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Pierzynska-Mach A, Cainero I, Oneto M, Ferrando-May E, Lanzanò L, Diaspro A. Imaging-based study demonstrates how the DEK nanoscale distribution differentially correlates with epigenetic marks in a breast cancer model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12749. [PMID: 37550322 PMCID: PMC10406876 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-38685-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic dysregulation of chromatin is one of the hallmarks of cancer development and progression, and it is continuously investigated as a potential general bio-marker of this complex disease. One of the nuclear factors involved in gene regulation is the unique DEK protein-a histone chaperon modulating chromatin topology. DEK expression levels increase significantly from normal to cancer cells, hence raising the possibility of using DEK as a tumor marker. Although DEK is known to be implicated in epigenetic and transcriptional regulation, the details of these interactions and their relevance in cancer development remain largely elusive. In this work, we investigated the spatial correlation between the nuclear distribution of DEK and chromatin patterns-alongside breast cancer progression-leveraging image cross-correlation spectroscopy (ICCS) coupled with Proximity Ligation Assay (PLA) analysis. We performed our study on the model based on three well-established human breast cell lines to consider this tumor's heterogeneity (MCF10A, MCF7, and MDA-MB-231 cells). Our results show that overexpression of DEK correlates with the overall higher level of spatial proximity between DEK and histone marks corresponding to gene promoters regions (H3K9ac, H3K4me3), although it does not correlate with spatial proximity between DEK and gene enhancers (H3K27ac). Additionally, we observed that colocalizing fractions of DEK and histone marks are lower for the non-invasive cell subtype than for the highly invasive cell line (MDA-MB-231). Thus, this study suggests that the role of DEK on transcriptionally active chromatin regions varies depending on the subtype of the breast cancer cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Isotta Cainero
- Nanoscopy and NIC @ IIT, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Michele Oneto
- Nanoscopy and NIC @ IIT, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genoa, Italy
| | - Elisa Ferrando-May
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Luca Lanzanò
- Nanoscopy and NIC @ IIT, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Alberto Diaspro
- Nanoscopy and NIC @ IIT, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Enrico Melen, 83, 16152, Genoa, Italy.
- DIFILAB, Department of Physics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
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2
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Liu W, Padhi A, Zhang X, Narendran J, Anastasio MA, Nain AS, Irudayaraj J. Dynamic Heterochromatin States in Anisotropic Nuclei of Cells on Aligned Nanofibers. ACS NANO 2022; 16:10754-10767. [PMID: 35803582 PMCID: PMC9332347 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c02660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The cancer cell nucleus deforms as it invades the interstitial spaces in tissues and the tumor microenvironment. While alteration of the chromatin structure in a deformed nucleus is expected and documented, the chromatin structure in the nuclei of cells on aligned matrices has not been elucidated. In this work we elucidate the spatiotemporal organization of heterochromatin in the elongated nuclei of cells on aligned nanofibers with stimulated emission depletion nanoscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. We show that the anisotropy of nuclei is sufficient to drive H3K9me3-heterochromatin alterations, with enhanced H3K9me3 nanocluster compaction and aggregation states that otherwise are indistinguishable from diffraction-limited microscopy. We interrogated the higher-order heterochromatin structures within major chromatin compartments in anisotropic nuclei and discovered a wider spatial dispersion of nanodomain clusters in the nucleoplasm and condensed larger nanoclusters near the periphery and pericentromeric heterochromatin. Upon examining the spatiotemporal dynamics of heterochromatin in anisotropic nuclei, we observed reduced mobility of the constitutive heterochromatin mark H3K9me3 and the associated heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1α) at the nucleoplasm and periphery regions, correlating with increased viscosity and changes in gene expression. Since heterochromatin remodeling is crucial to genome integrity, our results reveal an unconventional H3K9me3 heterochromatin distribution, providing cues to an altered chromatin state due to perturbations of the nuclei in aligned fiber configurations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Liu
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana−Champaign, 1102 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Biomedical
Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Cancer Center at Illinois,
Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Beckman
Institute, Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Abinash Padhi
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Xiaohui Zhang
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana−Champaign, 1102 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Jairaj Narendran
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana−Champaign, 1102 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Mark A. Anastasio
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana−Champaign, 1102 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - Amrinder S. Nain
- Department
of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of Illinois
at Urbana−Champaign, 1102 Everitt Lab, 1406 W. Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
- Biomedical
Research Center, Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Cancer Center at Illinois,
Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Beckman
Institute, Carl Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
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3
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Sukocheva OA, Lukina E, Friedemann M, Menschikowski M, Hagelgans A, Aliev G. The crucial role of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance: Current findings and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 82:35-59. [PMID: 33301860 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) cell de-sensitization to Tamoxifen (TAM) or other selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERM) is a complex process associated with BC heterogeneity and the transformation of ER signalling. The most influential resistance-related mechanisms include modifications in ER expression and gene regulation patterns. During TAM/SERM treatment, epigenetic mechanisms can effectively silence ER expression and facilitate the development of endocrine resistance. ER status is efficiently regulated by specific epigenetic tools including hypermethylation of CpG islands within ER promoters, increased histone deacetylase activity in the ER promoter, and/or translational repression by miRNAs. Over-methylation of the ER α gene (ESR1) promoter by DNA methyltransferases was associated with poor prognosis and indicated the development of resistance. Moreover, BC progression and spreading were marked by transformed chromatin remodelling, post-translational histone modifications, and expression of specific miRNAs and/or long non-coding RNAs. Therefore, targeted inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (e.g. MYST3), deacetylases (e.g. HDAC1), and/or demethylases (e.g. lysine-specific demethylase LSD1) was shown to recover and increase BC sensitivity to anti-estrogens. Indicated as a powerful molecular instrument, the administration of epigenetic drugs can regain ER expression along with the activation of tumour suppressor genes, which can in turn prevent selection of resistant cells and cancer stem cell survival. This review examines recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of endocrine drug resistance and evaluates novel anti-resistance strategies. Underlying molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation will be discussed, emphasising the utilization of epigenetic enzymes and their inhibitors to re-program irresponsive BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia.
| | - Elena Lukina
- Discipline of Biology, College of Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Markus Friedemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Albert Hagelgans
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia; Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia; Federal State Budgetary Institution «Research Institute of Human Morphology», 3, Tsyurupy Str., Moscow, 117418, Russian Federation; GALLY International Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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4
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Quantification of protein-protein interactions and activation dynamics: A new path to predictive biomarkers. Biophys Chem 2022; 283:106768. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2022.106768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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5
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Yang J, Song C, Zhan X. The role of protein acetylation in carcinogenesis and targeted drug discovery. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:972312. [PMID: 36171897 PMCID: PMC9510633 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.972312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein acetylation is a reversible post-translational modification, and is involved in many biological processes in cells, such as transcriptional regulation, DNA damage repair, and energy metabolism, which is an important molecular event and is associated with a wide range of diseases such as cancers. Protein acetylation is dynamically regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in homeostasis. The abnormal acetylation level might lead to the occurrence and deterioration of a cancer, and is closely related to various pathophysiological characteristics of a cancer, such as malignant phenotypes, and promotes cancer cells to adapt to tumor microenvironment. Therapeutic modalities targeting protein acetylation are a potential therapeutic strategy. This article discussed the roles of protein acetylation in tumor pathology and therapeutic drugs targeting protein acetylation, which offers the contributions of protein acetylation in clarification of carcinogenesis, and discovery of therapeutic drugs for cancers, and lays the foundation for precision medicine in oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingru Yang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Cong Song
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Xianquan Zhan
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Xianquan Zhan,
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6
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Liu W, Mohan SP, Nagaraj NR, Sundar Jaganathan S, Wen Y, Ramasubramanyan S, Irudayaraj J. Epigenetic alterations associated with dexamethasone sodium phosphate through DNMT and TET in RPE cells. Mol Vis 2021; 27:643-655. [PMID: 34924744 PMCID: PMC8645185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To elucidate the mechanism behind epigenetic alteration associated with dexamethasone (DEX) sodium phosphate treatment. METHODS We performed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify changes in global DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of the DNA methylation- and hydroxymethylation-related gene, in vitro DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) enzymatic activity assays with purified DNMTs, and DNA hydroxymethylation pattern with super-resolution imaging. RESULTS We identified global DNA hypomethylation and hyper-hydroxymethylation upon DEX treatment, associated with aberrant mRNA expression levels of DNMT and ten-eleven translocation (TET) proteins. Additionally, DEX exposure could directly hinder DNMT activities. CONCLUSIONS We showed that DEX-induced epigenetic alterations are linked to aberrant DNMT and TET expression, potentially through an essential role of DNMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL,Biomedical Research Center in Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carles Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL
| | - Sruthi Priya Mohan
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, TN, India
| | | | - Shyam Sundar Jaganathan
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, TN, India
| | - Yi Wen
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL,Biomedical Research Center in Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carles Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL
| | - Sharada Ramasubramanyan
- R.S. Mehta Jain Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, KBIRVO, Vision Research Foundation, Chennai, TN, India
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL,Biomedical Research Center in Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carles Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL
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7
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Shoaib Z, Fan TM, Irudayaraj J. Osteosarcoma mechanobiology and therapeutic targets. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:201-217. [PMID: 34679192 PMCID: PMC9305477 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteosarcoma (OS) is the one of the most common primary tumors of bone with less than a 20% 5-year survival rate after the development of metastases. OS is highly predisposed in Paget's disease (PD) of bone, and both have common characteristic skeletal features due to rapid bone remodeling. OS prognosis is location dependent which further emphasizes the likely contribution of the bone microenvironment in its pathogenesis. Mechanobiology is the phenomenon when mechanical cues from the changing physical microenvironment of bone are transduced to biological pathways through mechanosensitive cellular components. Mechanobiology-driven therapies have been used for curbing tumor progression by direct alteration of the physical microenvironment or inhibition of metastasis-associated mechanosensitive proteins. This review emphasizes the contribution of mechanobiology to OS progression, and sheds light on current mechanobiology-based therapies and potential new targets for improving disease management. Additionally, the variety of 3D models currently used to study OS mechanobiology are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zunaira Shoaib
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Timothy M Fan
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, Nick Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA.,Biomedical Research Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, USA.,Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
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8
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Ouyang Y, Liu Y, Wang ZM, Liu Z, Wu M. FLIM as a Promising Tool for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Monitoring. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2021; 13:133. [PMID: 34138374 PMCID: PMC8175610 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-021-00653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has been rapidly developed over the past 30 years and widely applied in biomedical engineering. Recent progress in fluorophore-dyed probe design has widened the application prospects of fluorescence. Because fluorescence lifetime is sensitive to microenvironments and molecule alterations, FLIM is promising for the detection of pathological conditions. Current cancer-related FLIM applications can be divided into three main categories: (i) FLIM with autofluorescence molecules in or out of a cell, especially with reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and flavin adenine dinucleotide for cellular metabolism research; (ii) FLIM with Förster resonance energy transfer for monitoring protein interactions; and (iii) FLIM with fluorophore-dyed probes for specific aberration detection. Advancements in nanomaterial production and efficient calculation systems, as well as novel cancer biomarker discoveries, have promoted FLIM optimization, offering more opportunities for medical research and applications to cancer diagnosis and treatment monitoring. This review summarizes cutting-edge researches from 2015 to 2020 on cancer-related FLIM applications and the potential of FLIM for future cancer diagnosis methods and anti-cancer therapy development. We also highlight current challenges and provide perspectives for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzhen Ouyang
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan Key Laboratory for Super-Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health, The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanping Liu
- School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan Key Laboratory for Super-Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Central South University, A510a, Virtual University Building, Nanshan District, Southern District, High-tech Industrial Park, Yuehai Street, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of High-Performance Complex Manufacturing, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhiming M Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610054, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zongwen Liu
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Minghua Wu
- Hunan Provincial Tumor Hospital and the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- School of Physics and Electronics, Hunan Key Laboratory for Super-Microstructure and Ultrafast Process, Central South University, 932 South Lushan Road, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Dimitrakopoulos FI, Kottorou A, Tzezou A. Endocrine resistance and epigenetic reprogramming in estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Cancer Lett 2021; 517:55-65. [PMID: 34077785 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Despite the enormous advances during the last three decades, breast cancer continues to be the most frequent type of cancer as well as one of the most frequent cancer-related causes of death in women. Therapeutic management of patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer becomes very often a challenge, since de novo or acquired resistance deprives a significant percentage of the patients from the clinical benefit of the well-tolerated hormone therapy. Several molecular mechanisms are implicated in resistance to endocrine therapy, including changes in hormone receptor signaling, activation of parallel signaling pathways, modifications of cell cycle regulators, activation of different transcription factors as well as changes in stem cells activity. In addition, a growing number of studies supports the pivotal role of epigenetic changes not only in the initiation and progression of breast cancer, but also in resistance to endocrine therapy. These changes refer to DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications as well as to ncRNAs alterations. In this review, we provide an overview of epigenetic mechanisms underlying the endocrine resistance focusing exclusively on breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Foteinos-Ioannis Dimitrakopoulos
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Medical School of Patras, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece; Division of Oncology, University Hospital of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kottorou
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Medical School of Patras, University of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece; Division of Oncology, University Hospital of Patras, 26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Aspasia Tzezou
- Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece; Laboratory of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece.
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10
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Anacardic Acids from Amphipterygium adstringens Confer Cytoprotection against 5-Fluorouracil and Carboplatin Induced Blood Cell Toxicity While Increasing Antitumoral Activity and Survival in an Animal Model of Breast Cancer. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26113241. [PMID: 34071241 PMCID: PMC8198955 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphipterygium adstringens (cuachalalate) contains anacardic acids (AAs) such as 6-pentadecyl salicylic acid (6SA) that show immunomodulatory and antitumor activity with minimal or no secondary adverse effects. By contrast, most chemotherapeutic agents, such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and carboplatin (CbPt), induce myelosuppression and leukopenia. Here, we investigated the myeloprotective and antineoplastic potential of an AA extract or the 6SA as monotherapy or in combination with commonly used chemotherapeutic agents (5-FU and CbPt) to determine the cytoprotective action of 6SA on immune cells. Treatment of Balb/c breast tumor-bearing female mice with an AA mixture or 6SA did not induce the myelosuppression or leukopenia observed with 5-FU and CbPt. The co-administration of AA mixture or isolated 6SA with 5-FU or CbPt reduced the apoptosis of circulating blood cells and bone marrow cells. Treatment of 4T1 breast tumor-bearing mice with the AA mixture or 6SA reduced tumor growth and lung metastasis and increased the survival rate compared with monotherapies. An increased effect was observed in tumor reduction with the combination of 6SA and CbPt. In conclusion, AAs have important myeloprotective and antineoplastic effects, and they can improve the efficiency of chemotherapeutics, thereby protecting the organism against the toxic effects of drugs such as 5-FU and CbPt.
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11
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Peng Q, Weng K, Li S, Xu R, Wang Y, Wu Y. A Perspective of Epigenetic Regulation in Radiotherapy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:624312. [PMID: 33681204 PMCID: PMC7930394 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.624312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Radiation therapy (RT) has been employed as a tumoricidal modality for more than 100 years and on 470,000 patients each year in the United States. The ionizing radiation causes genetic changes and results in cell death. However, since the biological mechanism of radiation remains unclear, there is a pressing need to understand this mechanism to improve the killing effect on tumors and reduce the side effects on normal cells. DNA break and epigenetic remodeling can be induced by radiotherapy. Hence the modulation of histone modification enzymes may tune the radiosensitivity of cancer cells. For instance, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors sensitize irradiated cancer cells by amplifying the DNA damage signaling and inhibiting double-strand DNA break repair to influence the irradiated cells’ survival. However, the combination of epigenetic drugs and radiotherapy has only been evaluated in several ongoing clinical trials for limited cancer types, partly due to a lack of knowledge on the potential mechanisms on how radiation induces epigenetic regulation and chromatin remodeling. Here, we review recent advances of radiotherapy and radiotherapy-induced epigenetic remodeling and introduce related technologies for epigenetic monitoring. Particularly, we exploit the application of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) biosensors to visualize dynamic epigenetic regulations in single living cells and tissue upon radiotherapy and drug treatment. We aim to bridge FRET biosensor, epigenetics, and radiotherapy, providing a perspective of using FRET to assess epigenetics and provide guidance for radiotherapy to improve cancer treatment. In the end, we discuss the feasibility of a combination of epigenetic drugs and radiotherapy as new approaches for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Peng
- Institute of Systems and Physical Biology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Kegui Weng
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Shitian Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Richard Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yingxiao Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Yongzhong Wu
- Chongqing Cancer Hospital, Chongqing Cancer Institute, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
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12
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Hu Y, Jiang H, Zhao B, Yang K, Liang Z, Zhang L, Zhang Y. Quantitative proteomics of epigenetic histone modifications in MCF-7 cells under estradiol stimulation. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:469-476. [PMID: 33458731 DOI: 10.1039/d0ay02146f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Estrogen exposure has already been considered to be associated with tumorigenesis and breast cancer progression. To study the epigenetic regulation mechanism in MCF-7 cells under estrogen exposure, which normally results in cell proliferation and malignancy, a stable isotope labeling of amino acid (SILAC) based quantitative proteomics strategy was used to analyse histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) and protein differential expressions. In total, we have unambiguously identified 49 histone variants and quantified 42 of them, in which two differentially expressed proteins were found to be associated with breast cancers. Through the quantitative analysis of 470 histone peptides with a combination of different PTM types, including methylation (mono-, di-, and tri-), acetylation and phosphorylation, 150 of them were found to be differentially expressed. Through the biological analysis of the quantification results of both histone PTMs and proteins in MCF-7 cells, we found that (1) the histone variants H10 and H2AV have an effect on the adjustment of the nucleosome or chromatin structure and activate target genes; (2) after estrogen receptor (ER) activation by estrogen, the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 might affect the acetylation at the N terminal of H4 (K5, K8 and K12) and also result in cross-talk between different acetylation sites; (3) different expression of histone deacetylase HDAC2 and its nucleo-cytoplasmic transportation process is important in the regulation of histone acetylation in MCF-7 cells under estrogen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yechen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China. and Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Baofeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Kaiguang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Zhen Liang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Lihua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
| | - Yukui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Sciences for Analytical Chemistry, National Chromatographic R&A Center, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 457 Zhongshan Road, Dalian 116023, China.
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13
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Young TJ, Cui Y, Pfeffer C, Hobbs E, Liu W, Irudayaraj J, Kirchmaier AL. CAF-1 and Rtt101p function within the replication-coupled chromatin assembly network to promote H4 K16ac, preventing ectopic silencing. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1009226. [PMID: 33284793 PMCID: PMC7746308 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication-coupled chromatin assembly is achieved by a network of alternate pathways containing different chromatin assembly factors and histone-modifying enzymes that coordinate deposition of nucleosomes at the replication fork. Here we describe the organization of a CAF-1-dependent pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that regulates acetylation of histone H4 K16. We demonstrate factors that function in this CAF-1-dependent pathway are important for preventing establishment of silenced states at inappropriate genomic sites using a crippled HMR locus as a model, while factors specific to other assembly pathways do not. This CAF-1-dependent pathway required the cullin Rtt101p, but was functionally distinct from an alternate pathway involving Rtt101p-dependent ubiquitination of histone H3 and the chromatin assembly factor Rtt106p. A major implication from this work is that cells have the inherent ability to create different chromatin modification patterns during DNA replication via differential processing and deposition of histones by distinct chromatin assembly pathways within the network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany J. Young
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Yi Cui
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Claire Pfeffer
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Emilie Hobbs
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Wenjie Liu
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Ann L. Kirchmaier
- Department of Biochemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
- Bindley Bioscience Center, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States of America
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14
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Zsidó BZ, Hetényi C. Molecular Structure, Binding Affinity, and Biological Activity in the Epigenome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114134. [PMID: 32531926 PMCID: PMC7311975 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of valid structure–activity relationships (SARs) is a key to the elucidation of pathomechanisms of epigenetic diseases and the development of efficient, new drugs. The present review is based on selected methodologies and applications supplying molecular structure, binding affinity and biological activity data for the development of new SARs. An emphasis is placed on emerging trends and permanent challenges of new discoveries of SARs in the context of proteins as epigenetic drug targets. The review gives a brief overview and classification of the molecular background of epigenetic changes, and surveys both experimental and theoretical approaches in the field. Besides the results of sophisticated, cutting edge techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy, protein crystallography, and isothermal titration calorimetry, examples of frequently used assays and fast screening techniques are also selected. The review features how different experimental methods and theoretical approaches complement each other and result in valid SARs of the epigenome.
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15
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Copper mediates mitochondrial biogenesis in retinal pigment epithelial cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165843. [PMID: 32454166 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a multifactorial disease with genetic, biochemical and environmental risk factors. We observed a significant increase in copper levels in choroid-RPE from donor eyeballs with AMD. Adult retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE19 cells) exposed to copper in-vitro showed a 2-fold increase in copper influx transporter CTR1 and copper uptake at 50 μM concentration. Further there was 2-fold increase in cytochrome C oxidase activity and a 2-fold increase in the mRNA expression of NRF 2 with copper treatment. There was a significant increase in mitochondrial biogenesis markers PGC1β and TFAM which was confirmed by mitochondrial mass and copy number. On the contrary, in AMD choroid-RPE, the CTR1 mRNA was found to be significantly down-regulated compared to its respective controls. SCO1 and PGC1β mRNA showed an increase in choroid-RPE. Our study proposes copper to play an important role in mitochondrial biogenesis in RPE cells.
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16
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Liu W, Irudayaraj J. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) exposure inhibits DNA methyltransferase activities and alters constitutive heterochromatin organization. Food Chem Toxicol 2020; 141:111358. [PMID: 32315686 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2020.111358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent and widespread industry-made chemical. Emerging evidence indicates that PFOA exposure could be meditated through DNA methylation, yet, the molecular mechanisms governing the epigenetic states have not been well established. In this study, we investigated the epigenetic alterations and inhibitory mechanisms upon PFOA exposure by identifying changes related to DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and stimulated emission depletion nanoscopy in human breast epithelial cells (MCF7). PFOA exposure at 100 and 200 μM altered the mobility of DNMT3A and inhibited the enzymatic activity of DNMT, resulting in global DNA demethylation. Moreover, PFOA significantly altered the heterochromatin organization, as noted by the distribution profile of histone 3 lysine 9 tri-methylation (H3K9me3) at 200 and 400 μM exposure levels with super-resolution microscopy. An increased redistribution around the periphery of the nucleus was noted with a more diffused distribution beyond the 200 μM exposure. Overall, exposure of PFOA resulted in DNA demethylation accompanied by altered expression patterns of DNMT1 and DNMT3A. These findings provided new insights on the epigenetic alterations and revealed an altered heterochromatin packaging upon exposure to PFOA, implicating a mechanistic mode of action of DNA demethylation through direct impacts on DNMTs and increasing susceptibility to diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center in Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carles Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, Cancer Center at Illinois, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Biomedical Research Center in Mills Breast Cancer Institute, Carles Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
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17
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Sizaire F, Le Marchand G, Pécréaux J, Bouchareb O, Tramier M. Automated screening of AURKA activity based on a genetically encoded FRET biosensor using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2020; 8:024006. [PMID: 32032967 DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/ab73f5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) is a robust tool to measure Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between two fluorescent proteins, mainly when using genetically-encoded FRET biosensors. It is then possible to monitor biological processes such as kinase activity with a good spatiotemporal resolution and accuracy. Therefore, it is of interest to improve this methodology for future high content screening purposes. We here implement a time-gated FLIM microscope that can image and quantify fluorescence lifetime with a higher speed than conventional techniques such as Time-Correlated Single Photon Counting (TCSPC). We then improve our system to perform automatic screen analysis in a 96-well plate format. Moreover, we use a FRET biosensor of AURKA activity, a mitotic kinase involved in several epithelial cancers. Our results show that our system is suitable to measure FRET within our biosensor paving the way to the screening of novel compounds, potentially allowing to find new inhibitors of AURKA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Sizaire
- Univ Rennes, CNRS, IGDR (Genetics and Development Institute of Rennes), UMR 6290, F-35000 Rennes, France
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18
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Liu W, Biton E, Pathania A, Matityahu A, Irudayaraj J, Onn I. Monomeric cohesin state revealed by live-cell single-molecule spectroscopy. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e48211. [PMID: 31886609 PMCID: PMC7001500 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The cohesin complex plays an important role in the maintenance of genome stability. Cohesin is composed of four core subunits and a set of regulatory subunits that interact with the core subunits. Less is known about cohesin dynamics in live cells and on the contribution of individual subunits to the overall complex. Understanding the tethering mechanism of cohesin is still a challenge, especially because the proposed mechanisms are still not conclusive. Models proposed to describe tethering depend on either the monomeric cohesin ring or a cohesin dimer. Here, we investigate the role of cohesin dynamics and stoichiometry in live yeast cells at single-molecule resolution. We explore the effect of regulatory subunit deletion on cohesin mobility and found that depletion of different regulatory subunits has opposing effects. Finally, we show that cohesin exists mostly as a canonical monomer throughout the cell cycle, and its monomeric form is independent of its regulatory factors. Our results demonstrate that single-molecule tools have the potential to provide new insights into the cohesin mechanism of action in live cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, Micro and Nanotechnology LaboratoryCancer Center at IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
- Mills Breast Cancer InstituteCarle Foundation HospitalUrbanaILUSA
| | - Elisheva Biton
- The Azrieli Faculty of MedicineBar‐Ilan UniversitySafedIsrael
| | - Anjali Pathania
- The Azrieli Faculty of MedicineBar‐Ilan UniversitySafedIsrael
| | - Avi Matityahu
- The Azrieli Faculty of MedicineBar‐Ilan UniversitySafedIsrael
| | - Joseph Irudayaraj
- Department of Bioengineering, Micro and Nanotechnology LaboratoryCancer Center at IllinoisUniversity of Illinois at Urbana‐ChampaignUrbanaILUSA
- Mills Breast Cancer InstituteCarle Foundation HospitalUrbanaILUSA
| | - Itay Onn
- The Azrieli Faculty of MedicineBar‐Ilan UniversitySafedIsrael
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19
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Petazzi RA, Aji AK, Chiantia S. Fluorescence microscopy methods for the study of protein oligomerization. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 169:1-41. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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20
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Chung FFL, Herceg Z. The Promises and Challenges of Toxico-Epigenomics: Environmental Chemicals and Their Impacts on the Epigenome. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2020; 128:15001. [PMID: 31950866 PMCID: PMC7015548 DOI: 10.1289/ehp6104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been estimated that a substantial portion of chronic and noncommunicable diseases can be caused or exacerbated by exposure to environmental chemicals. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that early life exposure to environmental chemicals at relatively low concentrations could have lasting effects on individual and population health. Although the potential adverse effects of environmental chemicals are known to the scientific community, regulatory agencies, and the public, little is known about the mechanistic basis by which these chemicals can induce long-term or transgenerational effects. To address this question, epigenetic mechanisms have emerged as the potential link between genetic and environmental factors of health and disease. OBJECTIVES We present an overview of epigenetic regulation and a summary of reported evidence of environmental toxicants as epigenetic disruptors. We also discuss the advantages and challenges of using epigenetic biomarkers as an indicator of toxicant exposure, using measures that can be taken to improve risk assessment, and our perspectives on the future role of epigenetics in toxicology. DISCUSSION Until recently, efforts to apply epigenomic data in toxicology and risk assessment were restricted by an incomplete understanding of epigenomic variability across tissue types and populations. This is poised to change with the development of new tools and concerted efforts by researchers across disciplines that have led to a better understanding of epigenetic mechanisms and comprehensive maps of epigenomic variation. With the foundations now in place, we foresee that unprecedented advancements will take place in the field in the coming years. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6104.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zdenko Herceg
- Epigenetics Group, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Lyon, France
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21
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Liu W, Irudayaraj J. Understanding the dynamics and structure of epigenetic states with single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. CURRENT OPINION IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobme.2019.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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22
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Piferrer F, Anastasiadi D, Valdivieso A, Sánchez-Baizán N, Moraleda-Prados J, Ribas L. The Model of the Conserved Epigenetic Regulation of Sex. Front Genet 2019; 10:857. [PMID: 31616469 PMCID: PMC6775248 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetics integrates genomic and environmental information to produce a given phenotype. Here, the model of Conserved Epigenetic Regulation of Sex (CERS) is discussed. This model is based on our knowledge on genes involved in sexual development and on epigenetic regulation of gene expression activation and silencing. This model was recently postulated to be applied to the sexual development of fish, and it states that epigenetic and gene expression patterns are more associated with the development of a particular gonadal phenotype, e.g., testis differentiation, rather than with the intrinsic or extrinsic causes that lead to the development of this phenotype. This requires the existence of genes with different epigenetic modifications, for example, changes in DNA methylation levels associated with the development of a particular sex. Focusing on DNA methylation, the identification of CpGs, the methylation of which is linked to sex, constitutes the basis for the identification of Essential Epigenetic Marks (EEM). EEMs are defined as the number and identity of informative epigenetic marks that are strictly necessary, albeit perhaps not sufficient, to bring about a specific, measurable, phenotype of interest. Here, we provide a summary of the genes where DNA methylation has been investigated so far, focusing on fish. We found that cyp19a1a and dmrt1, two key genes for ovary and testis development, respectively, consistently show an inverse relationship between their DNA methylation and expression levels, thus following CERS predictions. However, in foxl2a, a pro-female gene, and amh, a pro-male gene, such relationship is not clear. The available data of other genes related to sexual development such as sox9, gsdf, and amhr2 are also discussed. Next, we discuss the use of CERS to make testable predictions of how sex is epigenetically regulated and to better understand sexual development, as well as the use of EEMs as tools for the diagnosis and prognosis of sex. We argue that CERS can aid in focusing research on the epigenetic regulation of sexual development not only in fish but also in vertebrates in general, particularly in reptiles with temperature sex-determination, and can be the basis for possible practical applications including sex control in aquaculture and also in conservation biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesc Piferrer
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
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23
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Imeh-Nathaniel A, Orfanakos V, Wormack L, Huber R, Nathaniel TI. The crayfish model (Orconectes rusticus), epigenetics and drug addiction research. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 183:38-45. [PMID: 31202808 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fundamental signs of epigenetic effects are variations in the expression of genes or phenotypic traits among isogenic mates. Therefore, genetically identical animals are in high demand for epigenetic research. There are many genetically identical animals, including natural parthenogens and inbred laboratory lineages or clones. However, most parthenogenetic animal taxa are very small in combined epigenetic and drug addiction research. Orconectes rusticus has a unique phylogenetic position, with 2-3 years of life span, which undergoes metamorphosis that creates developmental stages with distinctly different morphologies, unique lifestyles, and broad behavioral traits, even among isogenic mates reared in the same environment offer novel inroads for epigenetics studies. Moreover, the establishment of crayfish as a novel system for drug addiction with evidence of an automated, operant self-administration and conditioned-reward, withdrawal, reinstatement of the conditioned drug-induced reward sets the stage to investigate epigenetic mechanisms of drug addiction. We discuss behavioral, pharmacological and molecular findings from laboratory studies that document a broad spectrum of molecular and, behavioral evidence including potential hypotheses that can be tested with the crayfish model for epigenetic study in drug addiction research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Leah Wormack
- University of South Carolina School of Medicine, SC, USA
| | - Robert Huber
- J.P Scott Center for Neuroscience, Mind and Behavior, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
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