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Li Y, Jiang Z, Xu Y, Yan J, Wu Q, Huang S, Wang L, Xie Y, Wu X, Wang Y, Li Y, Fan X, Li F, Yuan W. Pygo-F773W Mutation Reveals Novel Functions beyond Wnt Signaling in Drosophila. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5998. [PMID: 38892188 PMCID: PMC11172468 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25115998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pygopus (Pygo) has been identified as a specific nuclear co-activator of the canonical Wingless (Wg)/Wnt signaling pathway in Drosophila melanogaster. Pygo proteins consist of two conserved domains: an N-terminal homologous domain (NHD) and a C-terminal plant homologous domain (PHD). The PHD's ability to bind to di- and trimethylated lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4me2/3) appears to be independent of Wnt signaling. There is ongoing debate regarding the significance of Pygo's histone-binding capacity. Drosophila Pygo orthologs have a tryptophan (W) > phenylalanine (F) substitution in their histone pocket-divider compared to vertebrates, leading to reduced histone affinity. In this research, we utilized CRISPR/Cas9 technology to introduce the Pygo-F773W point mutation in Drosophila, successfully establishing a viable homozygous Pygo mutant line for the first time. Adult mutant flies displayed noticeable abnormalities in reproduction, locomotion, heart function, and lifespan. RNA-seq and cluster analysis indicated that the mutation primarily affected pathways related to immunity, metabolism, and posttranslational modification in adult flies rather than the Wnt signaling pathway. Additionally, a reduction in H3K9 acetylation levels during the embryonic stage was observed in the mutant strains. These findings support the notion that Pygo plays a wider role in chromatin remodeling, with its involvement in Wnt signaling representing only a specific aspect of its chromatin-related functions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Fang Li
- The Laboratory of Heart Development Research, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (Y.L.); (Z.J.); (X.F.)
| | - Wuzhou Yuan
- The Laboratory of Heart Development Research, College of Life Science, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China; (Y.L.); (Z.J.); (X.F.)
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2
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Ling J, Tang Z, Yang W, Li Y, Dong X. Pygo2 activates BRPF1 via Pygo2-H3K4me2/3 interaction to maintain malignant progression in colon cancer. Exp Cell Res 2023; 431:113696. [PMID: 37423512 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2023.113696] [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: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have essential roles during colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) progression. As the coactivator of Wnt/b-catenin signaling, Pygopus 2 (Pygo2) binds H3K4me2/3 and participate in chromatin remodeling in multiple cancers. However, It remains unclear whether the Pygo2-H3K4me2/3 association has significance in COAD. We aimed to elucidate the roles of Pygo2 in COAD. Functionally, Pygo2 inhibition attenuated cell proliferation, self-renewal capacities in vitro. Pygo2 overexpression enhanced in vivo tumor growth. Besides, Pygo2 overexpression could also enhance cell migration ability and in vivo distal metastasis. Mechanistically, Pygo2 correlates positively with BRPF1 expressions, one epigenetic reader of histone acetylation. The luciferase reporter assay and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR assay were used to find that Pygo2 coordinated with H3K4me2/3 modifications to activate BRPF1 transcriptions via binding to the promoter. Both Pygo2 and BRPF1 expressed highly in tumors and Pygo2 relied on BRPF1 to accelerate COAD progression, including cell proliferation rate, migration abilities, stemness features and in vivo tumor growth. Targeting BPRF1 (GSK5959) is effective to suppress in vitro growth of Pygo2high cell lines, and has mild effect on Pygo2low cells. The subcutaneous tumor model further demonstrated that GSK5959 could effectively suppress the in vivo growth of Pygo2high COAD, but not the Pygo2low subtype. Collectively, our study represented Pygo2/BRPF1 as an epigenetic vulnerability for COAD treatment with predictive significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ling
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China; Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhijie Tang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Xiaoqiang Dong
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu, China.
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Shi Y, Qin B, Fan X, Li Y, Wang Y, Yuan W, Jiang Z, Zhu P, Chen J, Chen Y, Li F, Wan Y, Wu X, Zhuang J. Novel biphasic mechanism of the canonical Wnt signalling component PYGO2 promotes cardiomyocyte differentiation from hUC-MSCs. Cell Tissue Res 2023:10.1007/s00441-023-03774-6. [PMID: 37233752 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) are used to regenerate the myocardium during cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying their ability to form mesodermal cells and differentiate into cardiomyocytes remains unclear. Here, we established a human-derived MSCs line isolated from healthy umbilical cords and established a cell model of the natural state to examine the differentiation of hUC-MSCs into cardiomyocytes. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, RNA Seq, and inhibitors of canonical Wnt signalling were used to detect the germ-layer markers T and MIXL1; the markers of cardiac progenitor cells MESP1, GATA4, and NKX2.5 and the cardiomyocyte-marker cTnT to identify the molecular mechanism associated with PYGO2, a key component of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway that regulates the formation of cardiomyocyte-like cells. We demonstrated that PYGO2 promotes the formation of mesodermal-like cells and their differentiation into cardiomyocytes through the hUC-MSC-dependent canonical Wnt signalling by promoting the early-stage entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Surprisingly, PYGO2 did not alter the expression of the canonical-Wnt, NOTCH, or BMP signalling pathways during the middle-late stages. In contrast, PI3K-Akt signalling promoted hUC-MSCs formation and their differentiation into cardiomyocyte-like cells. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that PYGO2 uses a biphasic mechanism to promote cardiomyocyte formation from hUC-MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Shi
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
- Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and 3D Technologies for Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Qin
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Xiongwei Fan
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Yongqing Li
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yuequn Wang
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Wuzhou Yuan
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Zhigang Jiang
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Jimei Chen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Li
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Yongqi Wan
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China.
| | - Xiushan Wu
- The Center for Heart Development, State Key Laboratory of Development Biology of Freshwater Fish, College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Hunan, Changsha, 410081, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510100, China.
- Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and 3D Technologies for Cardiovascular Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of South China Structural Heart Disease, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080, People's Republic of China.
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Soleymani Moud S, Kamal Seraji K, Ramezani M, Piravar Z. Association of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the PYGO2 and PRDM9 Genes with Idiopathic Azoospermia in Iranian Infertile Male Patients. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2023; 48:77-84. [PMID: 36688188 PMCID: PMC9843457 DOI: 10.30476/ijms.2022.93009.2433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Azoospermia is a risk factor for infertility affecting approximately 1% of the male population. Genetic factors are associated with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Pygo2 and PRDM9 genes are involved in the spermatogenesis process. The present study aimed to assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Pygo2 (rs61758740 and rs61758741) and PRDM9 (rs2973631 and rs1874165) genes with idiopathic azoospermia (IA). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to August 2019 at Rooya Infertility Centre (Qom, Iran). A total of 100 infertile patients with NOA and 100 men with normal fertility were enrolled in the study. Tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-PCR method was used to detect SNPs rs61758740, rs61758741, and rs2973631. The restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for SNP rs1874165. In addition, luteinizing, follicle-stimulating, and testosterone hormone levels were measured. Results The results showed a significant increase in luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the patient group (P<0.001), but a non-significant difference in testosterone levels in both groups. SNP rs61758740 (T>C) was associated with the increased risk of azoospermia (OR: 2.359, 95% Cl: 1.192-4.666, P=0.012). SNP rs2973631 showed a significant difference in genotype frequency between the patient and control groups in the dominant, recessive, and codominant models. However, in the case of SNP rs1874165, the difference was significant in the dominant, codominant, and overdominant models. Conclusion There is an association between azoospermia and SNPs in Pygo2 and PRDM9 genes in Iranian infertile male patients with IA. SNPs can be considered a risk factor for male infertility. It should be noted that this article was published in preprint form on the website of europepmc (https://europepmc.org/article/ppr/ppr416800).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanaz Soleymani Moud
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Katayun Kamal Seraji
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Ramezani
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeynab Piravar
- Department of Biology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Overexpression of PYGO1 promotes early cardiac lineage development in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal/stem cells by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Hum Cell 2022; 35:1722-1735. [PMID: 36085540 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-022-00777-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease still has the highest mortality. Gene-modified mesenchymal stromal/stem cells could be a promising therapy. Pygo plays an important role in embryonic development and regulates life activities with a variety of regulatory mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the overexpression of the PYGO1 gene can promote the differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (HUC-MSCs) into early cardiac lineage cells and to preliminary explore the relevant mechanisms. In this study, HUC-MSCs were isolated by the explant method and were identified by flow cytometry and differentiation assay, followed by transfected with lentivirus carrying the PYGO1 plasmid. In PYGO1 group (cells were incubated with lentiviral-PYGO1), the mRNA expressions of cardiac differentiation-specific markers (MESP1, NKX2.5, GATA4, MEF2C, ISL1, TBX5, TNNT2, ACTC1, and MYH6 genes) and the protein expressions of NKX2.5 and cTnT were significantly up-regulated compared with the NC group (cells were incubated with lentiviral-empty vector). In addition, the proportion of NKX2.5, GATA4, and cTnT immunofluorescence-positive cells increased with the inducement time. Overexpression of PYGO1 statistically significantly increased the relative luciferase expression level of Topflash plasmid, the protein expression level of β-catenin and the mRNA expression level of CYCLIND1. Compared with the control group, decreased protein levels of NKX2.5 and cTnT were detected in PYGO1 group after application of XAV-939, the specific inhibitor of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our study suggests that overexpression of PYGO1 significantly promotes the differentiation of HUC-MSCs into early cardiac lineage cells, which is regulated by the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling.
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Li J, Zuo L, Geng Z, Li Q, Cheng Y, Yang Z, Shi R, Zhou Y, Nie W, Wang Y, Zhang X, Ge S, Song X, Hu J. Pygopus2 ameliorates mesenteric adipocyte poor differentiation to alleviate Crohn's disease -like colitis via the Axin2/GSK3β pathway. Cell Prolif 2022; 55:e13292. [PMID: 35707871 PMCID: PMC9528773 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Crohn's disease (CD) mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) inflammation affects enteritis through the interaction between the mesentery and intestine, and we previously found that poorly differentiated mesenteric adipocytes were related to its inflammatory features. Pygopus2 (Pygo2) is a key negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation. We aimed to determine whether Pygo2 participates in CD mesenteric lesions and whether Pygo2 knockdown would be beneficial in a CD model (Il‐10−/− mice). Methods Pygo2 expression in MAT from control and CD patients and Il‐10−/− mice was measured by immunohistochemistry. Lentiviral transfection was used to regulate Pygo2 expression in Il‐10−/− mice, and the effects on mesenteric adipocyte differentiation, inflammation, and dysfunction during spontaneous colitis, as well as the possible mechanism, were investigated. Results Pygo2 expression was increased in MAT from CD patients and Il‐10−/− mice, and its expression correlated with poor adipocyte differentiation and inflammation. Pygo2 knockdown significantly ameliorated colitis in Il‐10−/− mice. Moreover, the downregulation of Pygo2 gene expression could promote adipocyte differentiation and inhibit adipocyte inflammation in vivo and in vitro, and the effects were at least partly mediated by the Axis inhibition protein 2 (Axin2)/glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) pathway. Conclusions The increase in Pygo2 may be related to mesenteric adipocyte poor differentiation and inflammatory features of CD, and Pygo2 inhibition could alleviate CD‐like colitis by improving mesenteric lesions by regulating the Axin2/GSK3β pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Lugen Zuo
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Zhijun Geng
- Department of Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Qingqing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yang Cheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Zi Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Ruohan Shi
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yueqing Zhou
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Wenhu Nie
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Yueyue Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Sitang Ge
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Xue Song
- Department of Central Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
| | - Jianguo Hu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, China
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Htun MW, Shibata Y, Soe K, Koji T. Nuclear Expression of Pygo2 Correlates with Poorly Differentiated State Involving c-Myc, PCNA and Bcl9 in Myanmar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Acta Histochem Cytochem 2021; 54:195-206. [PMID: 35023882 PMCID: PMC8727843 DOI: 10.1267/ahc.21-00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In Myanmar, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is commonly seen in young adult and associated with poor prognosis, while the molecular mechanisms that characterize HCC in Myanmar are unknown. As co-activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and c-Myc (Myc) are reported to associate with malignancy of HCC, we immunohistochemically investigated the expression of Pygo2 and Bcl9, the co-activators of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Myc and PCNA in 60 cases of Myanmar HCC. Pygo2 expression was confirmed by in situ hybridization. The signal intensity was measured by image analyzer and then statistically analyzed. As a result, the expression of Pygo2 was significantly higher in HCC compared to normal liver tissue and the nuclear signal was the most intense in poorly differentiated HCC. Cytoplasmic Bcl9 was expressed in the normal liver tissue but decreased in HCC with the progression of histopathological grade. Myc was significantly higher in poorly differentiated HCC, whereas PCNA labeling index increased with the progression of histopathological grade. Nuclear Pygo2 showed strong correlation with nuclear Myc (P < 0.01) and PCNA (P < 0.001), and inversely correlated with cytoplasmic Bcl9 (P < 0.01). Our results suggested Wnt/β-catenin and Myc signaling is commonly activated in Myanmar HCC and that the correlative upregulation of nuclear Pygo2 and Myc characterizes the malignant features of HCC in Myanmar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myo Win Htun
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | - Yasuaki Shibata
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
| | | | - Takehiko Koji
- Office for Research Initiative and Development, Nagasaki University
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Histone H3K4 Methyltransferases as Targets for Drug-Resistant Cancers. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070581. [PMID: 34201935 PMCID: PMC8301125 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The KMT2 (MLL) family of proteins, including the major histone H3K4 methyltransferase found in mammals, exists as large complexes with common subunit proteins and exhibits enzymatic activity. SMYD, another H3K4 methyltransferase, and SET7/9 proteins catalyze the methylation of several non-histone targets, in addition to histone H3K4 residues. Despite these structural and functional commonalities, H3K4 methyltransferase proteins have specificity for their target genes and play a role in the development of various cancers as well as in drug resistance. In this review, we examine the overall role of histone H3K4 methyltransferase in the development of various cancers and in the progression of drug resistance. Compounds that inhibit protein-protein interactions between KMT2 family proteins and their common subunits or the activity of SMYD and SET7/9 are continuously being developed for the treatment of acute leukemia, triple-negative breast cancer, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. These H3K4 methyltransferase inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are expected to play a role in overcoming drug resistance in leukemia and various solid cancers.
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Borrelli C, Valenta T, Handler K, Vélez K, Gurtner A, Moro G, Lafzi A, Roditi LDV, Hausmann G, Arnold IC, Moor AE, Basler K. Differential regulation of β-catenin-mediated transcription via N- and C-terminal co-factors governs identity of murine intestinal epithelial stem cells. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1368. [PMID: 33649334 PMCID: PMC7921392 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The homeostasis of the gut epithelium relies upon continuous renewal and proliferation of crypt-resident intestinal epithelial stem cells (IESCs). Wnt/β-catenin signaling is required for IESC maintenance, however, it remains unclear how this pathway selectively governs the identity and proliferative decisions of IESCs. Here, we took advantage of knock-in mice harboring transgenic β-catenin alleles with mutations that specifically impair the recruitment of N- or C-terminal transcriptional co-factors. We show that C-terminally-recruited transcriptional co-factors of β-catenin act as all-or-nothing regulators of Wnt-target gene expression. Blocking their interactions with β-catenin rapidly induces loss of IESCs and intestinal homeostasis. Conversely, N-terminally recruited co-factors fine-tune β-catenin's transcriptional output to ensure proper self-renewal and proliferative behaviour of IESCs. Impairment of N-terminal interactions triggers transient hyperproliferation of IESCs, eventually resulting in exhaustion of the self-renewing stem cell pool. IESC mis-differentiation, accompanied by unfolded protein response stress and immune infiltration, results in a process resembling aberrant "villisation" of intestinal crypts. Our data suggest that IESC-specific Wnt/β-catenin output requires selective modulation of gene expression by transcriptional co-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Borrelli
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Tomas Valenta
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, v. v. i., Prague, 4, Czech Republic.
| | - Kristina Handler
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Karelia Vélez
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alessandra Gurtner
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Giulia Moro
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Atefeh Lafzi
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - George Hausmann
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle C Arnold
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas E Moor
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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Söderholm S, Cantù C. The WNT/β‐catenin dependent transcription: A tissue‐specific business. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1511. [PMID: 33085215 PMCID: PMC9285942 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
β‐catenin‐mediated Wnt signaling is an ancient cell‐communication pathway in which β‐catenin drives the expression of certain genes as a consequence of the trigger given by extracellular WNT molecules. The events occurring from signal to transcription are evolutionarily conserved, and their final output orchestrates countless processes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a dysfunctional Wnt/β‐catenin pathway causes developmental malformations, and its aberrant activation is the root of several types of cancer. A rich literature describes the multitude of nuclear players that cooperate with β‐catenin to generate a transcriptional program. However, a unified theory of how β‐catenin drives target gene expression is still missing. We will discuss two types of β‐catenin interactors: transcription factors that allow β‐catenin to localize at target regions on the DNA, and transcriptional co‐factors that ultimately activate gene expression. In contrast to the presumed universality of β‐catenin's action, the ensemble of available evidence suggests a view in which β‐catenin drives a complex system of responses in different cells and tissues. A malleable armamentarium of players might interact with β‐catenin in order to activate the right “canonical” targets in each tissue, developmental stage, or disease context. Discovering the mechanism by which each tissue‐specific β‐catenin response is executed will be crucial to comprehend how a seemingly universal pathway fosters a wide spectrum of processes during development and homeostasis. Perhaps more importantly, this could ultimately inform us about which are the tumor‐specific components that need to be targeted to dampen the activity of oncogenic β‐catenin. This article is categorized under:Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Söderholm
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
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Structure and function of Pygo in organ development dependent and independent Wnt signalling. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:1781-1794. [PMID: 32677664 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Pygo is a nuclear protein containing two conserved domains, NHD and PHD, which play important roles in embryonic development and carcinogenesis. Pygo was first identified as a core component of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. However, it has also been reported that the function of Pygo is not always Wnt/β-catenin signalling dependent. In this review, we summarise the functions of both domains of Pygo and show that their functions are synergetic. The PHD domain mainly combines with transcription co-factors, including histone 3 and Bcl9/9l. The NHD domain mainly recruits histone methyltransferase/acetyltransferase (HMT/HAT) to modify lysine 4 of the histone 3 tail (H3K4) and interacts with Chip/LIM-domain DNA-binding proteins (ChiLS) to form enhanceosomes to regulate transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we summarised chromatin modification differences of Pygo in Drosophila (dPygo) and vertebrates, and found that Pygo displayes a chromatin silencing function in Drosophila, while in vertebates, Pygo has a chromatin-activating function due to the two substitution of two amino acid residues. Next, we confirmed the relationship between Pygo and Bcl9/9l and found that Pygo-Bcl/9l are specifically partnered both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm. Finally, we discuss whether transcriptional activity of Pygo is Wnt/β-catenin dependent during embryonic development. Available information indications that the transcriptional activity of Pygo in embryonic development is either Wnt/β-catenin dependent or independent in both tissue-specific and cell-specific-modes.
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12
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Zimmerli D, Borrelli C, Jauregi-Miguel A, Söderholm S, Brütsch S, Doumpas N, Reichmuth J, Murphy-Seiler F, Aguet MI, Basler K, Moor AE, Cantù C. TBX3 acts as tissue-specific component of the Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional complex. eLife 2020; 9:58123. [PMID: 32808927 PMCID: PMC7434441 DOI: 10.7554/elife.58123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BCL9 and PYGO are β-catenin cofactors that enhance the transcription of Wnt target genes. They have been proposed as therapeutic targets to diminish Wnt signaling output in intestinal malignancies. Here we find that, in colorectal cancer cells and in developing mouse forelimbs, BCL9 proteins sustain the action of β-catenin in a largely PYGO-independent manner. Our genetic analyses implied that BCL9 necessitates other interaction partners in mediating its transcriptional output. We identified the transcription factor TBX3 as a candidate tissue-specific member of the β-catenin transcriptional complex. In developing forelimbs, both TBX3 and BCL9 occupy a large number of Wnt-responsive regulatory elements, genome-wide. Moreover, mutations in Bcl9 affect the expression of TBX3 targets in vivo, and modulation of TBX3 abundance impacts on Wnt target genes transcription in a β-catenin- and TCF/LEF-dependent manner. Finally, TBX3 overexpression exacerbates the metastatic potential of Wnt-dependent human colorectal cancer cells. Our work implicates TBX3 as context-dependent component of the Wnt/β-catenin-dependent transcriptional complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Zimmerli
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Borrelli
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amaia Jauregi-Miguel
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Simon Söderholm
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Salome Brütsch
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Doumpas
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Reichmuth
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Murphy-Seiler
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Life Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - MIchel Aguet
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Life Sciences, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas E Moor
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zürich, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences; Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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13
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Saxena M, Kalathur RKR, Rubinstein N, Vettiger A, Sugiyama N, Neutzner M, Coto-Llerena M, Kancherla V, Ercan C, Piscuoglio S, Fischer J, Fagiani E, Cantù C, Basler K, Christofori G. A Pygopus 2-Histone Interaction Is Critical for Cancer Cell Dedifferentiation and Progression in Malignant Breast Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:3631-3648. [PMID: 32586983 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-19-2910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pygopus 2 (Pygo2) is a coactivator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that can bind bi- or trimethylated lysine 4 of histone-3 (H3K4me2/3) and participate in chromatin reading and writing. It remains unknown whether the Pygo2-H3K4me2/3 association has a functional relevance in breast cancer progression in vivo. To investigate the functional relevance of histone-binding activity of Pygo2 in malignant progression of breast cancer, we generated a knock-in mouse model where binding of Pygo2 to H3K4me2/3 was rendered ineffective. Loss of Pygo2-histone interaction resulted in smaller, differentiated, and less metastatic tumors, due, in part, to decreased canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling. RNA- and ATAC-sequencing analyses of tumor-derived cell lines revealed downregulation of TGFβ signaling and upregulation of differentiation pathways such as PDGFR signaling. Increased differentiation correlated with a luminal cell fate that could be reversed by inhibition of PDGFR activity. Mechanistically, the Pygo2-histone interaction potentiated Wnt/β-catenin signaling, in part, by repressing the expression of Wnt signaling antagonists. Furthermore, Pygo2 and β-catenin regulated the expression of miR-29 family members, which, in turn, repressed PDGFR expression to promote dedifferentiation of wild-type Pygo2 mammary epithelial tumor cells. Collectively, these results demonstrate that the histone binding function of Pygo2 is important for driving dedifferentiation and malignancy of breast tumors, and loss of this binding activates various differentiation pathways that attenuate primary tumor growth and metastasis formation. Interfering with the Pygo2-H3K4me2/3 interaction may therefore serve as an attractive therapeutic target for metastatic breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE: Pygo2 represents a potential therapeutic target in metastatic breast cancer, as its histone-binding capability promotes β-catenin-mediated Wnt signaling and transcriptional control in breast cancer cell dedifferentiation, EMT, and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera Saxena
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
| | | | | | - Andrea Vettiger
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Nami Sugiyama
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Neutzner
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Caner Ercan
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Jonas Fischer
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ernesta Fagiani
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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14
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Jung YS, Park JI. Wnt signaling in cancer: therapeutic targeting of Wnt signaling beyond β-catenin and the destruction complex. Exp Mol Med 2020; 52:183-191. [PMID: 32037398 PMCID: PMC7062731 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-020-0380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Wnt/β-catenin signaling is implicated in many physiological processes, including development, tissue homeostasis, and tissue regeneration. In human cancers, Wnt/β-catenin signaling is highly activated, which has led to the development of various Wnt signaling inhibitors for cancer therapies. Nonetheless, the blockade of Wnt signaling causes side effects such as impairment of tissue homeostasis and regeneration. Recently, several studies have identified cancer-specific Wnt signaling regulators. In this review, we discuss the Wnt inhibitors currently being used in clinical trials and suggest how additional cancer-specific regulators could be utilized to treat Wnt signaling-associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn-Sang Jung
- 0000 0001 2291 4776grid.240145.6Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Jae-Il Park
- 0000 0001 2291 4776grid.240145.6Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA ,0000 0001 2291 4776grid.240145.6Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA ,0000 0001 2291 4776grid.240145.6Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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15
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Andrews PGP, Popadiuk C, Belbin TJ, Kao KR. Augmentation of Myc-Dependent Mitotic Gene Expression by the Pygopus2 Chromatin Effector. Cell Rep 2019; 23:1516-1529. [PMID: 29719262 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitotic segregation of chromosomes requires precise coordination of many factors, yet evidence is lacking as to how genes encoding these elements are transcriptionally controlled. Here, we found that the Pygopus (Pygo)2 chromatin effector is indispensable for expression of the MYC-dependent genes that regulate cancer cell division. Depletion of Pygo2 arrested SKOV-3 cells at metaphase, which resulted from the failure of chromosomes to capture spindle microtubules, a critical step for chromosomal biorientation and segregation. This observation was consistent with global chromatin association findings in HeLa S3 cells, revealing the enrichment of Pygo2 and MYC at promoters of biorientation and segmentation genes, at which Pygo2 maintained histone H3K27 acetylation. Immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays demonstrated MYC and Pygo2 interacting in nuclei, corroborated in a heterologous MYC-driven prostate cancer model that was distinct from Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our evidence supports a role for Pygo2 as an essential component of MYC oncogenic activity required for mitosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip G P Andrews
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Labs, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Catherine Popadiuk
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Thomas J Belbin
- Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Kenneth R Kao
- Terry Fox Cancer Research Labs, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada; Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's Campus, NL A1B 3V6, Canada.
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16
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Salazar VS, Capelo LP, Cantù C, Zimmerli D, Gosalia N, Pregizer S, Cox K, Ohte S, Feigenson M, Gamer L, Nyman JS, Carey DJ, Economides A, Basler K, Rosen V. Reactivation of a developmental Bmp2 signaling center is required for therapeutic control of the murine periosteal niche. eLife 2019; 8:42386. [PMID: 30735122 PMCID: PMC6386520 DOI: 10.7554/elife.42386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Two decades after signals controlling bone length were discovered, the endogenous ligands determining bone width remain unknown. We show that postnatal establishment of normal bone width in mice, as mediated by bone-forming activity of the periosteum, requires BMP signaling at the innermost layer of the periosteal niche. This developmental signaling center becomes quiescent during adult life. Its reactivation however, is necessary for periosteal growth, enhanced bone strength, and accelerated fracture repair in response to bone-anabolic therapies used in clinical orthopedic settings. Although many BMPs are expressed in bone, periosteal BMP signaling and bone formation require only Bmp2 in the Prx1-Cre lineage. Mechanistically, BMP2 functions downstream of Lrp5/6 pathway to activate a conserved regulatory element upstream of Sp7 via recruitment of Smad1 and Grhl3. Consistent with our findings, human variants of BMP2 and GRHL3 are associated with increased risk of fractures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S Salazar
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States.,Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luciane P Capelo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States.,Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dario Zimmerli
- Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Steven Pregizer
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States
| | - Karen Cox
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States
| | - Satoshi Ohte
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States.,Department of Microbial Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Marina Feigenson
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States
| | - Laura Gamer
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States
| | - Jeffry S Nyman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
| | | | | | | | - Vicki Rosen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, United States
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17
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Cantù C, Felker A, Zimmerli D, Prummel KD, Cabello EM, Chiavacci E, Méndez-Acevedo KM, Kirchgeorg L, Burger S, Ripoll J, Valenta T, Hausmann G, Vilain N, Aguet M, Burger A, Panáková D, Basler K, Mosimann C. Mutations in Bcl9 and Pygo genes cause congenital heart defects by tissue-specific perturbation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Genes Dev 2018; 32:1443-1458. [PMID: 30366904 PMCID: PMC6217730 DOI: 10.1101/gad.315531.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Bcl9 and Pygopus (Pygo) are obligate Wnt/β-catenin cofactors in Drosophila, yet their contribution to Wnt signaling during vertebrate development remains unresolved. Combining zebrafish and mouse genetics, we document a conserved, β-catenin-associated function for BCL9 and Pygo proteins during vertebrate heart development. Disrupting the β-catenin-BCL9-Pygo complex results in a broadly maintained canonical Wnt response yet perturbs heart development and proper expression of key cardiac regulators. Our work highlights BCL9 and Pygo as selective β-catenin cofactors in a subset of canonical Wnt responses during vertebrate development. Moreover, our results implicate alterations in BCL9 and BCL9L in human congenital heart defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cantù
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Anastasia Felker
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Zimmerli
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Karin D Prummel
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena M Cabello
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Elena Chiavacci
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kevin M Méndez-Acevedo
- Electrochemical Signaling in Development and Disease, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Lucia Kirchgeorg
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Sibylle Burger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Jorge Ripoll
- Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, 28911 Madrid, Spain
| | - Tomas Valenta
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - George Hausmann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Vilain
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Life Sciences, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Aguet
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), School of Life Sciences, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexa Burger
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Panáková
- Electrochemical Signaling in Development and Disease, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin-Buch, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herz-Kreislauf-Forschung (DZHK), partner site Berlin, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christian Mosimann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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18
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Zimmerli D, Hausmann G, Cantù C, Basler K. Pharmacological interventions in the Wnt pathway: inhibition of Wnt secretion versus disrupting the protein-protein interfaces of nuclear factors. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:4600-4610. [PMID: 28521071 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in components of the Wnt pathways are a frequent cause of many human diseases, particularly cancer. Despite the fact that a causative link between aberrant Wnt signalling and many types of human cancers was established more than a decade ago, no Wnt signalling inhibitors have made it into the clinic so far. One reason for this is that no pathway-specific kinase is known. Additionally, targeting the protein-protein interactions needed to transduce the signal has not met with success so far. Complicating the search for and use of inhibitors is the complexity of the cascades triggered by the Wnts and their paramount biological importance. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is involved in virtually all aspects of embryonic development and in the control of the homeostasis of adult tissues. Encouragingly, however, in recent years, first successes with Wnt-pathway inhibitors have been reported in mouse models of disease. In this review, we summarize possible roads to follow during the quest to pharmacologically modulate the Wnt signalling pathway in cancer. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Zimmerli
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - George Hausmann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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19
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Cantù C, Pagella P, Shajiei TD, Zimmerli D, Valenta T, Hausmann G, Basler K, Mitsiadis TA. A cytoplasmic role of Wnt/β-catenin transcriptional cofactors Bcl9, Bcl9l, and Pygopus in tooth enamel formation. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/465/eaah4598. [PMID: 28174279 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aah4598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Wnt-stimulated β-catenin transcriptional regulation is necessary for the development of most organs, including teeth. Bcl9 and Bcl9l are tissue-specific transcriptional cofactors that cooperate with β-catenin. In the nucleus, Bcl9 and Bcl9l simultaneously bind β-catenin and the transcriptional activator Pygo2 to promote the transcription of a subset of Wnt target genes. We showed that Bcl9 and Bcl9l function in the cytoplasm during tooth enamel formation in a manner that is independent of Wnt-stimulated β-catenin-dependent transcription. Bcl9, Bcl9l, and Pygo2 localized mainly to the cytoplasm of the epithelial-derived ameloblasts, the cells responsible for enamel production. In ameloblasts, Bcl9 interacted with proteins involved in enamel formation and proteins involved in exocytosis and vesicular trafficking. Conditional deletion of both Bcl9 and Bcl9l or both Pygo1 and Pygo2 in mice produced teeth with defective enamel that was bright white and deficient in iron, which is reminiscent of human tooth enamel pathologies. Overall, our data revealed that these proteins, originally defined through their function as β-catenin transcriptional cofactors, function in odontogenesis through a previously uncharacterized cytoplasmic mechanism, revealing that they have roles beyond that of transcriptional cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cantù
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pierfrancesco Pagella
- Orofacial Development and Regeneration, Institute of Oral Biology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tania D Shajiei
- Orofacial Development and Regeneration, Institute of Oral Biology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Zimmerli
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tomas Valenta
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - George Hausmann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Thimios A Mitsiadis
- Orofacial Development and Regeneration, Institute of Oral Biology, Center of Dental Medicine, University of Zurich, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
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20
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Pygo2 activates MDR1 expression and mediates chemoresistance in breast cancer via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Oncogene 2016; 35:4787-97. [PMID: 26876203 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2016.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 12/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin pathway has important roles in chemoresistance and multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) expression in some cancers, but its involvement in breast cancer and the underlying molecular mechanism are undefined. In this study, we demonstrated that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is activated in chemoresistant breast cancer cells. Using a Wnt pathway-specific PCR array screening assay, we detected that Pygo2, a newly identified Wnt/β-catenin pathway component, was the most upregulated gene in the resistant cells. Additional experiments indicated that Pygo2 activated MDR1 expression in the resistant cells via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Moreover, the inhibition of Pygo2 expression restored the chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity of the resistant cells and reduced the breast cancer stem cell population in these cells in response to chemotherapy. Importantly, these activities induced by Pygo2 were mediated by MDR1. We also determined the effect of Pygo2 on the sensitivity of breast tumors resistant to doxorubicin in a mouse model. Finally, RNA samples from 64 paired patient tumors (before and after chemotherapy) highly and significantly overexpressed Pygo2 and/or MDR1 after treatment, thus underlining a pivotal role for the Pygo2-mediated Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the clinical chemoresistance of breast cancer. Our data represent the first implication of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in breast cancer chemoresistance and identify potential new targets to treat the recurrence of breast cancer.
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21
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Cantù C, Zimmerli D, Hausmann G, Valenta T, Moor A, Aguet M, Basler K. Pax6-dependent, but β-catenin-independent, function of Bcl9 proteins in mouse lens development. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1879-84. [PMID: 25184676 PMCID: PMC4197948 DOI: 10.1101/gad.246140.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bcl9 and Bcl9l (Bcl9/9l) encode Wnt signaling components that mediate the interaction between β-catenin and Pygo. Cantù et al. find that Bcl9/9l contribute in a Pygo-dependent, but β-catenin-independent, fashion to eye lens formation. Pax6, the master regulator of eye differentiation, directly activates Bcl9 and Bcl9l transcription. Bcl9 and Bcl9l (Bcl9/9l) encode Wnt signaling components that mediate the interaction between β-catenin and Pygopus (Pygo) via two evolutionarily conserved domains, HD1 and HD2, respectively. We generated mouse strains lacking these domains to probe the β-catenin-dependent and β-catenin-independent roles of Bcl9/9l and Pygo during mouse development. While lens development is critically dependent on the presence of the HD1 domain, it is not affected by the lack of the HD2 domain, indicating that Bcl9/9l act in this context in a β-catenin-independent manner. Furthermore, we uncover a new regulatory circuit in which Pax6, the master regulator of eye development, directly activates Bcl9/9l transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Cantù
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dario Zimmerli
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - George Hausmann
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tomas Valenta
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Moor
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, School of Life Sciences, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michel Aguet
- Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, School of Life Sciences, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Konrad Basler
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland;
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22
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Han W, Wang H. Regulation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the nucleus. CHINESE SCIENCE BULLETIN-CHINESE 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s11434-014-0489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Meinhardt G, Haider S, Haslinger P, Proestling K, Fiala C, Pollheimer J, Knöfler M. Wnt-dependent T-cell factor-4 controls human etravillous trophoblast motility. Endocrinology 2014; 155:1908-20. [PMID: 24605829 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-2042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Formation of migratory extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) is critical for human placentation and hence embryonic development. However, key regulatory growth factors, hormones, and nuclear proteins controlling the particular differentiation process remain poorly understood. Here, the role of the Wingless (Wnt)-dependent transcription factor T-cell factor-4 (TCF-4) in proliferation and motility was investigated using different trophoblast cell models. Immunofluorescence of first-trimester placental tissues revealed induction of TCF-4 and nuclear recruitment of its coactivator β-catenin in nonproliferating EVTs, whereas membrane-associated β-catenin decreased upon differentiation. In addition, EVTs expressed the TCF-4/β-catenin coactivator Pygopus 2 as well as repressors of the Groucho/transducin-like enhancer of split family. Western blotting revealed Pygopus 2 expression and up-regulation of integrin α1 and nuclear TCF-4 in purified first-trimester cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) differentiating on fibronectin. Concomitantly, elevated TCF-4 mRNA, quantitated by real-time PCR, and increased TCF-dependent luciferase reporter activity were noticed in EVTs of villous explant cultures and differentiated primary CTBs. Gene silencing using specific small interfering RNA decreased TCF-4 transcript and protein levels, TCF-dependent reporter activity as well as basal and Wnt3a-stimulated migration of trophoblastic SGHPL-5 cells and primary CTBs through fibronectin-coated transwells. In contrast, proliferation of SGHPL-5 cells and primary cells, measured by cumulative cell numbers and 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine labeling, respectively, was not affected. Moreover, siRNA-mediated down-regulation of TCF-4 in primary CTBs diminished markers of the differentiated EVT, such as integrin α1 and α5, Snail1, and Notch2. In summary, the data suggest that Wnt/TCF-4-dependent signaling could play a role in EVT differentiation promoting motility and expression of promigratory genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gudrun Meinhardt
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine (G.M., S.H., P.H., J.P., M.K.), Reproductive Biology Unit, and Department of Gynecology (K.P.), Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; and Gynmed Clinic (C.F.), A-1150 Vienna, Austria
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Miller T, Mieszczanek J, Sánchez-Barrena M, Rutherford T, Fiedler M, Bienz M. Evolutionary adaptation of the fly Pygo PHD finger toward recognizing histone H3 tail methylated at arginine 2. Structure 2013; 21:2208-20. [PMID: 24183574 PMCID: PMC3851687 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2013.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/20/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pygo proteins promote Armadillo- and β-catenin-dependent transcription, by relieving Groucho-dependent repression of Wnt targets. Their PHD fingers bind histone H3 tail methylated at lysine 4, and to the HD1 domain of their Legless/BCL9 cofactors, linking Pygo to Armadillo/β-catenin. Intriguingly, fly Pygo orthologs exhibit a tryptophan > phenylalanine substitution in their histone pocket-divider which reduces their affinity for histones. Here, we use X-ray crystallography and NMR, to discover a conspicuous groove bordering this phenylalanine in the Drosophila PHD-HD1 complex--a semi-aromatic cage recognizing asymmetrically methylated arginine 2 (R2me2a), a chromatin mark of silenced genes. Our structural model of the ternary complex reveals a distinct mode of dimethylarginine recognition, involving a polar interaction between R2me2a and its groove, the structural integrity of which is crucial for normal tissue patterning. Notably, humanized fly Pygo derepresses Notch targets, implying an inherent Notch-related function of classical Pygo orthologs, disabled in fly Pygo, which thus appears dedicated to Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C.R. Miller
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Juliusz Mieszczanek
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - María José Sánchez-Barrena
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Trevor J. Rutherford
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Marc Fiedler
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Mariann Bienz
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
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