yun Li
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Jia-Feng Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Guan-Jun Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-Products, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China; (M.-Y.N.); (Y.-J.L.); (J.-J.S.); (R.-Y.C.); (C.-Y.L.); (J.-F.C.)
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
| | - Jiong Chen
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China
- Ningbo No.2 Hospital, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Marine Sciences, Meishan Campus, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315832, China;
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5
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Velez J, Dale B, Park KS, Kaniskan HÜ, Yu X, Jin J. Discovery of a novel, highly potent EZH2 PROTAC degrader for targeting non-canonical oncogenic functions of EZH2. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 267:116154. [PMID: 38295690 PMCID: PMC10901292 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of EZH2, the main catalytic subunit of PRC2, has been implicated in numerous cancers, including leukemia, breast, and prostate. Recent studies have highlighted non-catalytic oncogenic functions of EZH2, which EZH2 catalytic inhibitors cannot attenuate. Therefore, proteolysis-targeting chimera (PROTAC) degraders have been explored as an alternative therapeutic approach to suppress both canonical and non-canonical oncogenic activity. Here we present MS8847, a novel, highly potent EZH2 PROTAC degrader that recruits the E3 ligase von Hippel-Lindau (VHL). MS8847 degrades EZH2 in a concentration-, time-, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner. Notably, MS8847 induces superior EZH2 degradation and anti-proliferative effects in MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells compared to previously published EZH2 PROTAC degraders. Moreover, MS8847 degrades EZH2 and inhibits cell growth in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, displays efficacy in a 3D TNBC in vitro model, and has a pharmacokinetic (PK) profile suitable for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, MS8847 is a valuable chemical tool for the biomedical community to investigate canonical and non-canonical oncogenic functions of EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Brandon Dale
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Xufen Yu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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6
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Duan XP, Qin BD, Jiao XD, Liu K, Wang Z, Zang YS. New clinical trial design in precision medicine: discovery, development and direction. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:57. [PMID: 38438349 PMCID: PMC10912713 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In the era of precision medicine, it has been increasingly recognized that individuals with a certain disease are complex and different from each other. Due to the underestimation of the significant heterogeneity across participants in traditional "one-size-fits-all" trials, patient-centered trials that could provide optimal therapy customization to individuals with specific biomarkers were developed including the basket, umbrella, and platform trial designs under the master protocol framework. In recent years, the successive FDA approval of indications based on biomarker-guided master protocol designs has demonstrated that these new clinical trials are ushering in tremendous opportunities. Despite the rapid increase in the number of basket, umbrella, and platform trials, the current clinical and research understanding of these new trial designs, as compared with traditional trial designs, remains limited. The majority of the research focuses on methodologies, and there is a lack of in-depth insight concerning the underlying biological logic of these new clinical trial designs. Therefore, we provide this comprehensive review of the discovery and development of basket, umbrella, and platform trials and their underlying logic from the perspective of precision medicine. Meanwhile, we discuss future directions on the potential development of these new clinical design in view of the "Precision Pro", "Dynamic Precision", and "Intelligent Precision". This review would assist trial-related researchers to enhance the innovation and feasibility of clinical trial designs by expounding the underlying logic, which be essential to accelerate the progression of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Peng Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bao-Dong Qin
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Jiao
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhan Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Sheng Zang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
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7
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Zhang Q, Shi Y, Liu S, Yang W, Chen H, Guo N, Sun W, Zhao Y, Ren Y, Ren Y, Jia L, Yang J, Yun Y, Chen G, Wang L, Wu C. EZH2/G9a interact to mediate drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113714. [PMID: 38306271 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is the leading problem in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy. The contribution of histone methylation in mediating malignant phenotypes of NSCLC is well known. However, the role of histone methylation in NSCLC drug-resistance mechanisms remains unclear. Here, our data show that EZH2 and G9a, two histone methyltransferases, are involved in the drug resistance of NSCLC. Gene manipulation results indicate that the combination of EZH2 and G9a promotes tumor growth and mediates drug resistance in a complementary manner. Importantly, clinical study demonstrates that co-expression of both enzymes predicts a poor outcome in patients with NSCLC. Mechanistically, G9a and EZH2 interact and promote the silencing of the tumor-suppressor gene SMAD4, activating the ERK/c-Myc signaling pathway. Finally, SU08, a compound targeting both EZH2 and G9a, is demonstrated to sensitize resistant cells to therapeutic drugs by regulating the SMAD4/ERK/c-Myc signaling axis. These findings uncover the resistance mechanism and a strategy for reversing NSCLC drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yajie Shi
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Sen Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Weiming Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Huiping Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Ning Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Wanyu Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yuxiang Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yong Ren
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Central Theater Command of People's Liberation Army, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Jingyu Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China
| | - Yi Yun
- Biobank Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Guoliang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, School of Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Life Science and Biopharmaceutics, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, China.
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Tian J, Jin L, Liu H, Hua Z. Stilbenes: a promising small molecule modulator for epigenetic regulation in human diseases. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1326682. [PMID: 38155902 PMCID: PMC10754530 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1326682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Stilbenes are characterized by a vinyl group connecting two benzene rings to form the basic parent nucleus. Hydrogen atoms on different positions of the benzene rings can be substituted with hydroQxyl groups. These unique structural features confer anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular protective, and neuroprotective pharmacological effects upon these compounds. Numerous small molecule compounds have demonstrated these pharmacological activities in recent years, including Resveratrol, and Pterostilbene, etc. Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are FDA-approved commonly prescribed synthetic stilbene derivatives. The emphasis is on the potential of these small molecules and their structural derivatives as epigenetic regulators in various diseases. Stilbenes have been shown to modulate epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, which can alter gene expression patterns and contribute to disease development. This review will discuss the mechanisms by which stilbenes regulate epigenetic marks in various diseases, as well as clinical trials, with a focus on the potential of small molecule and their derivatives such as Resveratrol, Pterostilbene, and Tamoxifen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tian
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li Jin
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongquan Liu
- Jiangsu Province Hospital on Integration of Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zichun Hua
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Changzhou High-Tech Research Institute of Nanjing University and Jiangsu TargetPharma Laboratories Inc., Changzhou, China
- Nanjing Generecom Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, China
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Li Y, Gao Z, Wang Y, Pang B, Zhang B, Hu R, Wang Y, Liu C, Zhang X, Yang J, Mei M, Wang Y, Zhou X, Li M, Ren Y. Lysine methylation promotes NFAT5 activation and determines temozolomide efficacy in glioblastoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4062. [PMID: 37429858 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39845-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Temozolomide (TMZ) therapy offers minimal clinical benefits in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with high EGFR activity, underscoring the need for effective combination therapy. Here, we show that tonicity-responsive enhancer binding protein (NFAT5) lysine methylation, is a determinant of TMZ response. Mechanistically, EGFR activation induces phosphorylated EZH2 (Ser21) binding and triggers NFAT5 methylation at K668. Methylation prevents NFAT5 cytoplasm interaction with E3 ligase TRAF6, thus blocks NFAT5 lysosomal degradation and cytosol localization restriction, which was mediated by TRAF6 induced K63-linked ubiquitination, resulting in NFAT5 protein stabilization, nuclear accumulation and activation. Methylated NFAT5 leads to the upregulation of MGMT, a transcriptional target of NFAT5, which is responsible for unfavorable TMZ response. Inhibition of NFAT5 K668 methylation improved TMZ efficacy in orthotopic xenografts and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models. Notably, NFAT5 K668 methylation levels are elevated in TMZ-refractory specimens and confer poor prognosis. Our findings suggest targeting NFAT5 methylation is a promising therapeutic strategy to improve TMZ response in tumors with EGFR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yatian Li
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenyue Gao
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bo Pang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Binbin Zhang
- Department of Neuro-oncology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruxin Hu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Cancer Institute, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuebin Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jingxuan Yang
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Mei Mei
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yongzhi Wang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Department of Maxillofacial and Otorhinolaryngology Oncology, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, Tianjin, China.
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Cancer Institute, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Tianjin, China.
| | - Min Li
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| | - Yu Ren
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
- Department of Medicine, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
- Department of Surgery, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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10
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Zhang Y, Yu W, Chen M, Zhang B, Zhang L, Li P. The applications of nanozymes in cancer therapy: based on regulating pyroptosis, ferroptosis and autophagy of tumor cells. NANOSCALE 2023. [PMID: 37377098 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01722b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Nanozymes are nanomaterials with catalytic properties similar to those of natural enzymes, and they have recently been collectively identified as a class of innovative artificial enzymes. Nanozymes are widely used in various fields, such as biomedicine, due to their high catalytic activity and stability. Nanozymes can trigger changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cells and the activation of inflammasomes, leading to the programmed cell death (PCD), including the pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, of tumor cells. In addition, some nanozymes consume glucose, starving cancer cells and thus accelerating tumor cell death. In addition, the electric charge of the structure and the catalytic activity of nanozymes are sensitive to external factors such as light and electric and magnetic fields. Therefore, nanozymes can be used with different therapeutic methods, such as chemodynamic therapy (CDT), photodynamic therapy (PDT) and sonodynamic therapy (SDT), to achieve highly efficient antitumor effects. Many cancer therapies induce tumor cell death via the pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy of tumor cells mediated by nanozymes. We review the mechanisms of pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy in tumor development, as well as the potential application of nanozymes to regulate pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China.
| | - Wanpeng Yu
- Medical Collage, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Qingdao Re-store Life Science Co., Ltd, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Bingqiang Zhang
- Qingdao Re-store Life Science Co., Ltd, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China.
| | - Peifeng Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao University, Deng Zhou Road 38, Qingdao 266021, China.
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11
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Nel J, Elkhoury K, Velot É, Bianchi A, Acherar S, Francius G, Tamayol A, Grandemange S, Arab-Tehrany E. Functionalized liposomes for targeted breast cancer drug delivery. Bioact Mater 2023; 24:401-437. [PMID: 36632508 PMCID: PMC9812688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.12.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the exceptional progress in breast cancer pathogenesis, prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies, it remains a prominent cause of female mortality worldwide. Additionally, although chemotherapies are effective, they are associated with critical limitations, most notably their lack of specificity resulting in systemic toxicity and the eventual development of multi-drug resistance (MDR) cancer cells. Liposomes have proven to be an invaluable drug delivery system but of the multitudes of liposomal systems developed every year only a few have been approved for clinical use, none of which employ active targeting. In this review, we summarize the most recent strategies in development for actively targeted liposomal drug delivery systems for surface, transmembrane and internal cell receptors, enzymes, direct cell targeting and dual-targeting of breast cancer and breast cancer-associated cells, e.g., cancer stem cells, cells associated with the tumor microenvironment, etc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janske Nel
- Université de Lorraine, LIBio, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Émilie Velot
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IMoPA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Arnaud Bianchi
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, IMoPA, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | - Samir Acherar
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LCPM, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Ali Tamayol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
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12
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Yang Y, Zhang Y, Cao J, Su Z, Li F, Zhang P, Zhang B, Liu R, Zhang L, Xie J, Li J, Zhang J, Chen X, Hong A. FGFR4 and EZH2 inhibitors synergistically induce hepatocellular carcinoma apoptosis via repressing YAP signaling. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2023; 42:96. [PMID: 37085881 PMCID: PMC10122280 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-023-02659-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and lethal cancers worldwide, but current treatment options remain limited and cause serious life-threatening side effects. Aberrant FGFR4 signaling has been validated as an oncogenic driver of HCC, and EZH2, the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 complex, is a potential factor that contributes to acquired drug resistance in many tumors, including HCC. However, the functional relationship between these two carcinogenic factors, especially their significance for HCC treatment, remains unclear. In this study, we systematically evaluated the feasibility of a combination therapy targeting FGFR4 and EZH2 for HCC. METHODS RNA sequencing data of patients with Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed to determine FGFR4 and EZH2 expression and their interaction with prognosis. Moreover, the HCC cell lines, zebrafish/mouse HCC xenografts and zebrafish HCC primary tumors were treated with FGFR4 inhibitor (Roblitinib) and/or EZH2 inhibitor (CPI-169) and then subjected to cell proliferation, viability, apoptosis, and tumor growth analyses to evaluate the feasibility of combination therapy for HCC both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, RNA-Seq was performed in combination with ChIP-Seq data analysis to investigate the critical mechanism underlying the combination treatment with Roblitinib and CPI-169. RESULTS EZH2 accumulated through the non-canonical NF-kB signaling in response to FGFR4 inhibitor treatment, and the elevated EZH2 levels led to the antagonism of HCC against Roblitinib (FGFR4 inhibitor). Notably, knockdown of EZH2 sensitized HCC cells to Roblitinib, while the combination treatment of Roblitinib and CPI-169 (EZH2 inhibitor) synergistically induced the HCC cell apoptosis in vitro and suppressed the zebrafish/mouse HCC xenografts and zebrafish HCC primary tumors development in vivo. Moreover, Roblitinib and CPI-169 synergistically inhibited HCC development via repressing YAP signaling. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our study highlighted the potential of the therapeutic combination of FGFR4 and EZH2 inhibitors, which would provide new references for the further development of clinical treatment strategies for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiqi Yang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Yibo Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jieqiong Cao
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China
| | - Zijian Su
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Fu Li
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Peiguang Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Bihui Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Rongzhan Liu
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Linhao Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Junye Xie
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jingsheng Li
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Jinting Zhang
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaojia Chen
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
| | - An Hong
- Institute of Biomedicine & Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Biotechnology Drug & Engineering Technology Research Center, National Engineering Research Center of Genetic Medicine, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Ji'nan University, Guangzhou, 510630, China.
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Tsoi H, Fung NNC, Man EPS, Leung MH, You CP, Chan WL, Chan SY, Khoo US. SRSF5 Regulates the Expression of BQ323636.1 to Modulate Tamoxifen Resistance in ER-Positive Breast Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082271. [PMID: 37190199 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
About 70% of breast cancer patients are oestrogen receptor-positive (ER +ve). Adjuvant endocrine therapy using tamoxifen (TAM) is an effective approach for preventing local recurrence and metastasis. However, around half of the patients will eventually develop resistance. Overexpression of BQ323636.1 (BQ) is one of the mechanisms that confer TAM resistance. BQ is an alternative splice variant of NCOR2. The inclusion of exon 11 generates mRNA for NCOR2, while the exclusion of exon 11 produces mRNA for BQ. The expression of SRSF5 is low in TAM-resistant breast cancer cells. Modulation of SRSF5 can affect the alternative splicing of NCOR2 to produce BQ. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed that the knockdown of SRSF5 enhanced BQ expression, and conferred TAM resistance; in contrast, SRSF5 overexpression reduced BQ expression and, thus, reversed TAM resistance. Clinical investigation using a tissue microarray confirmed the inverse correlation of SRSF5 and BQ. Low SRSF5 expression was associated with TAM resistance, local recurrence and metastasis. Survival analyses showed that low SRSF5 expression was associated with poorer prognosis. We showed that SRPK1 can interact with SRSF5 to phosphorylate it. Inhibition of SRPK1 by a small inhibitor, SRPKIN-1, suppressed the phosphorylation of SRSF5. This enhanced the proportion of SRSF5 interacting with exon 11 of NCOR2, reducing the production of BQ mRNA. As expected, SRPKIN-1 reduced TAM resistance. Our study confirms that SRSF5 is essential for BQ expression. Modulating the activity of SRSF5 in ER +ve breast cancer will be a potential approach to combating TAM resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Tsoi
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nicholas Nok-Ching Fung
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ellen P S Man
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man-Hong Leung
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chan-Ping You
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wing-Lok Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sum-Yin Chan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ui-Soon Khoo
- Department of Pathology, School of Clinical Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Comparative Analysis of Transcriptomic Changes including mRNA and microRNA Expression Induced by the Xenoestrogens Zearalenone and Bisphenol A in Human Ovarian Cells. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15020140. [PMID: 36828454 PMCID: PMC9967916 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenoestrogens are natural or synthetic compounds that mimic the effect of endogenous estrogens and might cause cancer. We aimed to compare the global transcriptomic response to zearalenone (ZEA; mycotoxin) and bisphenol A (BPA; plastic additive) with the effect of physiological estradiol (E2) in the PEO1 human ovarian cell line by mRNA and microRNA sequencing. Estrogen exposure induced remarkable transcriptomic changes: 308, 288 and 63 genes were upregulated (log2FC > 1); 292, 260 and 45 genes were downregulated (log2FC < -1) in response to E2 (10 nM), ZEA (10 nM) and BPA (100 nM), respectively. Furthermore, the expression of 13, 11 and 10 miRNAs changed significantly (log2FC > 1, or log2FC < -1) after exposure to E2, ZEA and BPA, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis of the significantly differentially expressed genes and miRNAs revealed several pathways related to the regulation of cell proliferation and migration. The effect of E2 and ZEA was highly comparable: 407 genes were coregulated by these molecules. We could identify 83 genes that were regulated by all three treatments that might have a significant role in the estrogen response of ovarian cells. Furthermore, the downregulation of several miRNAs (miR-501-5p, let-7a-2-3p, miR-26a-2-3p, miR-197-5p and miR-582-3p) was confirmed by qPCR, which might support the proliferative effect of estrogens in ovarian cells.
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15
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Moore PC, Henderson KW, Classon M. The epigenome and the many facets of cancer drug tolerance. Adv Cancer Res 2023; 158:1-39. [PMID: 36990531 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic agents and the development of new cancer therapies over the past few decades has consequently led to the emergence of myriad therapeutic resistance mechanisms. Once thought to be explicitly driven by genetics, the coupling of reversible sensitivity and absence of pre-existing mutations in some tumors opened the way for discovery of drug-tolerant persisters (DTPs): slow-cycling subpopulations of tumor cells that exhibit reversible sensitivity to therapy. These cells confer multi-drug tolerance, to targeted and chemotherapies alike, until the residual disease can establish a stable, drug-resistant state. The DTP state can exploit a multitude of distinct, yet interlaced, mechanisms to survive otherwise lethal drug exposures. Here, we categorize these multi-faceted defense mechanisms into unique Hallmarks of Cancer Drug Tolerance. At the highest level, these are comprised of heterogeneity, signaling plasticity, differentiation, proliferation/metabolism, stress management, genomic integrity, crosstalk with the tumor microenvironment, immune escape, and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Of these, epigenetics was both one of the first proposed means of non-genetic resistance and one of the first discovered. As we describe in this review, epigenetic regulatory factors are involved in most facets of DTP biology, positioning this hallmark as an overarching mediator of drug tolerance and a potential avenue to novel therapies.
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Guan R, Mei J, Guo R. Analysis of the Prognosis Prediction Ability of a Necroptosis-Related Gene Signature and its Relationship With the Hepatocellular Carcinoma Immune Microenvironment Using Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2023; 22:15330338231182208. [PMID: 37335078 DOI: 10.1177/15330338231182208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most malignant cancers and has a poor prognosis. The immune microenvironment is closely related to the drug sensitivity of a tumor. Necroptosis was reported to be a key factor for HCC. The prognostic value of necroptosis-related genes and their association with the tumor immune microenvironment are still unknown. Methods: Necroptosis-related genes that could comprise a signature for predicting the prognosis of HCC cases were identified using univariate analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression analysis. The association between this prognosis prediction signature and HCC immune microenvironment was analyzed. The immunological activities and drug sensitivities were compared between different risk score groups identified using the prognosis prediction signature. The expression levels of the five genes comprising the signature were validated using RT-qPCR. Results: A prognosis prediction signature consisting of five necroptosis-related genes was constructed and validated. Its risk score was = (0.1634 × PGAM5 expression) + (0.0134 × CXCL1 expression) - (0.1007 × ALDH2 expression) + (0.2351 × EZH2 expression) - (0.0564 × NDRG2 expression). The signature was found to be significantly associated with the infiltration of B cells, CD4+ T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and myeloid dendritic cells into the HCC immune microenvironment. The number of infiltrating immune cells and the expression levels of immune checkpoints in the immune microenvironment of high-risk score patients were higher. Sorafenib and immune checkpoint blockade were determined to be ideally suited for treating high-risk score patients and low-risk score patients, respectively. Finally, RT-qPCR results confirmed that the expression levels of EZH2, NDRG2, and ALDH2 were significantly down-regulated in HuH7 and HepG2 cells compared to those in LO2 cells. Conclusion: The necroptosis-related gene signature developed herein can classify patients with HCC according to prognosis risk well and is associated with infiltration of immune cells into the tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renguo Guan
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Mei
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongping Guo
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Huang R, Wu Y, Zou Z. Combining EZH2 inhibitors with other therapies for solid tumors: more choices for better effects. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1449-1464. [PMID: 36601794 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
EZH2 is an epigenetic regulator that methylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27) and is closely related to the development and metastasis of tumors. It often shows gain-of-function mutations in hematological tumors, while it is often overexpressed in solid tumors. EZH2 inhibitors have shown good efficacy in hematological tumors in clinical trials but poor efficacy in solid tumors. Therefore, current research on EZH2 inhibitors has focused on exploring additional combination strategies in solid tumors. Herein we summarize the combinations and mechanisms of EZH2 inhibitors and other therapies, including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and epigenetic therapy, both in clinical trials and preclinical studies, aiming to provide a reference for better antitumor effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Huang
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yirong Wu
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhengyun Zou
- The Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321 Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
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Gan Y, Lo Y, Makower D, Kleer C, Lu J, Fineberg S. EZH2 Protein Expression in Estrogen Receptor Positive Invasive Breast Cancer Treated With Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy: An Exploratory Study of Association With Tumor Response. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2022; 30:614-622. [PMID: 36048167 PMCID: PMC9577480 DOI: 10.1097/pai.0000000000001055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neoadjuvant endocrine therapy (NET) can be used to treat estrogen receptor positive (ER+) invasive breast cancer (IBC). Tumors with Ki67>10% after 2 to 4 weeks of NET are considered resistant to endocrine therapy. Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) is a targetable oncoprotein and overexpression in ER+ IBC has been linked to resistance to endocrine therapy. We examined whether EZH2 expression levels in ER+ IBC could be used to predict response to NET. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively identified 46 patients with localized ER+ HER2/neu negative IBC treated with a minimum of 4 weeks of NET. We quantified EZH2 nuclear expression in pretherapy core biopsies using a score that included intensity and percent of cells staining. Ki67 was evaluated in both pretherapy core biopsies and posttherapy tumor resections and scored according to the guidelines of the International Ki67 Working Groups, with a global weighted score. Ki67≤10% after NET was considered endocrine responsive. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the association between EZH2 expression and response to NET. RESULTS We found significant associations of tumor grade ( P =0.011), pretherapy Ki67 ( P =0.003), and EZH2 ( P <0.001), with response to NET. On logistic regression adjusted for tumor grade and pretherapy Ki67, increased EZH2 scores were associated with decreased odds of endocrine responsiveness, defined as posttreatment Ki67≤10% (odds ratio=0.976, 95% CI, 0.956 to 0.997; P =0.026). In addition, with EZH2 score in the model, associations of tumor grade and pretreatment Ki67 with posttreatment Ki67≤10% response to NET became not significant. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that EZH2 might be a useful biomarker to predict response to NET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Gan
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine 111 East 210th Street Bronx NY 10467
- Department of Pathology, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, 2 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon New Hampshire 03756
| | - Yungtai Lo
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine 111 East 210th Street Bronx NY 10467
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 Street Bronx NY 10467
| | - Della Makower
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 Street Bronx NY 10467
| | - Celina Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School and The Rogel Cancer Center, 1500 E Medical Center Dr., Ann Arbor MI 48109
| | - Jinyu Lu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210 Street Bronx NY 10467
| | - Susan Fineberg
- Department of Pathology, Montefiore Medical Center and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine 111 East 210th Street Bronx NY 10467
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Ferreira A, Pereira F, Reis C, Oliveira MJ, Sousa MJ, Preto A. Crucial Role of Oncogenic KRAS Mutations in Apoptosis and Autophagy Regulation: Therapeutic Implications. Cells 2022; 11:cells11142183. [PMID: 35883626 PMCID: PMC9319879 DOI: 10.3390/cells11142183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
KRAS, one of the RAS protein family members, plays an important role in autophagy and apoptosis, through the regulation of several downstream effectors. In cancer cells, KRAS mutations confer the constitutive activation of this oncogene, stimulating cell proliferation, inducing autophagy, suppressing apoptosis, altering cell metabolism, changing cell motility and invasion and modulating the tumor microenvironment. In order to inhibit apoptosis, these oncogenic mutations were reported to upregulate anti-apoptotic proteins, including Bcl-xL and survivin, and to downregulate proteins related to apoptosis induction, including thymine-DNA glycosylase (TDG) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). In addition, KRAS mutations are known to induce autophagy in order to promote cell survival and tumor progression through MAPK and PI3K regulation. Thus, these mutations confer resistance to anti-cancer drug treatment and, consequently, result in poor prognosis. Several therapies have been developed in order to overcome KRAS-induced cell death resistance and the downstream signaling pathways blockade, especially by combining MAPK and PI3K inhibitors, which demonstrated promising results. Understanding the involvement of KRAS mutations in apoptosis and autophagy regulation, might bring new avenues to the discovery of therapeutic approaches for CRCs harboring KRAS mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anabela Ferreira
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.P.); (M.J.S.)
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Flávia Pereira
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.P.); (M.J.S.)
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (C.R.); (M.J.O.)
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Celso Reis
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (C.R.); (M.J.O.)
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP), 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria José Oliveira
- Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (C.R.); (M.J.O.)
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering (INEB), University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Maria João Sousa
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.P.); (M.J.S.)
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Preto
- Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA), Department of Biology, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; (A.F.); (F.P.); (M.J.S.)
- Institute of Science and Innovation for Bio-Sustainability (IB-S), Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-253-601524
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Basu N, Narad P, Guptasarma ML, Tandon C, Das BC, Tandon S. Computational and In Vitro Approaches to Elucidate the Anti-cancer Effects of Arnica montana in Hormone-Dependent Breast Cancer. HOMEOPATHY 2022; 111:288-300. [PMID: 35790192 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1743565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Use of homeopathic medicines for the treatment of cancers has increased in the last several years. Arnica montana is an anti-inflammatory homeopathic medicine used in traumatic conditions and because of this property we performed investigations for its potential as a chemotherapeutic agent against breast cancer. METHODS An ethanolic extract of Arnica montana (mother tincture, MT), prepared according to the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India, was characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), followed by computational (in silico) analysis using molecular docking, to identify specific compounds that can bind and modulate the activity of key proteins involved in breast cancer survival and progression. To validate the in silico findings, in a controlled experiment breast cancer cells (MCF7) were treated in vitro with Arnica montana and the cytotoxic effects assessed by flowcytometry, fluorescence microscopy, scratch assay, clonogenic potential and gene expression analysis. RESULTS Phytochemical characterization of ethanolic extract of Arn MT by GC-MS allowed identification of several compounds. Caryophyllene oxide and 7-hydroxycadalene were selected for molecular docking studies, based on their potential drug-like properties. These compounds displayed selective binding affinity to some of the recognized target proteins of breast cancer, which included estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) and E-cadherin. In vitro studies revealed induction of apoptosis in MCF7 cells following treatment with Arn MT. Furthermore, treatment with Arn MT revealed its ability to inhibit migration and colony forming abilities of the cancer cells. CONCLUSION Considering the apoptotic and anti-migratory effects of Arnica montana in breast cancer cells in vitro, there is a need for this medicine to be further validated in an in vivo model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilanjana Basu
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Priyanka Narad
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Manni Luthra Guptasarma
- Department of Immunopathology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | - Bhudev Chandra Das
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Simran Tandon
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.,Amity University Punjab, Mohali, India
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Sukocheva OA, Lukina E, Friedemann M, Menschikowski M, Hagelgans A, Aliev G. The crucial role of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance: Current findings and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 82:35-59. [PMID: 33301860 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) cell de-sensitization to Tamoxifen (TAM) or other selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERM) is a complex process associated with BC heterogeneity and the transformation of ER signalling. The most influential resistance-related mechanisms include modifications in ER expression and gene regulation patterns. During TAM/SERM treatment, epigenetic mechanisms can effectively silence ER expression and facilitate the development of endocrine resistance. ER status is efficiently regulated by specific epigenetic tools including hypermethylation of CpG islands within ER promoters, increased histone deacetylase activity in the ER promoter, and/or translational repression by miRNAs. Over-methylation of the ER α gene (ESR1) promoter by DNA methyltransferases was associated with poor prognosis and indicated the development of resistance. Moreover, BC progression and spreading were marked by transformed chromatin remodelling, post-translational histone modifications, and expression of specific miRNAs and/or long non-coding RNAs. Therefore, targeted inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (e.g. MYST3), deacetylases (e.g. HDAC1), and/or demethylases (e.g. lysine-specific demethylase LSD1) was shown to recover and increase BC sensitivity to anti-estrogens. Indicated as a powerful molecular instrument, the administration of epigenetic drugs can regain ER expression along with the activation of tumour suppressor genes, which can in turn prevent selection of resistant cells and cancer stem cell survival. This review examines recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of endocrine drug resistance and evaluates novel anti-resistance strategies. Underlying molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation will be discussed, emphasising the utilization of epigenetic enzymes and their inhibitors to re-program irresponsive BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia.
| | - Elena Lukina
- Discipline of Biology, College of Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Markus Friedemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Albert Hagelgans
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia; Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia; Federal State Budgetary Institution «Research Institute of Human Morphology», 3, Tsyurupy Str., Moscow, 117418, Russian Federation; GALLY International Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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Jafari H, Hussain S, Campbell MJ. Nuclear Receptor Coregulators in Hormone-Dependent Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:2402. [PMID: 35626007 PMCID: PMC9139824 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors (NRs) function collectively as a transcriptional signaling network that mediates gene regulatory actions to either maintain cellular homeostasis in response to hormonal, dietary and other environmental factors, or act as orphan receptors with no known ligand. NR complexes are large and interact with multiple protein partners, collectively termed coregulators. Coregulators are essential for regulating NR activity and can dictate whether a target gene is activated or repressed by a variety of mechanisms including the regulation of chromatin accessibility. Altered expression of coregulators contributes to a variety of hormone-dependent cancers including breast and prostate cancers. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms by which coregulators interact with and modulate the activity of NRs provides opportunities to develop better prognostic and diagnostic approaches, as well as novel therapeutic targets. This review aims to gather and summarize recent studies, techniques and bioinformatics methods used to identify distorted NR coregulator interactions that contribute as cancer drivers in hormone-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Jafari
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Shahid Hussain
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Moray J. Campbell
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
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Zeng J, Zhang J, Sun Y, Wang J, Ren C, Banerjee S, Ouyang L, Wang Y. Targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy: From current progress to novel strategies. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 238:114419. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Zhao H, Lin LF, Hahn J, Xie J, Holman HF, Yuan C. Single-Cell Image-Based Analysis Reveals Chromatin Changes during the Acquisition of Tamoxifen Drug Resistance. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030438. [PMID: 35330189 PMCID: PMC8950147 DOI: 10.3390/life12030438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer drug resistance is the leading cause of cancer related deaths. The development of drug resistance can be partially contributed to tumor heterogeneity and epigenetic plasticity. However, the detailed molecular mechanism underlying epigenetic modulated drug resistance remains elusive. In this work, we systematically analyzed epigenetic changes in tamoxifen (Tam) responsive and resistant breast cancer cell line MCF7, and adopted a data-driven approach to identify key epigenetic features distinguishing between these two cell types. Significantly, we revealed that DNA methylation and H3K9me3 marks that constitute the heterochromatin are distinctively different between Tam-resistant and -responsive cells. We then performed time-lapse imaging of 5mC and H3K9me3 features using engineered probes. After Tam treatment, we observed a slow transition of MCF7 cells from a drug-responsive to -resistant population based on DNA methylation features. A similar trend was not observed using H3K9me3 probes. Collectively, our results suggest that DNA methylation changes partake in the establishment of Tam-resistant breast cancer cell lines. Instead of global changes in the DNA methylation level, the distribution of DNA methylation features inside the nucleus can be one of the drivers that facilitates the establishment of a drug resistant phenotype in MCF7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Zhao
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
| | - Li F. Lin
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
| | - Joshua Hahn
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
| | - Junkai Xie
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
| | - Harvey F. Holman
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
| | - Chongli Yuan
- Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA; (H.Z.); (L.F.L.); (J.H.); (J.X.); (H.F.H.)
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-765-494-5824; Fax: +1-765-494-0805
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Uyar R, Yurdakok-Dikmen B, Turgut Y, Filazi A. Diethylhexyl Phthalate and Bisphenol A Promote Vincristine and Tamoxifen Resistance in Vitro. Chem Res Toxicol 2022; 35:538-546. [PMID: 35263089 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.2c00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Environmental estrogen active compounds are strong determinants of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers, and increased evidence indicates their contribution to chemotherapy resistance. In the current study, the efficacy of vincristine and tamoxifen, with the presence of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and bisphenol A (BPA) and the possible involvement of estrogen and estrogen receptor-related mechanisms, was evaluated in an ER+ mammary tumor cancer cell line, MCF-7. Chemotherapeutics tamoxifen as an estrogen receptor modulator and vincristine as an antimitotic compound were selected for evaluation against the presence of common endocrine disrupters. BPA and DEHP preincubation at their proliferative concentrations for 4 h was found to decrease the cytotoxicity of vincristine. mRNA and protein expression of ESR1 and ESR 2 were decreased by vincristine, while this decrease was reversed by DEHP and BPA. Both BPA and DEHP were able to interfere with the cytotoxic activity of vincristine against MCF-7 cells through ESR1 and ESR2. This study provides in vitro toxicological evidence for vincristine resistance and its relation to estrogen active environmental pollutants in ER+ breast cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Recep Uyar
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Begum Yurdakok-Dikmen
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yagmur Turgut
- Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayhan Filazi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ankara University, 06110 Ankara, Turkey
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Research Progress and Prospects of Autophagy in the Mechanism of Multidrug Resistance in Tumors. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:7032614. [PMID: 35136409 PMCID: PMC8818414 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7032614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although the treatment of cancer has made great strides in clinical practice, its high morbidity and fatality rates remain a major threat to human health. Multidrug resistance (MDR) often appears in the process of tumor treatment, leading to tumor refractory and aggravating the risk of tumor recurrence. Therefore, antitumor MDR plays a key role in tumor chemotherapy. Autophagy is an important process for the turnover of intracellular materials, which is commonly seen in the treatment of sensitive and multidrug-resistant tumors, and it can play different roles in various types of MDR tumor cells and tissues. Autophagy plays a dual regulatory role in MDR tumors. On the one hand, autophagy can promote the formation of MDR in tumor cells, weaken the killing effect of chemotherapy drugs on tumor cells, and play a protective role in tumor survival. On the other hand, autophagy production in the cellular environment can kill MDR tumor cells, reverse tumor resistance and enhance the efficiency of chemotherapy drugs. Therefore, the regulation of autophagy to overcome MDR has become increasingly significant in tumor chemotherapy. In this article, we discussed and summarized the research progress of autophagy in MDR tumors, mainly involving the different characteristics of autophagy in MDR cancer cells.
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Brandão DC, Lima PMAP, Martins IC, Cordeiro CS, Cordeiro AO, Vecchi L, Guerra JFC, Orsolin PC, Gazolla MC, Costa DS, da Silva Filho AA, Araújo TG. Arrabidaea chica chloroform extract modulates estrogen and androgen receptors on luminal breast cancer cells. BMC Complement Med Ther 2022; 22:18. [PMID: 35057779 PMCID: PMC8773405 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-022-03506-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Breast Cancer (BC) is the most common cancer in women worldwide and, although 70% of patients are responsive to selective Estrogen Receptor (ER) modulators such as Tamoxifen (Tam), patients' survival is comprised by resistance to endocrine therapy. Brazilian flora, especially the Amazon biome, is one of the richest global sources of native species with potentially bioactive compounds. Arrabidaea chica is a plant native to the Amazon that has been used in the treatment of different diseases. However, its action on BC remains unclear. METHODS Herein the biological effects of the chloroform extract of A. chica (CEAC) were evaluated on BC cells and in in vivo model. After confirmation of CEAC antioxidant capacity, cells were treated with CEAC and Tam, alone and with CEAC+Tam. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT and hormone receptor transcripts levels were assessed (ESR1, ESR2 and AR). Finally, anticarcinogenicity of CEAC was recorded in Drosophila melanogaster through Epithelial Tumor Test (ETT). RESULTS The study confirmed the antioxidant activity of CEAC. CEAC was selective for MCF-7, downregulating ESR2 and AR transcripts and upregulating ESR2 expression. The modulatory effects of CEAC on ERs did not differ between cells treated with Tam and with CEAC+Tam. Interestingly, previous treatment with CEAC, followed by treatment with Tam promoted a significant decrease in cell viability. The extract also presented anticarcinogenic effect in in vivo assay. CONCLUSION The bioassays on breast tumor cells demonstrated the antiproliferative activity of the extract, which modulated the expression of hormone receptors and sensitized luminal tumor cells to Tam. These results suggest that CEAC could be a complementary treatment for BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C. Brandão
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
| | - Paula M. A. P. Lima
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
- Laboratory of Cytogenetic and Mutagenesis, University Center of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas, MG Brazil
| | - Isabella C. Martins
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
| | - Carina S. Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
| | - Antonielle O. Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, MG Brazil
| | - Lara Vecchi
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, MG Brazil
| | - Joyce F. C. Guerra
- Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Patos de Minas, MG Brazil
| | - Priscila C. Orsolin
- Laboratory of Cytogenetic and Mutagenesis, University Center of Patos de Minas, Patos de Minas, MG Brazil
| | - Matheus C. Gazolla
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil
| | - Danilo S. Costa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil
| | - Ademar A. da Silva Filho
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG Brazil
| | - Thaise G. Araújo
- Laboratory of Genetics and Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Rua Major Jerônimo, 566, Sala 601, Patos de Minas, MG 38700-002 Brazil
- Laboratory of Nanobiotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, Federal University of Uberlandia, Uberlandia, MG Brazil
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Das P, Gupta A, Desai KV. JMJD6 orchestrates a transcriptional program in favor of endocrine resistance in ER+ breast cancer cells. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1028616. [PMID: 36419768 PMCID: PMC9678079 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1028616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
High expression of Jumonji domain containing protein 6 (JMJD6) is strongly associated with poor prognosis in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer. We overexpressed JMJD6 in MCF7 cells (JOE cells) and performed RNA-seq analysis. 76% of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) overlapped with ER target genes. Pathway analysis revealed that JMJD6 upregulated a larger subset of genes related to cell proliferation as compared to ER. Interestingly, JOE cells showed a decrease in ER target gene expression prompting us to check ER levels. Indeed, JOE cells showed a significant decrease in both ESR1 and ER levels and JMJD6 siRNA transfection increased the expression of both. Additionally, JOE cells showed increased RET and ERK1 expression, events associated with resistance to endocrine therapy. Accordingly, JOE cells displayed lower sensitivity and survived better at higher doses of 4-hydroxy tamoxifen (Tam) as compared to parental MCF-7 cells. Conversely, LTED-I and TAM R that resist Tam induced death, showed high expression of JMJD6. Further, JMJD6 siRNA treatment decreased growth and improved Tam sensitivity in TAM R. Comparison of JOE DEGs with known Tam signature genes showed a substantial overlap. Overall, these data suggest that blocking ER alone in patients may not eradicate proliferation of JMJD6 expressing ER+ cells and JMJD6 may predispose and sustain endocrine therapy resistance. We propose that immunostaining for JMJD6 could be developed as a potential marker for predicting endocrine therapy resistance. Further, antagonizing JMJD6 action in women expressing higher amounts of this protein, may offer a greater clinical benefit than endocrine therapy.
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Adibfar S, Elveny M, Kashikova HS, Mikhailova MV, Farhangnia P, Vakili-Samiani S, Tarokhian H, Jadidi-Niaragh F. The molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of EZH2 in breast cancer. Life Sci 2021; 286:120047. [PMID: 34653429 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.120047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to its high occurrence and mortality rate, breast cancer has been studied from various aspects as one of the cancer field's hot topics in the last decade. Epigenetic alterations are spoused to be highly effective in breast cancer development. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is an enzymatic epi-protein that takes part in most vital cell functions by its different action modes. EZH2 is suggested to be dysregulated in specific breast cancer types, particularly in advanced stages. Mounting evidence revealed that EZH2 overexpression or dysfunction affects the pathophysiology of breast cancer. In this review, we discuss biological aspects of the EZH2 molecule with a focus on its newly identified action mechanisms. We also highlight how EZH2 plays an essential role in breast cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and invasion, which emerged as a worthy target for treating breast cancer in different approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Adibfar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Marischa Elveny
- DS & CI Research Group, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
| | | | | | - Pooya Farhangnia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy, and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran; Immunology Board for Transplantation and Advanced Cellular Therapeutics (ImmunoTACT), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sajjad Vakili-Samiani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Hanieh Tarokhian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Farhad Jadidi-Niaragh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Integrated Medicine and Aging Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Cheng X, Zhao JX, Dong F, Cao XC. ARID1A Mutation in Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target. Front Oncol 2021; 11:759577. [PMID: 34804958 PMCID: PMC8599951 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.759577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Distant metastasis is the principal cause of mortality for breast cancer patients. Targeting specific mutations that have been acquired during the evolution process of advanced breast cancer is a potential means of enhancing the clinical efficacy of treatment strategies. In metastatic breast cancer, ARID1A is the most prevalent mutation of the SWI/SNF complex, which regulates DNA repair, recombination, and gene transcription. The low expression of ARID1A is associated with poor disease-free survival and overall survival of patients with luminal A or HER2-rich breast cancer. In addition, ARID1A plays a prominent role in maintaining luminal characteristics and has an advantage for identifying responses to treatment, including endocrine therapies, HDAC inhibitors and CDK4/6 inhibitors. The therapeutic vulnerabilities initiated by ARID1A alterations encourage us to explore new approaches to cope with ARID1A mutant-related drug resistance or metastasis. In this review, we describe the mutation profiles of ARID1A in metastatic breast cancer and the structure and function of ARID1A and the SWI/SNF complex as well as discuss the potential mechanisms of ARID1A-mediated endocrine resistance and therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Cheng
- The First Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian-Xiong Zhao
- The First Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
| | - Feng Dong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital and Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin, China
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases, Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xu-Chen Cao
- The First Department of Breast Cancer, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin’s Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin, China
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Tianjin, China
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Network-based approach to identify prognosis-related genes in tamoxifen-treated patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:229599. [PMID: 34406386 PMCID: PMC8485391 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20203020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist that is most commonly used for the treatment of ER-positive breast cancer. However, tamoxifen resistance remains a major cause of cancer recurrence and progression. Here, we aimed to identify hub genes implicated in the progression and prognosis of ER-positive breast cancer following tamoxifen treatment. Microarray data (GSE9893) for 155 tamoxifen-treated primary ER-positive breast cancer samples were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. In total, 1706 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 859 up-regulated and 847 down-regulated genes, were identified between relapse and relapse-free samples. Weighted correlation network analysis clustered genes into 13 modules, among which the tan and blue modules were the most significantly related to prognosis. From these two modules, we further identified and validated two prognosis-related hub genes (G-rich RNA sequence binding factor 1 (GRSF1) and microtubule-associated protein τ (MAPT)) via survival analysis based on several publicly available datasets. High expression of GRSF1 predicted poor prognosis, whereas MAPT indicated favorable outcomes in ER-positive breast cancer. Using breast cancer cell lines and tissue samples, we confirmed that GRSF1 was significantly up-regulated and MAPT was down-regulated in the tamoxifen-resistant group compared with the tamoxifen-sensitive group. The prognostic value of GRSF1 and MAPT was also verified in 48 tamoxifen-treated ER-positive breast cancer patients in our hospital. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) suggested that GRSF1 was potentially involved in RNA degradation and cell cycle pathways, while MAPT was strongly linked to immune-related signaling pathways. Taken together, our findings established novel prognostic biomarkers to predict tamoxifen sensitivity, which may facilitate individualized management of breast cancer.
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Altwegg KA, Vadlamudi RK. Role of estrogen receptor coregulators in endocrine resistant breast cancer. EXPLORATION OF TARGETED ANTI-TUMOR THERAPY 2021; 2:385-400. [PMID: 34528025 PMCID: PMC8439438 DOI: 10.37349/etat.2021.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most ubiquitous cancer in women. Approximately 70–80% of BC diagnoses are positive for estrogen receptor (ER) alpha (ERα). The steroid hormone estrogen [17β-estradiol (E2)] plays a vital role both in the initiation and progression of BC. The E2-ERα mediated actions involve genomic signaling and non-genomic signaling. The specificity and magnitude of ERα signaling are mediated by interactions between ERα and several coregulator proteins called coactivators or corepressors. Alterations in the levels of coregulators are common during BC progression and they enhance ligand-dependent and ligand-independent ERα signaling which drives BC growth, progression, and endocrine therapy resistance. Many ERα coregulator proteins function as scaffolding proteins and some have intrinsic or associated enzymatic activities, thus the targeting of coregulators for blocking BC progression is a challenging task. Emerging data from in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that targeting coregulators to inhibit BC progression to therapy resistance is feasible. This review explores the current state of ERα coregulator signaling and the utility of targeting the ERα coregulator axis in treating advanced BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin A Altwegg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.,Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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Lu B, Jiang R, Xie B, Wu W, Zhao Y. Fusion genes in gynecologic tumors: the occurrence, molecular mechanism and prospect for therapy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:783. [PMID: 34381020 PMCID: PMC8357806 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-04065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene fusions are thought to be driver mutations in multiple cancers and are an important factor for poor patient prognosis. Most of them appear in specific cancers, thus satisfactory strategies can be developed for the precise treatment of these types of cancer. Currently, there are few targeted drugs to treat gynecologic tumors, and patients with gynecologic cancer often have a poor prognosis because of tumor progression or recurrence. With the application of massively parallel sequencing, a large number of fusion genes have been discovered in gynecologic tumors, and some fusions have been confirmed to be involved in the biological process of tumor progression. To this end, the present article reviews the current research status of all confirmed fusion genes in gynecologic tumors, including their rearrangement mechanism and frequency in ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, endometrial stromal sarcoma, and other types of uterine tumors. We also describe the mechanisms by which fusion genes are generated and their oncogenic mechanism. Finally, we discuss the prospect of fusion genes as therapeutic targets in gynecologic tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfeng Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruqi Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bumin Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wu Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Gynecologic Oncology Research Office, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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34
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Li Y, Tian M, Zhang D, Zhuang Y, Li Z, Xie S, Sun K. Long Non-Coding RNA Myosin Light Chain Kinase Antisense 1 Plays an Oncogenic Role in Gallbladder Carcinoma by Promoting Chemoresistance and Proliferation. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:6219-6230. [PMID: 34393514 PMCID: PMC8357316 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s323759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play critical roles in human tumours, including gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). However, their biological functions and molecular mechanisms in tumorigenesis and progression remain largely unknown. Methods Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to verify the expression of lncRNA myosin light chain kinase antisense RNA 1 (MYLK-AS1) in 120 pairs of GBC tissues and paired adjacent non-tumour tissues, as well as in six different GBC cell lines (NOZ, EH-GB1, OCUG-1, GBC-SD, SGC-996 and QBC-939). Cell counting kit 8 was applied to explore cell proliferation and drug sensitivity assays. The target miRNAs (miR) of MYLK-AS1 and downstream target genes were predicted using Starbase 3.0 software and confirmed by double luciferase reporting test. The expression of proteins was assessed using Western blot assay. Results Here, we demonstrated that MYLK-AS1 was significantly upregulated and correlated with a poor prognosis and poor clinical characteristics in GBC. Furthermore, the forced expression of MYLK-AS1 significantly promoted GBC cell proliferation and resistance to gemcitabine in vitro. Mechanistically, MYLK-AS1 functioned as an efficient miR-217 sponge, thereby releasing the inhibition of enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 (EZH2) subunit expression. MYLK-AS1 promoted GBC cell proliferation and resistance to gemcitabine by upregulating EZH2 expression, and EZH2 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-217. Discussion Our results confirmed that the chemoresistant driver MYLK-AS1 might be a promising candidate as a therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced GBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongliang Li
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Mi Tian
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongqing Zhang
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifei Zhuang
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Li
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenqi Xie
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyu Sun
- Department of Emergency, Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, People's Republic of China
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35
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Zhao Y, Hu Z, Li J, Hu T. EZH2 Exacerbates Breast Cancer by Methylating and Activating STAT3 Directly. J Cancer 2021; 12:5220-5230. [PMID: 34335938 PMCID: PMC8317538 DOI: 10.7150/jca.50675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of female death globally. Numerous clinical drugs for breast cancer have been developed, but the unsatisfactory, inevitable side effects and drug resistance are the emerging threatens. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the comprehensive mechanism of breast cancer. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a candidate oncogenic driver in diverse cancers, such as breast cancer. The canonical role of EZH2 has been vastly investigated, but the non-canonical function of EZH2 in breast cancer remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that EZH2 exacerbated breast cancer in non-canonical manner by methylating STAT3. EZH2 over-expressed in breast cancer patients and regulated STAT3 post-transcriptionally according to TCGA datasets. Chemical and genetic inhibition of EZH2 impeded proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells, which may be partially rescued by STAT3 over-expression. EZH2 physically interacted with STAT3 and methylated STAT3 directly, resulting in increased nuclear localization and chromatin of STAT3. Furthermore, the mutation of STAT3 methylation site, targeted by EZH2, impeded the transcriptional activity of STAT3. Eventually, disturbed STAT3 methylation by EZH2 in animal model showed decreased breast cancer growth. These data confirm that EZH2 exacerbates breast cancer by methylating STAT3 directly, and thus providing a promising therapeutic target for breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University
| | - Zhansheng Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University
| | - Jincheng Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University
| | - Tingyan Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University
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36
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Schröder R, Illert AL, Erbes T, Flotho C, Lübbert M, Duque-Afonso J. The epigenetics of breast cancer - Opportunities for diagnostics, risk stratification and therapy. Epigenetics 2021; 17:612-624. [PMID: 34159881 PMCID: PMC9235902 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2021.1940644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The stage and molecular pathology-dependent prognosis of breast cancer, the limited treatment options for triple-negative carcinomas, as well as the development of resistance to therapies illustrate the need for improved early diagnosis and the development of new therapeutic approaches. Increasing data suggests that some answers to these challenges could be found in the area of epigenetics. In this study, we focus on the current research of the epigenetics of breast cancer, especially on the potential of epigenetics for clinical application in diagnostics, risk stratification and therapy. The differential DNA methylation status of specific gene regions has been used in the past to differentiate breast cancer cells from normal tissue. New technologies as detection of circulating nucleic acids including microRNAs to early detect breast cancer are emerging. Pattern of DNA methylation and expression of histone-modifying enzymes have been successfully used for risk stratification. However, all these epigenetic biomarkers should be validated in larger clinical studies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies show a therapeutic benefit of epigenetically active drugs for breast cancer entities that are still difficult to treat (triple negative, UICC stage IV). Remarkably, epigenetic therapies combined with chemotherapies or hormone-based therapies represent the most promising strategy. At the current stage, the integration of epigenetic substances into established breast cancer therapy protocols seems to hold the greatest potential for a clinical application of epigenetic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rieke Schröder
- Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Anna-Lena Illert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Thalia Erbes
- Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christian Flotho
- Department for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University of Freiburg Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium Für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Michael Lübbert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium Für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jesús Duque-Afonso
- Department of Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplantation, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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37
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Dimitrakopoulos FI, Kottorou A, Tzezou A. Endocrine resistance and epigenetic reprogramming in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 517:55-65. [PMID: 34077785 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the enormous advances during the last three decades, breast cancer continues to be the most frequent type of cancer as well as one of the most frequent cancer-related causes of death in women. Therapeutic management of patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer becomes very often a challenge, since de novo or acquired resistance deprives a significant percentage of the patients from the clinical benefit of the well-tolerated hormone therapy. Several molecular mechanisms are implicated in resistance to endocrine therapy, including changes in hormone receptor signaling, activation of parallel signaling pathways, modifications of cell cycle regulators, activation of different transcription factors as well as changes in stem cells activity. In addition, a growing number of studies supports the pivotal role of epigenetic changes not only in the initiation and progression of breast cancer, but also in resistance to endocrine therapy. These changes refer to DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications as well as to ncRNAs alterations. In this review, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms underlying the endocrine resistance focusing exclusively on breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteinos-Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Medical School of Patras, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece; Division of Oncology, University Hospital of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kottorou
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Medical School of Patras, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece; Division of Oncology, University Hospital of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Aspasia Tzezou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece; Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece.
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38
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Bacolod MD. The Epigenetic Factors that Drive Cancer Drug Resistance. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2021; 21:269-273. [PMID: 34112067 DOI: 10.2174/156800962104210527150438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Manny D Bacolod
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10065, United States
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39
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Haines CN, Klingensmith HD, Komara M, Burd CJ. GREB1 regulates PI3K/Akt signaling to control hormone-sensitive breast cancer proliferation. Carcinogenesis 2021; 41:1660-1670. [PMID: 32894276 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgaa096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 70% of breast cancers express the estrogen receptor (ER) and depend on ER activity for survival and proliferation. While hormone therapies that target receptor activity are initially effective, patients invariably develop resistance which is often associated with activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. While the mechanism by which estrogen regulates proliferation is not fully understood, one gene target of ER, growth regulation by estrogen in breast cancer 1 (GREB1), is required for hormone-dependent proliferation. However, the molecular function by which GREB1 regulates proliferation is unknown. Herein, we validate that knockdown of GREB1 results in growth arrest and that exogenous GREB1 expression initiates senescence, suggesting that an optimal level of GREB1 expression is necessary for proliferation of breast cancer cells. Under both of these conditions, GREB1 is able to regulate signaling through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. GREB1 acts intrinsically through PI3K to regulate phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-triphosphate levels and Akt activity. Critically, growth suppression of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells by GREB1 knockdown is rescued by expression of constitutively activated Akt. Together, these data identify a novel molecular function by which GREB1 regulates breast cancer proliferation through Akt activation and provides a mechanistic link between estrogen signaling and the PI3K pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne N Haines
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Hope D Klingensmith
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Makanko Komara
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Craig J Burd
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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40
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Anwar T, Gonzalez ME, Kleer CG. Noncanonical Functions of the Polycomb Group Protein EZH2 in Breast Cancer. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:774-783. [PMID: 33556366 PMCID: PMC8127103 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2) is the catalytic subunit of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that is critical for determining cell identity. An epigenetic writer, EZH2 has a well-defined role in transcriptional repression by depositing trimethyl marks on lysine 27 of histone H3. However, there is mounting evidence that histone methyltransferases like EZH2 exert histone methyltransferase-independent functions. The relevance of these functions to breast cancer progression and their regulatory mechanisms are only beginning to become understood. Here, we review the current understanding of EZH2 H3K27me3-independent, noncanonical, functions and their regulation in breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Anwar
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Maria E Gonzalez
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Celina G Kleer
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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41
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Gruslova A, McClellan B, Balinda HU, Viswanadhapalli S, Alers V, Sareddy GR, Huang T, Garcia M, deGraffenried L, Vadlamudi RK, Brenner AJ. FASN inhibition as a potential treatment for endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2021; 187:375-386. [PMID: 33893909 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-021-06231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The majority of breast cancers are estrogen receptor (ERα) positive making endocrine therapy a mainstay for these patients. Unfortunately, resistance to endocrine therapy is a common occurrence. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme in lipid biosynthesis and its expression is commensurate with tumor grade and resistance to numerous therapies. METHODS The effect of the FASN inhibitor TVB-3166 on ERα expression and cell growth was characterized in tamoxifen-resistant cell lines, xenografts, and patient explants. Subcellular localization of ERα was assessed using subcellular fractionations. Palmitoylation and ubiquitination of ERα were assessed by immunoprecipitation. ERα and p-eIF2α protein levels were analyzed by Western blotting after treatment with TVB-3166 with or without the addition of palmitate or BAPTA. RESULTS TVB-3166 treatment leads to a marked inhibition of proliferation in tamoxifen-resistant cells compared to the parental cells. Additionally, TVB-3166 significantly inhibited tamoxifen-resistant breast tumor growth in mice and decreased proliferation of primary tumor explants compared to untreated controls. FASN inhibition significantly reduced ERα levels most prominently in endocrine-resistant cells and altered its subcellular localization. Furthermore, we showed that the reduction of ERα expression upon TVB-3166 treatment is mediated through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. CONCLUSION Our preclinical data provide evidence that FASN inhibition by TVB-3166 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of endocrine-resistant breast cancer. Further clinical development of FASN inhibitors for endocrine-resistant breast cancer should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Victoria Alers
- UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Gangadhara R Sareddy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Tim Huang
- UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Michael Garcia
- UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Ratna K Vadlamudi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Andrew J Brenner
- UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA.
- South Texas Research Facility, University of Texas Health San Antonio, STRF 2.208.58403 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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42
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Li C, Wang Y, Gong Y, Zhang T, Huang J, Tan Z, Xue L. Finding an easy way to harmonize: a review of advances in clinical research and combination strategies of EZH2 inhibitors. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:62. [PMID: 33761979 PMCID: PMC7992945 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01045-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitors (EZH2i) have garnered increased attention owing to their anticancer activity by targeting EZH2, a well-known cancer-promoting factor. However, some lymphomas are resistant to EZH2i, and EZH2i treatment alone is ineffective in case of EZH2-overexpressing solid tumors. The anti-cancer efficacy of EZH2i may be improved through safe and effective combinations of these drugs with other treatment modalities. Preclinical evidence indicates that combining EZH2i with other therapies, such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and endocrine therapy, has complementary or synergistic antitumor effects. Therefore, elucidating the underlying mechanisms of the individual constituents of the combination therapies is fundamental for their clinical application. In this review, we have summarized notable clinical trials and preclinical studies using EZH2i, their progress, and combinations of EZH2i with different therapeutic modalities, aiming to provide new insights for tumor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yueqing Gong
- Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tengrui Zhang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jiaqi Huang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zhen Tan
- Department of Bone and Joint Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, 518036, People's Republic of China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China. .,Center of Basic Medical Research, Institute of Medical Innovation and Research, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.
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43
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Chen D, Parker TM, Bhat-Nakshatri P, Chu X, Liu Y, Wang Y, Nakshatri H. Nonlinear relationship between chromatin accessibility and estradiol-regulated gene expression. Oncogene 2021; 40:1332-1346. [PMID: 33420376 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01607-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chromatin accessibility is central to basal and inducible gene expression. Through ATAC-seq experiments in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and integration with multi-omics data, we found estradiol (E2) induced chromatin accessibility changes in a small number of breast cancer-relevant E2-regulated genes. As expected, open chromatin regions associated with E2-inducible gene expression showed enrichment of estrogen response element (ERE) and those associated with E2-repressible gene expression were enriched for ERE, PBX1, and PBX3. While a significant number of open chromatin regions showed pioneer factor FOXA1 occupancy in the absence of E2, E2-treatment further enhanced FOXA1 occupancy suggesting that ER-E2 enhances chromatin occupancy of FOXA1 to a subset of E2-regulated genes. Surprisingly, promoters of 80% and enhancers of 60% of E2-inducible genes displayed closed chromatin configuration both in the absence and presence of E2. Integration of ATAC-seq data with ERα ChIP-seq data revealed that ~40% ERα binding sites in the genome are found in chromatin regions that are not accessible as per ATAC-seq. Such ERα binding regions were enriched for binding sites of multiple nuclear receptors including ER, ESRRB, ERRγ, COUP-TFII (NR2F2), RARα, EAR2 as well as traditional pioneer factors FOXA1 and GATA3. Similar data were also obtained when ERα ChIP-seq data were integrated with MNase-seq and DNase-seq data sets. In summation, our results reveal complex mechanisms of ER-E2 interaction with nucleosomes. Notably, "closed chromatin" configuration as defined by ATAC-seq or by other techniques is not necessarily associated with lack of gene expression and technical limitations may preclude ATAC-seq to demonstrate accessibility of chromatin regions that are bound by ERα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duojiao Chen
- Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Taylor M Parker
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | | | - Xiaona Chu
- Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yunlong Liu
- Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- Departments of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
| | - Harikrishna Nakshatri
- Departments of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA. .,Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
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EZH2 knockdown in tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells unravels novel targets for regaining sensitivity towards tamoxifen. Breast Cancer 2020; 28:355-367. [PMID: 32990923 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01166-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired resistance to drug involves multilayered genetic and epigenetic regulation. Inhibition of EZH2 has proven to reverse the tamoxifen resistance back to the sensitive state in breast cancer. However, the molecular players involved in EZH2-mediated effects on tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 cells are unknown. This study was conducted to understand the global change in proteome profile of tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 breast cancer cells upon EZH2 knockdown. METHODS Tamoxifen resistance MCF-7 breast cancer cells were established using increasing concentrations of 4-hydroxy tamoxifen. Using label free proteomics approach, we studied the alteration in total proteome in resistant cells as well as cells transfected with siEZH2 in comparison to sensitive and cells transfected with non-targeting siRNA. RESULTS Here, we report list of proteins that were previously not recognized for their role in tamoxifen resistance and hold a close association with breast cancer patient survival. Proteins Annexin A2, CD44, nucleosome assembly protein 1, and lamin A/C were among the most upregulated protein in tamoxifen-resistant cells that were found to be abrogated upon EZH2 knockdown. The study suggests the involvement for various proteins in acquiring resistance towards tamoxifen and anticipates further research for investigating their therapeutic potentials. CONCLUSION Overall, we propose that targeting EZH2 or the molecules down the cascade might be helpful in reacquiring sensitivity to tamoxifen in breast cancer.
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The 3D genomic landscape of differential response to EGFR/HER2 inhibition in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194631. [PMID: 32956836 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies suggested that crosstalk between ERα and EGFR/HER2 pathways plays a critical role in mediating endocrine therapy resistance. Several inhibitors targeting EGFR/HER2 signaling, including FDA-approved lapatinib and gefitinib as well as a novel dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) sapitinib, showed greater therapeutic efficacies. However, how 3D chromatin landscape responds to the inhibition of EGFR/HER2 pathway remains to be elucidated. METHODS In this study, we conducted in situ Hi-C and RNA-seq in two ERα+ breast cancer cell systems, 1) parental MCF7 cells and its associated tamoxifen-resistant MCF7TR cells; and 2) parental T47D cells and its associated tamoxifen-resistant T47DTR cells, before and after the treatment of sapitinib. RESULTS We identified differential responses in topologically associated domains (TADs), looping genes and expressed genes. Interestingly, we found that many differential TADs and looping genes are reversible after sapitinib treatment, indicating that EGFR/HER2 signaling may play a role in reshaping and rewiring the high order genome organization. We further examined and recapitulated the reversible looping genes in 3D spheroids of breast cancer cells, demonstrating that 3D cell culture spheroid of breast cancer cells could be a potential preclinical breast cancer model for studying 3D chromatin regulation. CONCLUSIONS Our study has provided significant insights into our understanding of 3D genomic landscape changes in response to EGFR/HER2 Inhibition in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Our data provides a rich resource for further evaluating chromatin structural responses to EGFR/HER2 targeted therapies in endocrine-resistant breast cancer cells. Our analyses suggest that these alterations of chromatin structures and transcriptional programs may provide new avenues for intervention or designing of patient selection for targeted endocrine treatment.
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Yang C, Zhang J, Ma Y, Wu C, Cui W, Wang L. Histone methyltransferase and drug resistance in cancers. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2020; 39:173. [PMID: 32859239 PMCID: PMC7455899 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-020-01682-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A number of novel anticancer drugs have been developed in recent years. However, the mortality of cancer patients remains high because of the emergence of drug resistance. It was reported that drug resistance might involved in changes in gene expression without changing genotypes, which is similar to epigenetic modification. Some studies indicated that targeting histone methyltransferase can reverse drug resistance. Hence, the use of histone methyltransferase inhibitors or histone demethylase inhibitors opens new therapeutic approaches for cancer treatment. While the relationship between histone methyltransferase and tumor resistance has been determined, there is a lack of updated review on the association between them. In this review, we summarized the mechanisms of histone methyltransferases in cancer drug resistance and the therapeutic strategies of targeting histone methyltransferase to reverse drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayu Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yukui Ma
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Chunfu Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China. .,Benxi Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Benxi, People's Republic of China.
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47
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Sher G, Salman NA, Khan AQ, Prabhu KS, Raza A, Kulinski M, Dermime S, Haris M, Junejo K, Uddin S. Epigenetic and breast cancer therapy: Promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Semin Cancer Biol 2020; 83:152-165. [PMID: 32858230 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The global burden of breast cancer (BC) is increasing significantly. This trend is caused by several factors such as late diagnosis, limited treatment options for certain BC subtypes, drug resistance which all lead to poor clinical outcomes. Recent research has reported the role of epigenetic alterations in the mechanism of BC pathogenesis and its hallmarks include drug resistance and stemness features. The understanding of these modifications and their significance in the management of BC carcinogenesis is challenging and requires further attention. Nevertheless, it promises to provide novel insight needed for utilizing these alterations as potential diagnostic, prognostic markers, predict treatment efficacy, as well as therapeutic agents. This highlights the importance of continuing research development to further advance the existing knowledge on epigenetics and BC carcinogenesis to overcome the current challenges. Hence, this review aims to shed light and discuss the current state of epigenetics research in the diagnosis and management of BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gulab Sher
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Nadia Aziz Salman
- Kingston University London, School of Life Science, Pharmacy and Chemistry, SEC Faculty, Kingston, upon Thames, London, KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Kirti S Prabhu
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Afsheen Raza
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Michal Kulinski
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Said Dermime
- National Center for Cancer Care and Research, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Sidra Medicine, P.O. Box 26999, Qatar; Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Kulsoom Junejo
- General Surgery Department, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, P.O. Box 3050, Qatar.
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Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is enzymatic catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that can alter downstream target genes expression by trimethylation of Lys-27 in histone 3 (H3K27me3). EZH2 could also regulate gene expression in ways besides H3K27me3. Functions of EZH2 in cells proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence have been identified. Its important roles in the pathophysiology of cancer are now widely concerned. Therefore, targeting EZH2 for cancer therapy is a hot research topic now and different types of EZH2 inhibitors have been developed. In this review, we summarize the structure and action modes of EZH2, focusing on up-to-date findings regarding the role of EZH2 in cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, metabolism, drug resistance, and immunity regulation. Furtherly, we highlight the advance of targeting EZH2 therapies in experiments and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Duan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfang Du
- Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijian Guo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
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Proteome activity landscapes of tumor cell lines determine drug responses. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3639. [PMID: 32686665 PMCID: PMC7371697 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17336-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrated analysis of genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes and drug responses of cancer cell lines (CCLs) is an emerging approach to uncover molecular mechanisms of drug action. We extend this paradigm to measuring proteome activity landscapes by acquiring and integrating quantitative data for 10,000 proteins and 55,000 phosphorylation sites (p-sites) from 125 CCLs. These data are used to contextualize proteins and p-sites and predict drug sensitivity. For example, we find that Progesterone Receptor (PGR) phosphorylation is associated with sensitivity to drugs modulating estrogen signaling such as Raloxifene. We also demonstrate that Adenylate kinase isoenzyme 1 (AK1) inactivates antimetabolites like Cytarabine. Consequently, high AK1 levels correlate with poor survival of Cytarabine-treated acute myeloid leukemia patients, qualifying AK1 as a patient stratification marker and possibly as a drug target. We provide an interactive web application termed ATLANTiC (http://atlantic.proteomics.wzw.tum.de), which enables the community to explore the thousands of novel functional associations generated by this work.
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50
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Zhang Z, Yu W, Tang D, Zhou Y, Bi M, Wang H, Zheng Y, Chen M, Li L, Xu X, Zhang W, Tao H, Jin VX, Liu Z, Chen L. Epigenomics-based identification of oestrogen-regulated long noncoding RNAs in ER+ breast cancer. RNA Biol 2020; 17:1590-1602. [PMID: 32506995 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2020.1777769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in women worldwide. Through the regulation of many coding and non-coding target genes, oestrogen (E2 or 17β-oestradiol) and its nuclear receptor ERα play important roles in breast cancer development and progression. Despite the astounding advances in our understanding of oestrogen-regulated coding genes over the past decades, our knowledge on oestrogen-regulated non-coding targets has just begun to expand. Here we leverage epigenomic approaches to systematically analyse oestrogen-regulated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Similar to the coding targets of ERα, the transcription of oestrogen-regulated lncRNAs correlates with the activation status of ERα enhancers, measured by eRNA production, chromatin accessibility, and the occupancy of the enhancer regulatory components including P300, MED1, and ARID1B. Our 3D chromatin architecture analyses suggest that lncRNAs and their neighbouring E2-resonsive coding genes, exemplified by LINC00160 and RUNX1, might be regulated as a 3D structural unit resulted from enhancer-promoter interactions. Finally, we evaluated the expression levels of LINC00160 and RUNX1 in various types of breast cancer and found that their expression positively correlated with the survival rate in ER+ breast cancer patients, implying that the oestrogen-regulated LINC00160 and its neighbouring RUNX1 might represent potential biomarkers for ER+ breast cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Wei Yu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dan Tang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA.,Department of General Practice, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University , Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yufan Zhou
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mingjun Bi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Hu Wang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Yan Zheng
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mingqiu Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University , Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Oncology, The Second People's Hospital of Jiaozuo , Jiaozuo City, Henan, China
| | - Xinping Xu
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University , Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Jiangxi Institute of Respiratory Disease, the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University , Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Huimin Tao
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Victor X Jin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Zhijie Liu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Lizhen Chen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mays Cancer Center, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA.,Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio, TX, USA
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