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Karakostis K, Padariya M, Thermou A, Fåhraeus R, Kalathiya U, Vollrath F. Thermal stress, p53 structures and learning from elephants. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:353. [PMID: 39107279 PMCID: PMC11303390 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-02109-w] [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: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
As species adapt to climatic changes, temperature-dependent functions of p53 in development, metabolism and cancer will adapt as well. Structural analyses of p53 epitopes interacting in response to environmental stressors, such as heat, may uncover physiologically relevant functions of p53 in cell regulation and genomic adaptations. Here we explore the multiple p53 elephant paradigm with an experimentally validated in silico model showing that under heat stress some p53 copies escape negative regulation by the MDM2 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Multiple p53 isoforms have evolved naturally in the elephant thus presenting a unique experimental system to study the scope of p53 functions and the contribution of environmental stressors to DNA damage. We assert that fundamental insights derived from studies of a historically heat-challenged mammal will provide important insights directly relevant to human biology in the light of climate change when 'heat' may introduce novel challenges to our bodies and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Karakostis
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, Paris, France.
| | - Monikaben Padariya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Aikaterini Thermou
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, Paris, France
| | - Robin Fåhraeus
- Inserm UMRS1131, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire, Université Paris 7, Hôpital St. Louis, Paris, France
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology (RECAMO), Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Biosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Umesh Kalathiya
- International Centre for Cancer Vaccine Science, University of Gdansk, ul. Kładki 24, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Fritz Vollrath
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Save the Elephants Marula Manor, Karen, P.O. Box 54667, Nairobi, Kenya.
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Manov I, Odeh A, Shams I. Aging without inflammaging: lesson from Spalax. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:15875-15877. [PMID: 32855359 PMCID: PMC7485727 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
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Kitsoulis CV, Baxevanis AD, Abatzopoulos TJ. The occurrence of cancer in vertebrates: a mini review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 27:9. [PMID: 32528906 PMCID: PMC7282124 DOI: 10.1186/s40709-020-00119-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Neoplasia is a multilevel condition caused by irregularities over the genome, which can lead to a fatal result. To fully understand this phenomenon, an evolutionary challenge has risen during the last decades, away from human limits, driving the scientific quest into the wild life. The study of wild vertebrate populations in their natural habitats has shown that cancer is rather prominent. Thus, the diversity of vertebrates reported with some form of neoplasia is quite scattered through a variety of habitats. However, some species constitute exceptions by exhibiting cancer-protective features, driven by certain loci in their DNA. It is obvious that from an evolutionary standpoint, the incidence of cancer in different taxa is nowadays studied by seeking for patterns and their roots. The main purpose of the evolutionary approach is no other than to answer a fundamental question: Could cancer be ultimately regarded as another evolutionary force conducive to the formation or shaping-up of species?
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos V Kitsoulis
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Athanasios D Baxevanis
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Theodore J Abatzopoulos
- Department of Genetics, Development & Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Lagunas-Rangel FA. Cancer-free aging: Insights from Spalax ehrenbergi superspecies. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 47:18-23. [PMID: 29913210 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancer and ageing can be regarded as two different manifestations of the same underlying process-accumulation of cellular damage-and therefore both are closely linked. Nowadays, the ageing of populations worldwide is leading to an unprecedented increase in cancer cases and fatalities, and therefore the understanding of links between cancer and ageing is more important than ever. Spalax is considered an excellent model for ageing and, additionally, for cancer research, due to not show clear age-related phenotypic changes and not develop spontaneous tumours, despite its relatively long lifespan (∼20 years in captivity). Thereby, the purpose of this review is to summarize the recent knowledge on Spalax, with a particular emphasis on the molecular mechanisms associated with their longevity and cancer resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Alejandro Lagunas-Rangel
- Department of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (CINVESTAV), Av. Instituto Politécnico Nacional No. 2508, San Pedro Zacatenco, Gustavo A. Madero, 07360, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Computational Approaches to Prioritize Cancer Driver Missense Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19072113. [PMID: 30037003 PMCID: PMC6073793 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19072113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease that is driven by genetic alterations. There has been a rapid development of genome-wide techniques during the last decade along with a significant lowering of the cost of gene sequencing, which has generated widely available cancer genomic data. However, the interpretation of genomic data and the prediction of the association of genetic variations with cancer and disease phenotypes still requires significant improvement. Missense mutations, which can render proteins non-functional and provide a selective growth advantage to cancer cells, are frequently detected in cancer. Effects caused by missense mutations can be pinpointed by in silico modeling, which makes it more feasible to find a treatment and reverse the effect. Specific human phenotypes are largely determined by stability, activity, and interactions between proteins and other biomolecules that work together to execute specific cellular functions. Therefore, analysis of missense mutations’ effects on proteins and their complexes would provide important clues for identifying functionally important missense mutations, understanding the molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and facilitating treatment and prevention. Herein, we summarize the major computational approaches and tools that provide not only the classification of missense mutations as cancer drivers or passengers but also the molecular mechanisms induced by driver mutations. This review focuses on the discussion of annotation and prediction methods based on structural and biophysical data, analysis of somatic cancer missense mutations in 3D structures of proteins and their complexes, predictions of the effects of missense mutations on protein stability, protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions, and assessment of conformational changes in protein conformations induced by mutations.
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Domankevich V, Eddini H, Odeh A, Shams I. Resistance to DNA damage and enhanced DNA repair capacity in the hypoxia-tolerant blind mole rat Spalax carmeli. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.174540. [PMID: 29593080 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.174540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 03/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Blind mole rats of the genus Spalax are the only mammalian species to date for which spontaneous cancer has never been reported and resistance to carcinogen-induced cancers has been demonstrated. However, the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. The fact that Spalax spp. are also hypoxia-tolerant and long-lived species implies the presence of molecular adaptations to prevent genomic instability, which underlies both cancer and aging. We previously demonstrated the upregulation of transcripts related to DNA replication and repair pathways in Spalax Yet, to date, no direct experimental evidence for improved genomic maintenance has been demonstrated for this genus. Here, we show that compared with skin fibroblasts of the above-ground rat, Spalax carmeli skin fibroblasts in culture resist several types of genotoxic insult, accumulate fewer genotoxic lesions and exhibit an enhanced DNA repair capacity. Our results strongly support that this species has evolved efficient mechanisms to maintain DNA integrity as an adaptation to the stressful conditions in the subterranean habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vered Domankevich
- The Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Hossam Eddini
- The Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Amani Odeh
- The Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Imad Shams
- The Institute of Evolution and Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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Ma S, Gladyshev VN. Molecular signatures of longevity: Insights from cross-species comparative studies. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 70:190-203. [PMID: 28800931 PMCID: PMC5807068 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Much of the current research on longevity focuses on the aging process within a single species. Several molecular players (e.g. IGF1 and MTOR), pharmacological compounds (e.g. rapamycin and metformin), and dietary approaches (e.g. calorie restriction and methionine restriction) have been shown to be important in regulating and modestly extending lifespan in model organisms. On the other hand, natural lifespan varies much more significantly across species. Within mammals alone, maximum lifespan differs more than 100 fold, but the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recent comparative studies are beginning to shed light on the molecular signatures associated with exceptional longevity. These include genome sequencing of microbats, naked mole rat, blind mole rat, bowhead whale and African turquoise killifish, and comparative analyses of gene expression, metabolites, lipids and ions across multiple mammalian species. Together, they point towards several putative strategies for lifespan regulation and cancer resistance, as well as the pathways and metabolites associated with longevity variation. In particular, longevity may be achieved by both lineage-specific adaptations and common mechanisms that apply across the species. Comparing the resulting cross-species molecular signatures with the within-species lifespan extension strategies will improve our understanding of mechanisms of longevity control and provide a starting point for novel and effective interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Ma
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR, Singapore, 138672, Singapore
| | - Vadim N Gladyshev
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA; Laboratory of Systems Biology of Aging, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
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Malik A, Domankevich V, Lijuan H, Xiaodong F, Korol A, Avivi A, Shams I. Genome maintenance and bioenergetics of the long-lived hypoxia-tolerant and cancer-resistant blind mole rat, Spalax: a cross-species analysis of brain transcriptome. Sci Rep 2016; 6:38624. [PMID: 27934892 PMCID: PMC5146665 DOI: 10.1038/srep38624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The subterranean blind mole rat, Spalax, experiences acute hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles in its natural subterranean habitat. At the cellular level, these conditions are known to promote genomic instability, which underlies both cancer and aging. However, Spalax is a long-lived animal and is resistant to both spontaneous and induced cancers. To study this apparent paradox we utilized a computational procedure that allows detecting differences in transcript abundance between Spalax and the closely related above-ground Rattus norvegicus in individuals of different ages. Functional enrichment analysis showed that Spalax whole brain tissues maintain significantly higher normoxic mRNA levels of genes associated with DNA damage repair and DNA metabolism, yet keep significantly lower mRNA levels of genes involved in bioenergetics. Many of the genes that showed higher transcript abundance in Spalax are involved in DNA repair and metabolic pathways that, in other species, were shown to be downregulated under hypoxia, yet are required for overcoming replication- and oxidative-stress during the subsequent reoxygenation. We suggest that these differentially expressed genes may prevent the accumulation of DNA damage in mitotic and post-mitotic cells and defective resumption of replication in mitotic cells, thus maintaining genome integrity as an adaptation to acute hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assaf Malik
- Institue of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.,Bioinformatics Core Unit, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Vered Domankevich
- Institue of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.,Deparment of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Han Lijuan
- BGI-Tech, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | | | - Abraham Korol
- Institue of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.,Deparment of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Aaron Avivi
- Institue of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Imad Shams
- Institue of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel.,Deparment of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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