1
|
Nam C, Li LY, Yang Q, Ziman B, Zhao H, Hu B, Collet C, Jing P, Lei Q, Xu LY, Li EM, Koeffler HP, Sinha UK, Lin DC. A druggable cascade links methionine metabolism to epigenomic reprogramming in squamous cell carcinoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320835121. [PMID: 38900797 PMCID: PMC11214090 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320835121] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma (UASCC) is a common and aggressive malignancy with few effective therapeutic options. Here, we investigate amino acid metabolism in this cancer, surprisingly noting that UASCC exhibits the highest methionine level across all human cancers, driven by its transporter LAT1. We show that LAT1 is also expressed at the highest level in UASCC, transcriptionally activated by UASCC-specific promoter and enhancers, which are directly coregulated by SCC master regulators TP63/KLF5/SREBF1. Unexpectedly, unbiased bioinformatic screen identifies EZH2 as the most significant target downstream of the LAT1-methionine pathway, directly linking methionine metabolism to epigenomic reprogramming. Importantly, this cascade is indispensable for the survival and proliferation of UASCC patient-derived tumor organoids. In addition, LAT1 expression is closely associated with cellular sensitivity to inhibition of the LAT1-methionine-EZH2 axis. Notably, this unique LAT1-methionine-EZH2 cascade can be targeted effectively by either pharmacological approaches or dietary intervention in vivo. In summary, this work maps a unique mechanistic cross talk between epigenomic reprogramming with methionine metabolism, establishes its biological significance in the biology of UASCC, and identifies a unique tumor-specific vulnerability which can be exploited both pharmacologically and dietarily.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chehyun Nam
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Li-Yan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Benjamin Ziman
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Hua Zhao
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Boyan Hu
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Casey Collet
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - Pei Jing
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qifang Lei
- Department of Urology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong518116, China
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou515041, Guangdong, China
| | | | - Uttam K. Sinha
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90033
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Toriyama K, Uehara T, Iwakoshi A, Kawashima H, Hosoda W. HNF6 and HNF4α expression in adenocarcinomas of the liver, pancreaticobiliary tract, and gastrointestinal tract: an immunohistochemical study of 480 adenocarcinomas of the digestive system. Pathology 2024:S0031-3025(24)00138-7. [PMID: 38926048 DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2024.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF) 6 and 4α are master transcriptional regulators of development and maintenance of the liver and pancreaticobiliary tract in mice and humans. However, little is known about the prevalence of HNF6 and HNF4α expression in carcinomas of the hepatobiliary tract and pancreas. We aimed to reveal the diagnostic utility of HNF6 and HNF4α immunolabelling in adenocarcinomas of these organs. We investigated HNF6 and HNF4α expression by immunohistochemistry using a total of 480 adenocarcinomas of the digestive system, including 282 of the hepatobiliary tract and pancreas and 198 of the gastrointestinal tract. HNF6 expression was primarily restricted to intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (CCs) (63%, n=80) and gallbladder adenocarcinomas (43%, n=88), among others. Notably, small duct intrahepatic CCs almost invariably expressed HNF6 (90%, n=42), showing stark contrast to a low prevalence in large duct intrahepatic CCs (10%, n=21; p<0.0001). HNF6 expression was infrequent in extrahepatic CCs (9%, n=55) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (7%, n=58), and it was rare in adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal tract [oesophagus/oesophagogastric junction (EGJ) (2%, n=45), stomach (2%, n=86), duodenum (0%, n=25), and colorectum (0%, n=42)]. In contrast, HNF4α was widely expressed among adenocarcinomas of the digestive system, including intrahepatic CCs (88%), extrahepatic CCs (94%), adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder (98%), pancreas (98%), oesophagus/EGJ (96%), stomach (98%), duodenum (80%), and colorectum (100%). HNF6 was frequently expressed in and almost restricted to intrahepatic CCs of small duct type and gallbladder adenocarcinomas, while HNF4α was expressed throughout adenocarcinomas of the digestive system. HNF6 immunolabelling may be useful in distinguishing small duct intrahepatic CCs from other types of CC as well as metastatic gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Toriyama
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan; Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takeshi Uehara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan
| | - Akari Iwakoshi
- Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kawashima
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Waki Hosoda
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics, Aichi Cancer Center, Nagoya, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang G, Su F, Han BX, Su HX, Guo CH, Yu SH, Guan QL, Hou XM. HNF1A induces glioblastoma by upregulating EPS8 and activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116133. [PMID: 38494066 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116133] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Despite the exact biological role of HNF1 homolog A (HNF1A) in the regulatory mechanism of glioblastoma (GBM), the molecular mechanism, especially the downstream regulation as a transcription factor, remains to be further elucidated. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and clinical relevance of HNF1A in GBM patients. CCK8, TUNEL, and subcutaneous tumor formation in nude mice were used to evaluate the effect of HNF1A on GBM in vitro and in vivo. The correction between HNF1A and epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (EPS8) was illustrated by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay. Further mechanism was explored that the transcription factor HNF1A regulated the expression of EPS8 and downstream signaling pathways by directly binding to the promoter region of EPS8. Our comprehensive analysis of clinical samples in this study showed that upregulated expression of HNF1A was associated with poor survival in GBM patients. Further, we found that knockdown of HNF1A markedly suppressed the malignant phenotype of GBM cells in vivo and in vitro as well as promoted apoptosis of tumor cells, which was reversed by upregulation of HNF1A. Mechanistically, HNF1A could significantly activate PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by specifically binding to the promoter regions of EPS8. Moreover, overexpression of EPS8 was able to reverse the apoptosis of tumor cells caused by HNF1A knockdown, thereby exacerbating the GBM progression. Correctively, our study has clarified the explicit mechanism by which HNF1A promotes GBM malignancy and provides a new therapeutic target for further clinical application.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Yang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Fei Su
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Bin-Xiao Han
- Gansu Institute of Medical Information, Institute of Gansu Medical Science Research, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Hong-Xin Su
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Chen-Hao Guo
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Shao-Hua Yu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China
| | - Quan-Lin Guan
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China; Department of Oncology Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Hou
- Department of Oncology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu 730000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhao Y, Tang H, Xu J, Sun F, Zhao Y, Li Y. HNF4A-Bridging the Gap Between Intestinal Metaplasia and Gastric Cancer. Evol Bioinform Online 2024; 20:11769343241249017. [PMID: 38680615 PMCID: PMC11047246 DOI: 10.1177/11769343241249017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Intestinal metaplasia (IM) of gastric epithelium has traditionally been regarded as an irreversible stage in the process of the Correa cascade. Exploring the potential molecular mechanism of IM is significant for effective gastric cancer prevention. Methods The GSE78523 dataset, obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, was analyzed using RStudio software to identify the differently expressed genes (DEGs) between IM tissues and normal gastric epithelial tissues. Subsequently, gene ontology (GO) analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GESA), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis were used to find potential genes. Additionally, the screened genes were analyzed for clinical, immunological, and genetic correlation aspects using single gene clinical correlation analysis (UALCAN), Tumor-Immune System Interactions Database (TISIDB), and validated through western blot experiments. Results Enrichment analysis showed that the lipid metabolic pathway was significantly associated with IM tissues and the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene was identified in the subsequent analysis. Experiment results and correlation analysis showed that the expression of APOB was higher in IM tissues than in normal tissues. This elevated expression of APOB was also found to be associated with the expression levels of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4A (HNF4A) gene. HNF4A was also found to be associated with immune cell infiltration to gastric cancer and was linked to the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Moreover, HNF4A was also highly expressed in both IM tissues and gastric cancer cells. Conclusion Our findings indicate that HNF4A regulates the microenvironment of lipid metabolism in IM tissues by targeting APOB. Higher expression of HNF4A tends to lead to a worse prognosis in gastric cancer patients implying it may serve as a predictive indicator for the progression from IM to gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jianhua Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Feifei Sun
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ziman B, Yang Q, Zheng Y, Sheth M, Nam C, Zhao H, Zhang L, Hu B, Bhowmick NA, Sinha UK, Lin DC. Epigenomic analyses identify FOXM1 as a key regulator of anti-tumor immune response in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:152. [PMID: 38373993 PMCID: PMC10876663 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06488-x] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Unlike most cancer types, the incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has rapidly escalated in the western world over recent decades. Using whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), we identify the transcription factor (TF) FOXM1 as an important epigenetic regulator of EAC. FOXM1 plays a critical role in cellular proliferation and tumor growth in EAC patient-derived organoids and cell line models. We identify ERBB2 as an upstream regulator of the expression and transcriptional activity of FOXM1. Unexpectedly, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) unbiased screen reveals a prominent anti-correlation between FOXM1 and immune response pathways. Indeed, syngeneic mouse models show that FOXM1 inhibits the infiltration of CD8+ T cells into the tumor microenvironment. Consistently, FOXM1 suppresses CD8+ T cell chemotaxis in vitro and antigen-dependent CD8+ T cell killing. This study characterizes FOXM1 as a significant EAC-promoting TF and elucidates its novel function in regulating anti-tumor immune response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Ziman
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127S. San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yueyuan Zheng
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127S. San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Megha Sheth
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Chehyun Nam
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Hua Zhao
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Le Zhang
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127S. San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Boyan Hu
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127S. San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Uttam K Sinha
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar St, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Radak M, Ghamari N, Fallahi H. Identification of common factors among fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma by network analysis. Biosystems 2024; 235:105093. [PMID: 38052344 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2023.105093] [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: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Sarcoma cancers are uncommon malignant tumors, and there are many subgroups, including fibrosarcoma (FS), which mainly affects middle-aged and older adults in deep soft tissues. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), on the other hand, is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and is located in the head and neck area. Osteosarcomas (OS) is the predominant form of primary bone cancer among young adults, primarily resulting from sporadically random mutations. This frequently results in the dissemination of cancer cells to the lungs, commonly known as metastasis. Mesodermal cells are the origin of sarcoma cancers. In this study, a rather radical approach has been applied. Instead of comparing homogenous cancer types, we focus on three main subtypes of sarcoma: fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma, and compare their gene expression with normal cell groups to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Next, by applying protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we determine the hub genes and crucial factors, such as transcription factors (TFs), affected by these types of cancer. Our findings indicate a modification in a range of pathways associated with cell cycle, extracellular matrix, and DNA repair in these three malignancies. Results showed that fibrosarcoma (FS), rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), and osteosarcoma (OS) had 653, 1270, and 2823 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. Interestingly, there were 24 DEGs common to all three types. Network analysis showed that the fibrosarcoma network had two sub-networks identified in FS that contributed to the catabolic process of collagen via the G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway. The rhabdomyosarcoma network included nine sub-networks associated with cell division, extracellular matrix organization, mRNA splicing via spliceosome, and others. The osteosarcoma network has 13 sub-networks, including mRNA splicing, sister chromatid cohesion, DNA repair, etc. In conclusion, the common DEGs identified in this study have been shown to play significant and multiple roles in various other cancers based on the literature review, indicating their significance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Radak
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Razi University, Baq-e-Abrisham, Kermanshah, 6714967346, Iran.
| | - Nakisa Ghamari
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Razi University, Baq-e-Abrisham, Kermanshah, 6714967346, Iran.
| | - Hossein Fallahi
- Department of Biology, School of Sciences, Razi University, Baq-e-Abrisham, Kermanshah, 6714967346, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Qu N, Luan T, Liu N, Kong C, Xu L, Yu H, Kang Y, Han Y. Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 a (HNF4α): A perspective in cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115923. [PMID: 38000355 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115923] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
HNF4α, a transcription factor, plays a vital role in regulating functional genes and biological processes. Its alternative splicing leads to various transcript variants encoding different isoforms. The spotlight has shifted towards the extensive discussion on tumors interplayed withHNF4α abnormalities. Aberrant HNF4α expression has emerged as sentinel markers of epigenetic shifts, casting reverberations upon downstream target genes and intricate signaling pathways, most notably with cancer. This review provides a comprehensive overview of HNF4α's involvement in tumor progression and metastasis, elucidating its role and underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ningxin Qu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ting Luan
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Naiquan Liu
- The Nephrological Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Chenhui Kong
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Le Xu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Yu
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Kang
- The Pathology Dept, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ye Han
- The Breast Oncology Dept., Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wong J, Trinh VQ, Jyotsana N, Baig JF, Revetta F, Shi C, Means AL, DelGiorno KE, Tan M. Differential spatial distribution of HNF4α isoforms during dysplastic progression of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20088. [PMID: 37974020 PMCID: PMC10654504 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47238-x] [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: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4-alpha (HNF4α) comprises a nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcription factors that yields twelve isoforms in humans, classified into promoters P1 or P2-associated groups with specific functions. Alterations in HNF4α isoforms have been associated with tumorigenesis. However, the distribution of its isoforms during progression from dysplasia to malignancy has not been studied, nor has it yet been studied in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, where both malignant and pre-malignant forms are routinely clinically identified. We examined the expression patterns of pan-promoter, P1-specific, and P2-specific isoform groups in normal pancreatic components and IPMNs. Pan-promoter, P1 and P2 nuclear expression were weakly positive in normal pancreatic components. Nuclear expression for all isoform groups was increased in low-grade IPMN, high-grade IPMN, and well-differentiated invasive adenocarcinoma. Poorly differentiated invasive components in IPMNs showed loss of all forms of HNF4α. Pan-promoter, and P1-specific HNF4α expression showed shifts in subnuclear and sub-anatomical distribution in IPMN, whereas P2 expression was consistently nuclear. Tumor cells with high-grade dysplasia at the basal interface with the stroma showed reduced expression of P1, while P2 was equally expressed in both components. Additional functional studies are warranted to further explore the mechanisms underlying the spatial and differential distribution of HNF4α isoforms in IPMNs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jahg Wong
- Department of Pathology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vincent Q Trinh
- Department of Pathology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nidhi Jyotsana
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jumanah F Baig
- Department of Pathology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Frank Revetta
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Chanjuan Shi
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Anna L Means
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Kathleen E DelGiorno
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Research Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Marcus Tan
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Division of Surgical Oncology and Endocrine Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1211 Medical Center Drive, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
- Vanderbilt Digestive Disease Research Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Zheng Y, Ziman B, Ho AS, Sinha UK, Xu LY, Li EM, Koeffler HP, Berman BP, Lin DC. Comprehensive analyses of partially methylated domains and differentially methylated regions in esophageal cancer reveal both cell-type- and cancer-specific epigenetic regulation. Genome Biol 2023; 24:193. [PMID: 37620896 PMCID: PMC10463844 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-023-03035-3] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As one of the most common malignancies, esophageal cancer has two subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, arising from distinct cells-of-origin. Distinguishing cell-type-specific molecular features from cancer-specific characteristics is challenging. RESULTS We analyze whole-genome bisulfite sequencing data on 45 esophageal tumor and nonmalignant samples from both subtypes. We develop a novel sequence-aware method to identify large partially methylated domains (PMDs), revealing profound heterogeneity at both methylation level and genomic distribution of PMDs across tumor samples. We identify subtype-specific PMDs that are associated with repressive transcription, chromatin B compartments and high somatic mutation rate. While genomic locations of these PMDs are pre-established in normal cells, the degree of loss is significantly higher in tumors. We find that cell-type-specific deposition of H3K36me2 may underlie genomic distribution of PMDs. At a smaller genomic scale, both cell-type- and cancer-specific differentially methylated regions (DMRs) are identified for each subtype. Using binding motif analysis within these DMRs, we show that a cell-type-specific transcription factor HNF4A maintains the binding sites that it generates in normal cells, while establishing new binding sites cooperatively with novel partners such as FOSL1 in esophageal adenocarcinoma. Finally, leveraging pan-tissue single-cell and pan-cancer epigenomic datasets, we demonstrate that a substantial fraction of cell-type-specific PMDs and DMRs identified here in esophageal cancer are actually markers that co-occur in other cancers originating from related cell types. CONCLUSIONS These findings advance our understanding of DNA methylation dynamics at various genomic scales in normal and malignant states, providing novel mechanistic insights into cell-type- and cancer-specific epigenetic regulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueyuan Zheng
- Clinical Big Data Research Center, Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, People's Republic of China
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Benjamin Ziman
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street - CSA 207D, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Allen S Ho
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Uttam K Sinha
- Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong, China
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Guangdong, China
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA
| | - Benjamin P Berman
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.
- Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, and Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 2250 Alcazar Street - CSA 207D, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Okano LM, Fonseca LMMD, Erthal ID, Malta TM. Epigenomic integrative analysis pinpoint master regulator transcription factors associated with tumorigenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue. Genet Mol Biol 2023; 46:e20220358. [PMID: 37338302 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2022-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) is a heterogeneous group of cancers, which includes cancers arising in the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Epidemiological studies have revealed that several factors such as tobacco and alcohol use, exposure to environmental pollutants, viral infection, and genetic factors are risk factors for developing HNC. The squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue (SCCOT), which is significantly more aggressive than the other forms of oral squamous cell carcinoma, presents a propensity for rapid local invasion and spread, and a high recurrence rate. Dysregulation in the epigenetic machinery of cancer cells might help uncover the mechanisms of SCOOT tumorigenesis. Here, we used DNA methylation changes to identify cancer-specific enhancers that were enriched for specific transcription factor binding sites (TFBS), and potential master regulator transcription factors (MRTF) associated with SCCOT. We identified the activation of MRTFs associated with increased invasiveness, metastasis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, poor prognosis, and stemness. On the other hand, we found the downregulation of MRTFs associated with tumor suppression. The identified MRTFs should be further investigated to clarify their role in oral cancer tumorigenesis and for their potential use as biological markers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Miyuki Okano
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Isabela Dias Erthal
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Tathiane Maistro Malta
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhou Q, Liu T, Qian W, Ji J, Cai Q, Jin Y, Jiang J, Zhang J. HNF4A-BAP31-VDAC1 axis synchronously regulates cell proliferation and ferroptosis in gastric cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:356. [PMID: 37296105 PMCID: PMC10256786 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05868-z] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
B cell receptor associated protein 31 (BAP31) is closely associated with tumor progression, while the role and mechanism of BAP31 in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. This study explored that BAP31 was upregulated in GC tissues and high expression indicated poor survival of GC patients. BAP31 knockdown inhibited cell growth and induced G1/S arrest. Moreover, BAP31 attenuation increased the lipid peroxidation level of the membrane and facilitated cellular ferroptosis. Mechanistically, BAP31 regulated cell proliferation and ferroptosis by directly binding to VDAC1 and affected VDAC1 oligomerization and polyubiquitination. HNF4A was bound to BAP31 at the promoter and increased its transcription. Furthermore, knockdown of BAP31 inclined to make GC cells vulnerable to 5-FU and ferroptosis inducer, erastin, in vivo and in vitro. Our work suggests that BAP31 may serve as prognostic factor for gastric cancer and act as potential therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Zhou
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- Department of Oncology, Ren ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Wenjing Qian
- Operating Room, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Ji
- Shanghai Institute of Digestive Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Qu Cai
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yangbing Jin
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jinling Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Horie M, Tanaka H, Suzuki M, Sato Y, Takata S, Takai E, Miyashita N, Saito A, Nakatani Y, Yachida S. An integrative epigenomic approach identifies ELF3 as an oncogenic regulator in ASCL1-positive neuroendocrine carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2023. [PMID: 36840413 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is a highly aggressive subtype of the neuroendocrine tumor with an extremely poor prognosis. We have previously conducted a comprehensive genomic analysis of over 100 cases of NEC of the gastrointestinal system (GIS-NEC) and unraveled its unique and organ-specific genomic drivers. However, the epigenomic features of GIS-NEC remain unexplored. In this study, we have described the epigenomic landscape of GIS-NEC and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) by integrating motif enrichment analysis from the assay of transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing (ATAC-seq) and enhancer profiling from a novel cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) assay for H3K27ac and identified ELF3 as one of the super-enhancer-related transcriptional factors in NEC. By combining CUT&Tag and knockdown RNA sequencing for ELF3, we uncovered the transcriptional network regulated by ELF3 and defined its distinctive gene signature, including AURKA, CDC25B, CLDN4, ITGB6, and YWAHB. Furthermore, a loss-of-function assay revealed that ELF3 depletion led to poor cell viability. Finally, using gene expression of clinical samples, we successfully divided GIS-NEC patients into two subgroups according to the ELF3 signature and demonstrated that tumor-promoting pathways were activated in the ELF3 signature-high group. Our findings highlight the transcriptional regulation of ELF3 as an oncogenic transcription factor and its tumor-promoting properties in NEC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masafumi Horie
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.,Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hidenori Tanaka
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masami Suzuki
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Sato
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - So Takata
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Erina Takai
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoya Miyashita
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Cell Biology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Akira Saito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Nakatani
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinichi Yachida
- Department of Cancer Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Integrated Frontier Research for Medical Science Division, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,Division of Genomic Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Besskaya V, Zhang H, Bian Y, Liang J, Bi G, Shan G, Zhan C, Lin Z. Hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha promotes the ferroptosis of lung adenocarcinoma via transcriptional activation of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15377. [PMID: 37180584 PMCID: PMC10174064 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Lung adenocarcinoma is one of the most prevalent cancers while ferroptosis is crucial for cancer therapies. This study aims to investigate the function and mechanism of hepatic nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) in lung adenocarcinomas' ferroptosis. Materials and Methods HNF4A expression in ferroptotic A549 cells was detected. Then HNF4A was knocked down in A549 cells while overexpressed in H23 cells. Cells with changed HNF4A expression were tested for cytotoxicity and the level of cellular lipid peroxidation. The expression of cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (POR) expression was examined after HNF4A was knocked down or overexpressed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR (ChIP-qPCR) and dual-luciferase assays were performed to validate the regulation of HNF4A on POR. Finally, POR was restored in HNF4A-altered cells to check whether it restores the effect of HNF4A on ferroptosis. Results We found that HNF4A expression significantly decreased in the ferroptosis of A549 cells, and this change can be blocked by deferoxamine, an inhibitor of ferroptosis. Knockdown of HNF4A inhibited ferroptosis in A549 cells while overexpression of HNF4A promoted ferroptosis in H23 cells. We identified a key ferroptosis-related gene, POR serves as a potential target gene of HNF4A, whose expression was significantly changed in lung adenocarcinoma cells knocking down or overexpressing HNF4A. We demonstrated that HNF4A was bound to the POR's promoter to enhance POR expression, and identified the binding sites via ChIP-qPCR and luciferase assays. Restoration of POR expression blocked the promoting effect of HNF4A on ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma. Conclusion HNF4A promotes POR expression through binding to the POR's promoter, and subsequently promotes the ferroptosis of lung adenocarcinoma.
Collapse
|
14
|
Blum AE, Ravillah D, Katabathula RM, Khalighi S, Varadan V, Guda K. HNF4A Defines Molecular Subtypes and Vulnerability to Transforming Growth Factor β-Pathway Targeted Therapies in Cancers of the Distal Esophagus. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:1457-1460. [PMID: 35934060 PMCID: PMC9613531 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.07.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Blum
- Division of Gastroenterology, Northeast Ohio Veteran Affairs Healthcare System, Cleveland, Ohio,; Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, and, Digestive Health Research Institute, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
| | - Durgadevi Ravillah
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ramachandra M Katabathula
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Sirvan Khalighi
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Vinay Varadan
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Kishore Guda
- Division of General Medical Sciences-Oncology, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, and, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Ogden S, Carys K, Ahmed I, Bruce J, Sharrocks AD. Regulatory chromatin rewiring promotes metabolic switching during adaptation to oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinase inhibition. Oncogene 2022; 41:4808-4822. [PMID: 36153371 PMCID: PMC9586873 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-022-02465-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) patients show poor survival rates and there are few targeted molecular therapies available. However, components of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) driven pathways are commonly mutated in OAC, typified by high frequency amplifications of the RTK ERBB2. ERBB2 can be therapeutically targeted, but this has limited clinical benefit due to the acquisition of drug resistance. Here we examined how OAC cells adapt to ERBB2 inhibition as they transition to a drug resistant state. ERBB2 inhibition triggers widespread remodelling of the accessible chromatin landscape and the underlying gene regulatory networks. The transcriptional regulators HNF4A and PPARGC1A play a key role in this network rewiring. Initially, inhibition of cell cycle associated gene expression programmes is observed, with compensatory increases in the programmes driving changes in metabolic activity. Both PPARGC1A and HNF4A are required for the acquisition of resistance to ERBB2 inhibition and PPARGC1A is instrumental in promoting a switch to dependency on oxidative phosphorylation. Our work therefore reveals the molecular pathways that support the acquisition of a resistant state and points to potential new therapeutic strategies to combat cellular adaptation and ensuing drug resistance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Ogden
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Kashmala Carys
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jason Bruce
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Andrew D Sharrocks
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Michael Smith Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Sang L, Wang X, Bai W, Shen J, Zeng Y, Sun J. The role of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4α) in tumorigenesis. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1011230. [PMID: 36249028 PMCID: PMC9554155 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1011230] [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: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 Alpha (HNF4α) is a master transcription factor mainly expressed in the liver, kidney, intestine and endocrine pancreas. It regulates multiple target genes involved in embryonic development and metabolism. HNF4α-related diseases include non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus. Recently, HNF4α has been emerging as a key player in a variety of cancers. In this review, we summarized the role and mechanism of HNF4α in different types of cancers, especially in liver and colorectal cancer, aiming to provide additional guidance for intervention of these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Xingshun Wang
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Weiyu Bai
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Junling Shen
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yuxi, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianwei Sun
- Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Exploring high-resolution chromatin interaction changes and functional enhancers of myogenic marker genes during myogenic differentiation. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102149. [PMID: 35787372 PMCID: PMC9352921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle differentiation (myogenesis) is a complex and highly coordinated biological process regulated by a series of myogenic marker genes. Chromatin interactions between gene’s promoters and their enhancers have an important role in transcriptional control. However, the high-resolution chromatin interactions of myogenic genes and their functional enhancers during myogenesis remain largely unclear. Here, we used circularized chromosome conformation capture coupled with next generation sequencing (4C-seq) to investigate eight myogenic marker genes in C2C12 myoblasts (C2C12-MBs) and C2C12 myotubes (C2C12-MTs). We revealed dynamic chromatin interactions of these marker genes during differentiation and identified 163 and 314 significant interaction sites (SISs) in C2C12-MBs and C2C12-MTs, respectively. The interacting genes of SISs in C2C12-MTs were mainly involved in muscle development, and histone modifications of the SISs changed during differentiation. Through functional genomic screening, we also identified 25 and 41 putative active enhancers in C2C12-MBs and C2C12-MTs, respectively. Using luciferase reporter assays for putative enhancers of Myog and Myh3, we identified eight activating enhancers. Furthermore, dCas9-KRAB epigenome editing and RNA-Seq revealed a role for Myog enhancers in the regulation of Myog expression and myogenic differentiation in the native genomic context. Taken together, this study lays the groundwork for understanding 3D chromatin interaction changes of myogenic genes during myogenesis and provides insights that contribute to our understanding of the role of enhancers in regulating myogenesis.
Collapse
|
18
|
Sengupta I, Mondal P, Sengupta A, Mondal A, Singh V, Adhikari S, Dhang S, Roy S, Das C. Epigenetic regulation of Fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase 1 by host transcription factor Speckled 110
kDa
during hepatitis B virus infection. FEBS J 2022; 289:6694-6713. [DOI: 10.1111/febs.16544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isha Sengupta
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
| | - Payel Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute Mumbai India
| | - Amrita Sengupta
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
| | - Atanu Mondal
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute Mumbai India
| | - Vipin Singh
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute Mumbai India
| | - Swagata Adhikari
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute Mumbai India
| | - Sinjini Dhang
- Structural Biology & Bio‐Informatics Division CSIR‐Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Kolkata India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Ghaziabad India
| | - Siddhartha Roy
- Structural Biology & Bio‐Informatics Division CSIR‐Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Kolkata India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR) Ghaziabad India
| | - Chandrima Das
- Biophysics and Structural Genomics Division Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata India
- Homi Bhaba National Institute Mumbai India
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading contributor to global cancer incidence and mortality. Pioneering genomic studies, focusing largely on primary GCs, revealed driver alterations in genes such as ERBB2, FGFR2, TP53 and ARID1A as well as multiple molecular subtypes. However, clinical efforts targeting these alterations have produced variable results, hampered by complex co-alteration patterns in molecular profiles and intra-patient genomic heterogeneity. In this Review, we highlight foundational and translational advances in dissecting the genomic cartography of GC, including non-coding variants, epigenomic aberrations and transcriptomic alterations, and describe how these alterations interplay with environmental influences, germline factors and the tumour microenvironment. Mapping of these alterations over the GC life cycle in normal gastric tissues, metaplasia, primary carcinoma and distant metastasis will improve our understanding of biological mechanisms driving GC development and promoting cancer hallmarks. On the translational front, integrative genomic approaches are identifying diverse mechanisms of GC therapy resistance and emerging preclinical targets, enabled by technologies such as single-cell sequencing and liquid biopsies. Validating these insights will require specifically designed GC cohorts, converging multi-modal genomic data with longitudinal data on therapeutic challenges and patient outcomes. Genomic findings from these studies will facilitate 'next-generation' clinical initiatives in GC precision oncology and prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Khay Guan Yeoh
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Patrick Tan
- Singapore Gastric Cancer Consortium, Singapore, Singapore.
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jiang J, Yuan J, Hu Z, Xu M, Zhang Y, Long M, Fan Y, Montone K, Tanyi JL, Tavana O, Chan HM, Zhang L, Hu X. Systematic pan-cancer characterization of nuclear receptors identifies potential cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cancer Res 2021; 82:46-59. [PMID: 34750098 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-3458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily is one of the major druggable gene families, representing targets of approximately 13.5% of approved drugs. Certain NRs, such as estrogen receptor and androgen receptor, have been well demonstrated to be functionally involved in cancer and serve as informative biomarkers and therapeutic targets in oncology. However, the spectrum of NR dysregulation across cancers remains to be comprehensively characterized. Through computational integration of genetic, genomic, and pharmacologic profiles, we characterized the expression, recurrent genomic alterations, and cancer dependency of NRs at a large scale across primary tumor specimens and cancer cell lines. Expression levels of NRs were highly cancer-type specific and globally downregulated in tumors compared to corresponding normal tissue. Although the majority of NRs showed copy number losses in cancer, both recurrent focal gains and losses were identified in select NRs. Recurrent mutations and transcript fusions of NRs were observed in a small portion of cancers, serving as actionable genomic alterations. Analysis of large-scale CRISPR and RNAi screening datasets identified 10 NRs as strongly selective essential genes for cancer cell growth. In a subpopulation of tumor cells, growth dependencies correlated significantly with expression or genomic alterations. Overall, our comprehensive characterization of NRs across cancers may facilitate the identification and prioritization of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, as well as the selection of patients for precision cancer treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiao Yuan
- Ob and Gyn, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Zhongyi Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania
| | - Mu Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | - Meixiao Long
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University
| | - Yi Fan
- Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - Ho Man Chan
- Bioscience, Research and Early Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca (United States)
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Mai H, Liao Y, Luo S, Wei K, Yang F, Shi H. Histone deacetylase HDAC2 silencing prevents endometriosis by activating the HNF4A/ARID1A axis. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:9972-9982. [PMID: 34586697 PMCID: PMC8572779 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is the most major cause of chronic pelvic pain in women of reproductive age. Moreover, the involvement of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) has been identified in endometriosis. However, the specific mechanism of HDAC2 remains to be further elusive. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the mechanism of HDAC2 orchestrating hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α/AT‐rich interactive domain 1A (HNF4A/ARID1A) axis in endometriosis. Endometriosis cell line hEM15A and clinical endometriosis tissues were obtained, followed by gain‐ and loss‐of‐function assays in hEM15A cells. HDAC2, HNF4A and ARID1A expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit‐8 Assay, invasion by Transwell assay and apoptosis by flow cytometry. HDAC2 enrichment in HNF4A promoter region and HNF4A enrichment in ARID1A promoter region was detected through chromatin immunoprecipitation. Mouse models of endometriosis were established, followed by immunohistochemistry of Ki‐67 expression and TUNEL staining of apoptosis in ectopic tissues. HDAC2 was upregulated but HNF4A and ARID1A were downregulated in endometriosis tissues. HDAC2 inhibited HNF4A expression by deacetylation, and HNF4A was enriched in ARID1A promoter region to activate ARID1A. Silencing HDAC2 or overexpressing HNF4A or ARID1A diminished the viability and invasion and augmented the apoptosis of hEM15A cells. HDAC2 silencing reduced the area and weight of endometriosis tissues, suppressed endometriosis cell proliferation and accelerated endometriosis cell apoptosis. The inhibitory action of silencing HDAC2 via HNF4A/ARID1A axis was reproduced in mouse models. Collectively, HDAC2 silencing might upregulate HNF4A via repression of deacetylation to activate ARID1A, thus preventing the occurrence of endometriosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Mai
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yan Liao
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Sufang Luo
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Kaiyi Wei
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Feng Yang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Haijuan Shi
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yang X, Cao N, Chen L, Liu L, Zhang M, Cao Y. Suppression of Cell Tumorigenicity by Non-neural Pro-differentiation Factors via Inhibition of Neural Property in Tumorigenic Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714383. [PMID: 34595169 PMCID: PMC8476888 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714383] [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: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our studies have demonstrated that cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential stem from neural stemness or a neural ground state, which is defined by a regulatory network of higher levels of machineries for basic cell physiological functions, including cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, spliceosome, epigenetic modification factors, reprogramming factors, etc., in addition to the neural stemness specific factors. These machineries and neural stemness factors mostly play cancer-promoting roles. It can be deduced that differentiation requires the repression of neural ground state and causes the reduction or loss of neural ground state and thus tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. Formerly, we showed that neuronal differentiation led to reduced tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. In the present study, we show that non-neural pro-differentiation factors, such as GATA3, HNF4A, HHEX, and FOXA3 that specify mesodermal or/and endodermal tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis, suppress tumorigenicity via repression of neural stemness and promotion of non-neural property in tumorigenic cells. Mechanistically, these transcription factors repress the transcription of neural enriched genes and meanwhile activate genes that specify non-neural properties via direct binding to the promoters of these genes. We also show that combined expression of HHEX and FOXA3 suppresses tumorigenesis effectively in the AOM/DSS model of colitis-associated cancer. We suggest that targeting the property of neural stemness could be an effective strategy for cancer therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Li LY, Yang Q, Jiang YY, Yang W, Jiang Y, Li X, Hazawa M, Zhou B, Huang GW, Xu XE, Gery S, Zhang Y, Ding LW, Ho AS, Zumsteg ZS, Wang MR, Fullwood MJ, Freedland SJ, Meltzer SJ, Xu LY, Li EM, Koeffler HP, Lin DC. Interplay and cooperation between SREBF1 and master transcription factors regulate lipid metabolism and tumor-promoting pathways in squamous cancer. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4362. [PMID: 34272396 PMCID: PMC8285542 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24656-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) comprise one of the most common histologic types of human cancer. Transcriptional dysregulation of SCC cells is orchestrated by tumor protein p63 (TP63), a master transcription factor (TF) and a well-researched SCC-specific oncogene. In the present study, both Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) of SCC patient samples and in vitro loss-of-function assays establish fatty-acid metabolism as a key pathway downstream of TP63. Further studies identify sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1) as a central mediator linking TP63 with fatty-acid metabolism, which regulates the biosynthesis of fatty-acids, sphingolipids (SL), and glycerophospholipids (GPL), as revealed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based lipidomics. Moreover, a feedback co-regulatory loop consisting of SREBF1/TP63/Kruppel like factor 5 (KLF5) is identified, which promotes overexpression of all three TFs in SCCs. Downstream of SREBF1, a non-canonical, SCC-specific function is elucidated: SREBF1 cooperates with TP63/KLF5 to regulate hundreds of cis-regulatory elements across the SCC epigenome, which converge on activating cancer-promoting pathways. Indeed, SREBF1 is essential for SCC viability and migration, and its overexpression is associated with poor survival in SCC patients. Taken together, these data shed light on mechanisms of transcriptional dysregulation in cancer, identify specific epigenetic regulators of lipid metabolism, and uncover SREBF1 as a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in SCC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li-Yan Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yan-Yi Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Wei Yang
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yuan Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiang Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Masaharu Hazawa
- Cell-Bionomics Research Unit, Innovative Integrated Bio-Research Core, Institute for Frontier Science Initiative, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Bo Zhou
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guo-Wei Huang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiu-E Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Sigal Gery
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ying Zhang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ling-Wen Ding
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Allen S Ho
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Zachary S Zumsteg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ming-Rong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Melissa J Fullwood
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stephen J Freedland
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA and the Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Stephen J Meltzer
- Departments of Medicine and Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Li-Yan Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| | - En-Min Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zheng Y, Huang G, Silva TC, Yang Q, Jiang YY, Koeffler HP, Lin DC, Berman BP. A pan-cancer analysis of CpG Island gene regulation reveals extensive plasticity within Polycomb target genes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2485. [PMID: 33931649 PMCID: PMC8087678 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22720-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
CpG Island promoter genes make up more than half of human genes, and a subset regulated by Polycomb-Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2+-CGI) become DNA hypermethylated and silenced in cancer. Here, we perform a systematic analysis of CGI genes across TCGA cancer types, finding that PRC2+-CGI genes are frequently prone to transcriptional upregulation as well. These upregulated PRC2+-CGI genes control important pathways such as Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and TNFα-associated inflammatory response, and have greater cancer-type specificity than other CGI genes. Using publicly available chromatin datasets and genetic perturbations, we show that transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) within distal enhancers underlie transcriptional activation of PRC2+-CGI genes, coinciding with loss of the PRC2-associated mark H3K27me3 at the linked promoter. In contrast, PRC2-free CGI genes are predominantly regulated by promoter TFBSs which are common to most cancer types. Surprisingly, a large subset of PRC2+-CGI genes that are upregulated in one cancer type are also hypermethylated/silenced in at least one other cancer type, underscoring the high degree of regulatory plasticity of these genes, likely derived from their complex regulatory control during normal development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yueyuan Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Guowei Huang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Tiago C Silva
- Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yan-Yi Jiang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Benjamin P Berman
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
BRD4 PROTAC degrader ARV-825 inhibits T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia by targeting 'Undruggable' Myc-pathway genes. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:230. [PMID: 33888130 PMCID: PMC8061034 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-01908-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive disease with a high risk of induction failure and poor outcomes, with relapse due to drug resistance. Recent studies show that bromodomains and extra-terminal (BET) protein inhibitors are promising anti-cancer agents. ARV-825, comprising a BET inhibitor conjugated with cereblon ligand, was recently developed to attenuate the growth of multiple tumors in vitro and in vivo. However, the functional and molecular mechanisms of ARV-825 in T-ALL remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism of ARV-825 in T-ALL. Methods Expression of the BRD4 were determined in pediatric T-ALL samples and differential gene expression after ARV-825 treatment was explored by RNA-seq and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. T-ALL cell viability was measured by CCK8 assay after ARV-825 administration. Cell cycle was analyzed by propidium iodide (PI) staining and apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V/PI staining. BRD4, BRD3 and BRD2 proteins were detected by western blot in cells treated with ARV-825. The effect of ARV-825 on T-ALL cells was analyzed in vivo. The functional and molecular pathways involved in ARV-825 treatment of T-ALL were verified by western blot and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Results BRD4 expression was higher in pediatric T-ALL samples compared with T-cells from healthy donors. High BRD4 expression indicated a poor outcome. ARV-825 suppressed cell proliferation in vitro by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis, with elevated poly-ADP ribose polymerase and cleaved caspase 3. BRD4, BRD3, and BRD2 were degraded in line with reduced cereblon expression in T-ALL cells. ARV-825 had a lower IC50 in T-ALL cells compared with JQ1, dBET1 and OTX015. ARV-825 perturbed the H3K27Ac-Myc pathway and reduced c-Myc protein levels in T-ALL cells according to RNA-seq and ChIP. In the T-ALL xenograft model, ARV-825 significantly reduced tumor growth and led to the dysregulation of Ki67 and cleaved caspase 3. Moreover, ARV-825 inhibited cell proliferation by depleting BET and c-Myc proteins in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions BRD4 indicates a poor prognosis in T-ALL. The BRD4 degrader ARV-825 can effectively suppress the proliferation and promote apoptosis of T-ALL cells via BET protein depletion and c-Myc inhibition, thus providing a new strategy for the treatment of T-ALL. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01908-w.
Collapse
|
26
|
Ma S, Zhou B, Yang Q, Pan Y, Yang W, Freedland SJ, Ding LW, Freeman MR, Breunig JJ, Bhowmick NA, Pan J, Koeffler HP, Lin DC. A Transcriptional Regulatory Loop of Master Regulator Transcription Factors, PPARG, and Fatty Acid Synthesis Promotes Esophageal Adenocarcinoma. Cancer Res 2021; 81:1216-1229. [PMID: 33402390 PMCID: PMC8026506 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Although obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for esophageal adenocarcinoma, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. We recently identified four esophageal adenocarcinoma-specific master regulator transcription factors (MRTF) ELF3, KLF5, GATA6, and EHF. In this study, gene-set enrichment analysis of both esophageal adenocarcinoma patient samples and cell line models unbiasedly underscores fatty acid synthesis as the central pathway downstream of three MRTFs (ELF3, KLF5, GATA6). Further characterizations unexpectedly identified a transcriptional feedback loop between MRTF and fatty acid synthesis, which mutually activated each other through the nuclear receptor, PPARG. MRTFs cooperatively promoted PPARG transcription by directly regulating its promoter and a distal esophageal adenocarcinoma-specific enhancer, leading to PPARG overexpression in esophageal adenocarcinoma. PPARG was also elevated in Barrett's esophagus, a recognized precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma, implying that PPARG might play a role in the intestinal metaplasia of esophageal squamous epithelium. Upregulation of PPARG increased de novo synthesis of fatty acids, phospholipids, and sphingolipids as revealed by mass spectrometry-based lipidomics. Moreover, ChIP-seq, 4C-seq, and a high-fat diet murine model together characterized a novel, noncanonical, and cancer-specific function of PPARG in esophageal adenocarcinoma. PPARG directly regulated the ELF3 super-enhancer, subsequently activating the transcription of other MRTFs through an interconnected regulatory circuitry. Together, elucidation of this novel transcriptional feedback loop of MRTF/PPARG/fatty acid synthesis advances our understanding of the mechanistic foundation for epigenomic dysregulation and metabolic alterations in esophageal adenocarcinoma. More importantly, this work identifies a potential avenue for prevention and early intervention of esophageal adenocarcinoma by blocking this feedback loop. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings elucidate a transcriptional feedback loop linking epigenomic dysregulation and metabolic alterations in esophageal adenocarcinoma, indicating that blocking this feedback loop could be a potential therapeutic strategy in high-risk individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sai Ma
- Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bo Zhou
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Yunzhi Pan
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Stephen J Freedland
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA and the Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Ling-Wen Ding
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Michael R Freeman
- Departments of Surgery and Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Joshua J Breunig
- Board of Governors Regenerative Medicine Institute and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - De-Chen Lin
- Department of Medicine, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Stavniichuk R, DeLaForest A, Thompson CA, Miller J, Souza RF, Battle MA. GATA4 blocks squamous epithelial cell gene expression in human esophageal squamous cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3206. [PMID: 33547361 PMCID: PMC7864948 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
GATA4 promotes columnar epithelial cell fate during gastric development. When ectopically expressed in the developing mouse forestomach, the tissue emerges as columnar-like rather than stratified squamous with gene expression changes that parallel those observed in the pre-malignant squamous to columnar metaplasia known as Barrett's esophagus (BE). GATA4 mRNA up-regulation and gene amplification occur in BE and its associated cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), and GATA4 gene amplification correlates with poor patient outcomes. Here, we explored the effect of ectopic expression of GATA4 in mature human esophageal squamous epithelial cells. We found that GATA4 expression in esophageal squamous epithelial cells compromised squamous cell marker gene expression and up-regulated expression of the canonical columnar cell cytokeratin KRT8. We observed GATA4 occupancy in the p63, KRT5, and KRT15 promoters, suggesting that GATA4 directly represses expression of squamous epithelial cell marker genes. Finally, we verified GATA4 protein expression in BE and EAC and found that exposure of esophageal squamous epithelial cells to acid and bile, known BE risk factors, induced GATA4 mRNA expression. We conclude that GATA4 suppresses expression of genes marking the stratified squamous epithelial cell lineage and that this repressive action by GATA4 may have implications in BE and EAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Stavniichuk
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Ann DeLaForest
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Cayla A Thompson
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - James Miller
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Rhonda F Souza
- Department of Medicine, Center for Esophageal Diseases, Baylor University Medical Center and Center for Esophageal Research, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Michele A Battle
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
FOXE1 Gene Dosage Affects Thyroid Cancer Histology and Differentiation In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010025. [PMID: 33375029 PMCID: PMC7792778 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Forkhead box E1 (FOXE1) is a key player in thyroid development and function and has been identified by genome-wide association studies as a susceptibility gene for papillary thyroid cancer. Several cancer-associated polymorphisms fall into gene regulatory regions and are likely to affect FOXE1 expression levels. However, the possibility that changes in FOXE1 expression modulate thyroid cancer development has not been investigated. Here, we describe the effects of FOXE1 gene dosage reduction on cancer phenotype in vivo. Mice heterozygous for FOXE1 null allele (FOXE1+/−) were crossed with a BRAFV600E-inducible cancer model to develop thyroid cancer in either a FOXE1+/+ or FOXE1+/− genetic background. In FOXE1+/+ mice, cancer histological features are quite similar to that of human high-grade papillary thyroid carcinomas, while cancers developed with reduced FOXE1 gene dosage maintain morphological features resembling less malignant thyroid cancers, showing reduced proliferation index and increased apoptosis as well. Such cancers, however, appear severely undifferentiated, indicating that FOXE1 levels affect thyroid differentiation during neoplastic transformation. These results show that FOXE1 dosage exerts pleiotropic effects on thyroid cancer phenotype by affecting histology and regulating key markers of tumor differentiation and progression, thus suggesting the possibility that FOXE1 could behave as lineage-specific oncogene in follicular cell-derived thyroid cancer.
Collapse
|
29
|
Chen Y, Xu L, Lin RYT, Müschen M, Koeffler HP. Core transcriptional regulatory circuitries in cancer. Oncogene 2020; 39:6633-6646. [PMID: 32943730 PMCID: PMC7581508 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-020-01459-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) coordinate the on-and-off states of gene expression typically in a combinatorial fashion. Studies from embryonic stem cells and other cell types have revealed that a clique of self-regulated core TFs control cell identity and cell state. These core TFs form interconnected feed-forward transcriptional loops to establish and reinforce the cell-type-specific gene-expression program; the ensemble of core TFs and their regulatory loops constitutes core transcriptional regulatory circuitry (CRC). Here, we summarize recent progress in computational reconstitution and biologic exploration of CRCs across various human malignancies, and consolidate the strategy and methodology for CRC discovery. We also discuss the genetic basis and therapeutic vulnerability of CRC, and highlight new frontiers and future efforts for the study of CRC in cancer. Knowledge of CRC in cancer is fundamental to understanding cancer-specific transcriptional addiction, and should provide important insight to both pathobiology and therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Chen
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
| | - Liang Xu
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore.
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA.
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
| | - Ruby Yu-Tong Lin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
| | - Markus Müschen
- Department of Systems Biology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center, Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - H Phillip Koeffler
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117599, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, 119074, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Control of Cell Identity by the Nuclear Receptor HNF4 in Organ Pathophysiology. Cells 2020; 9:cells9102185. [PMID: 32998360 PMCID: PMC7600215 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 (HNF4) is a transcription factor (TF) belonging to the nuclear receptor family whose expression and activities are restricted to a limited number of organs including the liver and gastrointestinal tract. In this review, we present robust evidence pointing to HNF4 as a master regulator of cellular differentiation during development and a safekeeper of acquired cell identity in adult organs. Importantly, we discuss that transient loss of HNF4 may represent a protective mechanism upon acute organ injury, while prolonged impairment of HNF4 activities could contribute to organ dysfunction. In this context, we describe in detail mechanisms involved in the pathophysiological control of cell identity by HNF4, including how HNF4 works as part of cell-specific TF networks and how its expression/activities are disrupted in injured organs.
Collapse
|