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Song J, Yao L, Gooding AR, Thron V, Kasinath V, Cech TR. Diverse RNA Structures Induce PRC2 Dimerization and Inhibit Histone Methyltransferase Activity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.29.610323. [PMID: 39257770 PMCID: PMC11383989 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.29.610323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024]
Abstract
Methyltransferase PRC2 (Polycomb Repressive Complex 2) introduces histone H3K27 trimethylation, a repressive chromatin mark, to tune the differential expression of genes. PRC2 is precisely regulated by accessory proteins, histone post-translational modifications and, notably, RNA. Research on PRC2-associated RNA has mostly focused on the tight-binding G-quadruplex (G4) RNAs, which inhibit PRC2 enzymatic activity in vitro and in cells. Our recent cryo-EM structure provided a molecular mechanism for G4 RNA inactivating PRC2 via dimerization, but it remained unclear how diverse RNAs associate with and regulate PRC2. Here, we show that a single-stranded G-rich RNA and an atypical G4 structure called pUG-fold unexpectedly also mediate near-identical PRC2 dimerization resulting in inhibition of PRC2 methyltransferase activity. The conformational flexibility of arginine-rich loops within subunits EZH2 and AEBP2 of PRC2 can accommodate diverse RNA secondary structures, resulting in protein-RNA and protein-protein interfaces similar to those observed previously with G4 RNA. Furthermore, we address a recent report that failed to detect PRC2-associated RNAs in living cells by demonstrating the insensitivity of PRC2-RNA interaction to photochemical crosslinking. Our results support the significance of RNA-mediated PRC2 regulation by showing that this interaction is not limited to a single RNA secondary structure, consistent with the broad PRC2 transcriptome containing many G-tract RNAs incapable of folding into G4 structures.
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Busetto V, Pshanichnaya L, Lichtenberger R, Hann S, Ketting R, Falk S. MUT-7 exoribonuclease activity and localization are mediated by an ancient domain. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:9076-9091. [PMID: 39188014 PMCID: PMC11347159 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The MUT-7 family of 3'-5' exoribonucleases is evolutionarily conserved across the animal kingdom and plays essential roles in small RNA production in the germline. Most MUT-7 homologues carry a C-terminal domain of unknown function named MUT7-C appended to the exoribonuclease domain. Our analysis shows that the MUT7-C is evolutionary ancient, as a minimal version of the domain exists as an individual protein in prokaryotes. In animals, MUT7-C has acquired an insertion that diverged during evolution, expanding its functions. Caenorhabditis elegans MUT-7 contains a specific insertion within MUT7-C, which allows binding to MUT-8 and, consequently, MUT-7 recruitment to germ granules. In addition, in C. elegans and human MUT-7, the MUT7-C domain contributes to RNA binding and is thereby crucial for ribonuclease activity. This RNA-binding function most likely represents the ancestral function of the MUT7-C domain. Overall, this study sheds light on MUT7-C and assigns two functions to this previously uncharacterized domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Busetto
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lizaveta Pshanichnaya
- Biology of Non-coding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- International PhD Programme on Gene Regulation, Epigenetics & Genome Stability, Mainz, Germany
| | - Raffael Lichtenberger
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stephan Hann
- Institute of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - René F Ketting
- Biology of Non-coding RNA Group, Institute of Molecular Biology, Ackermannweg 4, 55128 Mainz, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, 55099Mainz, Germany
| | - Sebastian Falk
- Max Perutz Labs, Vienna Biocenter Campus (VBC), Dr.-Bohr-Gasse 9, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Department of Structural and Computational Biology, Max Perutz Labs, University of Vienna, Campus Vienna Biocenter 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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3
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Wang K, Wang Y, Li Y, Fang B, Li B, Cheng W, Wang K, Yang S. The potential of RNA methylation in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. iScience 2024; 27:110524. [PMID: 39165846 PMCID: PMC11334793 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110524] [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: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
RNA methylation has emerged as a dynamic regulatory mechanism that impacts gene expression and protein synthesis. Among the known RNA methylation modifications, N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), 3-methylcytosine (m3C), and N7-methylguanosine (m7G) have been studied extensively. In particular, m6A is the most abundant RNA modification and has attracted significant attention due to its potential effect on multiple biological processes. Recent studies have demonstrated that RNA methylation plays an important role in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To identify key pathogenic genes of CVD and potential therapeutic targets, we reviewed several common RNA methylation and summarized the research progress of RNA methylation in diverse CVDs, intending to inspire effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - YuQin Wang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - YingHui Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Bo Fang
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Bo Li
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children’s Health, Beijing 100045, China
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
- Institute for Translational Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, College of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - SuMin Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China
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4
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Butcher SE. A left-handed RNA quadruplex directs gene silencing. Trends Biochem Sci 2024; 49:387-390. [PMID: 38368181 PMCID: PMC11069436 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2024.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Poly(UG) or 'pUG' dinucleotide repeats direct gene silencing in Caenorhabditis elegans by adopting an unusual quadruplex structure. Humans have thousands of pUG sequences and proteins that interact with them. The pUG fold reveals new aspects of gene regulation and RNA folding, highlighting how a simple sequence can encode a complex structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E Butcher
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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5
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Guo JK, Blanco MR, Walkup WG, Bonesteele G, Urbinati CR, Banerjee AK, Chow A, Ettlin O, Strehle M, Peyda P, Amaya E, Trinh V, Guttman M. Denaturing purifications demonstrate that PRC2 and other widely reported chromatin proteins do not appear to bind directly to RNA in vivo. Mol Cell 2024; 84:1271-1289.e12. [PMID: 38387462 PMCID: PMC10997485 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2024.01.026] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) is reported to bind to many RNAs and has become a central player in reports of how long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate gene expression. Yet, there is a growing discrepancy between the biochemical evidence supporting specific lncRNA-PRC2 interactions and functional evidence demonstrating that PRC2 is often dispensable for lncRNA function. Here, we revisit the evidence supporting RNA binding by PRC2 and show that many reported interactions may not occur in vivo. Using denaturing purification of in vivo crosslinked RNA-protein complexes in human and mouse cell lines, we observe a loss of detectable RNA binding to PRC2 and chromatin-associated proteins previously reported to bind RNA (CTCF, YY1, and others), despite accurately mapping bona fide RNA-binding sites across others (SPEN, TET2, and others). Taken together, these results argue for a critical re-evaluation of the broad role of RNA binding to orchestrate various chromatin regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimmy K Guo
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Mario R Blanco
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Ward G Walkup
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Grant Bonesteele
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Carl R Urbinati
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Department of Biology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA 90045, USA
| | - Abhik K Banerjee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA; Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Amy Chow
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Olivia Ettlin
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mackenzie Strehle
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Parham Peyda
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Enrique Amaya
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Vickie Trinh
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Mitchell Guttman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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Valyaeva AA, Sheval EV. Nonspecific Interactions in Transcription Regulation and Organization of Transcriptional Condensates. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2024; 89:688-700. [PMID: 38831505 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297924040084] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Eukaryotic cells are characterized by a high degree of compartmentalization of their internal contents, which ensures precise and controlled regulation of intracellular processes. During many processes, including different stages of transcription, dynamic membraneless compartments termed biomolecular condensates are formed. Transcription condensates contain various transcription factors and RNA polymerase and are formed by high- and low-specificity interactions between the proteins, DNA, and nearby RNA. This review discusses recent data demonstrating important role of nonspecific multivalent protein-protein and RNA-protein interactions in organization and regulation of transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A Valyaeva
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Eugene V Sheval
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
- Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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Wang K, Li F, Zhou L, Zhao X, Gao X, Liu C, Li X, Chen X, Zhao Y, Cheng X, Wang R, Li R, Zhang Y, Gao F, Tian J, Wang K. HNEAP Regulates Necroptosis of Cardiomyocytes by Suppressing the m 5 C Methylation of Atf7 mRNA. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304329. [PMID: 37870216 PMCID: PMC10700171 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are highly expressed in various cardiovascular diseases. However, their role in cardiomyocyte death caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, especially necroptosis, remains elusive. In this study, a heart necroptosis-associated piRNA (HNEAP) is found that regulates cardiomyocyte necroptosis by targeting DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)-mediated 5-methylcytosine (m5 C) methylation of the activating transcription factor 7 (Atf7) mRNA transcript. HNEAP expression level is significantly elevated in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-exposed cardiomyocytes and I/R-injured mouse hearts. Loss of HNEAP inhibited cardiomyocyte necroptosis and ameliorated cardiac function in mice. Mechanistically, HNEAP directly interacts with DNMT1 and attenuates m5 C methylation of the Atf7 mRNA transcript, which increases Atf7 expression level. ATF7 can further downregulate the transcription of Chmp2a, an inhibitor of necroptosis, resulting in the reduction of Chmp2a level and the progression of cardiomyocyte necroptosis. The findings reveal that piRNA-mediated m5 C methylation is involved in the regulation of cardiomyocyte necroptosis. Thus, the HNEAP-DNMT1-ATF7-CHMP2A axis may be a potential target for attenuating cardiac injury caused by necroptosis in ischemic heart disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Fu‐Hai Li
- Department of CardiologyThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Lu‐Yu Zhou
- Department of PharmacyCollege of BiologyHunan UniversityChangshaHunan410082China
| | - Xue‐Mei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular DiseaseHeart Failure CenterFuwai HospitalNational Center for Cardiovascular DiseasesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing100037China
| | - Xiang‐Qian Gao
- Department of PathologyBinzhou Medical University HospitalBinzhou256603China
| | - Cui‐Yun Liu
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Xin‐Min Li
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Xin‐Zhe Chen
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Xue‐Li Cheng
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Rui‐Quan Wang
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Rui‐Feng Li
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
| | - Yu‐Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular DiseaseHeart Failure CenterFuwai HospitalNational Center for Cardiovascular DiseasesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical CollegeBeijing100037China
| | - Fei Gao
- Department of CardiologyBeijing Anzhen HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijing100029China
| | - Jin‐Wei Tian
- Department of CardiologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical UniversityHarbin150086China
| | - Kun Wang
- Institute for Translational MedicineThe Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityCollege of MedicineQingdao UniversityQingdao266021China
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8
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Song J, Gooding AR, Hemphill WO, Love BD, Robertson A, Yao L, Zon LI, North TE, Kasinath V, Cech TR. Structural basis for inactivation of PRC2 by G-quadruplex RNA. Science 2023; 381:1331-1337. [PMID: 37733873 PMCID: PMC11191771 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh0059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) silences genes through trimethylation of histone H3K27. PRC2 associates with numerous precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with a binding preference for G-quadruplex RNA. In this work, we present a 3.3-Å-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structure of PRC2 bound to a G-quadruplex RNA. Notably, RNA mediates the dimerization of PRC2 by binding both protomers and inducing a protein interface composed of two copies of the catalytic subunit EZH2, thereby blocking nucleosome DNA interaction and histone H3 tail accessibility. Furthermore, an RNA-binding loop of EZH2 facilitates the handoff between RNA and DNA, another activity implicated in PRC2 regulation by RNA. We identified a gain-of-function mutation in this loop that activates PRC2 in zebrafish. Our results reveal mechanisms for RNA-mediated regulation of a chromatin-modifying enzyme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Song
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Anne R. Gooding
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Wayne O. Hemphill
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Brittney D. Love
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Anne Robertson
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Liqi Yao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Leonard I. Zon
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Trista E. North
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Stem Cell Program, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Vignesh Kasinath
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
| | - Thomas R. Cech
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO 80303, USA
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Han ZQ, Wen LN. Application of G-quadruplex targets in gastrointestinal cancers: Advancements, challenges and prospects. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2023; 15:1149-1173. [PMID: 37546556 PMCID: PMC10401460 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v15.i7.1149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability and inflammation are considered to be two enabling characteristics that support cancer development and progression. G-quadruplex structure is a key element that contributes to genomic instability and inflammation. G-quadruplexes were once regarded as simply an obstacle that can block the transcription of oncogenes. A ligand targeting G-quadruplexes was found to have anticancer activity, making G-quadruplexes potential anticancer targets. However, further investigation has revealed that G-quadruplexes are widely distributed throughout the human genome and have many functions, such as regulating DNA replication, DNA repair, transcription, translation, epigenetics, and inflammatory response. G-quadruplexes play double regulatory roles in transcription and translation. In this review, we focus on G-quadruplexes as novel targets for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. We summarize the application basis of G-quadruplexes in gastrointestinal cancers, including their distribution sites, structural characteristics, and physiological functions. We describe the current status of applications for the treatment of esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, as well as the associated challenges. Finally, we review the prospective clinical applications of G-quadruplex targets, providing references for targeted treatment strategies in gastrointestinal cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Qiang Han
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Xiaotangshan Hospital, Beijing 102211, China
| | - Li-Na Wen
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100038, China
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