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Xu L, Wang J, Zhang D, Song L, Wu H, Wang J, Miao J, Guo H, Fang S, Si L, Chen J, Wu Y, Wu Y, Wang L, Zhang N, Chard L, Wang Y, Cheng Z. The two-faced role of ATF2 on cisplatin response in gastric cancer depends on p53 context. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:77. [PMID: 35641966 PMCID: PMC9153165 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00802-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Activating transcription factor-2 (ATF2) is a member of the basic leucine zipper family of DNA-binding proteins, which exhibits both oncogenic and tumor suppression activity in different tumors. However, the molecular mechanism of its dual function in cancer chemotherapy especially in gastric cancer has still not been elucidated. Methods The protein expression and location of ATF2 in gastric cancer tissues was detected with immunohistochemistry assay, and the clinical significance was analyzed using TCGA and GEO database. The activation and impact of ATF2 in cisplatin treated cells were evaluated with western blot, incucyte live cell analysis, clone formation and tumor xenografts assays. Interaction between ATF2 and p53 was confirmed with immunoprecipitation and GST-pull down. Potential molecular mechanism of ATF2 in different p53 status cells was analyzed with RNA sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR. Results ATF2 mainly located in the nucleus of cancer cells, higher ATF2 level was associated with poor five-year survival of gastric patients, especially in those undergone chemotherapy treatment. Cisplatin treatment significantly activated ATF2 in p53 mutant cells. ATF2 could interact with the trans-activation domain of p53 and enhance cisplatin sensitivity in p53 wild type cell lines, while promoted cell survival in mutant p53 cancer cells by affecting ERK1/2 pathway. Conclusions This study confirmed the effect of ATF2 on cisplatin sensitivity was associated with the functional status of p53 in gastric cancer cells. Integrated analysis of ATF2 expression and P53 status could be used to evaluate the chemotherapy sensitivity and prognosis of gastric cancer patients. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00802-w.
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The role of transcription factors in the acquisition of the four latest proposed hallmarks of cancer and corresponding enabling characteristics. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 86:1203-1215. [PMID: 36244529 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2022.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
With the recent description of the molecular and cellular characteristics that enable acquisition of both core and new hallmarks of cancer, the consequences of transcription factor dysregulation in the hallmarks scheme has become increasingly evident. Dysregulation or mutation of transcription factors has long been recognized in the development of cancer where alterations in these key regulatory molecules can result in aberrant gene expression and consequential blockade of normal cellular differentiation. Here, we provide an up-to-date review of involvement of dysregulated transcription factor networks with the most recently reported cancer hallmarks and enabling characteristic properties. We present some illustrative examples of the impact of dysregulated transcription factors, specifically focusing on the characteristics of phenotypic plasticity, non-mutational epigenetic reprogramming, polymorphic microbiomes, and senescence. We also discuss how new insights into transcription factor dysregulation in cancer is contributing to addressing current therapeutic challenges.
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3
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LncRNA NEAT1 controls the lineage fates of BMSCs during skeletal aging by impairing mitochondrial function and pluripotency maintenance. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:351-365. [PMID: 34497381 PMCID: PMC8816946 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-021-00858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aged bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) exhibit aberrant self-renewal and lineage specification, which contribute to imbalanced bone-fat and progressive bone loss. In addition to known master regulators of lineage commitment, it is crucial to identify pivotal switches governing the specific differentiation fate of aged BMSCs. Here, we profiled differences in epigenetic regulation between adipogenesis and osteogenesis and identified super-enhancer associated lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) as a key bone-fat switch in aged BMSCs. We validated that NEAT1 with high enhancer activity was transcriptionally activated by ATF2 and directed aged BMSCs to a greater propensity to differentiate toward adipocytes than osteoblasts by mediating mitochondrial function. Furthermore, we confirmed NEAT1 as a protein-binding scaffold in which phosphorylation modification of SOX2 Ser249/250 by CDK2 impaired SOX2/OCT4 complex stability and dysregulated downstream transcription networks of pluripotency maintenance. In addition, by sponging miR-27b-3p, NEAT1 upregulated BNIP3L, BMP2K, and PPARG expression to shape mitochondrial function and osteogenic/adipogenic differentiation commitment, respectively. In extracellular communication, NEAT1 promoted CSF1 secretion from aged BMSCs and then strengthened osteoclastic differentiation by extracellular vesicle delivery. Notably, Neat1 small interfering RNA delivery induced increased bone mass in aged mice and decreased fat accumulation in the bone marrow. These findings suggest that NEAT1 regulates the lineage fates of BMSCs by orchestrating mitochondrial function and pluripotency maintenance, and might be a potential therapeutic target for skeletal aging.
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Hanahan D. Hallmarks of Cancer: New Dimensions. Cancer Discov 2022; 12:31-46. [PMID: 35022204 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-1059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3065] [Impact Index Per Article: 1532.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The hallmarks of cancer conceptualization is a heuristic tool for distilling the vast complexity of cancer phenotypes and genotypes into a provisional set of underlying principles. As knowledge of cancer mechanisms has progressed, other facets of the disease have emerged as potential refinements. Herein, the prospect is raised that phenotypic plasticity and disrupted differentiation is a discrete hallmark capability, and that nonmutational epigenetic reprogramming and polymorphic microbiomes both constitute distinctive enabling characteristics that facilitate the acquisition of hallmark capabilities. Additionally, senescent cells, of varying origins, may be added to the roster of functionally important cell types in the tumor microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE: Cancer is daunting in the breadth and scope of its diversity, spanning genetics, cell and tissue biology, pathology, and response to therapy. Ever more powerful experimental and computational tools and technologies are providing an avalanche of "big data" about the myriad manifestations of the diseases that cancer encompasses. The integrative concept embodied in the hallmarks of cancer is helping to distill this complexity into an increasingly logical science, and the provisional new dimensions presented in this perspective may add value to that endeavor, to more fully understand mechanisms of cancer development and malignant progression, and apply that knowledge to cancer medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Hanahan
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research - Lausanne Branch, Lausanne, Switzerland. The Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC) within the School of Life Sciences at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. The Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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5
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Jian H, Zu P, Rao Y, Li W, Mou T, Lin J, Zhang F. Comparative analysis of melanin deposition between Chishui silky fowl and Taihe silky fowl. JOURNAL OF APPLIED ANIMAL RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/09712119.2021.1981911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Huafeng Jian
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Panyu Zu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yongchao Rao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Guizhou Province Management Station of Livestock Genetic Resources, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tenghui Mou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiadong Lin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Fuping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountainous Region, The Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou Province Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Poultry, Guizhou University, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
- Guizhou University Science and Research Poultry Farm, Guiyang, People’s Republic of China
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Sheinboim D, Parikh S, Parikh R, Menuchin A, Shapira G, Kapitansky O, Elkoshi N, Ruppo S, Shaham L, Golan T, Elgavish S, Nevo Y, Bell RE, Malcov H, Shomron N, Taub JW, Izraeli S, Levy C. Slow transcription of the 99a/let-7c/125b-2 cluster results in differential miRNA expression and promotes melanoma phenotypic plasticity. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 141:2944-2956.e6. [PMID: 34186058 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Almost half of human miRNAs are encoded in clusters. Although transcribed as a single unit, the levels of individual mature miRNAs often differ. The mechanisms underlying differential biogenesis of clustered miRNAs and the resulting physiological implications are mostly unknown. Here, we report that the melanoma master transcription regulator MITF regulates the differential expression of the 99a/let-7c/125b-2 cluster by altering the distribution of RNA polymerase II (Pol-II) along the cluster. We discovered that MITF interacts with TRIM28, a known inhibitor of Pol-II transcription elongation, at the let-7c region resulting in Pol-II pausing and causing its elevated expression, whereas low levels of Pol-II occupation over miR-99a and miR-125b-2 regions decreases their biogenesis. Furthermore, we showed that this differential expression affects the phenotypic state of melanoma cells. RNA-seq analysis of proliferative melanoma cells that express miR-99a and miR-125b mimics revealed a transcriptomic shift toward an invasive phenotype. Conversely, expression of a let-7c mimic in invasive melanoma cells induced a shift to a more proliferative state. We confirmed direct target genes of these miRNAs: FGFR3, BAP1, Bcl2, TGFBR1, and CDKN1A. Our study demonstrates a MITF-governed biogenesis mechanism that results in differential expression of clustered 99a/let-7c/125b-2 miRNAs that control melanoma progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danna Sheinboim
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shivang Parikh
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Roma Parikh
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Amitai Menuchin
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Oxana Kapitansky
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Nadav Elkoshi
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Shmuel Ruppo
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Lital Shaham
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Department, Schneider Children's Medical Center, Petah Tikva 49202, Israel
| | - Tamar Golan
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Sharona Elgavish
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Yuval Nevo
- Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Rachel E Bell
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Hagar Malcov
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Edmond J. Safra Center of Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jeffrey W Taub
- Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Shai Izraeli
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel; Info-CORE, Bioinformatics Unit of the I-CORE, Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Carmit Levy
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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7
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Assenmacher CA, Santagostino SF, Oyama MA, Marine JC, Bonvin E, Radaelli E. Classification and Grading of Melanocytic Lesions in a Mouse Model of NRAS-driven Melanomagenesis. J Histochem Cytochem 2020; 69:203-218. [PMID: 33283624 DOI: 10.1369/0022155420977970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse line carrying the Tg(Tyr-NRAS*Q61K)1Bee transgene is widely used to model in vivo NRAS-driven melanomagenesis. Although the pathological features of this model are well described, classification and interpretation of the resulting proliferative lesions-including their origin, evolution, grading, and pathobiological significance-are still unclear and not supported by molecular and biological evidence. Focusing on their classification and grading, this work combines histopathology and expression analysis (using both immunohistochemistry [IHC] and quantitative PCR) of selected biomarkers to study the full spectrum of cutaneous and lymph nodal melanocytic proliferations in the Tg(Tyr-NRAS*Q61K)1Bee mouse. The analysis of cutaneous and lymph nodal melanocytic proliferations has demonstrated that a linear correlation exists between tumor grade and Ki-67, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), gp100, and nestin IHC, with a significantly increased expression in high-grade lesions compared with low-grade lesions. The accuracy of the assessment of MITF IHC in melanomas was also confirmed by quantitative PCR analysis. In conclusion, we believe the incorporation of MITF, Ki-67, gp100, and nestin analysis into the histopathological classification/grading scheme of melanocytic proliferations described for this model will help to assess with accuracy the nature and evolution of the phenotype, monitor disease progression, and predict response to experimental treatment or other preclinical manipulations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark A Oyama
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.,Institute for Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Elise Bonvin
- Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics, Cancer Research Center, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Enrico Radaelli
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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8
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Wang L, Chen Y, Mi Y, Qiao J, Jin H, Li J, Lu Z, Wang Q, Zou Z. ATF2 inhibits ani-tumor effects of BET inhibitor in a negative feedback manner by attenuating ferroptosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 558:216-223. [PMID: 33008584 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.08.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BET inhibitor (BETi) has potential therapeutic effects on human cancer especially in breast cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we found that BETi JQ1 and I-BET-151 (I-BET) activated ATF2 through JNK1/2 pathway in breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 (MB-231). In addition, overexpression of ATF2 blocked the reduction of cell viability induced by JQ1 or I-BET in breast cancer MB-231 and BT-549 cells, cervical cancer HeLa cells and lung cancer A549 cells. The induction of cell death by BETi was also attenuated by ATF2 in MB-231 and BT-549 cells. By contrast, depletion of ATF2 increased cancer cell sensitivity to BETi. In MB-231 cells xenograft model, ATF2 significantly inhibited the anti-tumor effects of JQ1. By detection of the oxidized form gluthione, malondialdehyde and lipid ROS, we showed that overexpression of ATF2 inhibited ferroptosis induced by BETi, whereas depletion of ATF2 promoted ferroptosis by BETi. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of ATF2-reduced ferroptosis were investigated. Overexpressed and depleted ATF2 were found to significantly upregulate and downregulate NRF2 protein and mRNA expression, respectively. The significantly positive correlations between NRF2 and ATF2 gene expression were found in breast, lung and cervical cancer tissues from TCGA database. In NRF2-depleted MB-231 cells, ATF2 failed to attenuate JQ1-stimulated ferroptosis. All these results suggested that ATF2 inhibited BETi-induced ferroptosis by increasing NRF2 expression. Altogether, our findings illustrated ATF2 suppressed ani-tumor effects of BETi in a negative feedback manner by attenuating ferroptosis. BETi combined with ATF2 or NRF2 inhibitor might be a novel strategy for treatment of human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Wang
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital. Zhengzhou, 450008, China; MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Yibing Chen
- Genetic and Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yanjun Mi
- Department of Medical Oncology, Xiamen Cancer Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361003, China
| | - Jianghua Qiao
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital. Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Huan Jin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Juntao Li
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital. Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Zhenduo Lu
- Department of Breast Disease, Henan Breast Cancer Center, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital. Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Qiming Wang
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
| | - Zhengzhi Zou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
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9
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Huebner K, Procházka J, Monteiro AC, Mahadevan V, Schneider-Stock R. The activating transcription factor 2: an influencer of cancer progression. Mutagenesis 2020; 34:375-389. [PMID: 31799611 PMCID: PMC6923166 DOI: 10.1093/mutage/gez041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to the continuous increase in survival rates for many cancer entities, colorectal cancer (CRC) and pancreatic cancer are predicted to be ranked among the top 3 cancer-related deaths in the European Union by 2025. Especially, fighting metastasis still constitutes an obstacle to be overcome in CRC and pancreatic cancer. As described by Fearon and Vogelstein, the development of CRC is based on sequential mutations leading to the activation of proto-oncogenes and the inactivation of tumour suppressor genes. In pancreatic cancer, genetic alterations also attribute to tumour development and progression. Recent findings have identified new potentially important transcription factors in CRC, among those the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2). ATF2 is a basic leucine zipper protein and is involved in physiological and developmental processes, as well as in tumorigenesis. The mutation burden of ATF2 in CRC and pancreatic cancer is rather negligible; however, previous studies in other tumours indicated that ATF2 expression level and subcellular localisation impact tumour progression and patient prognosis. In a tissue- and stimulus-dependent manner, ATF2 is activated by upstream kinases, dimerises and induces target gene expression. Dependent on its dimerisation partner, ATF2 homodimers or heterodimers bind to cAMP-response elements or activator protein 1 consensus motifs. Pioneering work has been performed in melanoma in which the dual role of ATF2 is best understood. Even though there is increasing interest in ATF2 recently, only little is known about its involvement in CRC and pancreatic cancer. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of the underestimated ‘cancer gene chameleon’ ATF2 in apoptosis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and microRNA regulation and highlight its functions in CRC and pancreatic cancer. We further provide a novel ATF2 3D structure with key phosphorylation sites and an updated overview of all so-far available mouse models to study ATF2 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Huebner
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Procházka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics of the ASCR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ana C Monteiro
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Vijayalakshmi Mahadevan
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Biotech Park, Electronic City Phase I, Bangalore, India
| | - Regine Schneider-Stock
- Experimental Tumorpathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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10
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Zhao S, Feng J, Li C, Gao H, Lv P, Li J, Liu Q, He Y, Wang H, Gong L, Li D, Zhang Y. Phosphoproteome profiling revealed abnormally phosphorylated AMPK and ATF2 involved in glucose metabolism and tumorigenesis of GH-PAs. J Endocrinol Invest 2019; 42:137-148. [PMID: 29691806 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-018-0890-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Protein phosphorylation plays a key role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, little is known about the phosphoproteome profiles of growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (GH-PAs). The aim of this study was to identify critical biomarkers and signaling pathways that might play important roles in GH-PAs and may, therefore, represent potential therapeutic targets. METHODS The differential phosphoprotein expression patterns involved in GH-PAs were investigated by nano-LC-MS/MS in a group of samples. The phosphoprotein expression data were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression levels of the candidate phosphorylated AMPK (ser496) and ATF2 (ser112) were validated by Western blot analysis in another group of samples. RESULTS A total of 1213 phosphorylated protein sites corresponding to 667 proteins were significantly different between GH-PAs and healthy pituitary glands. Among these phosphorylated sites, 871 exhibited lower levels of phosphorylation in GH-PAs. Moreover, 140 novel phosphosites corresponding to 93 proteins were differentially phosphorylated between GH-PAs and healthy pituitary glands, 101 of which showed decreased phosphorylation in GH-PAs. The majority of differentially expressed phosphorylated proteins were significantly enriched in glycolysis and the AMPK signaling pathway in GH-PAs. The AMPK signaling pathway was demonstrated to be inhibited in GH-PAs by pathway activity analysis (z score = - 2.324). Notably, the phosphorylated levels of AMPK (ser496) and ATF2 (ser112) were significantly lower in GH-PAs than in healthy pituitary glands. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that decreased phosphorylation of the AMPK/ATF2 pathway may be critical for glucose metabolism and tumorigenesis in GH-PAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zhao
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - J Feng
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - C Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - H Gao
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - P Lv
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
- Chinese Medical Association, Beijing, 100710, China
| | - J Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Q Liu
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Y He
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - H Wang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - L Gong
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - D Li
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, TianTanXiLi6, Beijing, 100050, China.
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Brain Tumor Center, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100050, China.
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Beijing, 100050, China.
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11
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SPOP promotes ATF2 ubiquitination and degradation to suppress prostate cancer progression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2018; 37:145. [PMID: 29996942 PMCID: PMC6042370 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-018-0809-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Background Next-generation sequencing of the exome and genome of prostate cancers has identified numerous genetic alterations. SPOP (Speckle-type POZ Protein) is one of the most frequently mutated genes in primary prostate cancer, suggesting that SPOP may be a potential driver of prostate cancer. The aim of this work was to investigate how SPOP mutations contribute to prostate cancer development and progression. Methods To identify molecular mediators of the tumor suppressive function of SPOP, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen in a HeLa cDNA library using the full-length SPOP as bait. Immunoprecipitation and Western Blotting were used to analyze the interaction between SPOP and ATF2. Cell migration and invasion were determined by Transwell assays. Immunohistochemistry were used to analyze protein levels in patients’ tumor samples. Results Here we identified ATF2 as a bona fide substrate of the SPOP-CUL3-RBX1 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. SPOP recognizes multiple Ser/Thr (S/T)-rich degrons in ATF2 and triggers ATF2 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Strikingly, prostate cancer-associated mutants of SPOP are defective in promoting ATF2 degradation in prostate cancer cells and contribute to facilitating prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Conclusion SPOP promotes ATF2 ubiquitination and degradation, and ATF2 is an important mediator of SPOP inactivation-induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13046-018-0809-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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12
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Luo L, Cai L, Luo L, Tang Z, Meng X. Silencing activating transcription factor 2 promotes the anticancer activity of sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:8053-8060. [PMID: 29693700 PMCID: PMC5983979 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effect of sorafenib combined with silencing of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and to assess the underlying molecular mechanisms. Huh-7 HCC cell line was selected for the present study. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-ATF2 sequence was constructed to silence ATF2 expression. The experiment was divided into 6 groups: i) Control; ii) vector; iii) sorafenib (6.8 µM); iv) vector+sorafenib; v) siRNA-ATF2; and vi) siRNA-ATF2+sorafenib groups. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were detected following treatments with sorafenib and/or ATF2 silencing. Additionally, expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) was detected using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The current findings revealed that siRNA-ATF2 significantly reduced ATF2 expression. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities in the sorafenib and siRNA-ATF2 groups were significantly reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05). Apoptotic rate in the sorafenib and siRNA-ATF2 groups was significantly increased compared with the control group (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ATF2 in the sorafenib or siRNA-ATF2 groups was significantly reduced when compared with control group. The phosphorylation of ATF2 was also reduced following sorafenib treatment or ATF2 silence. Although JNK3 mRNA expression level was not affected, the phosphorylation level of JNK3 was significantly promoted following sorafenib treatment or ATF2 silencing. Additionally, TNF-α mRNA and protein expression levels were increased following sorafenib treatment or ATF2 silencing. It is of note that siRNA-ATF2 treatment promoted the anticancer activity of sorafenib in Huh-7 cells. Additionally, siRNA-ATF2+sorafenib treatment combined additionally promoted TNF-α expression and phosphorylation of JNK3. Combined siRNA-ATF2 and sorafenib treatment had a greater anticancer effect compared with sorafenib or ATF2 silencing alone. The possible mechanism involved in the anticancer effect of sorafenib and ATF2 silencing may be associated with the activation of the TNF-α/JNK3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Luo
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lijing Cai
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Laibang Luo
- Department of General Surgery, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Zhimou Tang
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Meng
- Department of Pharmacy, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Tamiya H, Kim H, Klymenko O, Kim H, Feng Y, Zhang T, Han JY, Murao A, Snipas SJ, Jilaveanu L, Brown K, Kluger H, Zhang H, Iwai K, Ronai ZA. SHARPIN-mediated regulation of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 controls melanoma growth. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:517-530. [PMID: 29227283 PMCID: PMC5749505 DOI: 10.1172/jci95410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
SHARPIN, an adaptor for the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC), plays important roles in NF-κB signaling and inflammation. Here, we have demonstrated a LUBAC-independent role for SHARPIN in regulating melanoma growth. We observed that SHARPIN interacted with PRMT5, a type II protein arginine methyltransferase, and increased its multiprotein complex and methyltransferase activity. Activated PRMT5 controlled the expression of the transcription factors SOX10 and MITF by SHARPIN-dependent arginine dimethylation and inhibition of the transcriptional corepressor SKI. Activation of PRMT5 by SHARPIN counteracted PRMT5 inhibition by methylthioadenosine, a substrate of methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, which is codeleted with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) in approximately 15% of human cancers. Collectively, we identified a LUBAC-independent role for SHARPIN in enhancing PRMT5 activity that contributes to melanomagenesis through the SKI/SOX10 regulatory axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Tamiya
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Hyungsoo Kim
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Oleksiy Klymenko
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Heejung Kim
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Yongmei Feng
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Tongwu Zhang
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Translational Genomics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jee Yun Han
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ayako Murao
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Scott J. Snipas
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Lucia Jilaveanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kevin Brown
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Laboratory of Translational Genomics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Harriet Kluger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Medical Oncology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Hao Zhang
- Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Kazuhiro Iwai
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ze’ev A. Ronai
- Tumor Initiation and Maintenance Program, Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
- Technion Integrated Cancer Center, Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
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Wang G, Liao J, Tang M, Yu S. Genetic variation in the MITF promoter affects skin colour and transcriptional activity in black-boned chickens. Br Poult Sci 2017; 59:21-27. [PMID: 28891677 DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2017.1379053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
1. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) plays a pivotal role in melanocyte development by regulating the transcription of major pigmentation enzymes (e.g. TYR, TYRP1 and DCT). A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), c.-638T>C, was identified in the MITF promoter, and genotyping of a population (n = 426) revealed that SNP c.-638T>C was associated with skin colour in black-boned chickens. 2. Individuals with genotypes CC and TC exhibited greater MTIF expression than those with genotype TT. Luciferase assays also revealed that genotype CC and TC promoters had higher activity levels than genotype TT. Expression of melanogenesis-related gene (TYR) was higher in the skin of chickens with the CC and CT genotype compared to TT chickens (P < 0.05). 3. Transcription factor-binding site analyses showed that the c.-638C allele contains a putative binding site for transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor 2, aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator, transcription factor binding to IGHM enhancer 3 and upstream transcription factor 2. In contrast, the c.-638T allele contains binding sites for Sp3 transcription factor and Krüppel-like factor 1. 4. It was concluded that MITF promoter polymorphisms affected chicken skin colour. SNP c.-638T>C could be used for the marker-assisted selection of skin colour in black-boned chicken breeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wang
- a Engineering Research Center of Sichuan Province Higher School of Local Chicken Breeds Industrialization in Southern Sichuan, College of Life Science , Leshan Normal University , Leshan , China
| | - J Liao
- a Engineering Research Center of Sichuan Province Higher School of Local Chicken Breeds Industrialization in Southern Sichuan, College of Life Science , Leshan Normal University , Leshan , China
| | - M Tang
- a Engineering Research Center of Sichuan Province Higher School of Local Chicken Breeds Industrialization in Southern Sichuan, College of Life Science , Leshan Normal University , Leshan , China
| | - S Yu
- a Engineering Research Center of Sichuan Province Higher School of Local Chicken Breeds Industrialization in Southern Sichuan, College of Life Science , Leshan Normal University , Leshan , China
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15
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Welsbie DS, Mitchell KL, Jaskula-Ranga V, Sluch VM, Yang Z, Kim J, Buehler E, Patel A, Martin SE, Zhang PW, Ge Y, Duan Y, Fuller J, Kim BJ, Hamed E, Chamling X, Lei L, Fraser IDC, Ronai ZA, Berlinicke CA, Zack DJ. Enhanced Functional Genomic Screening Identifies Novel Mediators of Dual Leucine Zipper Kinase-Dependent Injury Signaling in Neurons. Neuron 2017. [PMID: 28641113 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) has been implicated in cell death signaling secondary to axonal damage in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and other neurons. To better understand the pathway through which DLK acts, we developed enhanced functional genomic screens in primary RGCs, including use of arrayed, whole-genome, small interfering RNA libraries. Explaining why DLK inhibition is only partially protective, we identify leucine zipper kinase (LZK) as cooperating with DLK to activate downstream signaling and cell death in RGCs, including in a mouse model of optic nerve injury, and show that the same pathway is active in human stem cell-derived RGCs. Moreover, we identify four transcription factors, JUN, activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A), and SRY-Box 11 (SOX11), as being the major downstream mediators through which DLK/LZK activation leads to RGC cell death. Increased understanding of the DLK pathway has implications for understanding and treating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek S Welsbie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Katherine L Mitchell
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Vinod Jaskula-Ranga
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Valentin M Sluch
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zhiyong Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jessica Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eugen Buehler
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amit Patel
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Shiley Eye Institute, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Scott E Martin
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ping-Wu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yan Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Yukan Duan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - John Fuller
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Byung-Jin Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Eman Hamed
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Xitiz Chamling
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Biology, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA
| | - Iain D C Fraser
- Signaling Systems Unit, Laboratory of Systems Biology, National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Signal Transduction Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Cynthia A Berlinicke
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA; Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Institute of Genetic Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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16
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Mitochondrial ATF2 translocation contributes to apoptosis induction and BRAF inhibitor resistance in melanoma through the interaction of Bim with VDAC1. Oncotarget 2016; 6:36338-53. [PMID: 26462148 PMCID: PMC4742181 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mitochondrial accumulation of ATF2 is involved in tumor suppressor activities via cytochrome c release in melanoma cells. However, the signaling pathways that connect mitochondrial ATF2 accumulation and cytochrome c release are not well documented. METHODS Several melanoma cell lines, B16F10, K1735M2, A375 and A375-R1, were treated with paclitaxel and vemurafenib to test the function of mitochondrial ATF2 and its connection to Bim and voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1). Immunoprecipitation analysis was performed to investigate the functional interaction between the involved proteins. VDAC1 oligomerization was evaluated using an EGS-based crosslinking assay. RESULTS The expression and migration of ATF2 to the mitochondria accounted for paclitaxel stimuli and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. Mitochondrial ATF2 facilitated Bim stabilization through the inhibition of its degradation by the proteasome, thereby promoting cytochrome c release and inducing apoptosis in B16F10 and A375 cells. Studies using B16F10 and A375 cells genetically modified for ATF2 indicated that mitochondrial ATF2 was able to dissociate Bim from the Mcl-1/Bim complex to trigger VDAC1 oligomerization. Immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Bim interacts with VDAC1, and this interaction was remarkably enhanced during apoptosis. CONCLUSION These results reveal that mitochondrial ATF2 is associated with the induction of apoptosis and BRAF inhibitor resistance through Bim activation, which might suggest potential novel therapies for the targeted induction of apoptosis in melanoma therapy.
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17
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Wu DS, Chen C, Wu ZJ, Liu B, Gao L, Yang Q, Chen W, Chen JM, Bao Y, Qu L, Wang LH. ATF2 predicts poor prognosis and promotes malignant phenotypes in renal cell carcinoma. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2016; 35:108. [PMID: 27377902 PMCID: PMC4932740 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-016-0383-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Background Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, which has been shown to participate in the pathobiology of numerous cancers. However, the role of ATF2 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unclear. Methods ATF2 knockdown and overexpression studies were performed in RCC cells to evaluate changes in cell viability, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Xenograft models were used to examine the tumorigenic and metastatic capability of RCC cells upon ATF2 suppression. The expression of ATF2 in human RCC samples was determined using immunohistochemistry on a tissue microarray. Results ATF2 knockdown in RCC cells reduced their proliferative and metastatic potentials, whereas ATF2 overexpression enhanced these properties. Mechanistic studies revealed that the transcription of CyclinB1, CyclinD1, Snail and Vimentin was directly regulated by ATF2 in RCC cells. Moreover, ATF2 was shown to be highly expressed in RCC tissues, especially in tumors with metastases. High expression of ATF2 correlated with aggressive clinico-pathological characteristics and predicted poor prognosis of RCC patients. Conclusions ATF2 exerts an oncogenic role in RCC and could serve as an important prognostic biomarker. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-016-0383-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deng-Shuang Wu
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University Clinical School of Medicine, Nanjing, 210002, China
| | - Zhen-Jie Wu
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Li Gao
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Department of Urology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China.,Department of Urology, No. 203 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Qiqihaer, 161000, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jun-Ming Chen
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China.,Department of Urology, Henan Provincial Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yi Bao
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Le Qu
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China. .,Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University Clinical School of Medicine, 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210002, China.
| | - Lin-Hui Wang
- Department of Urology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 415 Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China.
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18
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A Transcriptionally Inactive ATF2 Variant Drives Melanomagenesis. Cell Rep 2016; 15:1884-92. [PMID: 27210757 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.04.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Revised: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is one of the most lethal cutaneous malignancies, characterized by chemoresistance and a striking propensity to metastasize. The transcription factor ATF2 elicits oncogenic activities in melanoma, and its inhibition attenuates melanoma development. Here, we show that expression of a transcriptionally inactive form of Atf2 (Atf2(Δ8,9)) promotes development of melanoma in mouse models. Atf2(Δ8,9)-driven tumors show enhanced pigmentation, immune infiltration, and metastatic propensity. Similar to mouse Atf2(Δ8,9), we have identified a transcriptionally inactive human ATF2 splice variant 5 (ATF2(SV5)) that enhances the growth and migration capacity of cultured melanoma cells and immortalized melanocytes. ATF2(SV5) expression is elevated in human melanoma specimens and is associated with poor prognosis. These findings point to an oncogenic function for ATF2 in melanoma development that appears to be independent of its transcriptional activity.
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19
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Hölzel M, Tüting T. Inflammation-Induced Plasticity in Melanoma Therapy and Metastasis. Trends Immunol 2016; 37:364-374. [PMID: 27151281 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2016.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Revised: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Phenotype switching contributes to nongenomic heterogeneity in melanoma and other cancers. These dynamic and in part reversible phenotype changes impose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Understanding the reciprocal coevolution of melanoma and immune cell phenotypes during disease progression and in response to therapy is a prerequisite to improve current treatment strategies. Here we discuss how proinflammatory signals promote melanoma cell plasticity and govern interactions of melanoma and immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. We examine phenotypic plasticity and heterogeneity in different melanoma mouse models with respect to their utility for translational research and emphasize the interplay between melanoma cells and neutrophils as a critical driver of metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hölzel
- Unit for RNA Biology, Department of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Magdeburg, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
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20
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Puujalka E, Heinz M, Hoesel B, Friedl P, Schweighofer B, Wenzina J, Pirker C, Schmid JA, Loewe R, Wagner EF, Berger W, Petzelbauer P. Opposing Roles of JNK and p38 in Lymphangiogenesis in Melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:967-977. [PMID: 26829032 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 12/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In primary melanoma, the amount of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) expression and lymphangiogenesis predicts the probability of metastasis to sentinel nodes, but conditions boosting VEGF-C expression in melanoma are poorly characterized. By comparative mRNA expression analysis of a set of 22 human melanoma cell lines, we found a striking negative correlation between VEGF-C and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression, which was confirmed by data mining in GEO databases of human melanoma Affymetrix arrays. Moreover, in human patients, high VEGF-C and low MITF levels in primary melanoma significantly correlated with the chance of metastasis. Pathway analysis disclosed the respective c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase activities as being responsible for the inverse regulation of VEGF-C and MITF. Predominant c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling results in a VEGF-C(low)/MITF(high) phenotype; these melanoma cells are highly proliferative, show low mobility, and are poorly lymphangiogenic. Predominant p38 signaling results in a VEGF-C(high)/MITF(low) phenotype, corresponding to a slowly cycling, highly mobile, lymphangiogenic, and metastatic melanoma. In conclusion, the relative c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 activities determine the biological behavior of melanoma. VEGF-C and MITF levels serve as surrogate markers for the respective c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 activities and may be used to predict the risk of metastasis in primary melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi Puujalka
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Heinz
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bastian Hoesel
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Friedl
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Schweighofer
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Wenzina
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Pirker
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes A Schmid
- Department of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert Loewe
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Erwin F Wagner
- BBVA Foundation-CNIO Cancer Cell Biology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Walter Berger
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Petzelbauer
- Department of Dermatology, Skin and Endothelium Research Division (SERD), Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
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You Z, Zhou Y, Guo Y, Chen W, Chen S, Wang X. Activating transcription factor 2 expression mediates cell proliferation and is associated with poor prognosis in human non-small cell lung carcinoma. Oncol Lett 2015; 11:760-766. [PMID: 26870280 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.3922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) is a member of the cAMP response element binding protein family that heterodimerizes and activates other transcription factors involved in stress and DNA damage responses, growth, differentiation and apoptosis. ATF2 has been investigated as a potential carcinogenic biomarker in certain types of cancer, such as melanoma. However, its function and clinical significance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been well studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the association between ATF2/phosphorylated (p)-ATF2 expression and NSCLC malignant behavior, and discuss its clinical significance. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to detect the expression of ATF2 in NSCLC cell lines and fresh NSCLC tissue samples. In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to identify the location and expression of ATF2 and p-ATF2 (threonine 71) in paraffin-embedded sections of NSCLC and adjacent normal tissue. The results demonstrated that ATF2 was markedly overexpressed in the NSCLC cells and significantly overexpressed in the fresh NSCLC tissues compared with the control cells and samples (86 paraffin-embedded tissue sections), respectively (P<0.01). Further data demonstrated that ATF2 expression levels were significantly increased in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues and ATF2 was located in the cytoplasm and nucleus. ATF2 expression was closely associated with adverse clinical characteristics such as TNM stage (P=0.002), tumor size (P=0.018) and metastasis (P=0.027). In addition, nuclear p-ATF2 staining was positive in 65/86 samples of NSCLC. Furthermore, the Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with high levels of ATF2 and p-ATF2 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival compared with patients exhibiting a low expression (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Subsequent in vitro experiments revealed that cell growth decreased following knockdown of ATF2 expression using RNA interference, indicating that ATF2 may suppress cell proliferation. Taken together, the results of the present study demonstrated that ATF2 and p-ATF2 were significantly overexpressed in NSCLC tissues, and ATF2 and p-ATF2 overexpression predicted significantly worse outcomes for patients with NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu You
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University, Beijing 100083, P.R. China
| | - Yuling Guo
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Wenyan Chen
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Shaoqing Chen
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolang Wang
- Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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Riesenberg S, Groetchen A, Siddaway R, Bald T, Reinhardt J, Smorra D, Kohlmeyer J, Renn M, Phung B, Aymans P, Schmidt T, Hornung V, Davidson I, Goding CR, Jönsson G, Landsberg J, Tüting T, Hölzel M. MITF and c-Jun antagonism interconnects melanoma dedifferentiation with pro-inflammatory cytokine responsiveness and myeloid cell recruitment. Nat Commun 2015; 6:8755. [PMID: 26530832 PMCID: PMC4659938 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation promotes phenotypic plasticity in melanoma, a source of non-genetic heterogeneity, but the molecular framework is poorly understood. Here we use functional genomic approaches and identify a reciprocal antagonism between the melanocyte lineage transcription factor MITF and c-Jun, which interconnects inflammation-induced dedifferentiation with pro-inflammatory cytokine responsiveness of melanoma cells favouring myeloid cell recruitment. We show that pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α instigate gradual suppression of MITF expression through c-Jun. MITF itself binds to the c-Jun regulatory genomic region and its reduction increases c-Jun expression that in turn amplifies TNF-stimulated cytokine expression with further MITF suppression. This feed-forward mechanism turns poor peak-like transcriptional responses to TNF-α into progressive and persistent cytokine and chemokine induction. Consistently, inflammatory MITF(low)/c-Jun(high) syngeneic mouse melanomas recruit myeloid immune cells into the tumour microenvironment as recapitulated by their human counterparts. Our study suggests myeloid cell-directed therapies may be useful for MITF(low)/c-Jun(high) melanomas to counteract their growth-promoting and immunosuppressive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Riesenberg
- Unit for RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Angela Groetchen
- Unit for RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Robert Siddaway
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Tobias Bald
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Julia Reinhardt
- Unit for RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Denise Smorra
- Unit for RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Judith Kohlmeyer
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcel Renn
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Bengt Phung
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Barngatan 2B, Lund 221 85, Sweden
| | - Pia Aymans
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tobias Schmidt
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Veit Hornung
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Irwin Davidson
- Department of Functional Genomics and Cancer, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/ULP, 1 Rue Laurent Fries, Illkirch Cédex 67404, France
| | - Colin R Goding
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford, Old Road Campus Research Building, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Göran Jönsson
- Division of Oncology and Pathology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Barngatan 2B, Lund 221 85, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Landsberg
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Thomas Tüting
- Laboratory for Experimental Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Unit for RNA Biology, Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Strasse 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany
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23
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Senft D, Sorolla A, Dewing A, Claps G, Lau E, Walker GJ, Ronai ZA. ATF2 alters melanocyte response and macrophage recruitment in UV-irradiated neonatal mouse skin. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2015; 28:481-4. [PMID: 25963442 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Senft
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Anabel Sorolla
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Antimone Dewing
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Giuseppina Claps
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Eric Lau
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Graeme J Walker
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Qld, Australia
| | - Ze'ev A Ronai
- Cancer Center, Sanford Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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24
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Liu Z, Luo Q, Guo C. Bim and VDAC1 are hierarchically essential for mitochondrial ATF2 mediated cell death. Cancer Cell Int 2015; 15:34. [PMID: 25852302 PMCID: PMC4387661 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-015-0188-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ATF2 mediated cytochrome c release is the formation of a channel with some unknown factors larger than that of the individual proteins. BHS-only proteins (BH3s), such as Bim, could induce BAX and VDAC, forming a new channel. According to this facts, we can speculated that there is possible signal relationship with BH3s and ATF2, which is associated with mitochondrial-based death programs. METHODS The growth inhibitory effects of mitochondrial ATF2 were tested in cancer cell lines B16F10, A549, EG7, and LL2. Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The effects of ATF2 and levels of apoptosis regulatory proteins were measured by Western blotting. The interaction of proteins were evaluated by immunoprecipitation analysis. The in vivo antitumor activity of mitochondrial ATF2 were tested in xenograft B16F10 models. RESULTS Genotoxic stress enabled mitochondrial ATF2 accumulation, perturbing the HK1-VDAC1 complex, increasing mitochondrial permeability, and promoting apoptosis. ATF2 inhibition strongly reduced the conformational activation of Bim, suggesting that Bim acts downstream of ATF2. Although Bim downregulation had no effect on ATF2 activation, Bim knockdown abolished VDAC1 activation; the failure of VDAC1 activation in Bim-depleted cells could be reversed by the BH3-only protein mimic ABT-737. We also demonstrate that silencing of ATF2 in B16F10 cells increases both the incidence and prevalence of tumor xenografts in vivo, whereas stably mitochondrial ATF2 transfection inhibited B16F10 tumor xenografts growth. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these results show that ATF2 is a component of the apoptosis machinery that involves a hierarchical contribution of ATF2, Bim, and VDAC1. Our data offer new insight into the mechanism of mitochondrial ATF2 in mitochondrial apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoyun Liu
- Laboratory of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Chongqing, 400014 P. R. China
| | - Qianfu Luo
- Laboratory of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Chongqing, 400014 P. R. China
| | - Chunbao Guo
- Laboratory of Surgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 136 Zhongshan 2nd Rd, Chongqing, 400014 P. R. China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, P. R. China
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25
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Farria A, Li W, Dent SYR. KATs in cancer: functions and therapies. Oncogene 2015; 34:4901-13. [PMID: 25659580 PMCID: PMC4530097 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Post-translational acetylation of lysines is most extensively studied in histones, but this modification is also found in many other proteins and is implicated in a wide range of biological processes in both the cell nucleus and the cytoplasm. Like phosphorylation, acetylation patterns and levels are often altered in cancer, therefore small molecule inhibition of enzymes that regulate acetylation and deacetylation offers much potential for inhibiting cancer cell growth, as does disruption of interactions between acetylated residues and ‘reader’ proteins. For more than a decade now, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been investigated for their ability to increase acetylation and promote expression of tumor suppressor genes. However, emerging evidence suggests that acetylation can also promote cancer, in part by enhancing the functions of oncogenic transcription factors. In this review we focus on how acetylation of both histone and non-histone proteins may drive cancer, and we will discuss the implications of such changes on how patients are assigned to therapeutic agents. Finally, we will explore what the future holds in the design of small molecule inhibitors for modulation of levels or functions of acetylation states.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Farria
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA
| | - W Li
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA
| | - S Y R Dent
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, Center for Cancer Epigenetics, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas M.D Anderson Cancer Center Science Park, Smithville, Texas, USA
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26
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DiVito KA, Trabosh VA, Chen YS, Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Rosenthal DS. Inhibitor of differentiation-4 (Id4) stimulates pigmentation in melanoma leading to histiocyte infiltration. Exp Dermatol 2015; 24:101-7. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kyle A. DiVito
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Georgetown University School of Medicine; Washington DC USA
| | - Valerie A. Trabosh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Georgetown University School of Medicine; Washington DC USA
| | - You-Shin Chen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Georgetown University School of Medicine; Washington DC USA
| | | | - Dean S. Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Georgetown University School of Medicine; Washington DC USA
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27
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Hartman ML, Czyz M. MITF in melanoma: mechanisms behind its expression and activity. Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 72:1249-60. [PMID: 25433395 PMCID: PMC4363485 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-014-1791-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) represents a melanocytic lineage-specific transcription factor whose role is profoundly extended in malignant melanoma. Over the last few years, the function of MITF has been tightly connected to plasticity of melanoma cells. MITF participates in executing diverse melanoma phenotypes defined by distinct gene expression profiles. Mutation-dependent alterations in MITF expression and activity have been found in a relatively small subset of melanomas. MITF activity is rather modulated by its upstream activators and suppressors operating on transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. These regulatory mechanisms also include epigenetic and microenvironmental signals. Several transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in the regulation of MITF expression and/or activity such as the Wnt/β-catenin pathway are broadly utilized by various types of tumors, whereas others, e.g., BRAFV600E/ERK1/2 are more specific for melanoma. Furthermore, the MITF activity can be affected by the availability of transcriptional co-partners that are often redirected by MITF from their own canonical signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the complexity of a multilevel regulation of MITF expression and activity that underlies distinct context-related phenotypes of melanoma and might explain diverse responses of melanoma patients to currently used therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz L Hartman
- Department of Molecular Biology of Cancer, Medical University of Lodz, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215, Lodz, Poland
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28
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Gozdecka M, Lyons S, Kondo S, Taylor J, Li Y, Walczynski J, Thiel G, Breitwieser W, Jones N. JNK suppresses tumor formation via a gene-expression program mediated by ATF2. Cell Rep 2014; 9:1361-74. [PMID: 25456131 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2014.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
JNK and p38 phosphorylate a diverse set of substrates and, consequently, can act in a context-dependent manner to either promote or inhibit tumor growth. Elucidating the functions of specific substrates of JNK and p38 is therefore critical for our understanding of these kinases in cancer. ATF2 is a phosphorylation-dependent transcription factor and substrate of both JNK and p38. Here, we show ATF2 suppresses tumor formation in an orthotopic model of liver cancer and cellular transformation in vitro. Furthermore, we find that suppression of tumorigenesis by JNK requires ATF2. We identify a transcriptional program activated by JNK via ATF2 and provide examples of JNK- and ATF2-dependent genes that block cellular transformation. Significantly, we also show that ATF2-dependent gene expression is frequently downregulated in human cancers, indicating that amelioration of JNK-ATF2-mediated suppression may be a common event during tumor development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Gozdecka
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK; Haematological Cancer Genetics, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Stephen Lyons
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Saki Kondo
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK; Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Janet Taylor
- Central Manchester NHS Trust and University of Manchester, the Nowgen Centre, 29 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9WU, UK; Applied Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Yaoyong Li
- Applied Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Group, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Jacek Walczynski
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Gerald Thiel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Saarland Medical Center, Building 44, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Breitwieser
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK
| | - Nic Jones
- Department of Cell Regulation, CRUK Manchester Institute, Paterson Building, University of Manchester, Manchester M20 4BX, UK.
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29
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Lo Iacono M, Monica V, Vavalà T, Gisabella M, Saviozzi S, Bracco E, Novello S, Papotti M, Scagliotti GV. ATF2 contributes to cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer and celastrol induces cisplatin resensitization through inhibition of JNK/ATF2 pathway. Int J Cancer 2014; 136:2598-609. [PMID: 25359574 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.29302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2014] [Accepted: 10/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
ATF2 is a transcription factor involved in stress and DNA damage. A correlation between ATF2 JNK-mediated activation and resistance to damaging agents has already been reported. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether ATF2 may have a role in acquired resistance to cisplatin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). mRNA and protein analysis on matched cancer and corresponding normal tissues from surgically resected NSCLC have been performed. Furthermore, in NSCLC cell lines, ATF2 expression levels were evaluated and correlated to platinum (CDDP) resistance. Celastrol-mediated ATF2/cJUN activity was measured. High expression levels of both ATF2 transcript and proteins were observed in lung cancer specimens (p << 0.01, Log2 (FC) = +4.7). CDDP-resistant NSCLC cell lines expressed high levels of ATF2 protein. By contrast, Celastrol-mediated ATF2/cJUN functional inhibition restored the response to CDDP. Moreover, ATF2 protein activation correlates with worse outcome in advanced CDDP-treated patients. For the first time, it has been shown NSCLC ATF2 upregulation at both mRNA/protein levels in NSCLC. In addition, we reported that in NSCLC cell lines a correlation between ATF2 protein expression and CDDP resistance occurs. Altogether, our results indicate a potential increase in CDDP sensitivity, on Celastrol-mediated ATF2/cJUN inhibition. These data suggest a possible involvement of ATF2 in NSCLC CDDP-resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Lo Iacono
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, S. Luigi Hospital, Regione Gonzole 10, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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Pro-survival role of MITF in melanoma. J Invest Dermatol 2014; 135:352-358. [PMID: 25142731 DOI: 10.1038/jid.2014.319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2014] [Revised: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/18/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Melanoma is a therapy-resistant skin cancer due to numerous mechanisms supporting cell survival. Although components of melanoma cytoprotective mechanisms are overexpressed in many types of tumors, some of their regulators are characteristic for melanoma. Several genes mediating pro-survival functions have been identified as direct targets of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), a melanocyte-specific modulator also recognized as a lineage addiction oncogene in melanoma. BRAF(V600E) and other proteins deregulated in melanoma influence MITF expression and activity, or they are the partners of MITF in melanoma response to radiotherapy and chemotherapeutics. In this review, the pro-survival activity of MITF is discussed.
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31
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Shtivelman E, Davies MA, Hwu P, Yang J, Lotem M, Oren M, Flaherty KT, Fisher DE. Pathways and therapeutic targets in melanoma. Oncotarget 2014; 5:1701-52. [PMID: 24743024 PMCID: PMC4039128 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2014] [Accepted: 04/07/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review aims to summarize the current knowledge of molecular pathways and their clinical relevance in melanoma. Metastatic melanoma was a grim diagnosis, but in recent years tremendous advances have been made in treatments. Chemotherapy provided little benefit in these patients, but development of targeted and new immune approaches made radical changes in prognosis. This would not have happened without remarkable advances in understanding the biology of disease and tremendous progress in the genomic (and other "omics") scale analyses of tumors. The big problems facing the field are no longer focused exclusively on the development of new treatment modalities, though this is a very busy area of clinical research. The focus shifted now to understanding and overcoming resistance to targeted therapies, and understanding the underlying causes of the heterogeneous responses to immune therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrick Hwu
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James Yang
- National Cancer Institute, NIH, Washington DC, USA
| | - Michal Lotem
- Hadassah Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Moshe Oren
- The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - David E. Fisher
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, MA, USA
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32
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Lopez-Bergami P. The role of mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase pathways in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2014; 24:902-21. [PMID: 21914141 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00908.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent discoveries have increased our comprehension of the molecular signaling events critical for melanoma development and progression. Many oncogenes driving melanoma have been identified, and most of them exert their oncogenic effects through the activation of the RAF/MEK/ERK mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAPK pathways are also important in melanoma, but their precise role is not clear yet. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of the three main MAPK pathways, extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), JNK, and p38, and their impact on melanoma biology. Although the results obtained with BRAF inhibitors in melanoma patients are impressive, several mechanisms of acquired resistance have emerged. To overcome this obstacle constitutes the new challenge in melanoma therapy. Given the major role that MAPKs play in melanoma, understanding their functions and the interconnection among them and with other signaling pathways represents a step forward toward this goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental, CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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33
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Transcription Factor/microRNA Axis Blocks Melanoma Invasion Program by miR-211 Targeting NUAK1. J Invest Dermatol 2014; 134:441-451. [DOI: 10.1038/jid.2013.340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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AP-1/c-Jun transcription factors: regulation and function in malignant melanoma. Eur J Cell Biol 2013; 93:76-81. [PMID: 24315690 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2013.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 10/01/2013] [Accepted: 10/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer with an increasing incidence worldwide. One way to address the pathology of the disease is through molecular research. In addition to the analysis of melanoma-relevant signaling pathways, the investigation of important transcription factors is a fundamental objective. The AP-1 transcription factor family is known to play an important role in melanoma progression and development. The AP-1 family member c-Jun is highly expressed and active in melanoma cells, and the mechanisms and signaling pathways regulating c-Jun protein are diverse. In addition to the common regulation and activation of c-Jun by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), there are several other signaling pathways and interactions leading to c-Jun protein expression and thus AP-1 activation. In malignant melanoma, and many other cancer types, c-Jun has mainly oncogenic functions; however, other AP-1 proteins also have anti-oncogenic roles. Interestingly, several studies have revealed that a strong AP-1 activity in melanoma mainly depends on c-Jun. Recently, it has also been shown that the c-Jun protein is regulated and activated by several other mechanisms, including miRNAs and the cytoskeleton. In summary, there are a variety of mechanisms underlying the induction of c-Jun protein expression and activity leading to tumor progression and development, and this diverse regulatory machinery is due to the heterogeneity of different tumor types, particularly in malignant melanoma.
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Caramel J, Papadogeorgakis E, Hill L, Browne GJ, Richard G, Wierinckx A, Saldanha G, Osborne J, Hutchinson P, Tse G, Lachuer J, Puisieux A, Pringle JH, Ansieau S, Tulchinsky E. A switch in the expression of embryonic EMT-inducers drives the development of malignant melanoma. Cancer Cell 2013; 24:466-80. [PMID: 24075834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2013.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 380] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant expression of embryonic epithelial-mesenchymal transition-inducing transcription factors (EMT-TFs) in epithelial cells triggers EMT, neoplastic transformation, stemness, and metastatic dissemination. We found that regulation and functions of EMT-TFs are different in malignant melanoma. SNAIL2 and ZEB2 transcription factors are expressed in normal melanocytes and behave as tumor-suppressor proteins by activating an MITF-dependent melanocyte differentiation program. In response to NRAS/BRAF activation, EMT-TF network undergoes a profound reorganization in favor of TWIST1 and ZEB1. This reversible switch cooperates with BRAF in promoting dedifferentiation and neoplastic transformation of melanocytes. We detected EMT-TF reprogramming in late-stage melanoma in association with enhanced phospho-ERK levels. This switch results in E-cadherin loss, enhanced invasion, and constitutes an independent factor of poor prognosis in melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Caramel
- Inserm UMR-S1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France; CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, 69008 Lyon, France; LabEX DEVweCAN, 69008 Lyon, France; University Lyon I, 69008 Lyon, France; Université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France; Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France
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Harris ML, Buac K, Shakhova O, Hakami RM, Wegner M, Sommer L, Pavan WJ. A dual role for SOX10 in the maintenance of the postnatal melanocyte lineage and the differentiation of melanocyte stem cell progenitors. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003644. [PMID: 23935512 PMCID: PMC3723529 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2013] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During embryogenesis, the transcription factor, Sox10, drives the survival and differentiation of the melanocyte lineage. However, the role that Sox10 plays in postnatal melanocytes is not established. We show in vivo that melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) and more differentiated melanocytes express SOX10 but that McSCs remain undifferentiated. Sox10 knockout (Sox10(fl); Tg(Tyr::CreER)) results in loss of both McSCs and differentiated melanocytes, while overexpression of Sox10 (Tg(DctSox10)) causes premature differentiation and loss of McSCs, leading to hair graying. This suggests that levels of SOX10 are key to normal McSC function and Sox10 must be downregulated for McSC establishment and maintenance. We examined whether the mechanism of Tg(DctSox10) hair graying is through increased expression of Mitf, a target of SOX10, by asking if haploinsufficiency for Mitf (Mitf(vga9) ) can rescue hair graying in Tg(DctSox10) animals. Surprisingly, Mitf(vga9) does not mitigate but exacerbates Tg(DctSox10) hair graying suggesting that MITF participates in the negative regulation of Sox10 in McSCs. These observations demonstrate that while SOX10 is necessary to maintain the postnatal melanocyte lineage it is simultaneously prevented from driving differentiation in the McSCs. This data illustrates how tissue-specific stem cells can arise from lineage-specified precursors through the regulation of the very transcription factors important in defining that lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L. Harris
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kristina Buac
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Olga Shakhova
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ramin M. Hakami
- School of Systems Biology, National Center for Biodefense and Infectious Diseases, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Michael Wegner
- Institut für Biochemie, Emil-Fischer-Zentrum, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lukas Sommer
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - William J. Pavan
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Varsano T, Lau E, Feng Y, Garrido M, Milan L, Heynen-Genel S, Hassig CA, Ronai ZA. Inhibition of melanoma growth by small molecules that promote the mitochondrial localization of ATF2. Clin Cancer Res 2013; 19:2710-22. [PMID: 23589174 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-12-2689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Effective therapy for malignant melanoma, the leading cause of death from skin cancer, remains an area of significant unmet need in oncology. The elevated expression of PKCε in advanced metastatic melanoma results in the increased phosphorylation of the transcription factor ATF2 on threonine 52, which causes its nuclear localization and confers its oncogenic activities. The nuclear-to-mitochondrial translocation of ATF2 following genotoxic stress promotes apoptosis, a function that is largely lost in melanoma cells, due to its confined nuclear localization. Therefore, promoting the nuclear export of ATF2, which sensitizes melanoma cells to apoptosis, represents a novel therapeutic modality. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN We conducted a pilot high-throughput screen of 3,800 compounds to identify small molecules that promote melanoma cell death by inducing the cytoplasmic localization of ATF2. The imaging-based ATF2 translocation assay was conducted using UACC903 melanoma cells that stably express doxycycline-inducible GFP-ATF2. RESULTS We identified two compounds (SBI-0089410 and SBI-0087702) that promoted the cytoplasmic localization of ATF2, reduced cell viability, inhibited colony formation, cell motility, and anchorage-free growth, and increased mitochondrial membrane permeability. SBI-0089410 inhibited the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-l3-acetate (TPA)-induced membrane translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms, whereas both compounds decreased ATF2 phosphorylation by PKCε and ATF2 transcriptional activity. Overexpression of either constitutively active PKCε or phosphomimic mutant ATF2(T52E) attenuated the cellular effects of the compounds. CONCLUSION The imaging-based high-throughput screen provides a proof-of-concept for the identification of small molecules that block the oncogenic addiction to PKCε signaling by promoting ATF2 nuclear export, resulting in mitochondrial membrane leakage and melanoma cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Varsano
- Signal Transduction Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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38
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Harris ML, Pavan WJ. Postnatal lineage mapping of follicular melanocytes with the Tyr::CreER(T) (2) transgene. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 26:269-74. [PMID: 23176440 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the main advantages of using inducible and conditional transgenes to study pigment cell biology is that they allow for genetic manipulation within melanocytes after roles in general neural crest or melanoblast development have been fulfilled. Specifically, we focus here on the ability of the Tyr::CreER(T) (2) transgenic line to alter genes within follicular melanocytes postnatally. Using the Gt(ROSA)26Sor(tm1sor) reporter allele, we present in detail the expression and activity of Tyr::CreER(T) (2) when induced during hair morphogenesis and adult hair cycling. We find that despite similarities in expression pattern to endogenous TYR, Tyr::CreER(T) (2) is effective at targeting both undifferentiated and differentiated melanocytes within the hair follicle. We also find that Tyr::CreER(T) (2) provides the highest levels of recombination when induced during the early phases of hair growth. In conclusion, the descriptions provided here will guide future analyses of gene function within the melanocyte system of the hair follicle when using this Tyr::CreER(T) (2) transgene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L Harris
- Genetic Disease Research Branch, National Human Genome Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Impact of copy number variations (CNVs) on long-range gene regulation at the HoxD locus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:20204-11. [PMID: 23134724 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1217659109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Copy number variations are genomic structural variants that are frequently associated with human diseases. Among these copy number variations, duplications of DNA segments are often assumed to lead to dosage effects by increasing the copy number of either genes or their regulatory elements. We produced a series of large targeted duplications within a conserved gene desert upstream of the murine HoxD locus. This DNA region, syntenic to human 2q31-32, contains a range of regulatory elements required for Hoxd gene transcription, and it is often disrupted and/or reorganized in human genetic conditions collectively known as the 2q31 syndrome. Unexpectedly, one such duplication led to a transcriptional down-regulation in developing digits by impairing physical interactions between the target genes and their upstream regulatory elements, thus phenocopying the effect obtained when these enhancer sequences are deleted. These results illustrate the detrimental consequences of interrupting highly conserved regulatory landscapes and reveal a mechanism where genomic duplications lead to partial loss of function of nearby located genes.
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40
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Feng Y, Lau E, Scortegagna M, Ruller C, De SK, Barile E, Krajewski S, Aza-Blanc P, Williams R, Pinkerton AB, Jackson M, Chin L, Pellecchia M, Bosenberg M, Ronai ZA. Inhibition of melanoma development in the Nras((Q61K)) ::Ink4a(-/-) mouse model by the small molecule BI-69A11. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 26:136-42. [PMID: 23035722 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To date, there are no effective therapies for tumors bearing NRAS mutations, which are present in 15-20% of human melanomas. Here we extend our earlier studies where we demonstrated that the small molecule BI-69A11 inhibits the growth of melanoma cell lines. Gene expression analysis revealed the induction of interferon- and cell death-related genes that were associated with responsiveness of melanoma cell lines to BI-69A11. Strikingly, the administration of BI-69A11 inhibited melanoma development in genetically modified mice bearing an inducible form of activated Nras and a deletion of the Ink4a gene (Nras((Q61K)) ::Ink4a(-/-) ). Biweekly administration of BI-69A11 starting at 10 weeks or as late as 24 weeks after the induction of mutant Nras expression inhibited melanoma development (100 and 36%, respectively). BI-69A11 treatment did not inhibit the development of histiocytic sarcomas, which constitute about 50% of the tumors in this model. BI-69A11-resistant Nras((Q61K)) ::Ink4a(-/-) tumors exhibited increased CD45 expression, reflective of immune cell infiltration and upregulation of gene networks associated with the cytoskeleton, DNA damage response, and small molecule transport. The ability to attenuate the development of NRAS mutant melanomas supports further development of BI-69A11 for clinical assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongmei Feng
- Signal Transduction Program, Cancer Center, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Cimadamore F, Shah M, Amador-Arjona A, Navarro-Peran E, Chen C, Huang CT, Terskikh AV. SOX2 modulates levels of MITF in normal human melanocytes, and melanoma lines in vitro. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 25:533-6. [PMID: 22571403 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2012.01012.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Loftus SK. Decreased melanoma proliferation and cell survival: turn down your SOX10. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 26:3-4. [DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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43
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De Ingeniis J, Ratnikov B, Richardson AD, Scott DA, Aza-Blanc P, De SK, Kazanov M, Pellecchia M, Ronai Z, Osterman AL, Smith JW. Functional specialization in proline biosynthesis of melanoma. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45190. [PMID: 23024808 PMCID: PMC3443215 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proline metabolism is linked to hyperprolinemia, schizophrenia, cutis laxa, and cancer. In the latter case, tumor cells tend to rely on proline biosynthesis rather than salvage. Proline is synthesized from either glutamate or ornithine; both are converted to pyrroline-5-carboxylate (P5C), and then to proline via pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductases (PYCRs). Here, the role of three isozymic versions of PYCR was addressed in human melanoma cells by tracking the fate of (13)C-labeled precursors. Based on these studies we conclude that PYCR1 and PYCR2, which are localized in the mitochondria, are primarily involved in conversion of glutamate to proline. PYCRL, localized in the cytosol, is exclusively linked to the conversion of ornithine to proline. This analysis provides the first clarification of the role of PYCRs to proline biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica De Ingeniis
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Boris Ratnikov
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Adam D. Richardson
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - David A. Scott
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pedro Aza-Blanc
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Surya K. De
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Marat Kazanov
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Maurizio Pellecchia
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Ze'ev Ronai
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Andrei L. Osterman
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey W. Smith
- Sanford|Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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Ho H, Aruri J, Kapadia R, Mehr H, White MA, Ganesan AK. RhoJ regulates melanoma chemoresistance by suppressing pathways that sense DNA damage. Cancer Res 2012; 72:5516-28. [PMID: 22971344 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-12-0775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Melanomas resist conventional chemotherapeutics, in part, through intrinsic disrespect of apoptotic checkpoint activation. In this study, using an unbiased genome-wide RNA interference screen, we identified RhoJ and its effector PAK1, as key modulators of melanoma cell sensitivity to DNA damage. We find that RhoJ activates PAK1 in response to drug-induced DNA damage, which then uncouples ATR from its downstream effectors, ultimately resulting in a blunted DNA damage response (DDR). In addition, ATR suppression leads to the decreased phosphorylation of ATF2 and consequent increased expression of the melanocyte survival gene Sox10 resulting in a higher DDR threshold required to engage melanoma cell death. In the setting of normal melanocyte behavior, this regulatory relationship may facilitate appropriate epidermal melanization in response to UV-induced DNA damage. However, pathologic pathway activation during oncogenic transformation produces a tumor that is intrinsically resistant to chemotherapy and has the propensity to accumulate additional mutations. These findings identify DNA damage agents and pharmacologic inhibitors of RhoJ/PAK1 as novel synergistic agents that can be used to treat melanomas that are resistant to conventional chemotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang Ho
- Department of Dermatology, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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45
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Bell RE, Levy C. The three M's: melanoma, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and microRNA. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 24:1088-106. [PMID: 22004179 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00931.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Studies examining intratumor heterogeneity have indicated that several cancer types, including melanoma, can display phenotypic plasticity, corresponding to their capacity to undergo transient reversible cellular changes. Conceptual models constructed to explain the process of cancer propagation differ in their treatment of intratumor heterogeneity. Recent observations of reversible phenotypic heterogeneity in melanoma have led to the proposal of a novel 'phenotypic plasticity' model of cancer propagation. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), the melanocyte 'lineage-specific' transcription factor, has emerged as one of the central players in melanoma phenotypic plasticity. Here we discuss the conceptual models suggested to explain the relations between MITF and melanoma plasticity, in addition to the complex regulatory roles that MITF plays in melanocytes and melanoma development. Finally, we provide an in-depth literature survey of microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in MITF activity, melanoma propagation and metastasis, in addition to their potential use as agents of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Bell
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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46
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47
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Lau E, Ronai ZA. ATF2 - at the crossroad of nuclear and cytosolic functions. J Cell Sci 2012; 125:2815-24. [PMID: 22685333 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.095000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of transcription factors have been shown to elicit oncogenic and tumor suppressor activities, depending on the tissue and cell context. Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2; also known as cAMP-dependent transcription factor ATF-2) has oncogenic activities in melanoma and tumor suppressor activities in non-malignant skin tumors and breast cancer. Recent work has shown that the opposing functions of ATF2 are associated with its subcellular localization. In the nucleus, ATF2 contributes to global transcription and the DNA damage response, in addition to specific transcriptional activities that are related to cell development, proliferation and death. ATF2 can also translocate to the cytosol, primarily following exposure to severe genotoxic stress, where it impairs mitochondrial membrane potential and promotes mitochondrial-based cell death. Notably, phosphorylation of ATF2 by the epsilon isoform of protein kinase C (PKCε) is the master switch that controls its subcellular localization and function. Here, we summarize our current understanding of the regulation and function of ATF2 in both subcellular compartments. This mechanism of control of a non-genetically modified transcription factor represents a novel paradigm for 'oncogene addiction'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Lau
- Signal Transduction Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla, CA 92130, USA.
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Abstract
MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathways are among the most frequently deregulated signalling events in cancer. Among the critical targets of MAPK activities are members of the AP-1 (activator protein 1) transcription factor, a dimeric complex consisting of Jun, Fos, Maf and ATF (activating transcription factor) family DNA-binding proteins. Depending on the cellular context, the composition of the dimeric complexes determines the regulation of growth, survival or apoptosis. JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase), p38 and a number of Jun and Fos family proteins have been analysed for their involvement in oncogenic transformation and tumour formation. These data are also emerging for the ATF components of the AP-1 factor. The aim of the present review is to provide an overview of the functions of two ATF family proteins, ATF2 and ATF7, in mammalian development and their potential functions in tumour formation.
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49
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Activation of the long terminal repeat of human endogenous retrovirus K by melanoma-specific transcription factor MITF-M. Neoplasia 2012; 13:1081-92. [PMID: 22131883 DOI: 10.1593/neo.11794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human and Old World primate genomes possess conserved endogenous retrovirus sequences that have been implicated in evolution, reproduction, and carcinogenesis. Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV)-K with 5'LTR-gag-pro-pol-env-rec/np9-3'LTR sequences represents the newest retrovirus family that integrated into the human genome 1 to 5 million years ago. Although a high-level expression of HERV-K in melanomas, breast cancers, and teratocarcinomas has been demonstrated, the mechanism of the lineage-specific activation of the long terminal repeat (LTR) remains obscure. We studied chromosomal HERV-K expression in MeWo melanoma cells in comparison with the basal expression in human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells. Cloned LTR of HERV-K (HML-2.HOM) was also characterized by mutation and transactivation experiments. We detected multiple transcriptional initiator (Inr) sites in the LTR by rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends (5' RACE). HEK293 and MeWo showed different Inr usage. The most potent Inr was associated with a TATA box and three binding motifs of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). Both chromosomal HERV-K expression and the cloned LTR function were strongly activated in HEK293 by transfection with MITF-M, a melanocyte/melanoma-specific isoform of MITF. Coexpression of MITF and the HERV-K core antigen was detected in retinal pigmented epithelium by an immunofluorescence analysis. Although malignant melanoma lines MeWo, G361, and SK-MEL-28 showed enhanced HERV-K transcription compared with normal melanocytes, the level of MITF-M messenger RNA persisted from normal to transformed melanocytes. Thus, MITF-M may be a prerequisite for the pigmented cell lineage-specific function of HERV-K LTR, leading to the high-level expression in malignant melanomas.
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50
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Lau E, Kluger H, Varsano T, Lee K, Scheffler I, Rimm DL, Ideker T, Ronai ZA. PKCε promotes oncogenic functions of ATF2 in the nucleus while blocking its apoptotic function at mitochondria. Cell 2012; 148:543-55. [PMID: 22304920 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 01/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor ATF2 elicits oncogenic activities in melanoma and tumor suppressor activities in nonmalignant skin cancer. Here, we identify that ATF2 tumor suppressor function is determined by its ability to localize at the mitochondria, where it alters membrane permeability following genotoxic stress. The ability of ATF2 to reach the mitochondria is determined by PKCε, which directs ATF2 nuclear localization. Genotoxic stress attenuates PKCε effect on ATF2; enables ATF2 nuclear export and localization at the mitochondria, where it perturbs the HK1-VDAC1 complex; increases mitochondrial permeability; and promotes apoptosis. Significantly, high levels of PKCε, as seen in melanoma cells, block ATF2 nuclear export and function at the mitochondria, thereby attenuating apoptosis following exposure to genotoxic stress. In melanoma tumor samples, high PKCε levels associate with poor prognosis. Overall, our findings provide the framework for understanding how subcellular localization enables ATF2 oncogenic or tumor suppressor functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Lau
- Signal Transduction Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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