1
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Yuan X, Sabzvar MK, Patil AD, Chinnaswamy K, Howie KL, Andhavaram R, Wang B, Siegler MA, Dumaz A, Stuckey JA, Corey SJ, Maciejewski JP, Visconte V, Yang CY. Comprehensive Analyses of the Effects of the Small-Molecule Inhibitor of the UHM Domain in the Splicing Factor U2AF1 in Leukemia Cells. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4477663. [PMID: 38883705 PMCID: PMC11177969 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4477663/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Mutations in RNA splicing factor genes including SF3B1, U2AF1, SRSF2, and ZRSR2 have been reported to contribute to development of myeloid neoplasms including myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML). Chemical tools targeting cells carrying these mutant genes remain limited and underdeveloped. Among the four proteins, mutant U2AF1 (U2AF1mut) acquires an altered 3' splice site selection preference and co-operates with the wild-type U2AF1 (U2AF1wt) to change various gene isoform patterns to support MDS cells survival and proliferation. U2AF1 mutations in MDS cells are always heterozygous and the cell viability is reduced when exposed to additional insult affecting U2AF1wt function. To investigate if the pharmacological inhibition of U2AF1wt function can provoke drug-induced vulnerability of cells harboring U2AF1 mut , we conducted a fragment-based library screening campaign to discover compounds targeting the U2AF homology domain (UHM) in U2AF1 that is required for the formation of the U2AF1/U2AF2 complex to define the 3' splice site. The most promising hit (SF1-8) selectively inhibited growth of leukemia cell lines overexpressingU2AF1 mut and human primary MDS cells carrying U2AF1 mut . RNA-seq analysis of K562-U2AF1mut following treatment with SF1-8 further revealed alteration of isoform patterns for a set of proteins that impair or rescue pathways associated with endocytosis, intracellular vesicle transport, and secretion. Our data suggested that further optimization of SF1-8 is warranted to obtain chemical probes that can be used to evaluate the therapeutic concept of inducing lethality to U2AF1 mut cells by inhibiting the U2AF1wt protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinrui Yuan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Mona Kazemi Sabzvar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Amol D Patil
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | | | - Kathryn L Howie
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Ramaraju Andhavaram
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Borwyn Wang
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Maxime A Siegler
- Department of Chemistry, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21218, USA
| | - Arda Dumaz
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Jeanne A Stuckey
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Seth J Corey
- Departments of Pediatrics and Cancer Biology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Jaroslaw P Maciejewski
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Valeria Visconte
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA
| | - Chao-Yie Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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2
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Jin P, Wang X, Jin Q, Zhang Y, Shen J, Jiang G, Zhu H, Zhao M, Wang D, Li Z, Zhou Y, Li W, Zhang W, Liu Y, Wang S, Jin W, Cao Y, Sheng G, Dong F, Wu S, Li X, Jin Z, He M, Liu X, Chen L, Zhang Y, Wang K, Li J. Mutant U2AF1-Induced Mis-Splicing of mRNA Translation Genes Confers Resistance to Chemotherapy in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1583-1596. [PMID: 38417135 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-2543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Patients with primary refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have a dismal long-term prognosis. Elucidating the resistance mechanisms to induction chemotherapy could help identify strategies to improve AML patient outcomes. Herein, we retrospectively analyzed the multiomics data of more than 1,500 AML cases and found that patients with spliceosome mutations had a higher risk of developing refractory disease. RNA splicing analysis revealed that the mis-spliced genes in refractory patients converged on translation-associated pathways, promoted mainly by U2AF1 mutations. Integrative analyses of binding and splicing in AML cell lines substantiated that the splicing perturbations of mRNA translation genes originated from both the loss and gain of mutant U2AF1 binding. In particular, the U2AF1S34F and U2AF1Q157R mutants orchestrated the inclusion of exon 11 (encoding a premature termination codon) in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A2 (EIF4A2). This aberrant inclusion led to reduced eIF4A2 protein expression via nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Consequently, U2AF1 mutations caused a net decrease in global mRNA translation that induced the integrated stress response (ISR) in AML cells, which was confirmed by single-cell RNA sequencing. The induction of ISR enhanced the ability of AML cells to respond and adapt to stress, contributing to chemoresistance. A pharmacologic inhibitor of ISR, ISRIB, sensitized U2AF1 mutant cells to chemotherapy. These findings highlight a resistance mechanism by which U2AF1 mutations drive chemoresistance and provide a therapeutic approach for AML through targeting the ISR pathway. SIGNIFICANCE U2AF1 mutations induce the integrated stress response by disrupting splicing of mRNA translation genes that improves AML cell fitness to enable resistance to chemotherapy, which can be targeted to improve AML treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Jin
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiqi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ge Jiang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongming Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zeyi Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenzhu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yabin Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siyang Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Jin
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CNRS-LIA Hematology and Cancer, Sino-French Research Center for Life Sciences and Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuncan Cao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangying Sheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangyi Dong
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shishuang Wu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyang Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengke He
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaxin Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Luonan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunxiang Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kankan Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- CNRS-LIA Hematology and Cancer, Sino-French Research Center for Life Sciences and Genomics, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Junmin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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3
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Liu ZS, Sinha S, Bannister M, Song A, Arriaga-Gomez E, McKeeken AJ, Bonner EA, Hanson BK, Sarchi M, Takashima K, Zong D, Corral VM, Nguyen E, Yoo J, Chiraphapphaiboon W, Leibson C, McMahon MC, Rai S, Swisher EM, Sachs Z, Chatla S, Stirewalt DL, Deeg HJ, Skorski T, Papapetrou EP, Walter MJ, Graubert TA, Doulatov S, Lee SC, Nguyen HD. R-Loop Accumulation in Spliceosome Mutant Leukemias Confers Sensitivity to PARP1 Inhibition by Triggering Transcription-Replication Conflicts. Cancer Res 2024; 84:577-597. [PMID: 37967363 PMCID: PMC10922727 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-3239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
RNA splicing factor (SF) gene mutations are commonly observed in patients with myeloid malignancies. Here we showed that SRSF2- and U2AF1-mutant leukemias are preferentially sensitive to PARP inhibitors (PARPi), despite being proficient in homologous recombination repair. Instead, SF-mutant leukemias exhibited R-loop accumulation that elicited an R-loop-associated PARP1 response, rendering cells dependent on PARP1 activity for survival. Consequently, PARPi induced DNA damage and cell death in SF-mutant leukemias in an R-loop-dependent manner. PARPi further increased aberrant R-loop levels, causing higher transcription-replication collisions and triggering ATR activation in SF-mutant leukemias. Ultimately, PARPi-induced DNA damage and cell death in SF-mutant leukemias could be enhanced by ATR inhibition. Finally, the level of PARP1 activity at R-loops correlated with PARPi sensitivity, suggesting that R-loop-associated PARP1 activity could be predictive of PARPi sensitivity in patients harboring SF gene mutations. This study highlights the potential of targeting different R-loop response pathways caused by spliceosome gene mutations as a therapeutic strategy for treating cancer. SIGNIFICANCE Spliceosome-mutant leukemias accumulate R-loops and require PARP1 to resolve transcription-replication conflicts and genomic instability, providing rationale to repurpose FDA-approved PARP inhibitors for patients carrying spliceosome gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Silvia Liu
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Sayantani Sinha
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- These authors contributed equally
| | - Maxwell Bannister
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Axia Song
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Erica Arriaga-Gomez
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander J. McKeeken
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Elizabeth A. Bonner
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Benjamin K. Hanson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics Graduate Program, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Martina Sarchi
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia PV, Italy
| | - Kouhei Takashima
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Advancement of Blood Cancer Therapies, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dawei Zong
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Victor M. Corral
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Evan Nguyen
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer Yoo
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | | | - Cassandra Leibson
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Matthew C. McMahon
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sumit Rai
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Charlestown, MA
| | - Elizabeth M. Swisher
- Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Zohar Sachs
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Division of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Srinivas Chatla
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Derek L. Stirewalt
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - H. Joachim Deeg
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tomasz Skorski
- Fels Cancer Institute for Personalized Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
- Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Eirini P. Papapetrou
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Advancement of Blood Cancer Therapies, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Matthew J. Walter
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Sergei Doulatov
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Stanley C. Lee
- Translational Science and Therapeutics Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Hai Dang Nguyen
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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4
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Bakhtiar D, Vondraskova K, Pengelly RJ, Chivers M, Kralovicova J, Vorechovsky I. Exonic splicing code and coordination of divalent metals in proteins. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:1090-1106. [PMID: 38055834 PMCID: PMC10853796 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exonic sequences contain both protein-coding and RNA splicing information but the interplay of the protein and splicing code is complex and poorly understood. Here, we have studied traditional and auxiliary splicing codes of human exons that encode residues coordinating two essential divalent metals at the opposite ends of the Irving-Williams series, a universal order of relative stabilities of metal-organic complexes. We show that exons encoding Zn2+-coordinating amino acids are supported much less by the auxiliary splicing motifs than exons coordinating Ca2+. The handicap of the former is compensated by stronger splice sites and uridine-richer polypyrimidine tracts, except for position -3 relative to 3' splice junctions. However, both Ca2+ and Zn2+ exons exhibit close-to-constitutive splicing in multiple tissues, consistent with their critical importance for metalloprotein function and a relatively small fraction of expendable, alternatively spliced exons. These results indicate that constraints imposed by metal coordination spheres on RNA splicing have been efficiently overcome by the plasticity of exon-intron architecture to ensure adequate metalloprotein expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dara Bakhtiar
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Katarina Vondraskova
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Biosciences, 840 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Reuben J Pengelly
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Martin Chivers
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Jana Kralovicova
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
- Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Biosciences, 840 05 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Igor Vorechovsky
- University of Southampton, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
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5
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Venkatasubramanian M, Schwartz L, Ramachandra N, Bennett J, Subramanian KR, Chen X, Gordon-Mitchell S, Fromowitz A, Pradhan K, Shechter D, Sahu S, Heiser D, Scherle P, Chetal K, Kulkarni A, Myers KC, Weirauch MT, Grimes HL, Starczynowski DT, Verma A, Salomonis N. Broad de-regulated U2AF1 splicing is prognostic and augments leukemic transformation via protein arginine methyltransferase activation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.04.578798. [PMID: 38370617 PMCID: PMC10871255 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.04.578798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The role of splicing dysregulation in cancer is underscored by splicing factor mutations; however, its impact in the absence of such rare mutations is poorly understood. To reveal complex patient subtypes and putative regulators of pathogenic splicing in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), we developed a new approach called OncoSplice. Among diverse new subtypes, OncoSplice identified a biphasic poor prognosis signature that partially phenocopies U2AF1-mutant splicing, impacting thousands of genes in over 40% of adult and pediatric AML cases. U2AF1-like splicing co-opted a healthy circadian splicing program, was stable over time and induced a leukemia stem cell (LSC) program. Pharmacological inhibition of the implicated U2AF1-like splicing regulator, PRMT5, rescued leukemia mis-splicing and inhibited leukemic cell growth. Genetic deletion of IRAK4, a common target of U2AF1-like and PRMT5 treated cells, blocked leukemia development in xenograft models and induced differentiation. These analyses reveal a new prognostic alternative-splicing mechanism in malignancy, independent of splicing-factor mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Venkatasubramanian
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Leya Schwartz
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Nandini Ramachandra
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Joshua Bennett
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Krithika R. Subramanian
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Divisions of Human Genetics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Shanisha Gordon-Mitchell
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Ariel Fromowitz
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - David Shechter
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Srabani Sahu
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Diane Heiser
- Prelude Therapeutics Incorporated, Wilmington, DE
| | | | - Kashish Chetal
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Aishwarya Kulkarni
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Kasiani C. Myers
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Matthew T. Weirauch
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Divisions of Human Genetics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - H. Leighton Grimes
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Daniel T. Starczynowski
- Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Immune Deficiency, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
| | - Amit Verma
- Blood Cancer Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, The Bronx, NY
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
- Division of Immunobiology and Center for Systems Immunology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
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6
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Nian Q, Li Y, Li J, Zhao L, Rodrigues Lima F, Zeng J, Liu R, Ye Z. U2AF1 in various neoplastic diseases and relevant targeted therapies for malignant cancers with complex mutations (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:5. [PMID: 37975232 PMCID: PMC10688450 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) is a multifunctional protein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of RNA splicing during eukaryotic gene expression. U2AF1 belongs to the SR family of splicing factors and is involved in the removal of introns from mRNAs and exon-exon binding. Mutations in U2AF1 are frequently observed in myelodysplastic syndrome, primary myelofibrosis, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, hairy cell leukaemia and other solid tumours, particularly in lung, pancreatic, and ovarian carcinomas. Therefore, targeting U2AF1 for therapeutic interventions may be a viable strategy for treating malignant diseases. In the present review, the pathogenic mechanisms associated with U2AF1 in different malignant diseases were summarized, and the potential of related targeting agents was discussed. Additionally, the feasibility of natural product-based therapies directed against U2AF1 was explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Nian
- Department of Transfusion, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yihui Li
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Jingwei Li
- Department of Transfusion, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Liyun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Fernando Rodrigues Lima
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Rongxing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400000, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Ye
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
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7
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López-Oreja I, Gohr A, Playa-Albinyana H, Giró A, Arenas F, Higashi M, Tripathi R, López-Guerra M, Irimia M, Aymerich M, Valcárcel J, Bonnal S, Colomer D. SF3B1 mutation-mediated sensitization to H3B-8800 splicing inhibitor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202301955. [PMID: 37562845 PMCID: PMC10415613 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202301955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) is involved in pre-mRNA branch site recognition and is the target of antitumor-splicing inhibitors. Mutations in SF3B1 are observed in 15% of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and are associated with poor prognosis, but their pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. Using deep RNA-sequencing data from 298 CLL tumor samples and isogenic SF3B1 WT and K700E-mutated CLL cell lines, we characterize targets and pre-mRNA sequence features associated with the selection of cryptic 3' splice sites upon SF3B1 mutation, including an event in the MAP3K7 gene relevant for activation of NF-κB signaling. Using the H3B-8800 splicing modulator, we show, for the first time in CLL, cytotoxic effects in vitro in primary CLL samples and in SF3B1-mutated isogenic CLL cell lines, accompanied by major splicing changes and delayed leukemic infiltration in a CLL xenotransplant mouse model. H3B-8800 displayed preferential lethality towards SF3B1-mutated cells and synergism with the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax, supporting the potential use of SF3B1 inhibitors as a novel therapeutic strategy in CLL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene López-Oreja
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
| | - André Gohr
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Heribert Playa-Albinyana
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ariadna Giró
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabian Arenas
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Morihiro Higashi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rupal Tripathi
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mònica López-Guerra
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Irimia
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Aymerich
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Valcárcel
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sophie Bonnal
- Centre for Genomic Regulation, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dolors Colomer
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Barcelona, Spain
- Hematopathology Section, Department of Pathology, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Oncologia, Madrid, Spain
- Universitat Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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8
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Haque T, Cadenas FL, Xicoy B, Alfonso-Pierola A, Platzbecker U, Avivi I, Brunner AM, Chromik J, Morillo D, Patel MR, Falantes J, Leitch HA, Germing U, Preis M, Lenox L, Lauring J, Brown RJ, Kalota A, Mehta J, Pastore F, Gu J, Mistry P, Valcárcel D. Phase 1 study of JNJ-64619178, a protein arginine methyltransferase 5 inhibitor, in patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Leuk Res 2023; 134:107390. [PMID: 37776843 DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2023.107390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Splicing factor (SF) gene mutations are frequent in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), and agents that modulate RNA splicing are hypothesized to provide clinical benefit. JNJ-64619178, a protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) inhibitor, was evaluated in patients with lower-risk (LR) MDS in a multi-part, Phase 1, multicenter study. The objectives were to determine a tolerable dose and to characterize safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and preliminary clinical activity. JNJ-64619178 was administered on a 14 days on/7 days off schedule or every day on a 21-day cycle to patients with International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) Low or Intermediate-1 risk MDS who were red blood cell transfusion-dependent. Twenty-four patients were enrolled; 15 (62.5 %) patients had low IPSS risk score, while 18 (75.0 %) had an SF3B1 mutation. Median duration of treatment was 3.45 months (range: 0.03-6.93). No dose limiting toxicities were observed. The 0.5 mg once daily dose was considered better tolerated and chosen for dose expansion. Twenty-three (95.8 %) patients experienced treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE). The most common TEAEs were neutropenia (15 [62.5 %]) and thrombocytopenia (14 [58.3 %]). JNJ-64619178 pharmacokinetics was dose-dependent. Target engagement as measured by plasma symmetric di-methylarginine was observed across all dose levels; however, variant allele frequency of clonal mutations in bone marrow or blood did not show sustained reductions from baseline. No patient achieved objective response or hematologic improvement per International Working Group 2006 criteria, or transfusion independence. A tolerable dose of JNJ-64619178 was identified in patients with LR MDS. However, no evidence of clinical benefit was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Blanca Xicoy
- Institut Català d'Oncologia, Hospital Germans Trias I Pujol, Badalona, Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | | | | | - Irit Avivi
- Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | | | - Daniel Morillo
- University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz, START Madrid-FJD early phase unit, Spain
| | - Manish R Patel
- Florida Cancer Specialists/Sarah Cannon Research Institute, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - Jose Falantes
- Servicio de Hematologia, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS) / CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
| | - Heather A Leitch
- St. Paul's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Ulrich Germing
- Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - David Valcárcel
- Hematology Department, Vall d'Hebron Institute Oncology (VHIO), Hospital Universitari Vall d´Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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9
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Soulette CM, Hrabeta-Robinson E, Arevalo C, Felton C, Tang AD, Marin MG, Brooks AN. Full-length transcript alterations in human bronchial epithelial cells with U2AF1 S34F mutations. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202000641. [PMID: 37487637 PMCID: PMC10366530 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
U2AF1 is one of the most recurrently mutated splicing factors in lung adenocarcinoma and has been shown to cause transcriptome-wide pre-mRNA splicing alterations; however, the full-length altered mRNA isoforms associated with the mutation are largely unknown. To better understand the impact U2AF1 has on full-length isoform fate and function, we conducted high-throughput long-read cDNA sequencing from isogenic human bronchial epithelial cells with and without a U2AF1 S34F mutation. We identified 49,366 multi-exon transcript isoforms, more than half of which did not match GENCODE or short-read-assembled isoforms. We found 198 transcript isoforms with significant expression and usage changes relative to WT, only 68% of which were assembled by short reads. Expression of isoforms from immune-related genes is largely down-regulated in mutant cells and without observed splicing changes. Finally, we reveal that isoforms likely targeted by nonsense-mediated decay are down-regulated in U2AF1 S34F cells, suggesting that isoform changes may alter the translational output of those affected genes. Altogether, our work provides a resource of full-length isoforms associated with U2AF1 S34F in lung cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron M Soulette
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Eva Hrabeta-Robinson
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Arevalo
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Colette Felton
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Alison D Tang
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Maximillian G Marin
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Angela N Brooks
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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10
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Konda P, Garinet S, Van Allen EM, Viswanathan SR. Genome-guided discovery of cancer therapeutic targets. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112978. [PMID: 37572322 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The success of precision oncology-which aims to match the right therapies to the right patients based on molecular status-is predicated on a robust pipeline of molecular targets against which therapies can be developed. Recent advances in genomics and functional genetics have enabled the unbiased discovery of novel molecular targets at scale. We summarize the promise and challenges in integrating genomic and functional genetic landscapes of cancer to establish the next generation of cancer targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathyusha Konda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon Garinet
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eliezer M Van Allen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Srinivas R Viswanathan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Cancer Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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11
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Zargari A, Lodewijk GA, Mashhadi N, Cook N, Neudorf CW, Araghbidikashani K, Hays R, Kozuki S, Rubio S, Hrabeta-Robinson E, Brooks A, Hinck L, Shariati SA. DeepSea is an efficient deep-learning model for single-cell segmentation and tracking in time-lapse microscopy. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2023; 3:100500. [PMID: 37426758 PMCID: PMC10326378 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Time-lapse microscopy is the only method that can directly capture the dynamics and heterogeneity of fundamental cellular processes at the single-cell level with high temporal resolution. Successful application of single-cell time-lapse microscopy requires automated segmentation and tracking of hundreds of individual cells over several time points. However, segmentation and tracking of single cells remain challenging for the analysis of time-lapse microscopy images, in particular for widely available and non-toxic imaging modalities such as phase-contrast imaging. This work presents a versatile and trainable deep-learning model, termed DeepSea, that allows for both segmentation and tracking of single cells in sequences of phase-contrast live microscopy images with higher precision than existing models. We showcase the application of DeepSea by analyzing cell size regulation in embryonic stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Zargari
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Gerrald A. Lodewijk
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Najmeh Mashhadi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Nathan Cook
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Celine W. Neudorf
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | | | - Robert Hays
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Sayaka Kozuki
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Stefany Rubio
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Eva Hrabeta-Robinson
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Angela Brooks
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Lindsay Hinck
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - S. Ali Shariati
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Genomics Institute, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
- Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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12
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Potts KS, Cameron RC, Metidji A, Ghazale N, Wallace L, Leal-Cervantes AI, Palumbo R, Barajas JM, Gupta V, Aluri S, Pradhan K, Myers JA, McKinstry M, Bai X, Choudhary GS, Shastri A, Verma A, Obeng EA, Bowman TV. Splicing factor deficits render hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells sensitive to STAT3 inhibition. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111825. [PMID: 36516770 PMCID: PMC9994853 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) sustain lifelong hematopoiesis. Mutations of pre-mRNA splicing machinery, especially splicing factor 3b, subunit 1 (SF3B1), are early lesions found in malignancies arising from HSPC dysfunction. However, why splicing factor deficits contribute to HSPC defects remains incompletely understood. Using zebrafish, we show that HSPC formation in sf3b1 homozygous mutants is dependent on STAT3 activation. Clinically, mutations in SF3B1 are heterozygous; thus, we explored if targeting STAT3 could be a vulnerability in these cells. We show that SF3B1 heterozygosity confers heightened sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition in zebrafish, mouse, and human HSPCs. Cells carrying mutations in other splicing factors or treated with splicing modulators are also more sensitive to STAT3 inhibition. Mechanistically, we illustrate that STAT3 inhibition exacerbates aberrant splicing in SF3B1 mutant cells. Our findings reveal a conserved vulnerability of splicing factor mutant HSPCs that could allow for their selective targeting in hematologic malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn S Potts
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Rosannah C Cameron
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Amina Metidji
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Noura Ghazale
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - LaShanale Wallace
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ana I Leal-Cervantes
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Reid Palumbo
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Juan Martin Barajas
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Varun Gupta
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Srinivas Aluri
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Jacquelyn A Myers
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mia McKinstry
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Xiaoying Bai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gaurav S Choudhary
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Aditi Shastri
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Amit Verma
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Esther A Obeng
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA.
| | - Teresa V Bowman
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Oncology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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13
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Zhang F, Chen L. Molecular Threat of Splicing Factor Mutations to Myeloid Malignancies and Potential Therapeutic Modulations. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081972. [PMID: 36009519 PMCID: PMC9405558 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081972] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing factors are frequently mutated in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These mutations are presumed to contribute to oncogenic transformation, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. While no specific treatment option is available for MDS/AML patients with spliceosome mutations, novel targeting strategies are actively explored, leading to clinical trials of small molecule inhibitors that target the spliceosome, DNA damage response pathway, and immune response pathway. Here, we review recent progress in mechanistic understanding of splicing factor mutations promoting disease progression and summarize potential therapeutic strategies, which, if successful, would provide clinical benefit to patients carrying splicing factor mutations.
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14
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Glasser E, Maji D, Biancon G, Puthenpeedikakkal A, Cavender C, Tebaldi T, Jenkins J, Mathews D, Halene S, Kielkopf C. Pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF2 recognizes distinct conformations of nucleotide variants at the center of the pre-mRNA splice site signal. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 50:5299-5312. [PMID: 35524551 PMCID: PMC9128377 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The essential pre-mRNA splicing factor U2AF2 (also called U2AF65) identifies polypyrimidine (Py) tract signals of nascent transcripts, despite length and sequence variations. Previous studies have shown that the U2AF2 RNA recognition motifs (RRM1 and RRM2) preferentially bind uridine-rich RNAs. Nonetheless, the specificity of the RRM1/RRM2 interface for the central Py tract nucleotide has yet to be investigated. We addressed this question by determining crystal structures of U2AF2 bound to a cytidine, guanosine, or adenosine at the central position of the Py tract, and compared U2AF2-bound uridine structures. Local movements of the RNA site accommodated the different nucleotides, whereas the polypeptide backbone remained similar among the structures. Accordingly, molecular dynamics simulations revealed flexible conformations of the central, U2AF2-bound nucleotide. The RNA binding affinities and splicing efficiencies of structure-guided mutants demonstrated that U2AF2 tolerates nucleotide substitutions at the central position of the Py tract. Moreover, enhanced UV-crosslinking and immunoprecipitation of endogenous U2AF2 in human erythroleukemia cells showed uridine-sensitive binding sites, with lower sequence conservation at the central nucleotide positions of otherwise uridine-rich, U2AF2-bound splice sites. Altogether, these results highlight the importance of RNA flexibility for protein recognition and take a step towards relating splice site motifs to pre-mRNA splicing efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliezra Glasser
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
| | - Debanjana Maji
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
| | - Giulia Biancon
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and
Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Chapin E Cavender
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and
Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology
(CIBIO), University of
Trento, Trento, Italy
| | - Jermaine L Jenkins
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
| | - David H Mathews
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
| | - Stephanie Halene
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and
Yale Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
- Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University
School of Medicine, New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
- Department of Pathology, Yale University School of
Medicine, New Haven,
CT 06520, USA
| | - Clara L Kielkopf
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, and the Center for
RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and
Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
- Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of
Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester,
NY 14642, USA
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15
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Stanley RF, Abdel-Wahab O. Dysregulation and therapeutic targeting of RNA splicing in cancer. NATURE CANCER 2022; 3:536-546. [PMID: 35624337 PMCID: PMC9551392 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-022-00384-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing and functional characterization of the cancer transcriptome have uncovered cancer-specific dysregulation of RNA splicing across a variety of cancers. Alterations in the cancer genome and dysregulation of RNA splicing factors lead to missplicing, splicing alteration-dependent gene expression and, in some cases, generation of novel splicing-derived proteins. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of aberrant splicing in cancer pathogenesis and present strategies to harness cancer-specific aberrant splicing for therapeutic intent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Stanley
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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16
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Chen C, Zhou P, Zhang Z, Liu Y.
U2AF1
mutation Connects
DNA
Damage to the Alternative Splicing of
RAD51
in Lung Adenocarcinomas. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:740-747. [PMID: 35434831 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chuanhui Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi P.R. China
| | - Pinglang Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi P.R. China
| | - Zhizhe Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi P.R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi P.R. China
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17
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Sellin M, Mack R, Rhodes MC, Zhang L, Berg S, Joshi K, Liu S, Wei W, S. J. PB, Larsen P, Taylor RE, Zhang J. Molecular mechanisms by which splice modulator GEX1A inhibits leukaemia development and progression. Br J Cancer 2022; 127:223-236. [PMID: 35422078 PMCID: PMC9296642 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-022-01796-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Splice modulators have been assessed clinically in treating haematologic malignancies exhibiting splice factor mutations and acute myeloid leukaemia. However, the mechanisms by which such modulators repress leukaemia remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVES The primary goal of this assessment was to assess the molecular mechanism by which the natural splice modulator GEX1A kills leukaemic cells in vitro and within in vivo mouse models. METHODS Using human leukaemic cell lines, we assessed the overall sensitivity these cells have to GEX1A via EC50 analysis. We subsequently analysed its effects using in vivo xenograft mouse models and examined whether cell sensitivities were correlated to genetic characteristics or protein expression levels. We also utilised RT-PCR and RNAseq analyses to determine splice change and RNA expression level differences between sensitive and resistant leukaemic cell lines. RESULTS We found that, in vitro, GEX1A induced an MCL-1 isoform shift to pro-apoptotic MCL-1S in all leukaemic cell types, though sensitivity to GEX1A-induced apoptosis was negatively associated with BCL-xL expression. In BCL-2-expressing leukaemic cells, GEX1A induced BCL-2-dependent apoptosis by converting pro-survival BCL-2 into a cell killer. Thus, GEX1A + selective BCL-xL inhibition induced synergism in killing leukaemic cells, while GEX1A + BCL-2 inhibition showed antagonism in BCL-2-expressing leukaemic cells. In addition, GEX1A sensitised FLT3-ITD+ leukaemic cells to apoptosis by inducing aberrant splicing and repressing the expression of FLT3-ITD. Consistently, in in vivo xenografts, GEX1A killed the bulk of leukaemic cells via apoptosis when combined with BCL-xL inhibition. Furthermore, GEX1A repressed leukaemia development by targeting leukaemia stem cells through inhibiting FASTK mitochondrial isoform expression across sensitive and non-sensitive leukaemia types. CONCLUSION Our study suggests that GEX1A is a potent anti-leukaemic agent in combination with BCL-xL inhibitors, which targets leukaemic blasts and leukaemia stem cells through distinct mechanisms.
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18
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Biancon G, Joshi P, Zimmer JT, Hunck T, Gao Y, Lessard MD, Courchaine E, Barentine AES, Machyna M, Botti V, Qin A, Gbyli R, Patel A, Song Y, Kiefer L, Viero G, Neuenkirchen N, Lin H, Bewersdorf J, Simon MD, Neugebauer KM, Tebaldi T, Halene S. Precision analysis of mutant U2AF1 activity reveals deployment of stress granules in myeloid malignancies. Mol Cell 2022; 82:1107-1122.e7. [PMID: 35303483 PMCID: PMC8988922 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Splicing factor mutations are common among cancers, recently emerging as drivers of myeloid malignancies. U2AF1 carries hotspot mutations in its RNA-binding motifs; however, how they affect splicing and promote cancer remain unclear. The U2AF1/U2AF2 heterodimer is critical for 3' splice site (3'SS) definition. To specifically unmask changes in U2AF1 function in vivo, we developed a crosslinking and immunoprecipitation procedure that detects contacts between U2AF1 and the 3'SS AG at single-nucleotide resolution. Our data reveal that the U2AF1 S34F and Q157R mutants establish new 3'SS contacts at -3 and +1 nucleotides, respectively. These effects compromise U2AF2-RNA interactions, resulting predominantly in intron retention and exon exclusion. Integrating RNA binding, splicing, and turnover data, we predicted that U2AF1 mutations directly affect stress granule components, which was corroborated by single-cell RNA-seq. Remarkably, U2AF1-mutant cell lines and patient-derived MDS/AML blasts displayed a heightened stress granule response, pointing to a novel role for biomolecular condensates in adaptive oncogenic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Biancon
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Poorval Joshi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joshua T Zimmer
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Torben Hunck
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yimeng Gao
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Mark D Lessard
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Edward Courchaine
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Andrew E S Barentine
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martin Machyna
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Valentina Botti
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ashley Qin
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Rana Gbyli
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Amisha Patel
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yuanbin Song
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Hematologic Oncology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lea Kiefer
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Nils Neuenkirchen
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Haifan Lin
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joerg Bewersdorf
- Department of Cell Biology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Matthew D Simon
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Institute for Biomolecular Design and Discovery, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Karla M Neugebauer
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Toma Tebaldi
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
| | - Stephanie Halene
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Center for RNA Science and Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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19
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Peng Q, Zhou Y, Oyang L, Wu N, Tang Y, Su M, Luo X, Wang Y, Sheng X, Ma J, Liao Q. Impacts and mechanisms of alternative mRNA splicing in cancer metabolism, immune response, and therapeutics. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1018-1035. [PMID: 34793975 PMCID: PMC8899522 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative pre-mRNA splicing (AS) provides the potential to produce diversity at RNA and protein levels. Disruptions in the regulation of pre-mRNA splicing can lead to diseases. With the development of transcriptome and genome sequencing technology, increasing diseases have been identified to be associated with abnormal splicing of mRNAs. In tumors, abnormal alternative splicing frequently plays critical roles in cancer pathogenesis and may be considered as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer intervention. Metabolic abnormalities and immune disorders are important hallmarks of cancer. AS produces multiple different isoforms and diversifies protein expression, which is utilized by the immune and metabolic reprogramming systems to expand gene functions. The abnormal splicing events contributed to tumor progression, partially due to effects on immune response and metabolic reprogramming. Herein, we reviewed the vital role of alternative splicing in regulating cancer metabolism and immune response. We discussed how alternative splicing regulates metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells and antitumor immune response, and the possible strategies to targeting alternative splicing pathways or splicing-regulated metabolic pathway in the context of anticancer immunotherapy. Further, we highlighted the challenges and discuss the perspectives for RNA-based strategies for the treatment of cancer with abnormally alternative splicing isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Peng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China,Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujuan Zhou
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China,Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Linda Oyang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Nayiyuan Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Yanyan Tang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Min Su
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Xia Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Xiaowu Sheng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China
| | - Jian Ma
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China; Cancer Research Institute and School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Qianjin Liao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Cancer Metabolism, Hunan Cancer Hospital and the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013 Hunan, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Translational Radiation Oncology, 283 Tongzipo Road, Changsha 410013, Hunan, China.
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20
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Wadugu BA, Nonavinkere Srivatsan S, Heard A, Alberti MO, Ndonwi M, Liu J, Grieb S, Bradley J, Shao J, Ahmed T, Shirai CL, Khanna A, Fei DL, Miller CA, Graubert TA, Walter MJ. U2af1 is a haplo-essential gene required for hematopoietic cancer cell survival in mice. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:141401. [PMID: 34546980 DOI: 10.1172/jci141401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations in the spliceosome gene U2AF1 are common in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. U2AF1 mutations that code for the most common amino acid substitutions are always heterozygous, and the retained WT allele is expressed, suggesting that mutant hematopoietic cells may require the residual WT allele to be viable. We show that hematopoiesis and RNA splicing in U2af1 heterozygous knockout mice were similar to those in control mice, but that deletion of the WT allele in U2AF1(S34F) heterozygous mutant-expressing hematopoietic cells (i.e., hemizygous mutant) was lethal. These results confirm that U2AF1 mutant hematopoietic cells are dependent on the expression of WT U2AF1 for survival in vivo and that U2AF1 is a haplo-essential cancer gene. Mutant U2AF1(S34F)-expressing cells were also more sensitive to reduced expression of WT U2AF1 than nonmutant cells. Furthermore, mice transplanted with leukemia cells expressing mutant U2AF1 had significantly reduced tumor burden and improved survival after the WT U2af1 allele was deleted compared with when it was not deleted. These results suggest that selectively targeting the WT U2AF1 allele in heterozygous mutant cells could induce cancer cell death and be a therapeutic strategy for patients harboring U2AF1 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Amanda Heard
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | - Michael O Alberti
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Jie Liu
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | - Sarah Grieb
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | | | - Jin Shao
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | - Tanzir Ahmed
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | | | - Ajay Khanna
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine and
| | - Dennis L Fei
- Department of Medicine, Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,Cancer Biology Section, Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Timothy A Graubert
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Abstract
Herculean efforts by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Human Genome Research Institute to sequence thousands of tumors representing all major cancer types have yielded more than 700 genes that contribute to neoplastic growth when mutated, amplified, or deleted. While some of these genes (now included in the COSMIC Cancer Gene Census) encode proteins previously identified in hypothesis-driven experiments (oncogenic transcription factors, protein kinases, etc.), additional classes of cancer drivers have emerged, perhaps none more surprisingly than RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). Over 40 RBPs responsible for virtually all aspects of RNA metabolism, from synthesis to degradation, are recurrently mutated in cancer, and just over a dozen are considered major cancer drivers. This Review investigates whether and how their RNA-binding activities pertain to their oncogenic functions. Focusing on several well-characterized steps in RNA metabolism, we demonstrate that for virtually all cancer-driving RBPs, RNA processing activities are either abolished (the loss-of-function phenotype) or carried out with low fidelity (the LoFi phenotype). Conceptually, this suggests that in normal cells, RBPs act as gatekeepers maintaining proper RNA metabolism and the "balanced" proteome. From the practical standpoint, at least some LoFi phenotypes create therapeutic vulnerabilities, which are beginning to be exploited in the clinic.
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22
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A synthetic small molecule stalls pre-mRNA splicing by promoting an early-stage U2AF2-RNA complex. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:1145-1157.e6. [PMID: 33689684 PMCID: PMC8380659 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulated pre-mRNA splicing is an emerging Achilles heel of cancers and myelodysplasias. To expand the currently limited portfolio of small-molecule drug leads, we screened for chemical modulators of the U2AF complex, which nucleates spliceosome assembly and is mutated in myelodysplasias. A hit compound specifically enhances RNA binding by a U2AF2 subunit. Remarkably, the compound inhibits splicing of representative substrates and stalls spliceosome assembly at the stage of U2AF function. Computational docking, together with structure-guided mutagenesis, indicates that the compound bridges the tandem U2AF2 RNA recognition motifs via hydrophobic and electrostatic moieties. Cells expressing a cancer-associated U2AF1 mutant are preferentially killed by treatment with the compound. Altogether, our results highlight the potential of trapping early spliceosome assembly as an effective pharmacological means to manipulate pre-mRNA splicing. By extension, we suggest that stabilizing assembly intermediates may offer a useful approach for small-molecule inhibition of macromolecular machines.
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23
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Therapeutic approaches targeting splicing factor mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia. Curr Opin Hematol 2021; 28:73-79. [PMID: 33492002 DOI: 10.1097/moh.0000000000000632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Mutations in components of the spliceosome are the most common acquired lesions in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and are frequently identified in other myeloid malignancies with a high rate of progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and primary myelofibrosis. The only curative option for these disorders remains allogeneic stem-cell transplantation, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality in these patients. The purpose of this review is to highlight the recent therapeutic developments and strategies being pursued for clinical benefit in splicing factor mutant myeloid malignancies. RECENT FINDINGS Cells harboring splicing factor mutations have increased aberrant splicing leading to R-loop formation and cell cycle stalling that create dependencies on Checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) activation and canonical splicing maintained by protein arginine methyltransferase activity. Both targeting of the spliceosome and targeting of the downstream consequences of splicing factor mutation expression show promise as selective strategies for the treatment of splicing factor-mutant myeloid malignancies. SUMMARY An improved understanding of the therapeutic vulnerabilities in splicing factor-mutant MDS and AML has led to the development of clinical trials of small molecule inhibitors that target the spliceosome, ataxia telangectasia and Rad3 related (ATR)-CHK1 pathway, and methylation of splicing components.
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24
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Zhan D, Park CY. Stem Cells in the Myelodysplastic Syndromes. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2021; 2:719010. [PMID: 35822030 PMCID: PMC9261372 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2021.719010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) represent a group of clonal disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, resulting in peripheral cytopenias and frequent transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We and others have demonstrated that MDS arises in, and is propagated by malignant stem cells (MDS-SCs), that arise due to the sequential acquisition of genetic and epigenetic alterations in normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). This review focuses on recent advancements in the cellular and molecular characterization of MDS-SCs, as well as their role in mediating MDS clinical outcomes. In addition to discussing the cell surface proteins aberrantly upregulated on MDS-SCs that have allowed the identification and prospective isolation of MDS-SCs, we will discuss the recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities and genetic mutations present in MDS-SCs and their roles in initiating disease, including recent studies demonstrating patterns of clonal evolution and disease progression from pre-malignant HSCs to MDS-SCs. We also will discuss the pathways that have been described as drivers or promoters of disease, including hyperactivated innate immune signaling, and how the identification of these alterations in MDS-SC have led to investigations of novel therapeutic strategies to treat MDS. It is important to note that despite our increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of MDS, the molecular mechanisms that drive responses to therapy remain poorly understood, especially the mechanisms that underlie and distinguish hematologic improvement from reductions in blast burden. Ultimately, such distinctions will be required in order to determine the shared and/or unique molecular mechanisms that drive ineffective hematopoiesis, MDS-SC maintenance, and leukemic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhan
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Christopher Y. Park
- Department of Pathology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Perlmutter Cancer Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Christopher Y. Park,
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25
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Martínez-Valiente C, Garcia-Ruiz C, Rosón B, Liquori A, González-Romero E, Fernández-González R, Gómez-Redondo I, Cervera J, Gutiérrez-Adán A, Sanjuan-Pla A. Aberrant Alternative Splicing in U2af1/Tet2 Double Mutant Mice Contributes to Major Hematological Phenotypes. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6963. [PMID: 34203454 PMCID: PMC8269301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in splicing factors are recurrent somatic alterations identified in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and they frequently coincide with mutations in epigenetic factors. About 25% of patients present concurrent mutations in such pathways, suggesting a cooperative role in the pathogenesis of MDS. We focused on the splicing factor U2AF1 involved in the recognition of the 3' splice site during pre-mRNA splicing. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 system, we created heterozygous mice with a carboxy-terminal truncated U2af1 allele (U2af1mut/+), studied the U2af1mut/+ hematopoietic system, and did not observe any gross differences in both young (12-13 weeks) and old (23 months) U2af1mut/+ mice, except for a reduction in size of approximately 20%. However, hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells lacked reconstitution capacity in transplantation assays and displayed an aberrant RNA splicing by RNA sequencing. We also evaluated U2af1mut/+ in conjunction with Tet2-deficiency. Novel double mutant U2af1mut/+Tet2-/- mice showed increased monogranulocytic precursors. Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were also enhanced and presented functional and transcriptomic alterations. Nonetheless, U2af1mut/+Tet2-/- mice did not succumb to MDS disease over a 6-month observation period. Collectively, our data suggest that cooperation between mutant U2af1 and Tet2 loss is not sufficient for MDS initiation in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Martínez-Valiente
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
| | - Cristian Garcia-Ruiz
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
| | - Beatriz Rosón
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
| | - Alessandro Liquori
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
| | - Elisa González-Romero
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
| | - Raúl Fernández-González
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, Ctra. de La Coruña, km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.F.-G.); (I.G.-R.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - Isabel Gómez-Redondo
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, Ctra. de La Coruña, km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.F.-G.); (I.G.-R.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - José Cervera
- Hematology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain;
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBER-ONC), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5 Pabellón 11, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Genetics Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Alfonso Gutiérrez-Adán
- Animal Reproduction Department, INIA, Ctra. de La Coruña, km 7.5, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (R.F.-G.); (I.G.-R.); (A.G.-A.)
| | - Alejandra Sanjuan-Pla
- Hematology Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain; (C.M.-V.); (C.G.-R.); (B.R.); (A.L.); (E.G.-R.)
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26
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Splicing factor mutations in hematologic malignancies. Blood 2021; 138:599-612. [PMID: 34157091 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019004260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in genes encoding RNA splicing factors were discovered nearly ten years ago and are now understood to be amongst the most recurrent genetic abnormalities in patients with all forms of myeloid neoplasms and several types of lymphoproliferative disorders as well as subjects with clonal hematopoiesis. These discoveries implicate aberrant RNA splicing, the process by which precursor RNA is converted into mature messenger RNA, in the development of clonal hematopoietic conditions. Both the protein as well as the RNA components of the splicing machinery are affected by mutations at highly specific residues and a number of these mutations alter splicing in a manner distinct from loss of function. Importantly, cells bearing these mutations have now been shown to generate mRNA species with novel aberrant sequences, some of which may be critical to disease pathogenesis and/or novel targets for therapy. These findings have opened new avenues of research to understand biological pathways disrupted by altered splicing. In parallel, multiple studies have revealed that cells bearing change-of-function mutation in splicing factors are preferentially sensitized to any further genetic or chemical perturbations of the splicing machinery. These discoveries are now being pursued in several early phase clinical trials using molecules with diverse mechanisms of action. Here we review the molecular effects of splicing factor mutations on splicing, mechanisms by which these mutations drive clonal transformation of hematopoietic cells, and the development of new therapeutics targeting these genetic subsets of hematopoietic malignancies.
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Biology of the mRNA Splicing Machinery and Its Dysregulation in Cancer Providing Therapeutic Opportunities. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22105110. [PMID: 34065983 PMCID: PMC8150589 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) processing—in particular mRNA splicing—is a hallmark of cancer. Compared to normal cells, cancer cells frequently present aberrant mRNA splicing, which promotes cancer progression and treatment resistance. This hallmark provides opportunities for developing new targeted cancer treatments. Splicing of precursor mRNA into mature mRNA is executed by a dynamic complex of proteins and small RNAs called the spliceosome. Spliceosomes are part of the supraspliceosome, a macromolecular structure where all co-transcriptional mRNA processing activities in the cell nucleus are coordinated. Here we review the biology of the mRNA splicing machinery in the context of other mRNA processing activities in the supraspliceosome and present current knowledge of its dysregulation in lung cancer. In addition, we review investigations to discover therapeutic targets in the spliceosome and give an overview of inhibitors and modulators of the mRNA splicing process identified so far. Together, this provides insight into the value of targeting the spliceosome as a possible new treatment for lung cancer.
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Pellagatti A, Boultwood J. SF3B1 mutant myelodysplastic syndrome: Recent advances. Adv Biol Regul 2020; 79:100776. [PMID: 33358369 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2020.100776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are common myeloid malignancies. Mutations in genes encoding different components of the spliceosome occur in more than half of all MDS patients. SF3B1 is the most frequently mutated splicing factor gene in MDS, and there is a strong association between SF3B1 mutations and the presence of ring sideroblasts in the bone marrow of MDS patients. It has been recently proposed that SF3B1 mutant MDS should be recognized as a distinct nosologic entity. Splicing factor mutations cause aberrant pre-mRNA splicing of many target genes, some of which have been shown to impact on hematopoiesis in functional studies. Emerging data show that some of the downstream effects of different mutated splicing factors converge on common cellular processes, such as hyperactivation of NF-κB signaling and increased R-loops. The aberrantly spliced target genes and the dysregulated pathways and cellular processes associated with splicing factor mutations provided the rationale for new potential therapeutic approaches to target MDS cells with mutations of SF3B1 and other splicing factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Pellagatti
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, And NIHR Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK.
| | - Jacqueline Boultwood
- Blood Cancer UK Molecular Haematology Unit, Nuffield Division of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, And NIHR Oxford BRC Haematology Theme, Oxford, UK.
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29
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Bessa C, Matos P, Jordan P, Gonçalves V. Alternative Splicing: Expanding the Landscape of Cancer Biomarkers and Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239032. [PMID: 33261131 PMCID: PMC7729450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a critical post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism used by more than 95% of transcribed human genes and responsible for structural transcript variation and proteome diversity. In the past decade, genome-wide transcriptome sequencing has revealed that AS is tightly regulated in a tissue- and developmental stage-specific manner, and also frequently dysregulated in multiple human cancer types. It is currently recognized that splicing defects, including genetic alterations in the spliced gene, altered expression of both core components or regulators of the precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing machinery, or both, are major drivers of tumorigenesis. Hence, in this review we provide an overview of our current understanding of splicing alterations in cancer, and emphasize the need to further explore the cancer-specific splicing programs in order to obtain new insights in oncology. Furthermore, we also discuss the recent advances in the identification of dysregulated splicing signatures on a genome-wide scale and their potential use as biomarkers. Finally, we highlight the therapeutic opportunities arising from dysregulated splicing and summarize the current approaches to therapeutically target AS in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Bessa
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paulo Matos
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Peter Jordan
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (V.G.); Tel.: +351-217-519-380 (P.J.)
| | - Vânia Gonçalves
- Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal; (C.B.); (P.M.)
- BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Correspondence: (P.J.); (V.G.); Tel.: +351-217-519-380 (P.J.)
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30
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Xu Y, Nijhuis A, Keun HC. RNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39): An emerging cancer target. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 179:2795-2812. [PMID: 33238031 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA-binding motif protein 39 (RBM39) is an RNA-binding protein involved in transcriptional co-regulation and alternative RNA splicing. Recent studies have revealed that RBM39 is the unexpected target of aryl sulphonamides, which act as molecular glues between RBM39 and the DCAF15-associated E3 ubiquitin ligase complex leading to selective degradation of the target. Loss of RBM39 leads to aberrant splicing events and differential gene expression, thereby inhibiting cell cycle progression and causing tumour regression in a number of preclinical models. Many clinical studies have shown that aryl sulphonamides were well tolerated, but their clinical performance was limited due to an insufficient understanding of the target, RBM39 biology and a lack of predictive biomarkers. This review summarises the current knowledge of RBM39 function and discusses the therapeutic potential of this spliceosome target in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuewei Xu
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anke Nijhuis
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hector C Keun
- Cancer Metabolism & Systems Toxicology Group, Division of Cancer, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, UK
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31
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Akef A, McGraw K, Cappell SD, Larson DR. Ribosome biogenesis is a downstream effector of the oncogenic U2AF1-S34F mutation. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000920. [PMID: 33137094 PMCID: PMC7660540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
U2 Small Nuclear RNA Auxiliary Factor 1 (U2AF1) forms a heterodimeric complex with U2AF2 that is primarily responsible for 3' splice site selection. U2AF1 mutations have been identified in most cancers but are prevalent in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and the most common mutation is a missense substitution of serine-34 to phenylalanine (S34F). The U2AF heterodimer also has a noncanonical function as a translational regulator. Here, we report that the U2AF1-S34F mutation results in specific misregulation of the translation initiation and ribosome biogenesis machinery. The net result is an increase in mRNA translation at the single-cell level. Among the translationally up-regulated targets of U2AF1-S34F is Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), which is a major driver of myeloid malignancy. Depletion of NPM1 impairs the viability of the U2AF1-S34F mutant cells and causes ribosomal RNA (rRNA) processing defects, thus indicating an unanticipated synthetic interaction between U2AF1, NPM1, and ribosome biogenesis. Our results establish a unique molecular phenotype for the U2AF1 mutation that recapitulates translational misregulation in myeloid disease.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Substitution
- Animals
- Cell Cycle Checkpoints/genetics
- Cell Line
- Eukaryotic Initiation Factors/genetics
- Eukaryotic Initiation Factors/metabolism
- Gene Silencing
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Mutation
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics
- Myelodysplastic Syndromes/metabolism
- Myeloid Progenitor Cells/metabolism
- Nuclear Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors
- Nuclear Proteins/genetics
- Nuclear Proteins/metabolism
- Nucleophosmin
- RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional
- RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 28S/metabolism
- Ribosomes/genetics
- Ribosomes/metabolism
- Splicing Factor U2AF/genetics
- Splicing Factor U2AF/metabolism
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdalla Akef
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Kathy McGraw
- Department of Malignant Hematology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Steven D. Cappell
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Daniel R. Larson
- Laboratory of Receptor Biology and Gene Expression, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Taylor J, Mi X, North K, Binder M, Penson A, Lasho T, Knorr K, Haddadin M, Liu B, Pangallo J, Benbarche S, Wiseman D, Tefferi A, Halene S, Liang Y, Patnaik MM, Bradley RK, Abdel-Wahab O. Single-cell genomics reveals the genetic and molecular bases for escape from mutational epistasis in myeloid neoplasms. Blood 2020; 136:1477-1486. [PMID: 32640014 PMCID: PMC7515689 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020006868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Large-scale sequencing studies of hematologic malignancies have revealed notable epistasis among high-frequency mutations. One of the most striking examples of epistasis occurs for mutations in RNA splicing factors. These lesions are among the most common alterations in myeloid neoplasms and generally occur in a mutually exclusive manner, a finding attributed to their synthetic lethal interactions and/or convergent effects. Curiously, however, patients with multiple-concomitant splicing factor mutations have been observed, challenging our understanding of one of the most common examples of epistasis in hematologic malignancies. In this study, we performed bulk and single-cell analyses of patients with myeloid malignancy who were harboring ≥2 splicing factor mutations, to understand the frequency and basis for the coexistence of these mutations. Although mutations in splicing factors were strongly mutually exclusive across 4231 patients (q < .001), 0.85% harbored 2 concomitant bona fide splicing factor mutations, ∼50% of which were present in the same individual cells. However, the distribution of mutations in patients with double mutations deviated from that in those with single mutations, with selection against the most common alleles, SF3B1K700E and SRSF2P95H/L/R, and selection for less common alleles, such as SF3B1 non-K700E mutations, rare amino acid substitutions at SRSF2P95, and combined U2AF1S34/Q157 mutations. SF3B1 and SRSF2 alleles enriched in those with double-mutations had reduced effects on RNA splicing and/or binding compared with the most common alleles. Moreover, dual U2AF1 mutations occurred in cis with preservation of the wild-type allele. These data highlight allele-specific differences as critical in regulating the molecular effects of splicing factor mutations as well as their cooccurrences/exclusivities with one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Taylor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Xiaoli Mi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Khrystyna North
- Division of Public Health Sciences and
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Alexander Penson
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | | | - Katherine Knorr
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Michael Haddadin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Bo Liu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Joseph Pangallo
- Division of Public Health Sciences and
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Salima Benbarche
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Daniel Wiseman
- Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stephanie Halene
- Section of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine and
- Yale Comprehensive Cancer Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; and
| | - Yang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Hematologic Oncology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, Peoples Republic of China
| | | | - Robert K Bradley
- Division of Public Health Sciences and
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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33
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34
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Yoshida H, Park SY, Sakashita G, Nariai Y, Kuwasako K, Muto Y, Urano T, Obayashi E. Elucidation of the aberrant 3' splice site selection by cancer-associated mutations on the U2AF1. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4744. [PMID: 32958768 PMCID: PMC7505975 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18559-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The accurate exclusion of introns by RNA splicing is critical for the production of mature mRNA. U2AF1 binds specifically to the 3´ splice site, which includes an essential AG dinucleotide. Even a single amino acid mutation of U2AF1 can cause serious disease such as certain cancers or myelodysplastic syndromes. Here, we describe the first crystal structures of wild-type and pathogenic mutant U2AF1 complexed with target RNA, revealing the mechanism of 3´ splice site selection, and how aberrant splicing results from clinically important mutations. Unexpected features of this mechanism may assist the future development of new treatments against diseases caused by splicing errors. U2AF1 binds to the 3’ splice site of introns and its mutation lead to abnormal splicing. Here the authors solve the crystal structures of wild type and pathogenic mutant U2AF1 bound to target RNA, showing that different target sequence is preferred by pathogenic mutant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisashi Yoshida
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Sam-Yong Park
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, 1-7-29 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, 230-0045, Japan
| | - Gyosuke Sakashita
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Yuko Nariai
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Kanako Kuwasako
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Research institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shin-machi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo, 202-8585, Japan
| | - Yutaka Muto
- Faculty of Pharmacy and Research institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, 1-1-20 Shin-machi, Nishitokyo-shi, Tokyo, 202-8585, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Urano
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan
| | - Eiji Obayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Shimane University School of Medicine, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, 693-8501, Japan.
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35
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The HMGB1-2 Ovarian Cancer Interactome. The Role of HMGB Proteins and Their Interacting Partners MIEN1 and NOP53 in Ovary Cancer and Drug-Response. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12092435. [PMID: 32867128 PMCID: PMC7564582 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12092435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
High mobility group box B (HMGB) proteins are overexpressed in different types of cancers such as epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). We have determined the first interactome of HMGB1 and HMGB2 in epithelial ovarian cancer (the EOC-HMGB interactome). Libraries from the SKOV-3 cell line and a primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) ovarian tumor were tested by the Yeast Two Hybrid (Y2H) approach. The interactome reveals proteins that are related to cancer hallmarks and their expression is altered in EOC. Moreover, some of these proteins have been associated to survival and prognosis of patients. The interaction of MIEN1 and NOP53 with HMGB2 has been validated by co-immunoprecipitation in SKOV-3 and PEO1 cell lines. SKOV-3 cells were treated with different anti-tumoral drugs to evaluate changes in HMGB1, HMGB2, MIEN1 and NOP53 gene expression. Results show that combined treatment of paclitaxel and carboplatin induces a stronger down-regulation of these genes in comparison to individual treatments. Individual treatment with paclitaxel or olaparib up-regulates NOP53, which is expressed at lower levels in EOC than in non-cancerous cells. On the other hand, bevacizumab diminishes the expression of HMGB2 and NOP53. This study also shows that silencing of these genes affects cell-viability after drug exposure. HMGB1 silencing causes loss of response to paclitaxel, whereas silencing of HMGB2 slightly increases sensitivity to olaparib. Silencing of either HMGB1 or HMGB2 increases sensitivity to carboplatin. Lastly, a moderate loss of response to bevacizumab is observed when NOP53 is silenced.
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36
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Warnasooriya C, Feeney CF, Laird KM, Ermolenko DN, Kielkopf CL. A splice site-sensing conformational switch in U2AF2 is modulated by U2AF1 and its recurrent myelodysplasia-associated mutation. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5695-5709. [PMID: 32343311 PMCID: PMC7261175 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
An essential heterodimer of the U2AF1 and U2AF2 pre-mRNA splicing factors nucleates spliceosome assembly at polypyrimidine (Py) signals preceding the major class of 3′ splice sites. U2AF1 frequently acquires an S34F-encoding mutation among patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The influence of the U2AF1 subunit and its S34F mutation on the U2AF2 conformations remains unknown. Here, we employ single molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to determine the influence of wild-type or S34F-substituted U2AF1 on the conformational dynamics of U2AF2 and its splice site RNA complexes. In the absence of RNA, the U2AF1 subunit stabilizes a high FRET value, which by structure-guided mutagenesis corresponds to a closed conformation of the tandem U2AF2 RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). When the U2AF heterodimer is bound to a strong, uridine-rich splice site, U2AF2 switches to a lower FRET value characteristic of an open, side-by-side arrangement of the RRMs. Remarkably, the U2AF heterodimer binds weak, uridine-poor Py tracts as a mixture of closed and open U2AF2 conformations, which are modulated by the S34F mutation. Shifts between open and closed U2AF2 may underlie U2AF1-dependent splicing of degenerate Py tracts and contribute to a subset of S34F-dysregulated splicing events in MDS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandani Warnasooriya
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Callen F Feeney
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Kholiswa M Laird
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Dmitri N Ermolenko
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Clara L Kielkopf
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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37
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Cherry S, Lynch KW. Alternative splicing and cancer: insights, opportunities, and challenges from an expanding view of the transcriptome. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1005-1016. [PMID: 32747477 PMCID: PMC7397854 DOI: 10.1101/gad.338962.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade there has been increased awareness of the potential role of alternative splicing in the etiology of cancer. In particular, advances in RNA-Sequencing technology and analysis has led to a wave of discoveries in the last few years regarding the causes and functional relevance of alternative splicing in cancer. Here we discuss the current understanding of the connections between splicing and cancer, with a focus on the most recent findings. We also discuss remaining questions and challenges that must be addressed in order to use our knowledge of splicing to guide the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cherry
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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38
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Pangallo J, Kiladjian JJ, Cassinat B, Renneville A, Taylor J, Polaski JT, North K, Abdel-Wahab O, Bradley RK. Rare and private spliceosomal gene mutations drive partial, complete, and dual phenocopies of hotspot alterations. Blood 2020; 135:1032-1043. [PMID: 31961934 PMCID: PMC7099330 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2019002894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes encoding the RNA splicing factors SF3B1, SRSF2, and U2AF1 are subject to frequent missense mutations in clonal hematopoiesis and diverse neoplastic diseases. Most "spliceosomal" mutations affect specific hotspot residues, resulting in splicing changes that promote disease pathophysiology. However, a subset of patients carries spliceosomal mutations that affect non-hotspot residues, whose potential functional contributions to disease are unstudied. Here, we undertook a systematic characterization of diverse rare and private spliceosomal mutations to infer their likely disease relevance. We used isogenic cell lines and primary patient materials to discover that 11 of 14 studied rare and private mutations in SRSF2 and U2AF1 induced distinct splicing alterations, including partially or completely phenocopying the alterations in exon and splice site recognition induced by hotspot mutations or driving "dual" phenocopies that mimicked 2 co-occurring hotspot mutations. Our data suggest that many rare and private spliceosomal mutations contribute to disease pathogenesis and illustrate the utility of molecular assays to inform precision medicine by inferring the potential disease relevance of newly discovered mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Pangallo
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, and
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jean-Jacques Kiladjian
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche en Santé 1131, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Cassinat
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and INSERM Unité Mixte de Recherche en Santé 1131, Institut Universitaire d'Hématologie, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Aline Renneville
- Hematology Laboratory, Biology and Pathology Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Lille, France; University of Lille Nord de France, Lille, France; UMR-S 1172, Team 3, Cancer Research Institute of Lille, Lille, France
| | - Justin Taylor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and
| | - Jacob T Polaski
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, and
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Khrystyna North
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, and
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, and
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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Fujita KI, Ishizuka T, Mitsukawa M, Kurata M, Masuda S. Regulating Divergent Transcriptomes through mRNA Splicing and Its Modulation Using Various Small Compounds. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062026. [PMID: 32188117 PMCID: PMC7139312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human transcriptomes are more divergent than genes and contribute to the sophistication of life. This divergence is derived from various isoforms arising from alternative splicing. In addition, alternative splicing regulated by spliceosomal factors and RNA structures, such as the RNA G-quadruplex, is important not only for isoform diversity but also for regulating gene expression. Therefore, abnormal splicing leads to serious diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. In the first part of this review, we describe the regulation of divergent transcriptomes using alternative mRNA splicing. In the second part, we present the relationship between the disruption of splicing and diseases. Recently, various compounds with splicing inhibitor activity were established. These splicing inhibitors are recognized as a biological tool to investigate the molecular mechanism of splicing and as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment. Food-derived compounds with similar functions were found and are expected to exhibit anticancer effects. In the final part, we describe the compounds that modulate the messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing process and their availability for basic research and future clinical potential.
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Brunner AM, Steensma DP. Targeting Aberrant Splicing in Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Biologic Rationale and Clinical Opportunity. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am 2020; 34:379-391. [PMID: 32089217 DOI: 10.1016/j.hoc.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Myelodysplastic syndromes are enriched for somatic mutations in the pre-mRNA splicing apparatus, with recurrent acquired mutations most commonly occurring in SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1, and ZRSR2. These mutations appear to be early events in the pathogenesis of disease, and, given their frequency and central role in leukemogenesis, are of interest as potential therapeutic targets. Clinical trials are exploring targets that directly affect the spliceosome (splicing modulators or protein arginine methyltransferase 5 inhibitors) or that exploit possible vulnerabilities created by alternative splicing (inhibiting ATR). Future research is needed to explore novel targets and therapeutic combinations and understand how these mutations lead to clonal dominance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Brunner
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Zero Emerson Place, Suite 118, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - David P Steensma
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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41
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OGAWA S. Genetic basis of myelodysplastic syndromes. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2020; 96:107-121. [PMID: 32161209 PMCID: PMC7167367 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.96.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
During the past decade, substantial progress has been made in the field of the genetics of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). These comprise a group of chronic myeloid neoplasms with abnormal cell morphology and progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), where revolutionary sequencing technologies have played a major role. Through extensive sequencing of a large number of MDS genomes, a comprehensive registry of driver mutations involved in the pathogenesis of MDS has been revealed, along with their impacts on clinical phenotype and prognosis. The most frequently affected molecules are involved in DNA methylations, chromatin modification, RNA splicing, transcription, signal transduction, cohesin regulation, and DNA repair. These mutations show strong positive and negative correlations with each other, suggesting the presence of functional interactions between mutations, which dictate disease progression. Because these mutations are associated with disease phenotype, drug response, and clinical outcomes, it is essential to be familiar with MDS genetics not only for better understanding of MDS pathogenesis but also for management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seishi OGAWA
- Department of Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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42
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Esfahani MS, Lee LJ, Jeon YJ, Flynn RA, Stehr H, Hui AB, Ishisoko N, Kildebeck E, Newman AM, Bratman SV, Porteus MH, Chang HY, Alizadeh AA, Diehn M. Functional significance of U2AF1 S34F mutations in lung adenocarcinomas. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5712. [PMID: 31836708 PMCID: PMC6911043 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13392-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional role of U2AF1 mutations in lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs) remains incompletely understood. Here, we report a significant co-occurrence of U2AF1 S34F mutations with ROS1 translocations in LUADs. To characterize this interaction, we profiled effects of S34F on the transcriptome-wide distribution of RNA binding and alternative splicing in cells harboring the ROS1 translocation. Compared to its wild-type counterpart, U2AF1 S34F preferentially binds and modulates splicing of introns containing CAG trinucleotides at their 3' splice junctions. The presence of S34F caused a shift in cross-linking at 3' splice sites, which was significantly associated with alternative splicing of skipped exons. U2AF1 S34F induced expression of genes involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased tumor cell invasion. Finally, S34F increased splicing of the long over the short SLC34A2-ROS1 isoform, which was also associated with enhanced invasiveness. Taken together, our results suggest a mechanistic interaction between mutant U2AF1 and ROS1 in LUAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad S Esfahani
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Luke J Lee
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Young-Jun Jeon
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Ryan A Flynn
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Henning Stehr
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Angela B Hui
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Noriko Ishisoko
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Eric Kildebeck
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Aaron M Newman
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Scott V Bratman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, CA, USA
| | | | - Howard Y Chang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA
| | - Ash A Alizadeh
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
| | - Maximilian Diehn
- Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, USA.
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43
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Taylor J, Lee SC. Mutations in spliceosome genes and therapeutic opportunities in myeloid malignancies. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019; 58:889-902. [PMID: 31334570 PMCID: PMC6852509 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.22784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of RNA splicing more than 40 years ago, our comprehension of the molecular events orchestrating constitutive and alternative splicing has greatly improved. Dysregulation of pre-mRNA splicing has been observed in many human diseases including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. The recent identification of frequent somatic mutations in core components of the spliceosome in myeloid malignancies and functional analysis using model systems has advanced our knowledge of how splicing alterations contribute to disease pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize our current understanding on the mechanisms of how mutant splicing factors impact splicing and the resulting functional and pathophysiological consequences. We also review recent advances to develop novel therapeutic approaches targeting splicing catalysis and splicing regulatory proteins, and discuss emerging technologies using oligonucleotide-based therapies to modulate pathogenically spliced isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Taylor
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
- Leukemia Service, Department of MedicineMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
| | - Stanley C. Lee
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis ProgramMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew York
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Characterization of HMGB1/2 Interactome in Prostate Cancer by Yeast Two Hybrid Approach: Potential Pathobiological Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11111729. [PMID: 31694235 PMCID: PMC6895793 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11111729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
High mobility group box B (HMGB) proteins are pivotal in the development of cancer. Although the proteomics of prostate cancer (PCa) cells has been reported, the involvement of HMGB proteins and their interactome in PCa is an unexplored field of considerable interest. We describe herein the results of the first HMGB1/HMGB2 interactome approach to PCa. Libraries constructed from the PCa cell line, PC-3, and from patients’ PCa primary tumor have been screened by the yeast 2-hybrid approach (Y2H) using HMGB1 and HMGB2 baits. Functional significance of this PCa HMGB interactome has been validated through expression and prognosis data available on public databases. Copy number alterations (CNA) affecting these newly described HMGB interactome components are more frequent in the most aggressive forms of PCa: those of neuroendocrine origin or castration-resistant PCa. Concordantly, adenocarcinoma PCa samples showing CNA in these genes are also associated with the worse prognosis. These findings open the way to their potential use as discriminatory biomarkers between high and low risk patients. Gene expression of a selected set of these interactome components has been analyzed by qPCR after HMGB1 and HMGB2 silencing. The data show that HMGB1 and HMGB2 control the expression of several of their interactome partners, which might contribute to the orchestrated action of these proteins in PCa
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45
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Martelly W, Fellows B, Senior K, Marlowe T, Sharma S. Identification of a noncanonical RNA binding domain in the U2 snRNP protein SF3A1. RNA (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2019; 25:1509-1521. [PMID: 31383795 PMCID: PMC6795144 DOI: 10.1261/rna.072256.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
During splicing of pre-mRNA, 5' and 3' splice sites are brought within proximity by interactions between the pre-mRNA bound U1 and U2 snRNPs, followed by recruitment of the tri-snRNP for assembly of the mature spliceosome. Previously, we identified an interaction between the U2 snRNP-specific protein SF3A1 and the stem-loop 4 (SL4) of the U1 snRNA that occurs during the early steps of spliceosome assembly. Although harboring many annotated domains, SF3A1 lacks a canonical RNA binding domain. To identify the U1-SL4 binding region in SF3A1, we expressed amino- and carboxy-terminal deletion constructs using a HeLa cell-based cell free expression system. UV-crosslinking of the truncated proteins with 32P-U1-SL4 RNA identified the carboxy-terminal ubiquitin-like (UBL) domain of SF3A1 as the RNA binding region. Characterization of the interaction between SF3A1-UBL and U1-SL4 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and surface plasmon resonance determined high binding affinity (KD = ∼97 nM), and revealed the double-stranded G-C rich stem of U1-SL4 as an important feature for binding to the UBL domain. Further, mutations of two conserved tyrosine residues, Y772 and Y773, were found to cause a two- and fivefold decrease in the binding affinity for U1-SL4, respectively. Finally, we found that SF3A1-UBL can specifically pull down the U1 snRNP from HeLa nuclear extract, demonstrating its capacity to bind U1-SL4 in the context of the intact snRNP. Thus, the data show that the UBL domain of SF3A1 can function as an RNA binding domain and that mutations in this region may interfere with U1-SL4 binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Martelly
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
| | - Bernice Fellows
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA
| | - Kristen Senior
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA
| | - Tim Marlowe
- Molecular Analysis Core, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA
| | - Shalini Sharma
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona, College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, USA
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46
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Obeng EA, Stewart C, Abdel-Wahab O. Altered RNA Processing in Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy. Cancer Discov 2019; 9:1493-1510. [PMID: 31611195 PMCID: PMC6825565 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-19-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Major advances in our understanding of cancer pathogenesis and therapy have come from efforts to catalog genomic alterations in cancer. A growing number of large-scale genomic studies have uncovered mutations that drive cancer by perturbing cotranscriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. These include alterations that affect each phase of RNA processing, including splicing, transport, editing, and decay of messenger RNA. The discovery of these events illuminates a number of novel therapeutic vulnerabilities generated by aberrant RNA processing in cancer, several of which have progressed to clinical development. SIGNIFICANCE: There is increased recognition that genetic alterations affecting RNA splicing and polyadenylation are common in cancer and may generate novel therapeutic opportunities. Such mutations may occur within an individual gene or in RNA processing factors themselves, thereby influencing splicing of many downstream target genes. This review discusses the biological impact of these mutations on tumorigenesis and the therapeutic approaches targeting cells bearing these mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther A Obeng
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Connor Stewart
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
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47
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Splicing factor mutant myelodysplastic syndromes: Recent advances. Adv Biol Regul 2019; 75:100655. [PMID: 31558432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbior.2019.100655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are common myeloid malignancies showing frequent progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Pre-mRNA splicing is an essential cellular process carried out by the spliceosome. Mutations in splicing factor genes (including SF3B1, SRSF2, U2AF1 and ZRSR2) occur in over half of MDS patients and result in aberrant pre-mRNA splicing of many target genes, implicating aberrant spliceosome function in MDS disease pathogenesis. Recent functional studies have illuminated the impact on hematopoiesis of some aberrantly spliced target genes associated with splicing factor mutations. Emerging data show that the commonly mutated splicing factors have convergent effects on aberrant splicing of mRNAs that promote NF-κB signaling and on R-loop elevation leading to DNA damage, providing novel insights into MDS disease pathophysiology. It is recognized that the survival of splicing factor mutant cells is dependent on the presence of the wildtype allele, providing a rationale for the use of spliceosome inhibitors in splicing factor mutant MDS. Pre-clinical studies involving E7107 and H3B-8800 have shown the potential of these spliceosome inhibitors for the treatment of splicing factor mutant MDS and AML.
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48
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Seiler M, Peng S, Agrawal AA, Palacino J, Teng T, Zhu P, Smith PG, Buonamici S, Yu L. Somatic Mutational Landscape of Splicing Factor Genes and Their Functional Consequences across 33 Cancer Types. Cell Rep 2019; 23:282-296.e4. [PMID: 29617667 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.01.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Hotspot mutations in splicing factor genes have been recently reported at high frequency in hematological malignancies, suggesting the importance of RNA splicing in cancer. We analyzed whole-exome sequencing data across 33 tumor types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and we identified 119 splicing factor genes with significant non-silent mutation patterns, including mutation over-representation, recurrent loss of function (tumor suppressor-like), or hotspot mutation profile (oncogene-like). Furthermore, RNA sequencing analysis revealed altered splicing events associated with selected splicing factor mutations. In addition, we were able to identify common gene pathway profiles associated with the presence of these mutations. Our analysis suggests that somatic alteration of genes involved in the RNA-splicing process is common in cancer and may represent an underappreciated hallmark of tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Seiler
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Shouyong Peng
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anant A Agrawal
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - James Palacino
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Teng Teng
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ping Zhu
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Peter G Smith
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Silvia Buonamici
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Lihua Yu
- H3 Biomedicine, Inc., 300 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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49
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U2AF1 mutations induce oncogenic IRAK4 isoforms and activate innate immune pathways in myeloid malignancies. Nat Cell Biol 2019; 21:640-650. [PMID: 31011167 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-019-0314-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Spliceosome mutations are common in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), but the oncogenic changes due to these mutations have not been identified. Here a global analysis of exon usage in AML samples revealed distinct molecular subsets containing alternative spliced isoforms of inflammatory and immune genes. Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) was the dominant alternatively spliced isoform in MDS and AML and is characterized by a longer isoform that retains exon 4, which encodes IRAK4-long (IRAK4-L), a protein that assembles with the myddosome, results in maximal activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of B cells (NF-κB) and is essential for leukaemic cell function. Expression of IRAK4-L is mediated by mutant U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) and is associated with oncogenic signalling in MDS and AML. Inhibition of IRAK4-L abrogates leukaemic growth, particularly in AML cells with higher expression of the IRAK4-L isoform. Collectively, mutations in U2AF1 induce expression of therapeutically targetable 'active' IRAK4 isoforms and provide a genetic link to activation of chronic innate immune signalling in MDS and AML.
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50
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Wang E, Lu SX, Pastore A, Chen X, Imig J, Chun-Wei Lee S, Hockemeyer K, Ghebrechristos YE, Yoshimi A, Inoue D, Ki M, Cho H, Bitner L, Kloetgen A, Lin KT, Uehara T, Owa T, Tibes R, Krainer AR, Abdel-Wahab O, Aifantis I. Targeting an RNA-Binding Protein Network in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Cell 2019; 35:369-384.e7. [PMID: 30799057 PMCID: PMC6424627 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are essential modulators of transcription and translation frequently dysregulated in cancer. We systematically interrogated RBP dependencies in human cancers using a comprehensive CRISPR/Cas9 domain-focused screen targeting RNA-binding domains of 490 classical RBPs. This uncovered a network of physically interacting RBPs upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and crucial for maintaining RNA splicing and AML survival. Genetic or pharmacologic targeting of one key member of this network, RBM39, repressed cassette exon inclusion and promoted intron retention within mRNAs encoding HOXA9 targets as well as in other RBPs preferentially required in AML. The effects of RBM39 loss on splicing further resulted in preferential lethality of spliceosomal mutant AML, providing a strategy for treatment of AML bearing RBP splicing mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sydney X Lu
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alessandro Pastore
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jochen Imig
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Stanley Chun-Wei Lee
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kathryn Hockemeyer
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yohana E Ghebrechristos
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Akihide Yoshimi
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Daichi Inoue
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michelle Ki
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hana Cho
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lillian Bitner
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andreas Kloetgen
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kuan-Ting Lin
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Taisuke Uehara
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Company, Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-4352, Japan
| | - Takashi Owa
- Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Company, Ltd, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-4352, Japan
| | - Raoul Tibes
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Adrian R Krainer
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and Leukemia Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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