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Pergaris A, Genaris I, Stergiou IE, Klijanienko J, Papadakos SP, Theocharis S. The Clinical Impact of Death Domain-Associated Protein and Holliday Junction Recognition Protein Expression in Cancer: Unmasking the Driving Forces of Neoplasia. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5165. [PMID: 37958340 PMCID: PMC10650673 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15215165] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Death domain-associated protein (DAXX) and Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP) act as chaperones of H3 histone variants H3.3 and centromere protein A (CENPA), respectively, and are implicated in many physiological processes, including aging and epigenetic regulation, by controlling various genes' transcription and subsequently protein expression. Research has highlighted both these biomolecules as participants in key procedures of tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, chromosome instability, and oncogene expression. As cancer continues to exert a heavy impact on patients' well-being and bears substantial socioeconomic ramifications, the discovery of novel biomarkers for timely disease detection, estimation of prognosis, and therapy monitoring remains of utmost importance. In the present review, we present data reported from studies investigating DAXX and HJURP expression, either on mRNA or protein level, in human tissue samples from various types of neoplasia. Of note, the expression of DAXX and HJURP has been associated with a multitude of clinicopathological parameters, including disease stage, tumor grade, patients' overall and disease-free survival, as well as lymphovascular invasion. The data reveal the tumor-promoting properties of DAXX and HJURP in a number of organs as well as their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers and underline the important association between aberrations in their expression and patients' prognosis, rendering them as possible targets of future, personalized and precise therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (I.G.); (S.P.P.)
| | - Ioannis Genaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (I.G.); (S.P.P.)
| | - Ioanna E. Stergiou
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | | | - Stavros P. Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (I.G.); (S.P.P.)
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias Street, Bld 10, Goudi, 11527 Athens, Greece; (A.P.); (I.G.); (S.P.P.)
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2
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Han Y, Haouel A, Georgii E, Priego-Cubero S, Wurm CJ, Hemmler D, Schmitt-Kopplin P, Becker C, Durner J, Lindermayr C. Histone Deacetylases HD2A and HD2B Undergo Feedback Regulation by ABA and Modulate Drought Tolerance via Mediating ABA-Induced Transcriptional Repression. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1199. [PMID: 37372378 DOI: 10.3390/genes14061199] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylation catalyzed by histone deacetylase plays a critical role in gene silencing and subsequently controls many important biological processes. It was reported that the expression of the plant-specific histone deacetylase subfamily HD2s is repressed by ABA in Arabidopsis. However, little is known about the molecular relationship between HD2A/HD2B and ABA during the vegetative phase. Here, we describe that the hd2ahd2b mutant shows hypersensitivity to exogenous ABA during the germination and post-germination period. Additionally, transcriptome analyses revealed that the transcription of ABA-responsive genes was reprogrammed and the global H4K5ac level is specifically up-regulated in hd2ahd2b plants. ChIP-Seq and ChIP-qPCR results further verified that both HD2A and HD2B could directly and specifically bind to certain ABA-responsive genes. As a consequence, Arabidopsis hd2ahd2b plants displayed enhanced drought resistance in comparison to WT, which is consistent with increased ROS content, reduced stomatal aperture, and up-regulated drought-resistance-related genes. Moreover, HD2A and HD2B repressed ABA biosynthesis via the deacetylation of H4K5ac at NCED9. Taken together, our results indicate that HD2A and HD2B partly function through ABA signaling and act as negative regulators during the drought resistance response via the regulation of ABA biosynthesis and response genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongtao Han
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Amira Haouel
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Georgii
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - Christoph J Wurm
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Daniel Hemmler
- Research Unit Analytical Biogeochemistry, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | | | - Claude Becker
- Genetics, LMU Biocenter, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 80539 München, Germany
| | - Jörg Durner
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Chair of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Technische Universität München, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Christian Lindermayr
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
- Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
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3
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Huang YS, Wu CC, Chang CC, Huang SF, Kuo HY, Shih HM. Reciprocal regulation of Daxx and PIK3CA promotes colorectal cancer cell growth. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:367. [PMID: 35718818 PMCID: PMC11072676 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04399-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Upregulation of death-domain-associated protein (Daxx) is strongly associated with diverse cancer types. Among these, the clinicopathological significance and molecular mechanisms of Daxx overexpression in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unknown. Here, we showed that Daxx expression was increased in both clinical CRC samples and CRC cell lines. Daxx knockdown significantly reduced proliferation activity in CRC cells and tumor growth in a xenograft model. Further studies revealed that Daxx expression could be attenuated by either treatment with the PIK3CA inhibitor PIK-75 or PIK3CA depletion in CRC cells. Conversely, expression of PIK3CA constitutively active mutants could increase Daxx expression. These data suggest that PIK3CA positively regulates Daxx expression. Consistently, the expression levels of PIK3CA and Daxx were positively correlated in sporadic CRC samples. Interestingly, Daxx knockdown or overexpression yielded decreased or increased levels of PIK3CA, respectively, in CRC cells. We further demonstrated that Daxx activates the promoter activity and expression of PIK3CA. Altogether, our results identify a mechanistic pathway of Daxx overexpression in CRC and suggest a reciprocal regulation between Daxx and PIK3CA for CRC cell growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Sung Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Chang-Chieh Wu
- Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital Keelung Branch, National Defense Medical Center, Keelung, 20244, Taiwan
| | - Che-Chang Chang
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- International Ph.D. Program for Translational Science, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Traditional Herbal Medicine Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Shiu-Feng Huang
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Yi Kuo
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Ming Shih
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
- The Ph.D. Program for Translational Medicine, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Institute of Molecular and Genomic Medicine, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Miaoli County, 35053, Taiwan.
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4
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Oncohistone interactome profiling uncovers contrasting oncogenic mechanisms and identifies potential therapeutic targets in high grade glioma. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 144:1027-1048. [PMID: 36070144 PMCID: PMC9547787 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02489-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Histone H3 mutations at amino acids 27 (H3K27M) and 34 (H3G34R) are recurrent drivers of pediatric-type high-grade glioma (pHGG). H3K27M mutations lead to global disruption of H3K27me3 through dominant negative PRC2 inhibition, while H3G34R mutations lead to local losses of H3K36me3 through inhibition of SETD2. However, their broader oncogenic mechanisms remain unclear. We characterized the H3.1K27M, H3.3K27M and H3.3G34R interactomes, finding that H3K27M is associated with epigenetic and transcription factor changes; in contrast H3G34R removes a break on cryptic transcription, limits DNA methyltransferase access, and alters mitochondrial metabolism. All 3 mutants had altered interactions with DNA repair proteins and H3K9 methyltransferases. H3K9me3 was reduced in H3K27M-containing nucleosomes, and cis-H3K9 methylation was required for H3K27M to exert its effect on global H3K27me3. H3K9 methyltransferase inhibition was lethal to H3.1K27M, H3.3K27M and H3.3G34R pHGG cells, underscoring the importance of H3K9 methylation for oncohistone-mutant gliomas and suggesting it as an attractive therapeutic target.
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5
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Genomic characterization of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia reveals novel putative therapeutic targets. Blood Adv 2021; 5:900-912. [PMID: 33560403 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Relapse is the leading cause of death of adult and pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Numerous studies have helped to elucidate the complex mutational landscape at diagnosis of AML, leading to improved risk stratification and new therapeutic options. However, multi-whole-genome studies of adult and pediatric AML at relapse are necessary for further advances. To this end, we performed whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing analyses of longitudinal diagnosis, relapse, and/or primary resistant specimens from 48 adult and 25 pediatric patients with AML. We identified mutations recurrently gained at relapse in ARID1A and CSF1R, both of which represent potentially actionable therapeutic alternatives. Further, we report specific differences in the mutational spectrum between adult vs pediatric relapsed AML, with MGA and H3F3A p.Lys28Met mutations recurrently found at relapse in adults, whereas internal tandem duplications in UBTF were identified solely in children. Finally, our study revealed recurrent mutations in IKZF1, KANSL1, and NIPBL at relapse. All of the mentioned genes have either never been reported at diagnosis in de novo AML or have been reported at low frequency, suggesting important roles for these alterations predominantly in disease progression and/or resistance to therapy. Our findings shed further light on the complexity of relapsed AML and identified previously unappreciated alterations that may lead to improved outcomes through personalized medicine.
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6
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Lee JE, Kim MY. Cancer epigenetics: Past, present and future. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 83:4-14. [PMID: 33798724 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Cancer was thought to be caused solely by genetic mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. In the last 35 years, however, epigenetic changes have been increasingly recognized as another primary driver of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Epigenetic deregulation in cancer often includes mutations and/or aberrant expression of chromatin-modifying enzymes, their associated proteins, and even non-coding RNAs, which can alter chromatin structure and dynamics. This leads to changes in gene expression that ultimately contribute to the emergence and evolution of cancer cells. Studies of the deregulation of chromatin modifiers in cancer cells have reshaped the way we approach cancer and guided the development of novel anticancer therapeutics that target epigenetic factors. There remain, however, a number of unanswered questions in this field that are the focus of present research. Areas of particular interest include the actions of emerging classes of epigenetic regulators of carcinogenesis and the tumor microenvironment, as well as epigenetic tumor heterogeneity. In this review, we discuss past findings on epigenetic mechanisms of cancer, current trends in the field of cancer epigenetics, and the directions of future research that may lead to the identification of new prognostic markers for cancer and the development of more effective anticancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Eun Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Young Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea; KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Cancer Metastasis Control Center, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Halsall JA, Andrews S, Krueger F, Rutledge CE, Ficz G, Reik W, Turner BM. Histone modifications form a cell-type-specific chromosomal bar code that persists through the cell cycle. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3009. [PMID: 33542322 PMCID: PMC7862352 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82539-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromatin configuration influences gene expression in eukaryotes at multiple levels, from individual nucleosomes to chromatin domains several Mb long. Post-translational modifications (PTM) of core histones seem to be involved in chromatin structural transitions, but how remains unclear. To explore this, we used ChIP-seq and two cell types, HeLa and lymphoblastoid (LCL), to define how changes in chromatin packaging through the cell cycle influence the distributions of three transcription-associated histone modifications, H3K9ac, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3. We show that chromosome regions (bands) of 10-50 Mb, detectable by immunofluorescence microscopy of metaphase (M) chromosomes, are also present in G1 and G2. They comprise 1-5 Mb sub-bands that differ between HeLa and LCL but remain consistent through the cell cycle. The same sub-bands are defined by H3K9ac and H3K4me3, while H3K27me3 spreads more widely. We found little change between cell cycle phases, whether compared by 5 Kb rolling windows or when analysis was restricted to functional elements such as transcription start sites and topologically associating domains. Only a small number of genes showed cell-cycle related changes: at genes encoding proteins involved in mitosis, H3K9 became highly acetylated in G2M, possibly because of ongoing transcription. In conclusion, modified histone isoforms H3K9ac, H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 exhibit a characteristic genomic distribution at resolutions of 1 Mb and below that differs between HeLa and lymphoblastoid cells but remains remarkably consistent through the cell cycle. We suggest that this cell-type-specific chromosomal bar-code is part of a homeostatic mechanism by which cells retain their characteristic gene expression patterns, and hence their identity, through multiple mitoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Halsall
- Chromatin and Gene Regulation Group, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Simon Andrews
- Bioinformatics, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Felix Krueger
- Bioinformatics, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Charlotte E Rutledge
- Chromatin and Gene Regulation Group, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Gabriella Ficz
- Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Wolf Reik
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bryan M Turner
- Chromatin and Gene Regulation Group, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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8
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Epigenetic activation of a RAS/MYC axis in H3.3K27M-driven cancer. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6216. [PMID: 33277484 PMCID: PMC7718276 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19972-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27M) mutations represent the canonical oncohistone, occurring frequently in midline gliomas but also identified in haematopoietic malignancies and carcinomas. H3K27M functions, at least in part, through widespread changes in H3K27 trimethylation but its role in tumour initiation remains obscure. To address this, we created a transgenic mouse expressing H3.3K27M in diverse progenitor cell populations. H3.3K27M expression drives tumorigenesis in multiple tissues, which is further enhanced by Trp53 deletion. We find that H3.3K27M epigenetically activates a transcriptome, enriched for PRC2 and SOX10 targets, that overrides developmental and tissue specificity and is conserved between H3.3K27M-mutant mouse and human tumours. A key feature of the H3K27M transcriptome is activation of a RAS/MYC axis, which we find can be targeted therapeutically in isogenic and primary DIPG cell lines with H3.3K27M mutations, providing an explanation for the common co-occurrence of alterations in these pathways in human H3.3K27M-driven cancer. Taken together, these results show how H3.3K27M-driven transcriptome remodelling promotes tumorigenesis and will be critical for targeting cancers with these mutations. Histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27M) is often mutated in cancer but its role in tumour initiation is unclear. Here, the authors generated a transgenic model expressing H3.3K27M from the Fabp7 gene promoter, demonstrating that H3.3K27M can initiate diverse tumorigesis on its own, acting through a RAS/MYC transcriptomic programme.
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9
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Ferrand J, Rondinelli B, Polo SE. Histone Variants: Guardians of Genome Integrity. Cells 2020; 9:E2424. [PMID: 33167489 PMCID: PMC7694513 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin integrity is key for cell homeostasis and for preventing pathological development. Alterations in core chromatin components, histone proteins, recently came into the spotlight through the discovery of their driving role in cancer. Building on these findings, in this review, we discuss how histone variants and their associated chaperones safeguard genome stability and protect against tumorigenesis. Accumulating evidence supports the contribution of histone variants and their chaperones to the maintenance of chromosomal integrity and to various steps of the DNA damage response, including damaged chromatin dynamics, DNA damage repair, and damage-dependent transcription regulation. We present our current knowledge on these topics and review recent advances in deciphering how alterations in histone variant sequence, expression, and deposition into chromatin fuel oncogenic transformation by impacting cell proliferation and cell fate transitions. We also highlight open questions and upcoming challenges in this rapidly growing field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sophie E. Polo
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, UMR7216 CNRS, Université de Paris, 75013 Paris, France; (J.F.); (B.R.)
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10
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Mutant H3 histones drive human pre-leukemic hematopoietic stem cell expansion and promote leukemic aggressiveness. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2891. [PMID: 31253791 PMCID: PMC6599207 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10705-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Our ability to manage acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is limited by our incomplete understanding of the epigenetic disruption central to leukemogenesis, including improper histone methylation. Here we examine 16 histone H3 genes in 434 primary AML samples and identify Q69H, A26P, R2Q, R8H and K27M/I mutations (1.6%), with higher incidence in secondary AML (9%). These mutations occur in pre-leukemic hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and exist in the major leukemic clones in patients. They increase the frequency of functional HSCs, alter differentiation, and amplify leukemic aggressiveness. These effects are dependent on the specific mutation. H3K27 mutation increases the expression of genes involved in erythrocyte and myeloid differentiation with altered H3K27 tri-methylation and K27 acetylation. The functional impact of histone mutations is independent of RUNX1 mutation, although they at times co-occur. This study establishes that H3 mutations are drivers of human pre-cancerous stem cell expansion and important early events in leukemogenesis.
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11
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Goldberg L, Gough SM, Lee F, Dang C, Walker RL, Zhu YJ, Bilke S, Pineda M, Onozawa M, Jo Chung Y, Meltzer PS, Aplan PD. Somatic mutations in murine models of leukemia and lymphoma: Disease specificity and clinical relevance. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2017; 56:472-483. [PMID: 28196408 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant transformation is a multistep process that is dictated by the acquisition of multiple genomic aberrations that provide growth and survival advantage. During the post genomic era, high throughput genomic sequencing has advanced exponentially, leading to identification of countless cancer associated mutations with potential for targeted therapy. Mouse models of cancer serve as excellent tools to examine the functionality of gene mutations and their contribution to the malignant process. However, it remains unclear whether the genetic events that occur during transformation are similar in mice and humans. To address that, we chose several transgenic mouse models of hematopoietic malignancies and identified acquired mutations in these mice by means of targeted re-sequencing of known cancer-associated genes as well as whole exome sequencing. We found that mutations that are typically found in acute myeloid leukemia or T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients are also common in mouse models of the respective disease. Moreover, we found that the most frequent mutations found in a mouse model of lymphoma occur in a set of epigenetic modifier genes, implicating this pathway in the generation of lymphoma. These results demonstrate that genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) mimic the genetic evolution of human cancer and serve as excellent platforms for target discovery and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Goldberg
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sheryl M Gough
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Fan Lee
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Christine Dang
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Robert L Walker
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Yuelin J Zhu
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Sven Bilke
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Marbin Pineda
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Masahiro Onozawa
- Center for Medical Education/Department of hematology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Yang Jo Chung
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Paul S Meltzer
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Peter D Aplan
- Genetics Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland
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12
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Aumann S, Abdel-Wahab O. Somatic alterations and dysregulation of epigenetic modifiers in cancers. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2014; 455:24-34. [PMID: 25111821 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2014.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2014] [Revised: 07/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Genomic discovery efforts in patients with cancer have been critical in identifying a recurrent theme of mutations in epigenetic modifiers. A number of novel and exciting basic biological findings have come from this work including the discovery of an enzymatic pathway for DNA cytosine demethylation, a link between cancer metabolism and epigenetics, and the critical importance of post-translational modifications at specific histone residues in malignant transformation. Identification of cancer cell dependency on a number of these mutations has quickly resulted in the development of therapies targeting several of these genetic alterations. This includes, the development of mutant-selective IDH1 and IDH2 inhibitors, DOT1L inhibitors for MLL rearranged leukemias, EZH2 inhibitors for several cancer types, and the development of bromodomain inhibitors for many cancer types--all of which are in early phase clinical trials. In many cases, however, specific genetic targets linked to malignant transformation following mutations in individual epigenetic modifiers are not yet known. In this review we present functional evidence of how alterations in frequently mutated epigenetic modifiers promote malignant transformation and how these alterations are being targeted for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shlomzion Aumann
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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13
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Abstract
Epigenetic alterations are associated with all aspects of cancer, from tumor initiation to cancer progression and metastasis. It is now well understood that both losses and gains of DNA methylation as well as altered chromatin organization contribute significantly to cancer-associated phenotypes. More recently, new sequencing technologies have allowed the identification of driver mutations in epigenetic regulators, providing a mechanistic link between the cancer epigenome and genetic alterations. Oncogenic activating mutations are now known to occur in a number of epigenetic modifiers (i.e. IDH1/2, EZH2, DNMT3A), pinpointing epigenetic pathways that are involved in tumorigenesis. Similarly, investigations into the role of inactivating mutations in chromatin modifiers (i.e. KDM6A, CREBBP/EP300, SMARCB1) implicate many of these genes as tumor suppressors. Intriguingly, a number of neoplasms are defined by a plethora of mutations in epigenetic regulators, including renal, bladder, and adenoid cystic carcinomas. Particularly striking is the discovery of frequent histone H3.3 mutations in pediatric glioma, a particularly aggressive neoplasm that has long remained poorly understood. Cancer epigenetics is a relatively new, promising frontier with much potential for improving cancer outcomes. Already, therapies such as 5-azacytidine and decitabine have proven that targeting epigenetic alterations in cancer can lead to tangible benefits. Understanding how genetic alterations give rise to the cancer epigenome will offer new possibilities for developing better prognostic and therapeutic strategies.
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14
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Yuen BTK, Knoepfler PS. Histone H3.3 mutations: a variant path to cancer. Cancer Cell 2013; 24:567-74. [PMID: 24229707 PMCID: PMC3882088 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 09/11/2013] [Accepted: 09/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A host of cancer types exhibit aberrant histone modifications. Recently, distinct and recurrent mutations in a specific histone variant, histone H3.3, have been implicated in a high proportion of malignant pediatric brain cancers. The presence of mutant H3.3 histone disrupts epigenetic posttranslational modifications near genes involved in cancer processes and in brain function. Here, we review possible mechanisms by which mutant H3.3 histones may act to promote tumorigenesis. Furthermore, we discuss how perturbations in normal H3.3 chromatin-related and epigenetic functions may more broadly contribute to the formation of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin T K Yuen
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4303 Tupper Hall, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Genome Center, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 451 Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA; Institute of Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital For Children Northern California, 2425 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
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