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LaRue-Nolan KC, Raja Arul GL, Sigafoos AN, Shi J, Fernandez-Zapico ME. Insights into the mechanisms driven by H3K4 KMTs in pancreatic cancer. Biochem J 2024; 481:983-997. [PMID: 39078225 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230374] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy arising from the endocrine or exocrine compartment of this organ. Tumors from exocrine origin comprise over 90% of all pancreatic cancers diagnosed. Of these, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common histological subtype. The five-year survival rate for PDAC ranged between 5 and 9% for over four decades, and only recently saw a modest increase to ∼12-13%, making this a severe and lethal disease. Like other cancers, PDAC initiation stems from genetic changes. However, therapeutic targeting of PDAC genetic drivers has remained relatively unsuccessful, thus the focus in recent years has expanded to the non-genetic factors underlying the disease pathogenesis. Specifically, it has been proposed that dynamic changes in the epigenetic landscape promote tumor growth and metastasis. Emphasis has been given to the re-organization of enhancers, essential regulatory elements controlling oncogenic gene expression, commonly marked my histone 3 lysine 4 monomethylation (H3K4me1). H3K4me1 is typically deposited by histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs). While well characterized as oncogenes in other cancer types, recent work has expanded the role of KMTs as tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer. Here, we review the role and translational significance for PDAC development and therapeutics of KMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla C LaRue-Nolan
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | | | - Ashley N Sigafoos
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A
| | - Martin E Fernandez-Zapico
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
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Salgado I, Prado Montes de Oca E, Chairez I, Figueroa-Yáñez L, Pereira-Santana A, Rivera Chávez A, Velázquez-Fernandez JB, Alvarado Parra T, Vallejo A. Deep Learning Techniques to Characterize the RPS28P7 Pseudogene and the Metazoa- SRP Gene as Drug Potential Targets in Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:395. [PMID: 38397997 PMCID: PMC11154313 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular explanation about why some pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients die early and others die later is poorly understood. This study aimed to discover potential novel markers and drug targets that could be useful to stratify and extend expected survival in prospective early-death patients. We deployed a deep learning algorithm and analyzed the gene copy number, gene expression, and protein expression data of death versus alive PaCa patients from the GDC cohort. The genes with higher relative amplification (copy number >4 times in the dead compared with the alive group) were EWSR1, FLT3, GPC3, HIF1A, HLF, and MEN1. The most highly up-regulated genes (>8.5-fold change) in the death group were RPL30, RPL37, RPS28P7, RPS11, Metazoa_SRP, CAPNS1, FN1, H3-3B, LCN2, and OAZ1. None of their corresponding proteins were up or down-regulated in the death group. The mRNA of the RPS28P7 pseudogene could act as ceRNA sponging the miRNA that was originally directed to the parental gene RPS28. We propose RPS28P7 mRNA as the most druggable target that can be modulated with small molecules or the RNA technology approach. These markers could be added as criteria to patient stratification in future PaCa drug trials, but further validation in the target populations is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Salgado
- Medical Robotics and Biosignals Laboratory, Centro de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Cómputo, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 07700, Mexico;
| | - Ernesto Prado Montes de Oca
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (A.R.C.); (T.A.P.)
| | - Isaac Chairez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Jalisco, Mexico;
| | - Luis Figueroa-Yáñez
- Industrial Biotechnology Unit, Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco, A.C. (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (L.F.-Y.); (A.P.-S.)
| | - Alejandro Pereira-Santana
- Industrial Biotechnology Unit, Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco, A.C. (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (L.F.-Y.); (A.P.-S.)
| | - Andrés Rivera Chávez
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (A.R.C.); (T.A.P.)
| | | | - Teresa Alvarado Parra
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico; (A.R.C.); (T.A.P.)
| | - Adriana Vallejo
- Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, CONACYT-Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnologia y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco AC, Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
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Salgado I, Prado Montes de Oca E, Chairez I, Figueroa-Yáñez L, Pereira-Santana A, Rivera Chávez A, Velázquez-Fernandez JB, Alvarado Parra T, Vallejo A. Deep Learning Techniques to Characterize the RPS28P7 Pseudogene and the Metazoa-SRP Gene as Drug Potential Targets in Pancreatic Cancer Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:395. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12020395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The molecular explanation about why some pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients die early and others die later is poorly understood. This study aimed to discover potential novel markers and drug targets that could be useful to stratify and extend expected survival in prospective early-death patients. We deployed a deep learning algorithm and analyzed the gene copy number, gene expression, and protein expression data of death versus alive PaCa patients from the GDC cohort. The genes with higher relative amplification (copy number >4 times in the dead compared with the alive group) were EWSR1, FLT3, GPC3, HIF1A, HLF, and MEN1. The most highly up-regulated genes (>8.5-fold change) in the death group were RPL30, RPL37, RPS28P7, RPS11, Metazoa_SRP, CAPNS1, FN1, H3−3B, LCN2, and OAZ1. None of their corresponding proteins were up or down-regulated in the death group. The mRNA of the RPS28P7 pseudogene could act as ceRNA sponging the miRNA that was originally directed to the parental gene RPS28. We propose RPS28P7 mRNA as the most druggable target that can be modulated with small molecules or the RNA technology approach. These markers could be added as criteria to patient stratification in future PaCa drug trials, but further validation in the target populations is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Salgado
- Medical Robotics and Biosignals Laboratory, Centro de Innovación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Cómputo, Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico City 07700, Mexico
| | - Ernesto Prado Montes de Oca
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Isaac Chairez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, Institute of Advanced Materials for Sustainable Manufacturing, Monterrey 64849, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Luis Figueroa-Yáñez
- Industrial Biotechnology Unit, Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco, A.C. (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Alejandro Pereira-Santana
- Industrial Biotechnology Unit, Center for Research and Assistance in Technology and Design of the State of Jalisco, A.C. (CIATEJ), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Andrés Rivera Chávez
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
| | | | - Teresa Alvarado Parra
- Regulatory SNPs Laboratory, Personalized Medicine National Laboratory (LAMPER), Guadalajara Unit, Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Department, Research Center in Technology and Design Assistance of Jalisco State (CIATEJ), National Council of Science and Technology (CONACYT), Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Adriana Vallejo
- Unidad de Biotecnología Médica y Farmacéutica, CONACYT-Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnologia y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco AC, Av. Normalistas 800, Colinas de la Normal, Guadalajara 44270, Jalisco, Mexico
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Duan S, Sheriff S, Elvis-Offiah UB, Witten BL, Sawyer TW, Sundaresan S, Cierpicki T, Grembecka J, Merchant JL. Clinically Defined Mutations in MEN1 Alter Its Tumor-suppressive Function Through Increased Menin Turnover. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1318-1334. [PMID: 37492626 PMCID: PMC10364643 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
Loss of the tumor suppressor protein menin is a critical event underlying the formation of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in hormone-expressing tissues including gastrinomas. While aberrant expression of menin impairs its tumor suppression, few studies explore the structure-function relationship of clinical multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 1 (MEN1) mutations in the absence of a complete LOH at both loci. Here, we determined whether clinical MEN1 mutations render nuclear menin unstable and lead to its functional inactivation. We studied the structural and functional implications of two clinical MEN1 mutations (R516fs, E235K) and a third variant (A541T) recently identified in 10 patients with gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NETs. We evaluated the subcellular localization and half-lives of the mutants and variant in Men1-null mouse embryo fibroblast cells and in hormone-expressing human gastric adenocarcinoma and NET cell lines. Loss of menin function was assessed by cell proliferation and gastrin gene expression assays. Finally, we evaluated the effect of the small-molecule compound MI-503 on stabilizing nuclear menin expression and function in vitro and in a previously reported mouse model of gastric NET development. Both the R516fs and E235K mutants exhibited severe defects in total and subcellular expression of menin, and this was consistent with reduced half-lives of these mutants. Mutated menin proteins exhibited loss of function in suppressing tumor cell proliferation and gastrin expression. Treatment with MI-503 rescued nuclear menin expression and attenuated hypergastrinemia and gastric hyperplasia in NET-bearing mice. Clinically defined MEN1 mutations and a germline variant confer pathogenicity by destabilizing nuclear menin expression. Significance We examined the function of somatic and germline mutations and a variant of MEN1 sequenced from gastroenteropancreatic NETs. We report that these mutations and variant promote tumor cell growth and gastrin expression by rendering menin protein unstable and prone to increased degradation. We demonstrate that the menin-MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) inhibitor MI-503 restores menin protein expression and function in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a potential novel therapeutic approach to target MEN1 GEP-NETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzann Duan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Sulaiman Sheriff
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Uloma B. Elvis-Offiah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Brandon L. Witten
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Travis W. Sawyer
- Department of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona Wyant College of Optical Sciences, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Sinju Sundaresan
- Department of Physiology, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois
| | - Tomasz Cierpicki
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jolanta Grembecka
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Juanita L. Merchant
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona
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