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Li S, Feng T, Liu Y, Yang Q, Song A, Wang S, Xie J, Zhang J, Yuan B, Sun Z. m 1A inhibition fuels oncolytic virus-elicited antitumor immunity via downregulating MYC/PD-L1 signaling. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:36. [PMID: 38730256 PMCID: PMC11087574 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00304-0] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
N1-methyladenosine (m1A) RNA methylation is critical for regulating mRNA translation; however, its role in the development, progression, and immunotherapy response of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains largely unknown. Using Tgfbr1 and Pten conditional knockout (2cKO) mice, we found the neoplastic transformation of oral mucosa was accompanied by increased m1A modification levels. Analysis of m1A-associated genes identified TRMT61A as a key m1A writer linked to cancer progression and poor prognosis. Mechanistically, TRMT61A-mediated tRNA-m1A modification promotes MYC protein synthesis, upregulating programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Moreover, m1A modification levels were also elevated in tumors treated with oncolytic herpes simplex virus (oHSV), contributing to reactive PD-L1 upregulation. Therapeutic m1A inhibition sustained oHSV-induced antitumor immunity and reduced tumor growth, representing a promising strategy to alleviate resistance. These findings indicate that m1A inhibition can prevent immune escape after oHSV therapy by reducing PD-L1 expression, providing a mutually reinforcing combination immunotherapy approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian Feng
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuantong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qichao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - An Song
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Medical Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bifeng Yuan
- School of Public Health, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhijun Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Frontier Science Center for Immunology and Metabolism, Taikang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Department of Oral Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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2
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Lin P, Lourenco C, Cruickshank J, Palomero L, van Leeuwen JE, Tong AHY, Chan K, El Ghamrasni S, Pujana MA, Cescon DW, Moffat J, Penn LZ. Topoisomerase 1 Inhibition in MYC-Driven Cancer Promotes Aberrant R-Loop Accumulation to Induce Synthetic Lethality. Cancer Res 2023; 83:4015-4029. [PMID: 37987734 PMCID: PMC10722143 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-2948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
MYC is a central regulator of gene transcription and is frequently dysregulated in human cancers. As targeting MYC directly is challenging, an alternative strategy is to identify specific proteins or processes required for MYC to function as a potent cancer driver that can be targeted to result in synthetic lethality. To identify potential targets in MYC-driven cancers, we performed a genome-wide CRISPR knockout screen using an isogenic pair of breast cancer cell lines in which MYC dysregulation is the switch from benign to transformed tumor growth. Proteins that regulate R-loops were identified as a potential class of synthetic lethal targets. Dysregulated MYC elevated global transcription and coincident R-loop accumulation. Topoisomerase 1 (TOP1), a regulator of R-loops by DNA topology, was validated to be a vulnerability in cells with high MYC activity. Genetic knockdown of TOP1 in MYC-transformed cells resulted in reduced colony formation compared with control cells, demonstrating synthetic lethality. Overexpression of RNaseH1, a riboendonuclease that specifically degrades R-loops, rescued the reduction in clonogenicity induced by TOP1 deficiency, demonstrating that this vulnerability is driven by aberrant R-loop accumulation. Genetic and pharmacologic TOP1 inhibition selectively reduced the fitness of MYC-transformed tumors in vivo. Finally, drug response to TOP1 inhibitors (i.e., topotecan) significantly correlated with MYC levels and activity across panels of breast cancer cell lines and patient-derived organoids. Together, these results highlight TOP1 as a promising target for MYC-driven cancers. SIGNIFICANCE CRISPR screening reveals topoisomerase 1 as an immediately actionable vulnerability in cancers harboring MYC as a driver oncoprotein that can be targeted with clinically approved inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lin
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Corey Lourenco
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Luis Palomero
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jenna E. van Leeuwen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Samah El Ghamrasni
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Miquel Angel Pujana
- ProCURE, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Oncobell, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet del Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERES, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David W. Cescon
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jason Moffat
- Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Linda Z. Penn
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
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3
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Hurd M, Pino J, Jang K, Allevato MM, Vorontchikhina M, Ichikawa W, Zhao Y, Gates R, Villalpando E, Hamilton MJ, Faiola F, Pan S, Qi Y, Hung YW, Girke T, Ann D, Seewaldt V, Martinez E. MYC acetylated lysine residues drive oncogenic cell transformation and regulate select genetic programs for cell adhesion-independent growth and survival. Genes Dev 2023; 37:865-882. [PMID: 37852796 PMCID: PMC10691474 DOI: 10.1101/gad.350736.123] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The MYC oncogenic transcription factor is acetylated by the p300 and GCN5 histone acetyltransferases. The significance of MYC acetylation and the functions of specific acetylated lysine (AcK) residues have remained unclear. Here, we show that the major p300-acetylated K148(149) and K157(158) sites in human (or mouse) MYC and the main GCN5-acetylated K323 residue are reversibly acetylated in various malignant and nonmalignant cells. Oncogenic overexpression of MYC enhances its acetylation and alters the regulation of site-specific acetylation by proteasome and deacetylase inhibitors. Acetylation of MYC at different K residues differentially affects its stability in a cell type-dependent manner. Lysine-to-arginine substitutions indicate that although none of the AcK residues is required for MYC stimulation of adherent cell proliferation, individual AcK sites have gene-specific functions controlling select MYC-regulated processes in cell adhesion, contact inhibition, apoptosis, and/or metabolism and are required for the malignant cell transformation activity of MYC. Each AcK site is required for anchorage-independent growth of MYC-overexpressing cells in vitro, and both the AcK148(149) and AcK157(158) residues are also important for the tumorigenic activity of MYC transformed cells in vivo. The MYC AcK site-specific signaling pathways identified may offer new avenues for selective therapeutic targeting of MYC oncogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Hurd
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Jeffrey Pino
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Kay Jang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael M Allevato
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Marina Vorontchikhina
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Wataru Ichikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yifan Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Ryan Gates
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Emily Villalpando
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Michael J Hamilton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Francesco Faiola
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Songqin Pan
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - Yue Qi
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Hung
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Thomas Girke
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
- Department of Botany and Plant Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
| | - David Ann
- Department of Diabetes Complications and Metabolism, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Victoria Seewaldt
- Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
- Department of Population Sciences, Beckman Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, City of Hope, Duarte, California 91010, USA
| | - Ernest Martinez
- Department of Biochemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA;
- Institute for Integrative Genome Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA
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4
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Ponomarev AS, Gilazieva ZE, Solovyova VV, Rizvanov AA. Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Cell Stemness Modulation during Formation of Spheroids. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:979-994. [PMID: 37751868 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923070106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs), their properties and interaction with microenvironment are of interest in modern medicine and biology. There are many studies on the emergence of CSCs and their involvement in tumor pathogenesis. The most important property inherent to CSCs is their stemness. Stemness combines ability of the cell to maintain its pluripotency, give rise to differentiated cells, and interact with environment to maintain a balance between dormancy, proliferation, and regeneration. While adult stem cells exhibit these properties by participating in tissue homeostasis, CSCs behave as their malignant equivalents. High tumor resistance to therapy, ability to differentiate, activate angiogenesis and metastasis arise precisely due to the stemness of CSCs. These cells can be used as a target for therapy of different types of cancer. Laboratory models are needed to study cancer biology and find new therapeutic strategies. A promising direction is three-dimensional tumor models or spheroids. Such models exhibit properties resembling stemness in a natural tumor. By modifying spheroids, it becomes possible to investigate the effect of therapy on CSCs, thus contributing to the development of anti-tumor drug test systems. The review examines the niche of CSCs, the possibility of their study using three-dimensional spheroids, and existing markers for assessing stemness of CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksei S Ponomarev
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420008, Russia
| | - Zarema E Gilazieva
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420008, Russia
| | - Valeriya V Solovyova
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420008, Russia
| | - Albert A Rizvanov
- Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, 420008, Russia.
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5
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3D chromatin remodeling potentiates transcriptional programs driving cell invasion. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203452119. [PMID: 36037342 PMCID: PMC9457068 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203452119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of deregulated chromatin architecture, including topologically associated domains (TADs), to cancer progression remains ambiguous. CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) is a central regulator of higher-order chromatin structure that undergoes copy number loss in over half of all breast cancers, but the impact of this defect on epigenetic programming and chromatin architecture remains unclear. We find that under physiological conditions, CTCF organizes subTADs to limit the expression of oncogenic pathways, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and cell adhesion networks. Loss of a single CTCF allele potentiates cell invasion through compromised chromatin insulation and a reorganization of chromatin architecture and histone programming that facilitates de novo promoter-enhancer contacts. However, this change in the higher-order chromatin landscape leads to a vulnerability to inhibitors of mTOR. These data support a model whereby subTAD reorganization drives both modification of histones at de novo enhancer-promoter contacts and transcriptional up-regulation of oncogenic transcriptional networks.
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6
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Thng DKH, Toh TB, Pigini P, Hooi L, Dan YY, Chow PK, Bonney GK, Rashid MBMA, Guccione E, Wee DKB, Chow EK. Splice-switch oligonucleotide-based combinatorial platform prioritizes synthetic lethal targets CHK1 and BRD4 against MYC-driven hepatocellular carcinoma. Bioeng Transl Med 2022; 8:e10363. [PMID: 36684069 PMCID: PMC9842033 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of MYC is among the most frequent oncogenic drivers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unfortunately, the clinical success of MYC-targeted therapies is limited. Synthetic lethality offers an alternative therapeutic strategy by leveraging on vulnerabilities in tumors with MYC deregulation. While several synthetic lethal targets of MYC have been identified in HCC, the need to prioritize targets with the greatest therapeutic potential has been unmet. Here, we demonstrate that by pairing splice-switch oligonucleotide (SSO) technologies with our phenotypic-analytical hybrid multidrug interrogation platform, quadratic phenotypic optimization platform (QPOP), we can disrupt the functional expression of these targets in specific combinatorial tests to rapidly determine target-target interactions and rank synthetic lethality targets. Our SSO-QPOP analyses revealed that simultaneous attenuation of CHK1 and BRD4 function is an effective combination specific in MYC-deregulated HCC, successfully suppressing HCC progression in vitro. Pharmacological inhibitors of CHK1 and BRD4 further demonstrated its translational value by exhibiting synergistic interactions in patient-derived xenograft organoid models of HCC harboring high levels of MYC deregulation. Collectively, our work demonstrates the capacity of SSO-QPOP as a target prioritization tool in the drug development pipeline, as well as the therapeutic potential of CHK1 and BRD4 in MYC-driven HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore
| | - Paolo Pigini
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Lissa Hooi
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Gastroenterology and HepatologyNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore,Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Pierce Kah‐Hoe Chow
- Division of Surgical OncologyNational Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Hepato‐Pancreato‐Biliary and Transplant SurgerySingapore General HospitalSingaporeSingapore,Duke‐NUS Medical SchoolSingaporeSingapore
| | - Glenn Kunnath Bonney
- NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Division of Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplantation SurgeryNational University Health SystemSingaporeSingapore
| | | | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore,Department of Oncological SciencesTisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Department of Oncological and Pharmacological SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Dave Keng Boon Wee
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)SingaporeSingapore
| | - Edward Kai‐Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of SingaporeSingapore,NUS Centre for Cancer Research (N2CR), Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore,Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Design and EngineeringNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
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7
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Barker CG, Petsalaki E, Giudice G, Sero J, Ekpenyong EN, Bakal C, Petsalaki E. Identification of phenotype-specific networks from paired gene expression-cell shape imaging data. Genome Res 2022; 32:750-765. [PMID: 35197309 PMCID: PMC8997347 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276059.121] [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: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The morphology of breast cancer cells is often used as an indicator of tumor severity and prognosis. Additionally, morphology can be used to identify more fine-grained, molecular developments within a cancer cell, such as transcriptomic changes and signaling pathway activity. Delineating the interface between morphology and signaling is important to understand the mechanical cues that a cell processes in order to undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and consequently metastasize. However, the exact regulatory systems that define these changes remain poorly characterized. In this study, we used a network-systems approach to integrate imaging data and RNA-seq expression data. Our workflow allowed the discovery of unbiased and context-specific gene expression signatures and cell signaling subnetworks relevant to the regulation of cell shape, rather than focusing on the identification of previously known, but not always representative, pathways. By constructing a cell-shape signaling network from shape-correlated gene expression modules and their upstream regulators, we found central roles for developmental pathways such as WNT and Notch, as well as evidence for the fine control of NF-kB signaling by numerous kinase and transcriptional regulators. Further analysis of our network implicates a gene expression module enriched in the RAP1 signaling pathway as a mediator between the sensing of mechanical stimuli and regulation of NF-kB activity, with specific relevance to cell shape in breast cancer.
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8
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The MYC oncogene - the grand orchestrator of cancer growth and immune evasion. Nat Rev Clin Oncol 2022; 19:23-36. [PMID: 34508258 PMCID: PMC9083341 DOI: 10.1038/s41571-021-00549-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 152.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The MYC proto-oncogenes encode a family of transcription factors that are among the most commonly activated oncoproteins in human neoplasias. Indeed, MYC aberrations or upregulation of MYC-related pathways by alternate mechanisms occur in the vast majority of cancers. MYC proteins are master regulators of cellular programmes. Thus, cancers with MYC activation elicit many of the hallmarks of cancer required for autonomous neoplastic growth. In preclinical models, MYC inactivation can result in sustained tumour regression, a phenomenon that has been attributed to oncogene addiction. Many therapeutic agents that directly target MYC are under development; however, to date, their clinical efficacy remains to be demonstrated. In the past few years, studies have demonstrated that MYC signalling can enable tumour cells to dysregulate their microenvironment and evade the host immune response. Herein, we discuss how MYC pathways not only dictate cancer cell pathophysiology but also suppress the host immune response against that cancer. We also propose that therapies targeting the MYC pathway will be key to reversing cancerous growth and restoring antitumour immune responses in patients with MYC-driven cancers.
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9
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Ma Y, Peng Z, Pan R, Zhu Z, Meng X, Hu H, Qiao X, Huang X, Hou M. The bioinformatics analysis of quercetin in octagonal lotus for the screening of breast cancer MYC, CXCL10, CXCL11, and E2F1. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2021; 35:20587384211040903. [PMID: 34693792 PMCID: PMC8544779 DOI: 10.1177/20587384211040903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the effective molecular screening of Podophyllum octagonal in breast cancer treatment by using network pharmacology. Methods We collected the active ingredients and target genes of Chinese medicine octagonal lotus through the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Analysis Platform (TCMSP); downloaded human protein annotation information on the protein database Uniport; and collected data from five databases: GeneCards, OMIM, PharmGkb, TDD, and DrugBank. Construct the practical ingredient-target gene data intersection to obtain the target gene-disease gene and draw the Venn diagram. We use Cytoscape 3.8.0 software to construct the effective component-target gene-disease gene network. The STRING database protein interaction (PPI) networks were erected, and we used Cytoscape 3.8.0 software to screen out its core sub-networks and hub gene networks. Through survival analysis, core genes and hub genes were screened to identify several key genes. We performed key target gene ontology (GO) analysis and gene interaction (KEGG) analysis, which were followed by molecular docking of the key active ingredients in the star anise corresponding to several key genes. Results 19 active ingredients, 444 drug targets, and 10,941 disease-related genes were obtained. The key active ingredient was quercetin. GO analysis revealed 2471 affected biological processes, and 167 pathways were obtained in KEGG enrichment analysis. Conclusion This study initially screened the key active ingredients of star aniseed lotus and analyzed key genes and several essential pathways. Traditional Chinese medicine is expected to provide new evidence and research ideas to prevent and treat breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuexing Ma
- 56651China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Zirong Peng
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Rongbin Pan
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Jiangzhong Cancer Research Center, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhixin Zhu
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqi Meng
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Huiming Hu
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China.,Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Xin Qiao
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuening Huang
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
| | - Mengyu Hou
- Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, China
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10
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Li X, Zhao H, Liu J, Tong J. Long Non-coding RNA MIAT Knockdown Prevents the Formation of Intracranial Aneurysm by Downregulating ENC1 via MYC. Front Physiol 2021; 11:572605. [PMID: 33551826 PMCID: PMC7860976 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.572605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is vascular enlargement occurred on the wall of cerebral vessels and can result in fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage when ruptured. Recent studies have supported the important role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in IA treatment. This study identified functional significance of lncRNA myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in IA. Myocardial infarction associated transcript and ectodermal-neural cortex 1 (ENC1) expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting kit 8 assay flow cytometry were conducted to detect cell viability and apoptosis of endothelial cells in IA. The interaction among MIAT, ENC1, and myelocytomatosis oncogene (MYC) was analyzed by RNA pull down, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, and dual luciferase reporter assay. Intracranial aneurysm was induced by ligating the left carotid artery and the bilateral posterior branch of the renal artery in rats for studying the role of MIAT and ENC1 in vivo. Myocardial infarction associated transcript and ENC1 were upregulated in IA. Endothelial cells in IA presented a decreased cell viability and an increased apoptotic rate. Myocardial infarction associated transcript could regulate the expression of ENC1, and MYC could bind to the promoter region of ENC1. High expression of MIAT increased endothelial cell apoptosis and vascular endothelial injury, while MIAT knockdown was identified to reduce the risk of IA both in vitro and in vivo through regulating ENC1. To sum up, MIAT silencing is preventive for IA occurrence by decreasing the MYC-mediated ENC1 expression, which represents a novel therapeutic target for IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinguo Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jihui Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jing Tong
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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11
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Thng DKH, Toh TB, Chow EKH. Capitalizing on Synthetic Lethality of MYC to Treat Cancer in the Digital Age. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:166-182. [PMID: 33422376 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Deregulation of MYC is among the most frequent oncogenic drivers of cancer. Developing targeted therapies against MYC is, therefore, one of the most critical unmet needs of cancer therapy. Unfortunately, MYC has been labelled as undruggable due to the lack of success in developing clinically relevant MYC-targeted therapies. Synthetic lethality is a promising approach that targets MYC-dependent vulnerabilities in cancer. However, translating the synthetic lethality targets to the clinics is still challenging due to the complex nature of cancers. This review highlights the most promising mechanisms of MYC synthetic lethality and how these discoveries are currently translated into the clinic. Finally, we discuss how in silico computational platforms can improve clinical success of synthetic lethality-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dexter Kai Hao Thng
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tan Boon Toh
- The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Edward Kai-Hua Chow
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The N.1 Institute for Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore; The Institute for Digital Medicine (WisDM), Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
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12
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Rizeq B, Sif S, Nasrallah GK, Ouhtit A. Novel role of BRCA1 interacting C-terminal helicase 1 (BRIP1) in breast tumour cell invasion. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:11477-11488. [PMID: 32888398 PMCID: PMC7576304 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy and the leading cause of death in women worldwide. Only 5%‐10% of mutations in BRCA genes are associated with familial breast tumours in Eastern countries, suggesting the contribution of other genes. Using a microarray gene expression profiling study of BC, we have recently identified BRIP1 (fivefold up‐regulation) as a potential gene associated with BC progression in the Omani population. Although BRIP1 regulates DNA repair and cell proliferation, the precise role of BRIP1 in BC cell invasion/metastasis has not been explored yet; this prompted us to test the hypothesis that BRIP1 promotes BC cell proliferation and invasion. Using a combination of cellular and molecular approaches, our results revealed differential overexpression of BRIP1 in different BC cell lines. Functional assays validated further the physiological relevance of BRIP1 in tumour malignancy, and siRNA‐mediated BRIP1 knockdown significantly reduced BC cell motility by targeting key motility‐associated genes. Moreover, down‐regulation of BRIP1 expression significantly attenuated cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest. Our study is the first to show the novel function of BRIP1 in promoting BC cell invasion by regulating expression of various downstream target genes. Furthermore, these findings provide us with a unique opportunity to identify BRIP1‐induced pro‐invasive genes that could serve as biomarkers and/or targets to guide the design of appropriate BC targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Balsam Rizeq
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Saïd Sif
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Science Department, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Allal Ouhtit
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts & Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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13
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Hickman KA, Hariharan S, De Melo J, Ylanko J, Lustig LC, Penn LZ, Andrews DW. Image-Based Analysis of Protein Stability. Cytometry A 2020; 97:363-377. [PMID: 31774248 PMCID: PMC7187295 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.23928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Short half-life proteins regulate many essential processes, including cell cycle, transcription, and apoptosis. However, few well-characterized protein-turnover pathways have been identified because traditional methods to measure protein half-life are time and labor intensive. To overcome this barrier, we developed a protein stability probe and high-content screening pipeline for novel regulators of short half-life proteins using automated image analysis. Our pilot probe consists of the short half-life protein c-MYC (MYC) fused to Venus fluorescent protein (MYC-Venus). This probe enables protein half-life to be scored as a function of fluorescence intensity and distribution. Rapid turnover prevents maximal fluorescence of the probe due to the relatively longer maturation time of the fluorescent protein. Cells expressing the MYC-Venus probe were analyzed using a pipeline in which automated confocal microscopy and image analyses were used to score MYC-Venus stability by two strategies: assaying the percentage of cells with Venus fluorescence above background, and phenotypic comparative analysis. To evaluate this high-content screening pipeline and our probe, a kinase inhibitor library was screened by confocal microscopy to identify known and novel kinases that regulate MYC stability. Compounds identified were shown to increase the half-life of both MYC-Venus and endogenous MYC, validating the probe and pipeline. Fusion of another short half-life protein, myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL1), with Venus also demonstrated an increase in percent Venus-positive cells after treatment with inhibitors known to stabilize MCL1. Together, the results validate the use of our automated microscopy and image analysis pipeline of stability probe-expressing cells to rapidly and quantitatively identify regulators of short half-life proteins. © 2019 The Authors. Cytometry Part A published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Ashley Hickman
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoON M4N 3M5Canada
- Princess Margaret Cancer CenterTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
| | - Santosh Hariharan
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoON M4N 3M5Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
| | - Jason De Melo
- Princess Margaret Cancer CenterTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
| | - Jarkko Ylanko
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoON M4N 3M5Canada
| | - Lindsay C. Lustig
- Princess Margaret Cancer CenterTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
| | - Linda Z. Penn
- Princess Margaret Cancer CenterTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
| | - David W. Andrews
- Sunnybrook Research InstituteTorontoON M4N 3M5Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical BiophysicsUniversity of TorontoTorontoON M5G 1L7Canada
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14
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Liang ZR, Qu LH, Ma LM. Differential impacts of charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum on c-Myc among distinct subtypes of breast cancer cell lines. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 526:267-272. [PMID: 32209261 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.03.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Charcoal-stripped fetal bovine serum (CS-FBS) is frequently used in studies on hormone-responsive cancers to provide hormone-free cell culture conditions. CS-FBS may influence the growth of cancer cells; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of CS-FBS on distinct subtypes of breast cancer cells. We found that the crucial oncoprotein c-Myc was significantly inhibited in estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α)-positive breast cancer cells when cultured in CS-FBS-supplemented medium, but it was not suppressed in ER-α-negative cells. The addition of 17β-estradiol (E2) to CS-FBS-supplemented medium rescued the CS-FBS-induced inhibition of c-Myc, while treatment with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) suppressed c-Myc expression. Our data demonstrated that CS-FBS may impede the growth of ER-α-positive breast cancer cells via c-Myc inhibition, and this was possibly due to the removal of estrogen. These results highlighted that the core drivers of c-Myc expression were subtype-specific depending on the distinct cell context and special caution should be exercised when using CS-FBS in studies of hormone-responsive cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Rui Liang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Liang-Hu Qu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Li-Ming Ma
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
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