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Wang SE, Xiong Y, Jang MA, Park KS, Donahue M, Velez J, Jin J, Jiang YH. Newly developed oral bioavailable EHMT2 inhibitor as a potential epigenetic therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2662-2675. [PMID: 38796700 PMCID: PMC11405540 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.034] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is the prototypic genomic disorder resulting from deficiency of paternally expressed genes in the human chromosome 15q11-q13 region. The unique molecular mechanism involving epigenetic modifications renders PWS as the most attractive candidate to explore a proof-of-concept of epigenetic therapy in humans. The premise is that epigenetic modulations could reactivate the repressed PWS candidate genes from the maternal chromosome and offer therapeutic benefit. Our prior study identifies an EHMT2/G9a inhibitor, UNC0642, that reactivates the expression of PWS genes via reduction of H3K9me2. However, low brain permeability and poor oral bioavailability of UNC0642 preclude its advancement into translational studies in humans. In this study, a newly developed inhibitor, MS152, modified from the structure of UNC0642, has better brain penetration and greater potency and selectivity against EHMT2/G9a. MS152 reactivated maternally silenced PWS genes in PWS patient fibroblasts and in brain and liver tissues of PWS mouse models. Importantly, the molecular efficacy of oral administration is comparable with the intraperitoneal route. MS152 treatment in newborns ameliorates the perinatal lethality and poor growth, maintaining reactivation in a PWS mouse model at postnatal 90 days. Our findings provide strong support for MS152 as a first-in-class inhibitor to advance the epigenetic therapy of PWS in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Eun Wang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06520, USA
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mi-Ae Jang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Genetics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, South Korea
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Meaghan Donahue
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06520, USA
| | - Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06520, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06520, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street, New Haven CT 06520, USA.
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Lin L, Zou X, Nong W, Ge Y, Li F, Luo B, Zhang Q, Xie X. The potential value of cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancer: Prognostic markers and targets for immunotherapy. Immun Inflamm Dis 2024; 12:e1284. [PMID: 38896069 PMCID: PMC11186301 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.1284] [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: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor immunotherapy has become an important adjuvant therapy after surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. In recent years, the role of tumor-associated antigen (TAA) in tumor immunotherapy has become increasingly prominent. Cancer-testis antigen (CTA) is a kind of TAA that is highly restricted in a variety of tumors and can induce an immune response. AIMS This review article aimed to evaluate the role of CTA on the progression of ovarian cancer, its diagnostic efficacy, and the potential for immunotherapy. METHODS We analyzed publications and outlined a comprehensive of overview the regulatory mechanism, immunogenicity, clinical expression significance, tumorigenesis, and application prospects of CTA in ovarian cancer, with a particular focus on recent progress in CTA-based immunotherapy. RESULTS The expression of CTA affects the occurrence, development, and prognosis of ovarian cancer and is closely related to tumor immunity. CONCLUSION CTA can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of ovarian cancer and is an ideal target for antitumor immunotherapy. These findings provide novel insights on CTA in the improvement of diagnosis and treatment for ovarian cancer. The successes, current challenges and future prospects were also discussed to portray its significant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqiong Zou
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Weixia Nong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Ge
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bin Luo
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qingmei Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxun Xie
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medicine ScienceGuangxi Medical UniversityNanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous RegionKey Laboratory of Basic Research on Regional Diseases (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment of Regional High Frequency Tumor (Guangxi Medical University)NanningGuangxiPeople's Republic of China
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Velez J, Han Y, Yim H, Yang P, Deng Z, Park KS, Kabir M, Kaniskan HÜ, Xiong Y, Jin J. Discovery of the First-in-Class G9a/GLP PROTAC Degrader. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6397-6409. [PMID: 38602846 PMCID: PMC11069390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in numerous cancers. Recent studies have uncovered both catalytic and noncatalytic oncogenic functions of G9a/GLP. As such, G9a/GLP catalytic inhibitors have displayed limited anticancer activity. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader 10 (MS8709), as a potential anticancer therapeutic. 10 induces G9a/GLP degradation in a concentration-, time-, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner. Futhermore, 10 does not alter the mRNA expression of G9a/GLP and is selective for G9a/GLP over other methyltransferases. Moreover, 10 displays superior cell growth inhibition to the parent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 in prostate, leukemia, and lung cancer cells and has suitable mouse pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, 10 is a valuable chemical biology tool to further investigate the functions of G9a/GLP and a potential therapeutic for treating G9a/GLP-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yulin Han
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Peiyi Yang
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Zhijie Deng
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Md Kabir
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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Velez J, Han Y, Yim H, Yang P, Deng Z, Park KS, Kabir M, Kaniskan HÜ, Xiong Y, Jin J. Discovery of the First-in-class G9a/GLP PROTAC Degrader. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582210. [PMID: 38464025 PMCID: PMC10925177 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and di-methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in numerous cancers. Recent studies have uncovered both catalytic and non-catalytic oncogenic functions of G9a/GLP. As such, G9a/GLP catalytic inhibitors have displayed limited anticancer activity. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader, 10 (MS8709), as a potential anticancer therapeutic. 10 induces G9a/GLP degradation in a concentration-, time, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner, does not alter the mRNA expression of G9a/GLP and is selective for G9a/GLP over other methyltransferases. Moreover, 10 displays superior cell growth inhibition to the parent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 in prostate, leukemia, and lung cancer cells and has suitable mouse pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, 10 is a valuable chemical biology tool to further investigate the functions of G9a/GLP and a potential therapeutic for treating G9a/GLP-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yulin Han
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Peiyi Yang
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zhijie Deng
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kwang-su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Current address: College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, South Korea
| | - Md Kabir
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - H. Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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de Oliveira Filho RS, de Oliveira DA, Nisimoto MM, Marti LC. A Review of Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma Therapies and Their Mechanisms, from Immunotherapies to Lysine Histone Methyl Transferase Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5751. [PMID: 38136297 PMCID: PMC10741407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced cutaneous melanoma is considered to be the most aggressive type of skin cancer and has variable rates of treatment response. Currently, there are some classes of immunotherapy and target therapies for its treatment. Immunotherapy can inhibit tumor growth and its recurrence by triggering the host's immune system, whereas targeted therapy inhibits specific molecules or signaling pathways. However, melanoma responses to these treatments are highly heterogeneous, and patients can develop resistance. Epigenomics (DNA/histone modifications) contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Epigenetic alterations are divided into four levels of gene expression regulation: DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation. Deregulation of lysine methyltransferase enzymes is associated with tumor initiation, invasion, development of metastases, changes in the immune microenvironment, and drug resistance. The study of lysine histone methyltransferase (KMT) and nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitors is important for understanding cancer epigenetic mechanisms and biological processes. In addition to immunotherapy and target therapy, the research and development of KMT and NNMT inhibitors is ongoing. Many studies are exploring the therapeutic implications and possible side effects of these compounds, in addition to their adjuvant potential to the approved current therapies. Importantly, as with any drug development, safety, efficacy, and specificity are crucial considerations when developing methyltransferase inhibitors for clinical applications. Thus, this review article presents the recently available therapies and those in development for advanced cutaneous melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina–Universidade Federal de São Paulo–EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Arcuschin de Oliveira
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo–UNIFESP-Skin Cancer and Melanoma Fellow, São Paulo 04023-900, SP, Brazil;
| | | | - Luciana Cavalheiro Marti
- Experimental Research Department, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, SP, Brazil
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Yang X, Xu L, Yang L. Recent advances in EZH2-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115461. [PMID: 37156182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein is the catalytic subunit of one of the histone methyltransferases. EZH2 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) and further alters downstream target levels. EZH2 is upregulated in cancer tissues, wherein its levels correlate strongly with cancer genesis, progression, metastasis, and invasion. Consequently, it has emerged as a novel anticancer therapeutic target. Nonetheless, developing EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i) has encountered numerous difficulties, such as pre-clinical drug resistance and poor therapeutic effect. The EZH2i synergistically suppresses cancers when used in combination with additional antitumor drugs, such as PARP inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, BRD4 inhibitors, EZH1 inhibitors, and EHMT2 inhibitors. Typically, the use of dual inhibitors of two different targets mediated by one individual molecule has been recognized as the preferred approach for overcoming the limitations of EZH2 monotherapy. The present review discusses the theoretical basis for designing EZH2-based dual-target inhibitors, and also describes some in vitro and in vivo analysis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Lu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
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7
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Nin DS, Deng LW. Biology of Cancer-Testis Antigens and Their Therapeutic Implications in Cancer. Cells 2023; 12:cells12060926. [PMID: 36980267 PMCID: PMC10047177 DOI: 10.3390/cells12060926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumour-specific antigens have been an area of interest in cancer therapy since their discovery in the middle of the 20th century. In the era of immune-based cancer therapeutics, redirecting our immune cells to target these tumour-specific antigens has become even more relevant. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are a class of antigens with an expression specific to the testis and cancer cells. CTAs have also been demonstrated to be expressed in a wide variety of cancers. Due to their frequency and specificity of expression in a multitude of cancers, CTAs have been particularly attractive as cancer-specific therapeutic targets. There is now a rapid expansion of CTAs being identified and many studies have been conducted to correlate CTA expression with cancer and therapy-resistant phenotypes. Furthermore, there is an increasing number of clinical trials involving using some of these CTAs as molecular targets in pharmacological and immune-targeted therapeutics for various cancers. This review will summarise the current knowledge of the biology of known CTAs in tumorigenesis and the regulation of CTA genes. CTAs as molecular targets and the therapeutic implications of these CTA-targeted anticancer strategies will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawn Sijin Nin
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Lih-Wen Deng
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, MD 7, 8 Medical Drive, Singapore 117596, Singapore
- NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 14 Medical Drive, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- National University Cancer Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119074, Singapore
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8
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Discovery of cysteine-targeting covalent histone methyltransferase inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 246:115028. [PMID: 36528996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational methylation of histone lysine or arginine residues by histone methyltransferases (HMTs) plays crucial roles in gene regulation and diverse physiological processes and is implicated in a plethora of human diseases, especially cancer. Therefore, histone methyltransferases have been increasingly recognized as potential therapeutic targets. Consequently, the discovery and development of histone methyltransferase inhibitors have been pursued with steadily increasing interest over the past decade. However, the disadvantages of limited clinical efficacy, moderate selectivity, and propensity for acquired resistance have hindered the development of HMTs inhibitors. Targeted covalent modification represents a proven strategy for kinase drug development and has gained increasing attention in HMTs drug discovery. In this review, we focus on the discovery, characterization, and biological applications of covalent inhibitors for HMTs with emphasis on advancements in the field. In addition, we identify the challenges and future directions in this fast-growing research area of drug discovery.
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Gupta R, Jit BP, Kumar S, Mittan S, Tanwer P, Ray MD, Mathur S, Perumal V, Kumar L, Rath GK, Sharma A. Leveraging epigenetics to enhance the efficacy of cancer-testis antigen: a potential candidate for immunotherapy. Epigenomics 2022; 14:865-886. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy in women. The phenotype is characterized by delayed diagnosis, recurrence and drug resistance. Inherent immunogenicity potential, oncogenic function and expression of cancer-testis/germline antigen (CTA) in ovarian cancer render them a potential candidate for immunotherapy. Revolutionary clinical findings indicate that tumor antigen-mediated T-cell and dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches provide an excellent strategy for targeting tumors. Currently, dendritic cell vaccination for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma and CTA-based T-cell receptor transduced T-cell therapy involving MAGE-A4 and NY-ESO-1 are well documented and shown to be effective. This review highlighted the mechanical aspects of epigenetic drugs that can elicit a CTA-based humoral and cellular immune response and implicate T-cell and dendritic cell-based immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi Gupta
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Bimal Prasad Jit
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Santosh Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep Mittan
- Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY 10467, USA
| | - Pranay Tanwer
- Laboratory Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - M D Ray
- Department of Surgical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Sandeep Mathur
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Vanamail Perumal
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Lalit Kumar
- Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - G K Rath
- Department of Radiotherapy, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Ashok Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cancer Institute – India, Jhajjar Campus, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India
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10
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Park KS, Xiong Y, Yim H, Velez J, Babault N, Kumar P, Liu J, Jin J. Discovery of the First-in-Class G9a/GLP Covalent Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2022; 65:10506-10522. [PMID: 35763668 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The highly homologous protein lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in various human diseases. To investigate functions of G9a and GLP in human diseases, we and others reported several noncovalent reversible small-molecule inhibitors of G9a and GLP. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP covalent irreversible inhibitors, 1 and 8 (MS8511), by targeting a cysteine residue at the substrate binding site. We characterized these covalent inhibitors in enzymatic, mass spectrometry based and cellular assays and using X-ray crystallography. Compared to the noncovalent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642, covalent inhibitor 8 displayed improved potency in enzymatic and cellular assays. Interestingly, compound 8 also displayed potential kinetic preference for covalently modifying G9a over GLP. Collectively, compound 8 could be a useful chemical tool for studying the functional roles of G9a and GLP by covalently modifying and inhibiting these methyltransferases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Nicolas Babault
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Prashasti Kumar
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Sciences, Oncological Sciences and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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Elisha L, Abaev-Schneiderman E, Cohn O, Shapira G, Shomron N, Feldman M, Levy D. Structure-function conservation between the methyltransferases SETD3 and SETD6. Biochimie 2022; 200:27-35. [PMID: 35550916 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.05.003] [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: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Among the protein lysine methyltransferases family members, it appears that SETD6 is highly similar and closely related to SETD3. The two methyltransferases show high similarity in their structure, which raised the hypothesis that they share cellular functions. Using a proteomic screen, we identified 52 shared interacting-proteins. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis of the shared proteins revealed significant enrichment of proteins involved in transcription. Our RNA-seq data of SETD6 KO and SETD3 KO HeLa cells identified ∼100 up-regulated and down-regulated shared genes. We have also identified a substantial number of genes that changed dramatically in the double KO cells but did not significantly change in the single KO cells. GO analysis of these genes revealed enrichment of apoptotic genes. Accordingly, we show that the double KO cells displayed high apoptotic levels, suggesting that SETD6 and SETD3 inhibit apoptosis. Collectively, our data strongly suggest a functional link between SETD6 and SETD3 in the regulation of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Elisha
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Elina Abaev-Schneiderman
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Ofir Cohn
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Feldman
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Dan Levy
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Israel; The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O.B. 653, Be'er-Sheva, 84105, Israel.
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12
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Bertocci LA, Rovatti JR, Wu A, Morey A, Bose DD, Kinney SRM. Calcium handling genes are regulated by promoter DNA methylation in colorectal cancer cells. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 915:174698. [PMID: 34896109 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174698] [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: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Calcium signaling regulates various cellular processes, including proliferation and cell death. DNA methylation of gene promoters is an epigenetic modification that facilitates transcriptional suppression. Disruption of calcium homeostasis and DNA methylation in cancer are each linked to tumor development and progression. However, the possible connection between these two processes has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, we measured the expression of six gene families involved in calcium regulation (ATP2A, ITPR, ORAI, RyR, STIM, and TRPC) in a colorectal cancer cell model, HCT116, with either genetic (Double Knock-out/DKO) or pharmacological (5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine/DAC) inhibition of DNA methyltransferases. Fourteen of the 20 examined calcium handling genes were expressed at higher levels in DKO cells as compared to HCT116. Expression of five genes was increased in HCT116 cells treated with DAC, three matching DKO. Due to a unique expression pattern of the three ATP2A genes in our model, encoding the Sarcoplasmic/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase (SERCA) pumps, we chose to evaluate the methylation status of these genes, protein expression, and potential associated physiological effects, using the SERCA inhibitor thapsigarin (TG). We observed an expected pattern of promoter methylation coinciding with reduced expression and vice versa. This differential mRNA expression was associated with altered SERCA3 protein expression and cytosolic calcium levels with TG exposure. As a result, DKO cells displayed less TG-induced cytotoxicity, as compared to HCT116 cells. Overall, it is likely that at least several calcium regulatory genes are transcriptionally regulated by DNA methylation, and this may play a role in tumorigenesis through altering apoptosis in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Bertocci
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
| | - Jeffrey R Rovatti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
| | - Alex Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
| | - Amber Morey
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
| | - Diptiman D Bose
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
| | - Shannon R M Kinney
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Western New England University, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Springfield, MA, USA.
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13
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Nielsen AY, Ormhøj M, Traynor S, Gjerstorff MF. Augmenting engineered T-cell strategies in solid cancers through epigenetic priming. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2020; 69:2169-2178. [PMID: 32648166 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-020-02661-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
T-cell receptor (TCR)- and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based adoptive cell transfer (ACT) has shown promising results in hematological malignancies, but remains immature in solid cancers. The challenges associated with identification of tumor-specific targets, the heterogenic antigen expression, limited T-cell trafficking to tumor sites and the hostile tumor microenvironment (TME), are all factors contributing to the limited efficacy of ACT therapies against solid tumors. Epigenetic priming of tumor cells and the microenvironment may be a way of overcoming these obstacles and improving the clinical efficacy of adoptive T-cell therapies in the future. Here, we review the current literature and suggest combining epigenetic modulators and ACT strategies as a way of augmenting the efficacy of TCR- and CAR-engineered T cells against solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaraby Y Nielsen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Maria Ormhøj
- Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark. .,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. .,Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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14
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Sharma A, Albahrani M, Zhang W, Kufel CN, James SR, Odunsi K, Klinkebiel D, Karpf AR. Epigenetic activation of POTE genes in ovarian cancer. Epigenetics 2019; 14:185-197. [PMID: 30764732 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2019.1581590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The POTE gene family consists of 14 homologous genes localized to autosomal pericentromeres, and a sub-set of POTEs are cancer-testis antigen (CTA) genes. POTEs are over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), including the high-grade serous subtype (HGSC), and expression of individual POTEs correlates with chemoresistance and reduced survival in HGSC. The mechanisms driving POTE overexpression in EOC and other cancers is unknown. Here, we investigated the role of epigenetics in regulating POTE expression, with a focus on DNA hypomethylation. Consistent with their pericentromeric localization, Pan-POTE expression in EOC correlated with expression of the pericentromeric repeat NBL2, which was not the case for non-pericentromeric CTAs. POTE genomic regions contain LINE-1 (L1) sequences, and Pan-POTE expression correlated with both global and POTE-specific L1 hypomethylation in EOC. Analysis of individual POTEs using RNA-seq and DNA methylome data from fallopian tube epithelia (FTE) and HGSC revealed that POTEs C, E, and F have increased expression in HGSC in conjunction with DNA hypomethylation at 5' promoter or enhancer regions. Moreover, POTEs C/E/F showed additional increased expression in recurrent HGSC in conjunction with 5' hypomethylation, using patient-matched samples. Experiments using decitabine treatment and DNMT knockout cell lines verified a functional contribution of DNA methylation to POTE repression, and epigenetic drug combinations targeting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone methyltransferases (HMTs) in combination with decitabine further increased POTE expression. In summary, several alterations of the cancer epigenome, including pericentromeric activation, global and locus-specific L1 hypomethylation, and locus-specific 5' CpG hypomethylation, converge to promote POTE expression in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Sharma
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Mustafa Albahrani
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Wa Zhang
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Christina N Kufel
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Smitha R James
- c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- d Department of Immunology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,e Department of Gynecologic Oncology , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA.,f Center for Immunotherapy , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,g Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- a Eppley Institute , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,b Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center , University of Nebraska Medical Center , Omaha , NE , USA.,c Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics , Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center , Buffalo , NY , USA
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15
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Xie K, Fu C, Wang S, Xu H, Liu S, Shao Y, Gong Z, Wu X, Xu B, Han J, Xu J, Xu P, Jia X, Wu J. Cancer-testis antigens in ovarian cancer: implication for biomarkers and therapeutic targets. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:1. [PMID: 30609934 PMCID: PMC6318940 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-018-0475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer remains the most fatal gynecologic malignancy worldwide due to delayed diagnosis as well as recurrence and drug resistance. Thus, the development of new tumor-related molecules with high sensitivity and specificity to replace or supplement existing tools is urgently needed. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are exclusively expressed in normal testis tissues but abundantly found in several types of cancers, including ovarian cancer. Numerous novel CTAs have been identified by high-throughput sequencing techniques, and some aberrantly expressed CTAs are associated with ovarian cancer initiation, clinical outcomes and chemotherapy resistance. More importantly, CTAs are immunogenic and may be novel targets for antigen-specific immunotherapy in ovarian cancer. In this review, we attempt to characterize the expression of candidate CTAs in ovarian cancer and their clinical significance as biomarkers, activation mechanisms, function in malignant phenotypes and applications in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaipeng Xie
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Chenyang Fu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Suli Wang
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Hanzi Xu
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Siyu Liu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Yang Shao
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Zhen Gong
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xiaoli Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Bo Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Jing Han
- Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210009, China
| | - Juan Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Pengfei Xu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China
| | - Xuemei Jia
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
| | - Jiangping Wu
- The Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210004, China.
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16
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Wang C, Shu L, Zhang C, Li W, Wu R, Guo Y, Yang Y, Kong AN. Histone Methyltransferase Setd7 Regulates Nrf2 Signaling Pathway by Phenethyl Isothiocyanate and Ursolic Acid in Human Prostate Cancer Cells. Mol Nutr Food Res 2018; 62:e1700840. [PMID: 29383876 PMCID: PMC6226019 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201700840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE This study aims to investigate the role of the epigenetic regulator SET domain-containing lysine methyltransferase 7 (Setd7) in regulating the antioxidant Nrf2 pathway in prostate cancer (PCa) cells and examines the effects of two phytochemicals, phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and ursolic acid (UA). METHODS AND RESULTS Lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown of Setd7 in LNCaP and PC-3 cells decreases the expression of downstream Nrf2 targets, such as NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (Nqo1) and glutathione S-transferase theta 2 (Gstt2). Downregulation of Setd7 decreases soft agar colony formation ability of PCa cells. Knockdown of Setd7 increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Furthermore, Setd7 knockdown attenuates Nqo1 and Gstt2 expression in response to H2 O2 challenge, whereas increased DNA damage is observed in Setd7 knockdown cells in comet assay. Interestingly, Setd7 expression could be induced by the dietary phytochemicals PEITC and UA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays show that Setd7 knockdown decreased H3K4me1 enrichment in the Nrf2 and Gstt2 promoter regions, while PEITC and UA treatments elevated the enrichment. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results indicate that Setd7 knockdown decreases Nrf2 and Nrf2-target genes expression and that PEITC and UA induce Setd7 expression, which activates the Nrf2/antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway and protects DNA from oxidative damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Limin Shu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Chengyue Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Wenji Li
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Renyi Wu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Yue Guo
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Yuqing Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
| | - Ah-Ng Kong
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Center for Phytochemical Epigenome Studies, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, USA
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17
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Yang Y, Shen J, Yan D, Yuan B, Zhang S, Wei J, Du T. Euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 1 regulates cancer development in human gastric cancer by regulating E-cadherin. Oncol Lett 2018; 15:9480-9486. [PMID: 29844834 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2018.8506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) is among the most aggressive types of cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. The specific role of deregulated expression/activity of histone methyltransferases (HMTs) in GC is poorly understood. The present study aimed to explore the possible oncogenic role of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1) in gastric carcinogenesis. It was identified that EHMT1 was highly expressed in GC tissues compared with that in adjacent non-tumor tissues, and that EHMT1 expression levels were significantly associated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis. Through knockdown of EHMT1 in the BGC-803 cell line, EHMT1 was demonstrated to promote a malignant phenotype, and to increase the wound healing, migration and invasion abilities of GC cells. Corresponding to these in vitro results, knockdown of EHMT1 also inhibited the peritoneal metastasis of GC cells in vivo. Furthermore, EHMT1 also regulated the expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker E-cadherin in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that EHMT1 is upregulated in GC and serves an oncogenic role in GC development by regulating E-cadherin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Jianfeng Shen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Dongyi Yan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Biao Yuan
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
| | - Tao Du
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, P.R. China
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18
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Zhang W, Barger CJ, Eng KH, Klinkebiel D, Link PA, Omilian A, Bshara W, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation in epithelial ovarian cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:45352-45369. [PMID: 27322684 PMCID: PMC5216727 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PRAME is a cancer-testis antigen (CTA) and potential immuno-therapeutic target, but has not been well-studied in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) or its high grade serous (HGSC) subtype. Compared to normal ovary, PRAME expression was significantly increased most EOC, regardless of stage and grade. Interestingly, PRAME mRNA expression was associated with improved survival in the HGSC subtype. The PRAME locus was a frequent target for copy number alterations (CNA) in HGSC but most changes were heterozygous losses, indicating that elevated PRAME expression is not typically due to CNA. In contrast, PRAME promoter DNA hypomethylation was very common in EOC and HGSC and correlated with increased PRAME expression. PRAME expression and promoter hypomethylation both correlated with LINE-1 hypomethylation, a biomarker of global DNA hypomethylation. Pharmacologic or genetic disruption of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymes activated PRAME expression in EOC cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of PRAME in EOC revealed frequent, but low level, protein expression, and expression was confined to epithelial cells and localized to the cytoplasm. Cytoplasmic PRAME expression was positively associated with PRAME mRNA expression and negatively associated with promoter methylation, but the latter correlation was not statistically significant. PRAME protein expression did not correlate with EOC clinicopathology or survival. In summary, PRAME is frequently expressed in EOC at the mRNA and protein levels, and DNA methylation is a key mechanism regulating its expression. These data support PRAME as an immunotherapy target in EOC, and suggest treatment with DNMT inhibitors as a means to augment PRAME immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wa Zhang
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Current address: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kevin H Eng
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - David Klinkebiel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Petra A Link
- Department of Pharmacology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Angela Omilian
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Wiam Bshara
- Department of Pathology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA.,Center for Immunotherapy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.,Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
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19
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Abstract
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Post-translational
modifications of histones by protein methyltransferases
(PMTs) and histone demethylases (KDMs) play an important role in the
regulation of gene expression and transcription and are implicated
in cancer and many other diseases. Many of these enzymes also target
various nonhistone proteins impacting numerous crucial biological
pathways. Given their key biological functions and implications in
human diseases, there has been a growing interest in assessing these
enzymes as potential therapeutic targets. Consequently, discovering
and developing inhibitors of these enzymes has become a very active
and fast-growing research area over the past decade. In this review,
we cover the discovery, characterization, and biological application
of inhibitors of PMTs and KDMs with emphasis on key advancements in
the field. We also discuss challenges, opportunities, and future directions
in this emerging, exciting research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ümit Kaniskan
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Michael L Martini
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Departments of Pharmacological Sciences and Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York, New York 10029, United States
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20
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DNA methylation of the Fthl17 5'-upstream region regulates differential Fthl17 expression in lung cancer cells and germline stem cells. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0172219. [PMID: 28207785 PMCID: PMC5312872 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Ferritin heavy polypeptide-like 17 (Fthl17) gene is a member of the cancer/testis antigen gene family, and is preferentially expressed in cancer cells and in testis. Although DNA methylation has been linked to the regulation of human FTHL17 gene expression, detailed epigenetic regulation of its expression has not been investigated. To address this, we assessed the epigenetic regulation of murine Fthl17 gene expression in cancer cells and germ cells. Fthl17 was more highly expressed in testis, a murine lung cancer cell line, KLN205, and in germline stem cells (GSCs) than in normal lung tissues. Furthermore, the Fthl17 expression level in GSCs was significantly higher than in KLN205 cells. We performed bisulfite-sequencing and luciferase (luc) reporter assays to examine the role of DNA methylation of the Fthl17 promoter in the regulation of Fthl17 expression. In KLN205 cells, testis, and GSCs, the Fthl17 5’-upstream region was hypo-methylated compared with normal lung tissues. Luc reporter assays indicated that hypo-methylation of the -0.6 kb to 0 kb region upstream from the transcription start site (TSS) was involved in the up-regulation of Fthl17 expression in KLN205 cells and GSCs. Because the -0.6 kb to -0.3 kb or the -0.3 kb to 0 kb region were relatively more hypo-methylated in KLN205 cells and in GSCs, respectively, compared with other regions between -0.6 kb to 0 kb, those regions may contribute to Fthl17 up-regulation in each cell type. Following treatment with 5-Azacytidine, the -0.3 kb to 0 kb region became hypo-methylated, and Fthl17 expression was up-regulated in KLN205 cells to a level comparable to that in GSCs. Together, the results suggest that hypo-methylation of different but adjacent regions immediately upstream of the Fthl17 gene contribute to differential expression levels in lung cancer cells and GSCs, and hypo-methylation of the TSS-proximal region may be critical for high level expression.
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Genetic determinants of FOXM1 overexpression in epithelial ovarian cancer and functional contribution to cell cycle progression. Oncotarget 2016; 6:27613-27. [PMID: 26243836 PMCID: PMC4695012 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The FOXM1 transcription factor network is frequently activated in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC), the most common and lethal subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). We used primary human EOC tissues, HGSOC cell lines, mouse and human ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells, and a murine transgenic ovarian cancer model to investigate genetic determinants of FOXM1 overexpression in EOC, and to begin to define its functional contribution to disease pathology. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data indicated that the FOXM1 locus is amplified in ~12% of HGSOC, greater than any other tumor type examined, and that FOXM1 amplification correlates with increased expression and poor survival. In an independent set of primary EOC tissues, FOXM1 expression correlated with advanced stage and grade. Of the three known FOXM1 isoforms, FOXM1c showed highest expression in EOC. In murine OSE cells, combined knockout of Rb1 and Trp53 synergistically induced FOXM1. Consistently, human OSE cells immortalized with SV40 Large T antigen (IOSE-SV) had significantly higher FOXM1 expression than OSE immortalized with hTERT (IOSE-T). FOXM1 was overexpressed in murine ovarian tumors driven by combined Rb1/Trp53 disruption. FOXM1 induction in IOSE-SV cells was partially dependent on E2F1, and FOXM1 expression correlated with E2F1 expression in human EOC tissues. Finally, FOXM1 functionally contributed to cell cycle progression and relevant target gene expression in human OSE and HGSOC cell models. In summary, gene amplification, p53 and Rb disruption, and E2F1 activation drive FOXM1 expression in EOC, and FOXM1 promotes cell cycle progression in EOC cell models.
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Auclair G, Borgel J, Sanz LA, Vallet J, Guibert S, Dumas M, Cavelier P, Girardot M, Forné T, Feil R, Weber M. EHMT2 directs DNA methylation for efficient gene silencing in mouse embryos. Genome Res 2015; 26:192-202. [PMID: 26576615 PMCID: PMC4728372 DOI: 10.1101/gr.198291.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The extent to which histone modifying enzymes contribute to DNA methylation in mammals remains unclear. Previous studies suggested a link between the lysine methyltransferase EHMT2 (also known as G9A and KMT1C) and DNA methylation in the mouse. Here, we used a model of knockout mice to explore the role of EHMT2 in DNA methylation during mouse embryogenesis. The Ehmt2 gene is expressed in epiblast cells but is dispensable for global DNA methylation in embryogenesis. In contrast, EHMT2 regulates DNA methylation at specific sequences that include CpG-rich promoters of germline-specific genes. These loci are bound by EHMT2 in embryonic cells, are marked by H3K9 dimethylation, and have strongly reduced DNA methylation in Ehmt2−/− embryos. EHMT2 also plays a role in the maintenance of germline-derived DNA methylation at one imprinted locus, the Slc38a4 gene. Finally, we show that DNA methylation is instrumental for EHMT2-mediated gene silencing in embryogenesis. Our findings identify EHMT2 as a critical factor that facilitates repressive DNA methylation at specific genomic loci during mammalian development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghislain Auclair
- CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, 67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Julie Borgel
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Lionel A Sanz
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Judith Vallet
- CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, 67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Sylvain Guibert
- CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, 67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Michael Dumas
- CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, 67412 Illkirch, France
| | - Patricia Cavelier
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Girardot
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Thierry Forné
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Robert Feil
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, CNRS UMR5535, University of Montpellier, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Michael Weber
- CNRS, University of Strasbourg, UMR7242 Biotechnology and Cell Signaling, 67412 Illkirch, France
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Zhang X, Huang Y, Shi X. Emerging roles of lysine methylation on non-histone proteins. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4257-72. [PMID: 26227335 PMCID: PMC11114002 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2001-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/24/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Lysine methylation is a common posttranslational modification (PTM) of histones that is important for the epigenetic regulation of transcription and chromatin in eukaryotes. Increasing evidence demonstrates that in addition to histones, lysine methylation also occurs on various non-histone proteins, especially transcription- and chromatin-regulating proteins. In this review, we will briefly describe the histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs) that have a broad spectrum of non-histone substrates. We will use p53 and nuclear receptors, especially estrogen receptor alpha, as examples to discuss the dynamic nature of non-histone protein lysine methylation, the writers, erasers, and readers of these modifications, and the crosstalk between lysine methylation and other PTMs in regulating the functions of the modified proteins. Understanding the roles of lysine methylation in normal cells and during development will shed light on the complex biology of diseases associated with the dysregulation of lysine methylation on both histones and non-histone proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zhang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yaling Huang
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiaobing Shi
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Cancer Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- The Genes and Development and the Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Programs, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Srivastava P, Paluch BE, Matsuzaki J, James SR, Collamat-Lai G, Taverna P, Karpf AR, Griffiths EA. Immunomodulatory action of the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor SGI-110 in epithelial ovarian cancer cells and xenografts. Epigenetics 2015; 10:237-46. [PMID: 25793777 PMCID: PMC4623048 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1017198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to determine the effect of SGI-110 on methylation and expression of the cancer testis antigens (CTAs) NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells in vitro and in vivo and to establish the impact of SGI-110 on expression of major histocompatibility (MHC) class I and Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (ICAM-1) on EOC cells, and on recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. We also tested the impact of combined SGI-110 and NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells on tumor growth and/or murine survival in a xenograft setting. EOC cells were treated with SGI-110 in vitro at various concentrations and as tumor xenografts with 3 distinct dose schedules. Effects on global methylation (using LINE-1), NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A methylation, mRNA, and protein expression were determined and compared to controls. SGI-110 treated EOC cells were evaluated for expression of immune-modulatory genes using flow cytometry, and were co-cultured with NY-ESO-1 specific T-cell clones to determine immune recognition. In vivo administration of SGI-110 and CD8+ T-cells was performed to determine anti-tumor effects on EOC xenografts. SGI-110 treatment induced hypomethylation and CTA gene expression in a dose dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo, at levels generally superior to azacitidine or decitabine. SGI-110 enhanced the expression of MHC I and ICAM-1, and enhanced recognition of EOC cells by NY-ESO-1-specific CD8+ T-cells. Sequential SGI-110 and antigen-specific CD8+ cell treatment restricted EOC tumor growth and enhanced survival in a xenograft setting. SGI-110 is an effective hypomethylating agent and immune modulator and, thus, an attractive candidate for combination with CTA-directed vaccines in EOC.
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Key Words
- AZA, Azacitidine (5-azacytidine)
- CTA, Cancer-testis antigen or cancer-germline antigen
- CTAG1B, Cancer/testis antigen 1B
- DAC, Decitabine (5-aza-2′-deoxycitidine)
- DNA methylation
- DNA methyltransferase inhibitors
- DNA, Deoxyribonucleic acid
- DNMTi, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor
- EOC, Epithelial ovarian cancer
- HLA, Human leukocyte antigen
- ICAM-1, Intracellular Adhesion Molecule 1
- LINE-1, Long interspersed nuclear element-1
- MAGE-A, Melanoma antigen family A
- MHC, Major histocompatibility complex
- NY-ESO-1, New york esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1
- RNA, Ribonucleic acid
- SGI-110
- cancer germline genes
- cancer testis antigens
- epigenetics
- epithelial ovarian cancer
- immune modulation
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Srivastava
- a Department of Medicine; Roswell Park Cancer Institute ; Buffalo NY USA
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25
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Maussion G, Diallo AB, Gigek CO, Chen ES, Crapper L, Théroux JF, Chen GG, Vasuta C, Ernst C. Investigation of genes important in neurodevelopment disorders in adult human brain. Hum Genet 2015; 134:1037-53. [PMID: 26194112 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-015-1584-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Several neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are caused by mutations in genes expressed in fetal brain, but little is known about these same genes in adult human brain. Here, we test the hypothesis that genes associated with NDDs continue to have a role in adult human brain to explore the idea that NDD symptoms may be partially a result of their adult function rather than just their neurodevelopmental function. To demonstrate adult brain function, we performed expression analyses and ChIPseq in human neural stem cell(NSC) lines at different developmental stages and adult human brain, targeting two genes associated with NDDs, SATB2 and EHMT1, and the WNT signaling gene TCF7L2, which has not been associated with NDDs. Analysis of DNA interaction sites in neural stem cells reveals high (40-50 %) overlap between proliferating and differentiating cells for each gene in temporal space. Studies in adult brain demonstrate that consensus sites are similar to NSCs but occur at different genomic locations. We also performed expression analyses using BrainSpan data for NDD-associated genes SATB2, EHMT1, FMR1, MECP2, MBD5, CTNND2, RAI1, CHD8, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, TCF4, SCN2A, and DYRK1A and find high expression of these genes in adult brain, at least comparable to developing human brain, confirming that genes associated with NDDs likely have a role in adult tissue. Adult function of genes associated with NDDs might be important in clinical disease presentation and may be suitable targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilles Maussion
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Alpha B Diallo
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Carolina O Gigek
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth S Chen
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- Disciplina de Genética, Departamento de Morfologia e Genética, Escola Paulista de Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Liam Crapper
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Jean-Francois Théroux
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Gary G Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Cristina Vasuta
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Carl Ernst
- Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
- McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
- Douglas Hospital Research Institute, 6875 LaSalle Boulevard, Frank Common Building, Room 2101.2, Verdun, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada.
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26
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Abstract
Mounting evidence suggests that protein methyltransferases (PMTs), which catalyze methylation of histone and nonhistone proteins, play a crucial role in diverse biological processes and human diseases. In particular, PMTs have been recognized as major players in regulating gene expression and chromatin state. PMTs are divided into two categories: protein lysine methyltransferases (PKMTs) and protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). There has been a steadily growing interest in these enzymes as potential therapeutic targets and therefore discovery of PMT inhibitors has also been pursued increasingly over the past decade. Here, we present a perspective on selective, small-molecule inhibitors of PMTs with an emphasis on their discovery, characterization, and applicability as chemical tools for deciphering the target PMTs' physiological functions and involvement in human diseases. We highlight the current state of PMT inhibitors and discuss future directions and opportunities for PMT inhibitor discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Ümit Kaniskan
- Department of Structural and Chemical Biology, ‡Department of Oncological Sciences, §Department of Pharmacology and Systems Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , 1425 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10029, United States
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27
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Sigalotti L, Fratta E, Coral S, Maio M. Epigenetic drugs as immunomodulators for combination therapies in solid tumors. Pharmacol Ther 2013; 142:339-50. [PMID: 24384533 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Continuously improving knowledge of the fine mechanisms regulating cross-talk between immune cells, and of their multi-faceted interactions with cancer cells, has prompted the development of several novel immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer treatment. Among these, modulation of the host's immune system by targeting immunological synapses has shown notable clinical efficacy in different tumor types. Despite this, objective clinical responses and, more importantly, long-term survival are achieved only by a fraction of patients; therefore, identification of the mechanism(s) responsible for the differential effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade in specific patient populations is an area of intense investigation. Neoplastic cells can activate multiple mechanisms to escape from immune control; among these, epigenetic reprogramming is emerging as a key player. Selected tumor-associated antigens, Human Leukocyte Antigens, and accessory/co-stimulatory molecules required for efficient recognition of neoplastic cells by the immune system have been shown to be epigenetically silenced or down-regulated in cancer. Consistent with the inherent reversibility of epigenetic silencing, "epigenetic" drugs, such as inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases and of histone deacetylases, can restore the functional expression of these down-regulated molecules, thus improving the recognition of cancer cells by both the innate and adaptive immune responses. This review focuses on the immunomodulatory activity of epigenetic drugs and on their proposed clinical use in novel combined chemo-immunotherapeutic regimens for the treatment of solid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Sigalotti
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Fratta
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Aviano, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sandra Coral
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Maio
- Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Siena, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Siena, Italy.
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28
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Liu F, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Li F, Xiong Y, Korboukh V, Huang XP, Allali-Hassani A, Janzen WP, Roth BL, Frye SV, Arrowsmith CH, Brown PJ, Vedadi M, Jin J. Discovery of an in vivo chemical probe of the lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP. J Med Chem 2013; 56:8931-42. [PMID: 24102134 PMCID: PMC3880643 DOI: 10.1021/jm401480r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Among epigenetic "writers", "readers", and "erasers", the lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2) and nonhistone proteins, have been implicated in a variety of human diseases. A "toolkit" of well-characterized chemical probes will allow biological and disease hypotheses concerning these proteins to be tested in cell-based and animal models with high confidence. We previously discovered potent and selective G9a/GLP inhibitors including the cellular chemical probe UNC0638, which displays an excellent separation of functional potency and cell toxicity. However, this inhibitor is not suitable for animal studies due to its poor pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Here, we report the discovery of the first G9a and GLP in vivo chemical probe UNC0642, which not only maintains high in vitro and cellular potency, low cell toxicity, and excellent selectivity, but also displays improved in vivo PK properties, making it suitable for animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yan Xiong
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Victoria Korboukh
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Xi-Ping Huang
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Abdellah Allali-Hassani
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - William P. Janzen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Bryan L. Roth
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Cheryl H. Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter J. Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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29
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Abstract
Tumor cells frequently exhibit widespread epigenetic aberrations that significantly alter the repertoire of expressed proteins. In particular, it has been known for nearly 25 years that tumors frequently reactivate genes whose expression is typically restricted to germ cells. These gene products are classified as cancer/testis antigens (CTAs) owing to their biased expression pattern and their immunogenicity in cancer patients. While these genes have been pursued as targets for anticancer vaccines, whether these reactivated testis proteins have roles in supporting tumorigenic features is less studied. Recent evidence now indicates that these proteins can be directly employed by the tumor cell regulatory environment to support cell-autonomous behaviors. Here, we review the history of the CTA field and present recent findings indicating that CTAs can play functional roles in supporting tumorigenesis.
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Ikeda R, Shiura H, Numata K, Sugimoto M, Kondo M, Mise N, Suzuki M, Greally JM, Abe K. Large, male germ cell-specific hypomethylated DNA domains with unique genomic and epigenomic features on the mouse X chromosome. DNA Res 2013; 20:549-65. [PMID: 23861320 PMCID: PMC3859323 DOI: 10.1093/dnares/dst030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
To understand the epigenetic regulation required for germ cell-specific gene expression in the mouse, we analysed DNA methylation profiles of developing germ cells using a microarray-based assay adapted for a small number of cells. The analysis revealed differentially methylated sites between cell types tested. Here, we focused on a group of genomic sequences hypomethylated specifically in germline cells as candidate regions involved in the epigenetic regulation of germline gene expression. These hypomethylated sequences tend to be clustered, forming large (10 kb to ∼9 Mb) genomic domains, particularly on the X chromosome of male germ cells. Most of these regions, designated here as large hypomethylated domains (LoDs), correspond to segmentally duplicated regions that contain gene families showing germ cell- or testis-specific expression, including cancer testis antigen genes. We found an inverse correlation between DNA methylation level and expression of genes in these domains. Most LoDs appear to be enriched with H3 lysine 9 dimethylation, usually regarded as a repressive histone modification, although some LoD genes can be expressed in male germ cells. It thus appears that such a unique epigenomic state associated with the LoDs may constitute a basis for the specific expression of genes contained in these genomic domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rieko Ikeda
- 1Technology and Development Team for Mammalian Genome Dynamics, RIKEN BioResource Center, 3-1-1 Koyadai, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
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31
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James SR, Cedeno CD, Sharma A, Zhang W, Mohler JL, Odunsi K, Wilson EM, Karpf AR. DNA methylation and nucleosome occupancy regulate the cancer germline antigen gene MAGEA11. Epigenetics 2013; 8:849-63. [PMID: 23839233 DOI: 10.4161/epi.25500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MAGEA11 is a cancer germline (CG) antigen and androgen receptor co-activator. Its expression in cancers other than prostate, and its mechanism of activation, has not been reported. In silico analyses reveal that MAGEA11 is frequently expressed in human cancers, is increased during tumor progression, and correlates with poor prognosis and survival. In prostate and epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC), MAGEA11 expression was associated with promoter and global DNA hypomethylation, and with activation of other CG genes. Pharmacological or genetic inhibition of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and/or histone deacetylases (HDACs) activated MAGEA11 in a cell line specific manner. MAGEA11 promoter activity was directly repressed by DNA methylation, and partially depended on Sp1, as pharmacological or genetic targeting of Sp1 reduced MAGEA11 promoter activity and endogenous gene expression. Importantly, DNA methylation regulated nucleosome occupancy specifically at the -1 positioned nucleosome of MAGEA11. Methylation of a single Ets site near the transcriptional start site (TSS) correlated with -1 nucleosome occupancy and, by itself, strongly repressed MAGEA11 promoter activity. Thus, DNA methylation regulates nucleosome occupancy at MAGEA11, and this appears to function cooperatively with sequence-specific transcription factors to regulate gene expression. MAGEA11 regulation is highly instructive for understanding mechanisms regulating CG antigen genes in human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smitha R James
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics; Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Buffalo, NY USA
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32
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Ding D, Qu X, Li L, Zhou X, Liu S, Lin S, Wang P, Liu S, Kong C, Wang X, Liu L, Zhu H. Involvement of histone methyltransferase GLP in HIV-1 latency through catalysis of H3K9 dimethylation. Virology 2013; 440:182-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2013.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2012] [Revised: 12/27/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Cannuyer J, Loriot A, Parvizi GK, De Smet C. Epigenetic hierarchy within the MAGEA1 cancer-germline gene: promoter DNA methylation dictates local histone modifications. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58743. [PMID: 23472218 PMCID: PMC3589373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene MAGEA1 belongs to a group of human germline-specific genes that rely on DNA methylation for repression in somatic tissues. Many of these genes, termed cancer-germline (CG) genes, become demethylated and activated in a wide variety of tumors, where they encode tumor-specific antigens. The process leading to DNA demethylation of CG genes in tumors remains unclear. Previous data suggested that histone acetylation might be involved. Here, we investigated the relative contribution of DNA methylation and histone acetylation in the epigenetic regulation of gene MAGEA1. We show that MAGEA1 DNA hypomethylation in expressing melanoma cells is indeed correlated with local increases in histone H3 acetylation (H3ac). However, when MAGEA1-negative cells were exposed to a histone deacetylase inhibitor (TSA), we observed only short-term activation of the gene and detected no demethylation of its promoter. As a more sensitive assay, we used a cell clone harboring a methylated MAGEA1/hph construct, which confers resistance to hygromycin upon stable re-activation. TSA induced only transient de-repression of the transgene, and did not lead to the emergence of hygromycin-resistant cells. In striking contrast, transient depletion of DNA-methyltransferase-1 in the reporter cell clone gave rise to a hygromycin-resistant population, in which the re-activated MAGEA1/hph transgene displayed not only marked DNA hypomethylation, but also significant reversal of histone marks, including gains in H3ac and H3K4me2, and losses of H3K9me2. Collectively, our results indicate that DNA methylation has a dominant role in the epigenetic hierarchy governing MAGEA1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Cannuyer
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Axelle Loriot
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Grégory K. Parvizi
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles De Smet
- Group of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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De Smet C, Loriot A. DNA hypomethylation and activation of germline-specific genes in cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 754:149-66. [PMID: 22956500 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation, occurring at cytosines in CpG dinucleotides, is a potent mechanism of transcriptional repression. Proper genomic methylation -patterns become profoundly altered in cancer cells: both gains (hypermethylation) and losses (hypomethylation) of methylated sites are observed. Although DNA hypomethylation is detected in a vast majority of human tumors and affects many genomic regions, its role in tumor biology remains elusive. Surprisingly, DNA hypomethylation in cancer was found to cause the aberrant activation of only a limited group of genes. Most of these are normally expressed exclusively in germline cells and were grouped under the term "cancer-germline" (CG) genes. CG genes represent unique examples of genes that rely primarily on DNA methylation for their tissue-specific expression. They are also being exploited to uncover the mechanisms that lead to DNA hypomethylation in tumors. Moreover, as CG genes encode tumor-specific antigens, their activation in cancer highlights a direct link between epigenetic alterations and tumor immunity. As a result, clinical trials combining epigenetic drugs with anti-CG antigen vaccines are being considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles De Smet
- Laboratory of Genetics and Epigenetics, de Duve Institute, Catholic University of Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
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Cheung HC, Yatsenko SA, Kadapakkam M, Legay H, Su J, Lupski JR, Plon SE. Constitutional tandem duplication of 9q34 that truncates EHMT1 in a child with ganglioglioma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58:801-5. [PMID: 21681934 PMCID: PMC3202030 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.23219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Point mutations of EHMT1 or deletions and duplications of chromosome 9q34.3 are found in patients with variable neurologic and developmental disorders. Here, we present a child with congenital cataract, developmental and speech delay who developed a metastatic ganglioglioma with progression to anaplastic astrocytoma. Molecular analysis identified a novel constitutional tandem duplication in 9q34.3 with breakpoints in intron 1 of TRAF2 and intron 16 of EHMT1 generating a fusion transcript predicted to encode a truncated form of EHMT1. The ganglioglioma showed complex chromosomal aberrations with further duplication of the dup9q34. Thus, this unique tandem 9q34.3 duplication may impact brain tumor formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah C. Cheung
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Svetlana A. Yatsenko
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Meena Kadapakkam
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hélène Legay
- Faculté de Pharmacie, Université Claude Bernard, Lyon, France
| | - Jack Su
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James R. Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sharon E. Plon
- Texas Children’s Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Kumari D, Usdin K. Is Friedreich ataxia an epigenetic disorder? Clin Epigenetics 2012; 4:2. [PMID: 22414340 PMCID: PMC3305337 DOI: 10.1186/1868-7083-4-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 01/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a debilitating and frequently fatal neurological disorder that is recessively inherited. It belongs to the group of genetic disorders known as the Repeat Expansion Diseases, in which pathology arises from the deleterious consequences of the inheritance of a tandem repeat array whose repeat number exceeds a critical threshold. In the case of FRDA, the repeat unit is the triplet GAA•TTC and the tandem array is located in the first intron of the frataxin (FXN) gene. Pathology arises because expanded alleles make lower than normal levels of mature FXN mRNA and thus reduced levels of frataxin, the FXN gene product. The repeats form a variety of unusual DNA structures that have the potential to affect gene expression in a number of ways. For example, triplex formation in vitro and in bacteria leads to the formation of persistent RNA:DNA hybrids that block transcription. In addition, these repeats have been shown to affect splicing in model systems. More recently, it has been shown that the region flanking the repeats in the FXN gene is enriched for epigenetic marks characteristic of transcriptionally repressed regions of the genome. However, exactly how repeats in an intron cause the FXN mRNA deficit in FRDA has been the subject of much debate. Identifying the mechanism or mechanisms responsible for the FXN mRNA deficit in FRDA is important for the development of treatments for this currently incurable disorder. This review discusses evidence for and against different models for the repeat-mediated mRNA deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daman Kumari
- Section on Gene Structure and Disease, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0830, USA.
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Sharma S, Gerke DS, Han HF, Jeong S, Stallcup MR, Jones PA, Liang G. Lysine methyltransferase G9a is not required for DNMT3A/3B anchoring to methylated nucleosomes and maintenance of DNA methylation in somatic cells. Epigenetics Chromatin 2012; 5:3. [PMID: 22284370 PMCID: PMC3292817 DOI: 10.1186/1756-8935-5-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background DNA methylation, histone modifications and nucleosome occupancy act in concert for regulation of gene expression patterns in mammalian cells. Recently, G9a, a H3K9 methyltransferase, has been shown to play a role in establishment of DNA methylation at embryonic gene targets in ES cells through recruitment of de novo DNMT3A/3B enzymes. However, whether G9a plays a similar role in maintenance of DNA methylation in somatic cells is still unclear. Results Here we show that G9a is not essential for maintenance of DNA methylation in somatic cells. Knockdown of G9a has no measurable effect on DNA methylation levels at G9a-target loci. DNMT3A/3B remain stably anchored to nucleosomes containing methylated DNA even in the absence of G9a, ensuring faithful propagation of methylated states in cooperation with DNMT1 through somatic divisions. Moreover, G9a also associates with nucleosomes in a DNMT3A/3B and DNA methylation-independent manner. However, G9a knockdown synergizes with pharmacologic inhibition of DNMTs resulting in increased hypomethylation and inhibition of cell proliferation. Conclusions Taken together, these data suggest that G9a is not involved in maintenance of DNA methylation in somatic cells but might play a role in re-initiation of de novo methylation after treatment with hypomethylating drugs, thus serving as a potential target for combinatorial treatments strategies involving DNMTs inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-9181, USA.
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Liu F, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Allali-Hassani A, He Y, Herold JM, Chen X, Yates CM, Frye SV, Brown PJ, Huang J, Vedadi M, Arrowsmith CH, Jin J. Optimization of cellular activity of G9a inhibitors 7-aminoalkoxy-quinazolines. J Med Chem 2011; 54:6139-50. [PMID: 21780790 PMCID: PMC3171737 DOI: 10.1021/jm200903z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferase G9a plays key roles in the transcriptional repression of a variety of genes via dimethylation of lysine 9 on histone H3 (H3K9me2) of chromatin as well as dimethylation of nonhistone proteins including tumor suppressor p53. We previously reported the discovery of UNC0321 (3), the most potent G9a inhibitor to date, via structure-based design and structure-activity relationship (SAR) exploration of the quinazoline scaffold represented by BIX01294 (1). Despite its very high in vitro potency, compound 3 lacks sufficient cellular potency. The design and synthesis of several generations of new analogues aimed at improving cell membrane permeability while maintaining high in vitro potency resulted in the discovery of a number of novel G9a inhibitors such as UNC0646 (6) and UNC0631 (7) with excellent potency in a variety of cell lines and excellent separation of functional potency versus cell toxicity. The design, synthesis, and cellular SAR of these potent G9a inhibitors are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Dalia Barsyte-Lovejoy
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abdellah Allali-Hassani
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yunlong He
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - J. Martin Herold
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | | | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Peter J. Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jing Huang
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl H. Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
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Vedadi M, Barsyte-Lovejoy D, Liu F, Rival-Gervier S, Allali-Hassani A, Labrie V, Wigle TJ, Dimaggio PA, Wasney GA, Siarheyeva A, Dong A, Tempel W, Wang SC, Chen X, Chau I, Mangano TJ, Huang XP, Simpson CD, Pattenden SG, Norris JL, Kireev DB, Tripathy A, Edwards A, Roth BL, Janzen WP, Garcia BA, Petronis A, Ellis J, Brown PJ, Frye SV, Arrowsmith CH, Jin J. A chemical probe selectively inhibits G9a and GLP methyltransferase activity in cells. Nat Chem Biol 2011; 7:566-74. [PMID: 21743462 PMCID: PMC3184254 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 412] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 04/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP modulate the transcriptional repression of a variety of genes via dimethylation of Lys9 on histone H3 (H3K9me2) as well as dimethylation of non-histone targets. Here we report the discovery of UNC0638, an inhibitor of G9a and GLP with excellent potency and selectivity over a wide range of epigenetic and non-epigenetic targets. UNC0638 treatment of a variety of cell lines resulted in lower global H3K9me2 levels, equivalent to levels observed for small hairpin RNA knockdown of G9a and GLP with the functional potency of UNC0638 being well separated from its toxicity. UNC0638 markedly reduced the clonogenicity of MCF7 cells, reduced the abundance of H3K9me2 marks at promoters of known G9a-regulated endogenous genes and disproportionately affected several genomic loci encoding microRNAs. In mouse embryonic stem cells, UNC0638 reactivated G9a-silenced genes and a retroviral reporter gene in a concentration-dependent manner without promoting differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Feng Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sylvie Rival-Gervier
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, SickKids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- INRa, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy en Josas, France
| | | | - Viviane Labrie
- Krembil Family Epigenetic Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tim J Wigle
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter A Dimaggio
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Gregory A Wasney
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Alena Siarheyeva
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Aiping Dong
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wolfram Tempel
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sun-Chong Wang
- Krembil Family Epigenetic Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, National Central University, Jhongli City, Taiwan
| | - Xin Chen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Irene Chau
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Thomas J Mangano
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xi-ping Huang
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Catherine D Simpson
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Samantha G Pattenden
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Norris
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Dmitri B Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ashutosh Tripathy
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, UNC Macromolecular Interactions Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Aled Edwards
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan L Roth
- National Institute of Mental Health Psychoactive Drug Screening Program, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - William P Janzen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Arturas Petronis
- Krembil Family Epigenetic Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - James Ellis
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Program, SickKids Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter J Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Ontario Cancer Institute, Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jian Jin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Rao M, Chinnasamy N, Hong JA, Zhang Y, Zhang M, Xi S, Liu F, Marquez VE, Morgan RA, Schrump DS. Inhibition of histone lysine methylation enhances cancer-testis antigen expression in lung cancer cells: implications for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer. Cancer Res 2011; 71:4192-204. [PMID: 21546573 PMCID: PMC3116976 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-10-2442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-testis antigens (CTA), such as NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A1, and MAGE-A3, are immunogenic proteins encoded by genes, which are normally expressed only in male germ cells but are activated by ill-defined epigenetic mechanisms in human tumors, including lung cancers. Previously, we reported induction of these CTAs in cancer cells, but not normal cells, by DNA-demethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors using clinically achievable exposure conditions. In the present study, we evaluated chromatin alterations associated with repression/activation of cancer-testis genes in lung cancer cells to further develop gene-induction regimens for cancer immunotherapy. Repression of NY-ESO-1, MAGE-A1, and MAGE-A3 coincided with DNA hypermethylation, recruitment, and binding of polycomb-group proteins, and histone heterochromatin modifications within the promoters of these genes. Derepression coincided with DNA demethylation, dissociation of polycomb proteins, and presence of euchromatin marks within the respective promoters. Short hairpin RNAs were used to inhibit several histone methyltransferases (KMT) and histone demethylases (KDM) that mediate histone methylation and repress gene expression. Knockdown of KMT6, KDM1, or KDM5B markedly enhanced deoxyazacytidine (DAC)-mediated activation of these cancer-testis genes in lung cancer cells. DZNep, a pharmacologic inhibitor of KMT6 expression, recapitulated the effects of KMT6 knockdown. Following DAC-DZNep exposure, lung cancer cells were specifically recognized and lysed by allogeneic lymphocytes expressing recombinant T-cell receptors recognizing NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3. Combining DNA-demethylating agents with compounds, such as DZNep, that modulate histone lysine methylation may provide a novel epigenetic strategy to augment cancer-testis gene expression as an adjunct to adoptive cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahadev Rao
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Nachimuthu Chinnasamy
- Tumor Immunology Sections, Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Julie A. Hong
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Mary Zhang
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Sichuan Xi
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Fang Liu
- Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Victor E. Marquez
- Chemical Biology Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
| | - Richard A. Morgan
- Tumor Immunology Sections, Surgery Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD
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Woloszynska-Read A, Zhang W, Yu J, Link PA, Mhawech-Fauceglia P, Collamat G, Akers SN, Ostler KR, Godley LA, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. Coordinated cancer germline antigen promoter and global DNA hypomethylation in ovarian cancer: association with the BORIS/CTCF expression ratio and advanced stage. Clin Cancer Res 2011; 17:2170-80. [PMID: 21296871 PMCID: PMC3079045 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-10-2315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer germline (CG) antigens are frequently expressed and hypomethylated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), but the relationship of this phenomenon to global DNA hypomethylation is unknown. In addition, the potential mechanisms leading to DNA hypomethylation, and its clinicopathologic significance in EOC, have not been determined. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We used quantitative mRNA expression and DNA methylation analyses to determine the relationship between expression and methylation of X-linked (MAGE-A1, NY-ESO-1, XAGE-1) and autosomal (BORIS, SOHLH2) CG genes, global DNA methylation (5mdC levels, LINE-1, Alu, and Sat-α methylation), and clinicopathology, using 75 EOC samples. In addition, we examined the association between these parameters and a number of mechanisms proposed to contribute to DNA hypomethylation in cancer. RESULTS CG genes were coordinately expressed in EOC and this was associated with promoter DNA hypomethylation. Hypomethylation of CG promoters was highly correlated and strongly associated with LINE-1 and Alu methylation, moderately with 5mdC levels, and rarely with Sat-α methylation. BORIS and LINE-1 hypomethylation, and BORIS expression, were associated with advanced stage. GADD45A expression, MTHFR genotype, DNMT3B isoform expression, and BORIS mRNA expression did not associate with methylation parameters. In contrast, the BORIS/CTCF expression ratio was associated with DNA hypomethylation, and furthermore correlated with advanced stage and decreased survival. CONCLUSIONS DNA hypomethylation coordinately affects CG antigen gene promoters and specific repetitive DNA elements in EOC, and correlates with advanced stage disease. The BORIS/CTCF mRNA expression ratio is closely associated with DNA hypomethylation and confers poor prognosis in EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Woloszynska-Read
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | - Wa Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | - Jihnhee Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY
| | - Petra A. Link
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | | | - Golda Collamat
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | - Stacey N. Akers
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | - Kelly R. Ostler
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Lucy A. Godley
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
| | - Adam R. Karpf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263
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Abstract
Over the past few years several drugs that target epigenetic modifications have shown clinical benefits, thus seemingly validating epigenetic cancer therapy. More recently, however, it has become clear that these drugs are either characterized by low specificity or that their target enzymes have low substrate specificity. As such, clinical proof-of-concept for epigenetic cancer therapies remains to be established. Human cancers are characterized by widespread changes in their genomic DNA methylation and histone modification patterns. Epigenetic cancer therapy aims to restore normal epigenetic modification patterns through the inhibition of epigenetic modifier enzymes. In this review, we provide an overview about the known functional roles of DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, histone methyltransferases, and demethylases in cancer development. The available data identify several examples that warrant further consideration as drug targets. Future research should be directed toward targeted enzyme inhibition and toward exploring interactions between epigenetic pathways to maximize cancer specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cora Mund
- Global Drug Discovery, Research and Development, Bayer Schering Pharma, Berlin, Germany
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Fratta E, Coral S, Covre A, Parisi G, Colizzi F, Danielli R, Nicolay HJM, Sigalotti L, Maio M. The biology of cancer testis antigens: putative function, regulation and therapeutic potential. Mol Oncol 2011; 5:164-82. [PMID: 21376678 DOI: 10.1016/j.molonc.2011.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens (CTA) are a large family of tumor-associated antigens expressed in human tumors of different histological origin, but not in normal tissues except for testis and placenta. This tumor-restricted pattern of expression, together with their strong in vivo immunogenicity, identified CTA as ideal targets for tumor-specific immunotherapeutic approaches, and prompted the development of several clinical trials of CTA-based vaccine therapy. Driven by this practical clinical interest, a more detailed characterization of CTA biology has been recently undertaken. So far, at least 70 families of CTA, globally accounting for about 140 members, have been identified. Most of these CTA are expressed during spermatogenesis, but their function is still largely unknown. Epigenetic events, particularly DNA methylation, appear to be the primary mechanism regulating CTA expression in both normal and transformed cells, as well as in cancer stem cells. In view of the growing interest in CTA biology, the aim of this review is to provide the most recent information on their expression, regulation and function, together with a brief summary of the major clinical trials involving CTA as therapeutic agents. The pharmacologic modulation of CTA expression profiles on neoplastic cells by DNA hypomethylating drugs will also be discussed as a feasible approach to design new combination therapies potentially able to improve the clinical efficacy of currently adopted CTA-based immunotherapeutic regimens in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Fratta
- Cancer Bioimmunotherapy Unit, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, Via Franco Gallini 2, 33081 Aviano, Italy
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Sharma S, De Carvalho DD, Jeong S, Jones PA, Liang G. Nucleosomes containing methylated DNA stabilize DNA methyltransferases 3A/3B and ensure faithful epigenetic inheritance. PLoS Genet 2011; 7:e1001286. [PMID: 21304883 PMCID: PMC3033376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1001286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2010] [Accepted: 12/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
How epigenetic information is propagated during somatic cell divisions is still unclear but is absolutely critical for preserving gene expression patterns and cellular identity. Here we show an unanticipated mechanism for inheritance of DNA methylation patterns where the epigenetic mark not only recruits the catalyzing enzyme but also regulates the protein level, i.e. the enzymatic product (5-methylcytosine) determines the level of the methylase, thus forming a novel homeostatic inheritance system. Nucleosomes containing methylated DNA stabilize de novo DNA methyltransferases, DNMT3A/3B, allowing little free DNMT3A/3B enzymes to exist in the nucleus. Stabilization of DNMT3A/3B on nucleosomes in methylated regions further promotes propagation of DNA methylation. However, reduction of cellular DNA methylation levels creating more potential CpG substrates counter-intuitively results in a dramatic decrease of DNMT3A/3B proteins due to diminished nucleosome binding and subsequent degradation of the unstable free proteins. These data show an unexpected self-regulatory inheritance mechanism that not only ensures somatic propagation of methylated states by DNMT1 and DNMT3A/3B enzymes but also prevents aberrant de novo methylation by causing degradation of free DNMT3A/3B enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikhar Sharma
- Department of Urology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
- Program in Genetic, Molecular, and Cellular Biology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Daniel D. De Carvalho
- Department of Urology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Shinwu Jeong
- Department of Urology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Peter A. Jones
- Department of Urology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Gangning Liang
- Department of Urology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology, USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
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Akers SN, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. Regulation of cancer germline antigen gene expression: implications for cancer immunotherapy. Future Oncol 2010; 6:717-32. [PMID: 20465387 DOI: 10.2217/fon.10.36] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer germline (CG; also known as cancer-testis) antigen genes are normally expressed in germ cells and trophoblast tissues and are aberrantly expressed in a variety of human malignancies. CG antigen genes have high clinical relevance as they encode a class of immunogenic and highly selective tumor antigens. CG antigen-directed immunotherapy is undergoing clinical evaluation for the treatment of a number of solid tumor malignancies and has been demonstrated to be safe, provoke immune responses and be of therapeutic benefit. Achieving an improved understanding of the mechanisms of CG antigen gene regulation will facilitate the continued development of targeted therapeutic approaches against tumors expressing these antigens. Substantial evidence suggests epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation, as a primary regulator of CG antigen gene expression in normal and cancer cells as well as in stem cells. The roles of sequence-specific transcription factors and signal transduction pathways in controlling CG antigen gene expression are less clear but are emerging. A combinatorial therapeutic approach involving epigenetic modulatory drugs and CG antigen immunotherapy is suggested based on these data and is being actively pursued. In this article, we review the mechanisms of CG antigen gene regulation and discuss the implications of these mechanisms for the development of cancer immunotherapy approaches targeting CG antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey N Akers
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
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Woloszynska-Read A, James SR, Song C, Jin B, Odunsi K, Karpf AR. BORIS/CTCFL expression is insufficient for cancer-germline antigen gene expression and DNA hypomethylation in ovarian cell lines. CANCER IMMUNITY 2010; 10:6. [PMID: 20649179 PMCID: PMC2916237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2010] [Accepted: 07/08/2010] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Expression of the cancer-germline (CG) (or cancer-testis) antigen gene BORIS/CTCFL has been proposed to mediate activation of CG antigen genes in cancer. Consistent with this idea, we have observed that BORIS is frequently expressed in ovarian cancer, often in conjunction with other CG genes. Here we assessed the role of BORIS in CG antigen gene regulation and DNA methylation using normal and cancerous ovarian cell lines, and the CG genes MAGE-A1, NY-ESO-1, and XAGE-1 as models. Adenoviral vectored BORIS was expressed at robust levels and exhibited predominant nuclear localization in ovarian cells. However, BORIS expression in immortalized ovarian surface epithelial cells or ovarian cancer cell lines did not induce CG antigen gene expression or lead to CG antigen promoter DNA hypomethylation. BORIS overexpression also did not alter global DNA methylation, as assessed by genomic 5-methyl-deoxycytidine levels and LINE-1 methylation. We used decitabine to further assess the role of BORIS in CG gene activation and found that decitabine treatment induced BORIS and other CG genes with similar kinetics, suggesting that BORIS induction does not account for the induction of other CG genes by decitabine in ovarian cancer cells. In agreement, siRNA knockdown of BORIS did not block decitabine-mediated induction of CG genes or DNA hypomethylation in ovarian cancer cells treated with this agent. We conclude that BORIS is insufficient for CG antigen gene expression and DNA hypomethylation in ovarian cell lines, and that additional factors are likely required for CG antigen expression in ovarian cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Woloszynska-Read
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
Roswell Park Cancer InstituteElm and Carlton
StreetsBuffalo, NY, 14263USA
| | - Smitha R. James
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
Roswell Park Cancer InstituteElm and Carlton
StreetsBuffalo, NY, 14263USA
| | - Chajoun Song
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military
Medical UniversityXi'an 710032China
| | - Boquan Jin
- Department of Immunology, Fourth Military
Medical UniversityXi'an 710032China
| | - Kunle Odunsi
- Department of Immunology, Roswell Park
Cancer InstituteElm and Carlton StreetsBuffalo,
NY, 14263USA
| | - Adam R. Karpf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
Roswell Park Cancer InstituteElm and Carlton
StreetsBuffalo, NY, 14263USA
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Morey Kinney SR, Zhang W, Pascual M, Greally JM, Gillard BM, Karasik E, Foster BA, Karpf AR. Lack of evidence for green tea polyphenols as DNA methylation inhibitors in murine prostate. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2009; 2:1065-75. [PMID: 19934341 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-09-0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Green tea polyphenols (GTP) have been reported to inhibit DNA methylation in cultured cells. Here, we tested whether oral consumption of GTPs affects normal or cancer-specific DNA methylation in vivo, using mice. Wild-type (WT) and transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice were given 0.3% GTPs in drinking water beginning at 4 weeks of age. To monitor DNA methylation, we measured 5-methyl-deoxycytidine (5mdC) levels, methylation of the B1 repetitive element, and methylation of the Mage-a8 gene. Each of these parameters were unchanged in prostate, gut, and liver from WT mice at both 12 and 24 weeks of age, with the single exception of a decrease of 5mdC in the liver at 12 weeks. In GTP-treated TRAMP mice, 5mdC levels and the methylation status of four loci hypermethylated during tumor progression were unaltered in TRAMP prostates at 12 or 24 weeks. Quite surprisingly, GTP treatment did not inhibit tumor progression in TRAMP mice, although known pharmacodynamic markers of GTPs were altered in both WT and TRAMP prostates. We also administered 0.1%, 0.3%, or 0.6% GTPs to TRAMP mice for 12 weeks and measured 5mdC levels and methylation of B1 and Mage-a8 in prostate, gut, and liver tissues. No dose-dependent alterations in DNA methylation status were observed. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using the HpaII tiny fragment enrichment by ligation-mediated PCR assay also revealed no significant hypomethylating effect of GTP. These data indicate that oral administration of GTPs does not affect normal or cancer-specific DNA methylation in the murine prostate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon R Morey Kinney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA
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