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The FGF, TGFβ and WNT axis Modulate Self-renewal of Human SIX2 + Urine Derived Renal Progenitor Cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:739. [PMID: 31959818 PMCID: PMC6970988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57723-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Human urine is a non-invasive source of renal stem cells with regeneration potential. Urine-derived renal progenitor cells were isolated from 10 individuals of both genders and distinct ages. These renal progenitors express pluripotency-associated proteins- TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA4, C-KIT and CD133, as well as the renal stem cell markers -SIX2, CITED1, WT1, CD24 and CD106. The transcriptomes of all SIX2+ renal progenitors clustered together, and distinct from the human kidney biopsy-derived epithelial proximal cells (hREPCs). Stimulation of the urine-derived renal progenitor cells (UdRPCs) with the GSK3β-inhibitor (CHIR99021) induced differentiation. Transcriptome and KEGG pathway analysis revealed upregulation of WNT-associated genes- AXIN2, JUN and NKD1. Protein interaction network identified JUN- a downstream target of the WNT pathway in association with STAT3, ATF2 and MAPK1 as a putative negative regulator of self-renewal. Furthermore, like pluripotent stem cells, self-renewal is maintained by FGF2-driven TGFβ-SMAD2/3 pathway. The urine-derived renal progenitor cells and the data presented should lay the foundation for studying nephrogenesis in human.
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Kosyna FK, Depping R. Controlling the Gatekeeper: Therapeutic Targeting of Nuclear Transport. Cells 2018; 7:cells7110221. [PMID: 30469340 PMCID: PMC6262578 DOI: 10.3390/cells7110221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nuclear transport receptors of the karyopherin superfamily of proteins transport macromolecules from one compartment to the other and are critical for both cell physiology and pathophysiology. The nuclear transport machinery is tightly regulated and essential to a number of key cellular processes since the spatiotemporally expression of many proteins and the nuclear transporters themselves is crucial for cellular activities. Dysregulation of the nuclear transport machinery results in localization shifts of specific cargo proteins and associates with the pathogenesis of disease states such as cancer, inflammation, viral illness and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, inhibition of the nuclear transport system has future potential for therapeutic intervention and could contribute to the elucidation of disease mechanisms. In this review, we recapitulate clue findings in the pathophysiological significance of nuclear transport processes and describe the development of nuclear transport inhibitors. Finally, clinical implications and results of the first clinical trials are discussed for the most promising nuclear transport inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friederike K Kosyna
- Institute of Physiology, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23562 Lübeck, Germany.
| | - Reinhard Depping
- Institute of Physiology, Center for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, D-23562 Lübeck, Germany.
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Rahman MS, Spitzhorn LS, Wruck W, Hagenbeck C, Balan P, Graffmann N, Bohndorf M, Ncube A, Guillot PV, Fehm T, Adjaye J. The presence of human mesenchymal stem cells of renal origin in amniotic fluid increases with gestational time. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:113. [PMID: 29695308 PMCID: PMC5918774 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0864-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Established therapies for managing kidney dysfunction such as kidney dialysis and transplantation are limited due to the shortage of compatible donated organs and high costs. Stem cell-based therapies are currently under investigation as an alternative treatment option. As amniotic fluid is composed of fetal urine harboring mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs), we hypothesized that third-trimester amniotic fluid could be a novel source of renal progenitor and differentiated cells. Methods Human third-trimester amniotic fluid cells (AFCs) were isolated and cultured in distinct media. These cells were characterized as renal progenitor cells with respect to cell morphology, cell surface marker expression, transcriptome and differentiation into chondrocytes, osteoblasts and adipocytes. To test for renal function, a comparative albumin endocytosis assay was performed using AF-MSCs and commercially available renal cells derived from kidney biopsies. Comparative transcriptome analyses of first, second and third trimester-derived AF-MSCs were conducted to monitor expression of renal-related genes. Results Regardless of the media used, AFCs showed expression of pluripotency-associated markers such as SSEA4, TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81 and C-Kit. They also express the mesenchymal marker Vimentin. Immunophenotyping confirmed that third-trimester AFCs are bona fide MSCs. AF-MSCs expressed the master renal progenitor markers SIX2 and CITED1, in addition to typical renal proteins such as PODXL, LHX1, BRN1 and PAX8. Albumin endocytosis assays demonstrated the functionality of AF-MSCs as renal cells. Additionally, upregulated expression of BMP7 and downregulation of WT1, CD133, SIX2 and C-Kit were observed upon activation of WNT signaling by treatment with the GSK-3 inhibitor CHIR99201. Transcriptome analysis and semiquantitative PCR revealed increasing expression levels of renal-specific genes (e.g., SALL1, HNF4B, SIX2) with gestational time. Moreover, AF-MSCs shared more genes with human kidney cells than with native MSCs and gene ontology terms revealed involvement of biological processes associated with kidney morphogenesis. Conclusions Third-trimester amniotic fluid contains AF-MSCs of renal origin and this novel source of kidney progenitors may have enormous future potentials for disease modeling, renal repair and drug screening. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0864-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Shaifur Rahman
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lucas-Sebastian Spitzhorn
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Wasco Wruck
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carsten Hagenbeck
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Percy Balan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nina Graffmann
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Martina Bohndorf
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Audrey Ncube
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Pascale V Guillot
- Institute for Women's Health, Maternal and Fetal Medicine Department, University College London, London, WC1E 6HX, UK
| | - Tanja Fehm
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - James Adjaye
- Institute for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University, Moorenstraße 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Lin CY, Lin LY. The conserved basic residues and the charged amino acid residues at the α-helix of the zinc finger motif regulate the nuclear transport activity of triple C2H2 zinc finger proteins. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191971. [PMID: 29381770 PMCID: PMC5790263 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc finger (ZF) motifs on proteins are frequently recognized as a structure for DNA binding. Accumulated reports indicate that ZF motifs contain nuclear localization signal (NLS) to facilitate the transport of ZF proteins into nucleus. We investigated the critical factors that facilitate the nuclear transport of triple C2H2 ZF proteins. Three conserved basic residues (hot spots) were identified among the ZF sequences of triple C2H2 ZF proteins that reportedly have NLS function. Additional basic residues can be found on the α-helix of the ZFs. Using the ZF domain (ZFD) of Egr-1 as a template, various mutants were constructed and expressed in cells. The nuclear transport activity of various mutants was estimated by analyzing the proportion of protein localized in the nucleus. Mutation at any hot spot of the Egr-1 ZFs reduced the nuclear transport activity. Changes of the basic residues at the α-helical region of the second ZF (ZF2) of the Egr-1 ZFD abolished the NLS activity. However, this activity can be restored by substituting the acidic residues at the homologous positions of ZF1 or ZF3 with basic residues. The restored activity dropped again when the hot spots at ZF1 or the basic residues in the α-helix of ZF3 were mutated. The variations in nuclear transport activity are linked directly to the binding activity of the ZF proteins with importins. This study was extended to other triple C2H2 ZF proteins. SP1 and KLF families, similar to Egr-1, have charged amino acid residues at the second (α2) and the third (α3) positions of the α-helix. Replacing the amino acids at α2 and α3 with acidic residues reduced the NLS activity of the SP1 and KLF6 ZFD. The reduced activity can be restored by substituting the α3 with histidine at any SP1 and KLF6 ZFD. The results show again the interchangeable role of ZFs and charge residues in the α-helix in regulating the NLS activity of triple C2H2 ZF proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ying Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Lih-Yuan Lin
- Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Department of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
- * E-mail:
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Stelma T, Chi A, van der Watt PJ, Verrico A, Lavia P, Leaner VD. Targeting nuclear transporters in cancer: Diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic potential. IUBMB Life 2016; 68:268-80. [PMID: 26970212 DOI: 10.1002/iub.1484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The Karyopherin superfamily is a major class of soluble transport receptors consisting of both import and export proteins. The trafficking of proteins involved in transcription, cell signalling and cell cycle regulation among other functions across the nuclear membrane is essential for normal cellular functioning. However, in cancer cells, the altered expression or localization of nuclear transporters as well as the disruption of endogenous nuclear transport inhibitors are some ways in which the Karyopherin proteins are dysregulated. The value of nuclear transporters in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer is currently being elucidated with recent studies highlighting their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Stelma
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Alicia Chi
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Pauline J van der Watt
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Annalisa Verrico
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, C/O University of Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Lavia
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, National Research Council of Italy, C/O University of Roma "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - Virna D Leaner
- Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, SAMRC/UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Abstract
The human genome encodes seven isoforms of importin α which are grouped into three subfamilies known as α1, α2 and α3. All isoforms share a fundamentally conserved architecture that consists of an N-terminal, autoinhibitory, importin-β-binding (IBB) domain and a C-terminal Arm (Armadillo)-core that associates with nuclear localization signal (NLS) cargoes. Despite striking similarity in amino acid sequence and 3D structure, importin-α isoforms display remarkable substrate specificity in vivo. In the present review, we look at key differences among importin-α isoforms and provide a comprehensive inventory of known viral and cellular cargoes that have been shown to associate preferentially with specific isoforms. We illustrate how the diversification of the adaptor importin α into seven isoforms expands the dynamic range and regulatory control of nucleocytoplasmic transport, offering unexpected opportunities for pharmacological intervention. The emerging view of importin α is that of a key signalling molecule, with isoforms that confer preferential nuclear entry and spatiotemporal specificity on viral and cellular cargoes directly linked to human diseases.
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Depping R, Jelkmann W, Kosyna FK. Nuclear-cytoplasmatic shuttling of proteins in control of cellular oxygen sensing. J Mol Med (Berl) 2015; 93:599-608. [PMID: 25809665 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1276-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In order to pass through the nuclear pore complex, proteins larger than ∼40 kDa require specific nuclear transport receptors. Defects in nuclear-cytoplasmatic transport affect fundamental processes such as development, inflammation and oxygen sensing. The transcriptional response to O2 deficiency is controlled by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). These are heterodimeric transcription factors of each ∼100-120 kDa proteins, consisting of one out of three different O2-labile α subunits (primarily HIF-1α) and a more constitutive 1β subunit. In the presence of O2, the α subunits are hydroxylated by specific prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain proteins (PHD1, PHD2, and PHD3) and an asparaginyl hydroxylase (factor inhibiting HIF-1, FIH-1). The prolyl hydroxylation causes recognition by von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor protein (pVHL), ubiquitination, and proteasomal degradation. The activity of the oxygen sensing machinery depends on dynamic intracellular trafficking. Nuclear import of HIF-1α and HIF-1β is mainly mediated by importins α and β (α/β). HIF-1α can shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm, while HIF-1β is permanently inside the nucleus. pVHL is localized to both compartments. Nuclear import of PHD1 relies on a nuclear localization signal (NLS) and uses the classical import pathway involving importin α/β receptors. PHD2 shows an atypical NLS, and its nuclear import does not occur via the classical pathway. PHD2-mediated hydroxylation of HIF-1α occurs predominantly in the cell nucleus. Nuclear export of PHD2 involves a nuclear export signal (NES) in the N-terminus and depends on the export receptor chromosome region maintenance 1 (CRM1). Nuclear import of PHD3 is mediated by importin α/β receptors and depends on a non-classical NLS. Specific modification of the nuclear translocation of the three PHD isoforms could provide a promising strategy for the development of new therapeutic substances to tackle major diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhard Depping
- Institute of Physiology, Centre for Structural and Cell Biology in Medicine, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany,
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Choi S, Yamashita E, Yasuhara N, Song J, Son SY, Won YH, Hong HR, Shin YS, Sekimoto T, Park IY, Yoneda Y, Lee SJ. Structural basis for the selective nuclear import of the C2H2 zinc-finger protein Snail by importin β. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 70:1050-60. [PMID: 24699649 DOI: 10.1107/s1399004714000972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Snail contributes to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition by suppressing E-cadherin in transcription processes. The Snail C2H2-type zinc-finger (ZF) domain functions both as a nuclear localization signal which binds to importin β directly and as a DNA-binding domain. Here, a 2.5 Å resolution structure of four ZF domains of Snail1 complexed with importin β is presented. The X-ray structure reveals that the four ZFs of Snail1 are required for tight binding to importin β in the nuclear import of Snail1. The shape of the ZFs in the X-ray structure is reminiscent of a round snail, where ZF1 represents the head, ZF2-ZF4 the shell, showing a novel interaction mode, and the five C-terminal residues the tail. Although there are many kinds of C2H2-type ZFs which have the same fold as Snail, nuclear import by direct recognition of importin β is observed in a limited number of C2H2-type ZF proteins such as Snail, Wt1, KLF1 and KLF8, which have the common feature of terminating in ZF domains with a short tail of amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saehae Choi
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Eiki Yamashita
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Noriko Yasuhara
- Department of Frontier Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jinsue Song
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Young Son
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Han Won
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Rim Hong
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Sik Shin
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Toshihiro Sekimoto
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Il Yeong Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoshihiro Yoneda
- Department of Frontier Biosciences, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Soo Jae Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chungbuk National University, Seungbong 410, Heungduk, Cheongju, Chungbuk 361-763, Republic of Korea
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Hügel S, Depping R, Dittmar G, Rother F, Cabot R, Sury MD, Hartmann E, Bader M. Identification of importin α 7 specific transport cargoes using a proteomic screening approach. Mol Cell Proteomics 2014; 13:1286-98. [PMID: 24623588 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m112.026856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The importin α:β complex is responsible for the nuclear import of proteins bearing classical nuclear localization signals. In mammals, several importin α subtypes are known to exist that are suggested to have individual functions. Importin α 7 was shown to play a crucial role in early embryonic development in mice. Embryos from importin α 7-depleted females stop at the two-cell stage and show disturbed zygotic genome activation. As there is evidence that individual importin α subtypes possess cargo specificities, we hypothesized that importin α 7 binds a unique set of intracellular proteins. With the use of a collection of in vitro and in vivo binding assays, importin α 7 interaction partners were identified that differed from proteins found to bind to importin α 2 and 3. One of the proteins preferentially binding importin α 7 was the maternal effect protein Brg1. However, Brg1 was localized in oocyte nuclei in importin α 7-deficient embryos, albeit in reduced amounts, suggesting additional modes of nuclear translocation of this factor. An additional SILAC-based screening approach identified Ash2l, Chd3, Mcm3, and Smarcc1, whose nuclear import seems to be disturbed in importin α 7-deficient fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Hügel
- Max Delbrück Center of Molecular Medicine, 13125 Berlin, Germany
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Busch M, Schwindt H, Brandt A, Beier M, Görldt N, Romaniuk P, Toska E, Roberts S, Royer HD, Royer-Pokora B. Classification of a frameshift/extended and a stop mutation in WT1 as gain-of-function mutations that activate cell cycle genes and promote Wilms tumour cell proliferation. Hum Mol Genet 2014; 23:3958-74. [PMID: 24619359 PMCID: PMC4082364 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddu111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The WT1 gene encodes a zinc finger transcription factor important for normal kidney development. WT1 is a suppressor for Wilms tumour development and an oncogene for diverse malignant tumours. We recently established cell lines from primary Wilms tumours with different WT1 mutations. To investigate the function of mutant WT1 proteins, we performed WT1 knockdown experiments in cell lines with a frameshift/extension (p.V432fsX87 = Wilms3) and a stop mutation (p.P362X = Wilms2) of WT1, followed by genome-wide gene expression analysis. We also expressed wild-type and mutant WT1 proteins in human mesenchymal stem cells and established gene expression profiles. A detailed analysis of gene expression data enabled us to classify the WT1 mutations as gain-of-function mutations. The mutant WT1Wilms2 and WT1Wilms3 proteins acquired an ability to modulate the expression of a highly significant number of genes from the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and WT1 knockdown experiments showed that they are required for Wilms tumour cell proliferation. p53 negatively regulates the activity of a large number of these genes that are also part of a core proliferation cluster in diverse human cancers. Our data strongly suggest that mutant WT1 proteins facilitate expression of these cell cycle genes by antagonizing transcriptional repression mediated by p53. We show that mutant WT1 can physically interact with p53. Together the findings show for the first time that mutant WT1 proteins have a gain-of-function and act as oncogenes for Wilms tumour development by regulating Wilms tumour cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Busch
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Heinrich Schwindt
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Artur Brandt
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Manfred Beier
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Nicole Görldt
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Paul Romaniuk
- Institute of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8P 5C2
| | - Eneda Toska
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Stefan Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Hans-Dieter Royer
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
| | - Brigitte Royer-Pokora
- Institute of Human Genetics and Anthropology, Heinrich-Heine University, Medical Faculty, Düsseldorf D-40225, Germany
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Design of an Optimized Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1) mRNA Construct for Enhanced WT1 Expression and Improved Immunogenicity In Vitro and In Vivo. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2013; 2:e134. [PMID: 24253259 PMCID: PMC3889186 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2013.54] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tumor antigen-encoding mRNA for dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination has gained increasing popularity in recent years. Within this context, two main strategies have entered the clinical trial stage: the use of mRNA for ex vivo antigen loading of DCs and the direct application of mRNA as a source of antigen for DCs in vivo. DCs transfected with mRNA-encoding Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) protein have shown promising clinical results. Using a stepwise approach, we re-engineered a WT1 cDNA-carrying transcription vector to improve the translational characteristics and immunogenicity of the transcribed mRNA. Different modifications were performed: (i) the WT1 sequence was flanked by the lysosomal targeting sequence of dendritic cell lysosomal-associated membrane protein to enhance cytoplasmic expression; (ii) the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of WT1 was deleted to promote shuttling from the nucleus to the cytoplasm; (iii) the WT1 DNA sequence was optimized in silico to improve translational efficiency; and (iv) this WT1 sequence was cloned into an optimized RNA transcription vector. DCs electroporated with this optimized mRNA showed an improved ability to stimulate WT1-specific T-cell immunity. Furthermore, in a murine model, we were able to show the safety, immunogenicity, and therapeutic activity of this optimized mRNA. This work is relevant for the future development of improved mRNA-based vaccine strategies K.Molecular Therapy-Nucleic Acids (2013) 2, e134; doi:10.1038/mtna.2013.54; published online 19 November 2013.
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