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Liu Z, Hu Y, Xie H, Chen K, Wen L, Fu W, Zhou X, Tang F. Single-Cell Chromatin Accessibility Analysis Reveals the Epigenetic Basis and Signature Transcription Factors for the Molecular Subtypes of Colorectal Cancers. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1082-1105. [PMID: 38445965 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-1445] [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] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a highly heterogeneous disease, with well-characterized subtypes based on genome, DNA methylome, and transcriptome signatures. To chart the epigenetic landscape of colorectal cancers, we generated a high-quality single-cell chromatin accessibility atlas of epithelial cells for 29 patients. Abnormal chromatin states acquired in adenomas were largely retained in colorectal cancers, which were tightly accompanied by opposite changes of DNA methylation. Unsupervised analysis on malignant cells revealed two epigenetic subtypes, exactly matching the iCMS classification, and key iCMS-specific transcription factors (TFs) were identified, including HNF4A and PPARA for iCMS2 tumors and FOXA3 and MAFK for iCMS3 tumors. Notably, subtype-specific TFs bind to distinct target gene sets and contribute to both interpatient similarities and diversities for both chromatin accessibilities and RNA expressions. Moreover, we identified CpG-island methylator phenotypes and pinpointed chromatin state signatures and TF regulators for the CIMP-high subtype. Our work systematically revealed the epigenetic basis of the well-known iCMS and CIMP classifications of colorectal cancers. SIGNIFICANCE Our work revealed the epigenetic basis of the well-known iCMS and CIMP classifications of colorectal cancers. Moreover, interpatient minor similarities and major diversities of chromatin accessibility signatures of TF target genes can faithfully explain the corresponding interpatient minor similarities and major diversities of RNA expression signatures of colorectal cancers, respectively. This article is featured in Selected Articles from This Issue, p. 897.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqiong Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Haoling Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Kexuan Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Wen
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Fu
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Third Hospital Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Peking University Third Hospital Cancer Center, Beijing, China
| | - Fuchou Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of General Surgery, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics (ICG), Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing, China
- Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Wang Y, Wang Y, He H, Xiong Y. Absence of GATA3/FOXA1 co-expression predicts poor prognosis in upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1302864. [PMID: 38425344 PMCID: PMC10902436 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1302864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) and forkhead box A1 (FOXA1) have been individually implicated in the progression of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of GATA3/FOXA1 co-expression in UTUC patients. Methods We collected 108 UTUC pathological tissue samples with complete follow-up data and 24 normal control urothelial tissues. We created a 132-site microarray and performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to measure GATA3 and FOXA1 expression levels. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were conducted to assess UTUC prognosis. Results GATA3 expression was positively correlated with FOXA1 (P=0.031). Absence of GATA3/FOXA1 co-expression (GATA3-/FOXA1-) was associated with tumor extensive necrosis (P=0.001) after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. GATA3-/FOXA1- was associated with shorter Disease-Free Survival (DFS) (P=0.001) and Cancer-Specific Survival (CSS) (P<0.001) than other combination groups. Multivariate analyses identified extensive necrosis as an independent prognostic factor for CSS (P=0.030). Conclusions Our study revealed a positive correlation between GATA3 and FOXA1 expression in UTUC. GATA3-/FOXA1- is linked to tumor extensive necrosis and poor prognosis in UTUC and may serve as a potential biomarker for UTUC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huiying He
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Third Hospital, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xiong
- Department of Pathology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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Dyer M, Lin Q, Shapoval S, Thieffry D, Benoukraf T. MethMotif.Org 2024: a database integrating context-specific transcription factor-binding motifs with DNA methylation patterns. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D222-D228. [PMID: 37850642 PMCID: PMC10767921 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
MethMotif (https://methmotif.org) is a publicly available database that provides a comprehensive repository of transcription factor (TF)-binding profiles, enriched with DNA methylation patterns. In this release, we have enhanced the platform, expanding our initial collection to over 700 position weight matrices (PWM), all of which include DNA methylation profiles. One of the key advancements in this release is the segregation of TF-binding motifs based on their cofactors and DNA methylation status. We have previously demonstrated that gene ontology (GO) enriched terms associated with TF target genes may differ based on their association with alternative cofactors and DNA methylation status. MethMotif provides precomputed GO annotations for each human TF of interest, as well as for TF-co-TF complexes, enabling a comprehensive analysis of TF functions in the context of their co-factors. Additionally, MethMotif has been updated to encompass data for two new species, Mus musculus and Arabidopsis thaliana, widening its applicability to a broader community. MethMotif stands out as the first and only TF-binding motifs database to incorporate context-specific PWM coupled with epigenetic information, thereby enlightening context-specific TF functions. This enhancement allows the community to explore and gain deeper insights into the regulatory mechanisms governing transcriptional processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Dyer
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Quy Xiao Xuan Lin
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
| | - Sofiia Shapoval
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Denis Thieffry
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
- Département de Biologie de l’École Normale Supérieure, PSL Research University, Paris 75005, France
| | - Touati Benoukraf
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117599, Singapore
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Hasan A, Khan NA, Uddin S, Khan AQ, Steinhoff M. Deregulated transcription factors in the emerging cancer hallmarks. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 98:31-50. [PMID: 38123029 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Cancer progression is a multifaceted process that entails several stages and demands the persistent expression or activation of transcription factors (TFs) to facilitate growth and survival. TFs are a cluster of proteins with DNA-binding domains that attach to promoter or enhancer DNA strands to start the transcription of genes by collaborating with RNA polymerase and other supporting proteins. They are generally acknowledged as the major regulatory molecules that coordinate biological homeostasis and the appropriate functioning of cellular components, subsequently contributing to human physiology. TFs proteins are crucial for controlling transcription during the embryonic stage and development, and the stability of different cell types depends on how they function in different cell types. The development and progression of cancer cells and tumors might be triggered by any anomaly in transcription factor function. It has long been acknowledged that cancer development is accompanied by the dysregulated activity of TF alterations which might result in faulty gene expression. Recent studies have suggested that dysregulated transcription factors play a major role in developing various human malignancies by altering and rewiring metabolic processes, modifying the immune response, and triggering oncogenic signaling cascades. This review emphasizes the interplay between TFs involved in metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming, evading immune attacks, cellular senescence, and the maintenance of cancer stemness in cancerous cells. The insights presented herein will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic modalities to tackle the dysregulated transcription factors underlying cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adria Hasan
- Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory, Integral Information and Research Centre-4 (IIRC-4), Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India
| | - Naushad Ahmad Khan
- Department of Surgery, Trauma and Vascular Surgery Clinical Research, Hamad General Hospital, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Shahab Uddin
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow 226026, India; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Dermatology Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar
| | - Abdul Q Khan
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar.
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- Translational Research Institute, Academic Health System, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Rumailah Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha 3050, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar, Qatar Foundation-Education City, Doha 24144, Qatar; Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha 2713, Qatar
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Roura AJ, Szadkowska P, Poleszak K, Dabrowski MJ, Ellert-Miklaszewska A, Wojnicki K, Ciechomska IA, Stepniak K, Kaminska B, Wojtas B. Regulatory networks driving expression of genes critical for glioblastoma are controlled by the transcription factor c-Jun and the pre-existing epigenetic modifications. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:29. [PMID: 36850002 PMCID: PMC9972689 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01446-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glioblastoma (GBM, WHO grade IV) is an aggressive, primary brain tumor. Despite extensive tumor resection followed by radio- and chemotherapy, life expectancy of GBM patients did not improve over decades. Several studies reported transcription deregulation in GBMs, but regulatory mechanisms driving overexpression of GBM-specific genes remain largely unknown. Transcription in open chromatin regions is directed by transcription factors (TFs) that bind to specific motifs, recruit co-activators/repressors and the transcriptional machinery. Identification of GBM-related TFs-gene regulatory networks may reveal new and targetable mechanisms of gliomagenesis. RESULTS We predicted TFs-regulated networks in GBMs in silico and intersected them with putative TF binding sites identified in the accessible chromatin in human glioma cells and GBM patient samples. The Cancer Genome Atlas and Glioma Atlas datasets (DNA methylation, H3K27 acetylation, transcriptomic profiles) were explored to elucidate TFs-gene regulatory networks and effects of the epigenetic background. In contrast to the majority of tumors, c-Jun expression was higher in GBMs than in normal brain and c-Jun binding sites were found in multiple genes overexpressed in GBMs, including VIM, FOSL2 or UPP1. Binding of c-Jun to the VIM gene promoter was stronger in GBM-derived cells than in cells derived from benign glioma as evidenced by gel shift and supershift assays. Regulatory regions of the majority of c-Jun targets have distinct DNA methylation patterns in GBMs as compared to benign gliomas, suggesting the contribution of DNA methylation to the c-Jun-dependent gene expression. CONCLUSIONS GBM-specific TFs-gene networks identified in GBMs differ from regulatory pathways attributed to benign brain tumors and imply a decisive role of c-Jun in controlling genes that drive glioma growth and invasion as well as a modulatory role of DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adria-Jaume Roura
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Szadkowska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- grid.13339.3b0000000113287408Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Poleszak
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Michal J. Dabrowski
- grid.425308.80000 0001 2158 4832Institute of Computer Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Ellert-Miklaszewska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamil Wojnicki
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Iwona A. Ciechomska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Stepniak
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Bartosz Wojtas
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- grid.419305.a0000 0001 1943 2944Laboratory of Sequencing, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, ul. Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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Ervin EH, French R, Chang CH, Pauklin S. Inside the stemness engine: Mechanistic links between deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 87:48-83. [PMID: 36347438 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Cell identity is largely determined by its transcriptional profile. In tumour, deregulation of transcription factor expression and/or activity enables cancer cell to acquire a stem-like state characterised by capacity to self-renew, differentiate and form tumours in vivo. These stem-like cancer cells are highly metastatic and therapy resistant, thus warranting a more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms downstream of the transcription factors that mediate the establishment of stemness state. Here, we review recent research findings that provide a mechanistic link between the commonly deregulated transcription factors and stemness in cancer. In particular, we describe the role of master transcription factors (SOX, OCT4, NANOG, KLF, BRACHYURY, SALL, HOX, FOX and RUNX), signalling-regulated transcription factors (SMAD, β-catenin, YAP, TAZ, AP-1, NOTCH, STAT, GLI, ETS and NF-κB) and unclassified transcription factors (c-MYC, HIF, EMT transcription factors and P53) across diverse tumour types, thereby yielding a comprehensive overview identifying shared downstream targets, highlighting unique mechanisms and discussing complexities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle-Helene Ervin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Rhiannon French
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Chao-Hui Chang
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, United Kingdom.
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RBM10 Is a Biomarker Associated with Pan-Cancer Prognosis and Immune Infiltration: System Analysis Combined with In Vitro and Vivo Experiments. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022. [DOI: 10.1155/2022/7654937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RNA binding motif protein 10 (RBM10) is a splicing factor that has been reported to be involved in the occurrence and progression of multiple malignancies. However, the RBM10 involvement in pan-cancer immunotherapy is not clear. In here, we provide the first comprehensive assessment of the prognostic value and immunological function of RBM10 in human pan-cancer utilizing multiple public databases. Data reveal the aberrant RBM10 expression in most tumors, and its expression is positively or negatively linked with the clinical prognosis of various cancers, depending on the different types and subtypes of cancers. In most tumors, RBM10 mutations are frequently occurred, which is closely related to tumor progression. Moreover, our results also show that RBM10 is considerably linked with most of the immune checkpoint genes, tumor immune cell infiltration, tumor mutation burden, and microsatellite instability. Additionally, RBM10 is significantly positively correlated with the sensitivity of trametinib, 17-AAG, PD-0325901, RDEA119, cetuximab, and afatinib, indicating potential antagonism between RBM10 inhibitors and these antitumor drugs, and more likely to develop drug resistance. We also verify that downregulation of RBM10 enhances the malignant phenotype of lung adenocarcinoma cells using in vitro cell experiments, and in vivo animal experiments show that the overexpression of RBM10 reduces the growth of tumors. Furthermore, upregulating RBM10 greatly reduces the PD-L1 protein levels, while silencing RBM10 considerably enhances PD-L1 protein levels. Moreover, the overexpression of RBM10 decreases the protein stability of PD-L1. To sum up, our pan-cancer analysis indicates that RBM10 is a promising biomarker for prognosis and immunotherapy, which provides a new insight for cancer immunotherapy.
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The role of transcription factors in the acquisition of the four latest proposed hallmarks of cancer and corresponding enabling characteristics. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1203-1215. [PMID: 36244529 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
With the recent description of the molecular and cellular characteristics that enable acquisition of both core and new hallmarks of cancer, the consequences of transcription factor dysregulation in the hallmarks scheme has become increasingly evident. Dysregulation or mutation of transcription factors has long been recognized in the development of cancer where alterations in these key regulatory molecules can result in aberrant gene expression and consequential blockade of normal cellular differentiation. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of involvement of dysregulated transcription factor networks with the most recently reported cancer hallmarks and enabling characteristic properties. We present some illustrative examples of the impact of dysregulated transcription factors, specifically focusing on the characteristics of phenotypic plasticity, non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, polymorphic microbiomes, and senescence. We also discuss how new insights into transcription factor dysregulation in cancer is contributing to addressing current therapeutic challenges.
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