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Nelson CB, Wells JK, Pickett HA. The Eyes Absent family: At the intersection of DNA repair, mitosis, and replication. DNA Repair (Amst) 2024; 141:103729. [PMID: 39089192 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2024.103729] [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: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The Eyes Absent family (EYA1-4) are a group of dual function proteins that act as both tyrosine phosphatases and transcriptional co-activators. EYA proteins play a vital role in development, but are also aberrantly overexpressed in cancers, where they often confer an oncogenic effect. Precisely how the EYAs impact cell biology is of growing interest, fuelled by the therapeutic potential of an expanding repertoire of EYA inhibitors. Recent functional studies suggest that the EYAs are important players in the regulation of genome maintenance pathways including DNA repair, mitosis, and DNA replication. While the characterized molecular mechanisms have predominantly been ascribed to EYA phosphatase activities, EYA co-transcriptional activity has also been found to impact the expression of genes that support these pathways. This indicates functional convergence of EYA phosphatase and co-transcriptional activities, highlighting the emerging importance of the EYA protein family at the intersection of genome maintenance mechanisms. In this review, we discuss recent progress in defining EYA protein substrates and transcriptional effects, specifically in the context of genome maintenance. We then outline future directions relevant to the field and discuss the clinical utility of EYA inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Nelson
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Jadon K Wells
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Hilda A Pickett
- Children's Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
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2
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Jahangiri L, Pucci P, Ishola T, Pereira J, Cavanagh ML, Turner SD. Deep analysis of neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitries using online databases and integrated bioinformatics shows their pan-cancer roles as prognostic predictors. Discov Oncol 2021; 12:56. [PMID: 35201514 PMCID: PMC8777518 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-021-00452-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous childhood cancer derived from the neural crest. The dual cell identities of neuroblastoma include Mesenchymal (MES) and Adrenergic (ADRN). These identities are conferred by a small set of tightly-regulated transcription factors (TFs) binding super enhancers, collectively forming core regulatory circuitries (CRCs). The purpose of this study was to gain a deep understanding of the role of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma and other cancers as potential indicators of disease prognosis, progression, and relapse. METHODS To that end, we first investigated the expression and mutational profile of MES and ADRN TFs in neuroblastoma. Moreover, we established their correlation with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival while establishing their extended networks with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Furthermore, we analysed the pan-cancer expression and mutational profile of these TFs and their correlation with patient survival and finally their network connectivity, using a panel of bioinformatic tools including GEPIA2, human pathology atlas, TIMER2, Omicsnet, and Cytoscape. RESULTS We show the association of multiple MES and ADRN TFs with neuroblastoma risk groups and overall survival and find significantly higher expression of various MES and ADRN TFs compared to normal tissues and their association with overall survival and disease-free survival in multiple cancers. Moreover, we report the strong correlation of the expression of these TFs with the infiltration of stromal and immune cells in the tumour microenvironment and with stemness and metastasis-related genes. Furthermore, we reveal extended pan-cancer networks comprising these TFs that influence the tumour microenvironment and metastasis and may be useful indicators of cancer prognosis and patient survival. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis shows the significance of MES and ADRN TFs as indicators of patient prognosis and the putative utility of these TFs as potential novel biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Jahangiri
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
- School of Science & Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS UK
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Perla Pucci
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tala Ishola
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Joao Pereira
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Megan L. Cavanagh
- Department of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzanne D. Turner
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Pathology, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- CEITEC, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
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3
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Identification of the Wallenda JNKKK as an Alk suppressor reveals increased competitiveness of Alk-expressing cells. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14954. [PMID: 32917927 PMCID: PMC7486895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-70890-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (Alk) is a receptor tyrosine kinase of the insulin receptor super-family that functions as oncogenic driver in a range of human cancers such as neuroblastoma. In order to investigate mechanisms underlying Alk oncogenic signaling, we conducted a genetic suppressor screen in Drosophila melanogaster. Our screen identified multiple loci important for Alk signaling, including members of Ras/Raf/ERK-, Pi3K-, and STAT-pathways as well as tailless (tll) and foxo whose orthologues NR2E1/TLX and FOXO3 are transcription factors implicated in human neuroblastoma. Many of the identified suppressors were also able to modulate signaling output from activated oncogenic variants of human ALK, suggesting that our screen identified targets likely relevant in a wide range of contexts. Interestingly, two misexpression alleles of wallenda (wnd, encoding a leucine zipper bearing kinase similar to human DLK and LZK) were among the strongest suppressors. We show that Alk expression leads to a growth advantage and induces cell death in surrounding cells. Our results suggest that Alk activity conveys a competitive advantage to cells, which can be reversed by over-expression of the JNK kinase kinase Wnd.
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Hegde RS, Roychoudhury K, Pandey RN. The multi-functional eyes absent proteins. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 55:372-385. [PMID: 32727223 PMCID: PMC7727457 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2020.1796922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The Eyes Absent (EYA) proteins are the only known instance of a single polypeptide housing the following three separable biochemical activities: tyrosine phosphatase, threonine phosphatase, and transactivation. This uniquely positions the EYAs to participate in both transcriptional regulation and signal transduction pathways. But it also complicates the assignment of biological roles to individual biochemical activities through standard loss-of-function experiments. Nevertheless, there is an emerging literature linking developmental and pathological functions with the various EYA activities, and a growing list of disease states that might benefit from EYA-targeted therapeutics. There also remain multiple unresolved issues with significant implications for our understanding of how the EYAs might impact such ubiquitous signaling cascades as the MYC and Notch pathways. This review will describe the unique juxtaposition of biochemical activities in the EYAs, their interaction with signaling pathways and cellular processes, emerging evidence of roles in disease states, and the feasibility of therapeutic targeting of individual EYA activities. We will focus on the phosphatase activities of the vertebrate EYA proteins and will examine the current state of knowledge regarding: • substrates and signaling pathways affected by the EYA tyrosine phosphatase activity; • modes of regulation of the EYA tyrosine phosphatase activity; • signaling pathways that implicate the threonine phosphatase activity of the EYAs including a potential interaction with PP2A-B55α; • the interplay between the two phosphatase activities and the transactivation function of the EYAs; • disease states associated with the EYAs and the current state of development of EYA-targeted therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashmi S. Hegde
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45229
| | - Kaushik Roychoudhury
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45229
| | - Ram Naresh Pandey
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati OH 45229
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Hua ZY, Hansen JN, He M, Dai SK, Choi Y, Fulton MD, Lloyd SM, Szemes M, Sen J, Ding HF, Angelastro JM, Fei X, Li HP, Wu CR, Yang SY, Malik K, Bao X, George Zheng Y, Liu CM, Schor NF, Li ZJ, Li XG. PRMT1 promotes neuroblastoma cell survival through ATF5. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:50. [PMID: 32415090 PMCID: PMC7229216 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0237-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs) has been implicated in a number of cancers, making PRMTs potential therapeutic targets. But it remains not well understood how PRMTs impact specific oncogenic pathways. We previously identified PRMTs as important regulators of cell growth in neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood tumor of the sympathetic nervous system. Here, we demonstrate a critical role for PRMT1 in neuroblastoma cell survival. PRMT1 depletion decreased the ability of murine neuroblastoma sphere cells to grow and form spheres, and suppressed proliferation and induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma cells. Mechanistic studies reveal the prosurvival factor, activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) as a downstream effector of PRMT1-mediated survival signaling. Furthermore, a diamidine class of PRMT1 inhibitors exhibited anti-neuroblastoma efficacy both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, overexpression of ATF5 rescued cell apoptosis triggered by PRMT1 inhibition genetically or pharmacologically. Taken together, our findings shed new insights into PRMT1 signaling pathway, and provide evidence for PRMT1 as an actionable therapeutic target in neuroblastoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yan Hua
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jeanne N Hansen
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY, USA
| | - Miao He
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Anesthesia and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shang-Kun Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yoonjung Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Melody D Fulton
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biochemical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Sarah M Lloyd
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Dermatology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Marianna Szemes
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Ji Sen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Han-Fei Ding
- The Georgia Cancer Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - James M Angelastro
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Xiang Fei
- Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui-Ping Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shenzhen Renmin Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chao-Ran Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Renmin Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sheng-Yong Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, West China Medical School, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Karim Malik
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Xiaomin Bao
- Departments of Molecular Biosciences and Dermatology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Y George Zheng
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biochemical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Chang-Mei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nina F Schor
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Zhi-Jie Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Research and Application of Animal Models for Environmental and Metabolic Diseases, Medical Research Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xing-Guo Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
- Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
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Jubierre L, Jiménez C, Rovira E, Soriano A, Sábado C, Gros L, Llort A, Hladun R, Roma J, Toledo JSD, Gallego S, Segura MF. Targeting of epigenetic regulators in neuroblastoma. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-12. [PMID: 29700278 PMCID: PMC5938021 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0077-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2017] [Revised: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately 15,000 new cases of pediatric cancer are diagnosed yearly in Europe, with 8–10% corresponding to neuroblastoma, a rare disease with an incidence of 8–9 cases per million children <15 years of age. Although the survival rate for low-risk and intermediate-risk patients is excellent, half of children with high-risk, refractory, or relapsed tumors will be cured, and two-thirds of the other half will suffer major side effects and life-long disabilities. Epigenetic therapies aimed at reversing the oncogenic alterations in chromatin structure and function are an emerging alternative against aggressive tumors that are or will become resistant to conventional treatments. This approach proposes targeting epigenetic regulators, which are proteins that are involved in the creation, detection, and interpretation of epigenetic signals, such as methylation or histone post-translational modifications. In this review, we focused on the most promising epigenetic regulators for targeting and current drugs that have already reached clinical trials. Treatments that target chromatin, the combination of DNA and proteins, are emerging as alternative ways to treat aggressive neuroblastomas, cancers of neural tissue. Altering the structure and function of chromatin is a form of “epigenetic therapy”, treatment that affects inheritable molecular signals controlling the activity of genes, rather than targeting the genes directly. Researchers in Spain led by Miguel Segura at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute in Barcelona review progress in developing epigenetic therapies for neuroblastomas. A growing body of fundamental research and evidence from clinical trials suggest this approach could open promising new avenues to treating aggressive and drug-resistant cancers. The authors recommend an increased effort to identify and explore the activities of small molecules that could form the basis of effective epigenetic therapies for various cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luz Jubierre
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Jiménez
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eric Rovira
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aroa Soriano
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Constantino Sábado
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luis Gros
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anna Llort
- Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Hladun
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Roma
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Sánchez de Toledo
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Gallego
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.,Vall d'Hebron Hospital, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel F Segura
- Group of Translational Research in Child and Adolescent Cancer, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119, 08035, Barcelona, Spain.
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Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 is a novel regulator of MYCN in neuroblastoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:63629-63639. [PMID: 27571165 PMCID: PMC5325390 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Amplification or overexpression of MYCN is associated with poor prognosis of human neuroblastoma. We have recently defined a MYCN-dependent transcriptional signature, including protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), which identifies a subgroup of patients with high-risk disease. Here we provide several lines of evidence demonstrating PRMT1 as a novel regulator of MYCN and implicating PRMT1 as a potential therapeutic target in neuroblastoma pathogenesis. First, we observed a strong correlation between MYCN and PRMT1 protein levels in primary neuroblastoma tumors. Second, MYCN physically associates with PRMT1 by direct protein-protein interaction. Third, depletion of PRMT1 through siRNA knockdown reduced neuroblastoma cell viability and MYCN expression. Fourth, we showed that PRMT1 regulates MYCN stability and identified MYCN as a novel substrate of PRMT1. Finally, we demonstrated that mutation of putatively methylated arginine R65 to alanine decreased MYCN stability by altering phosphorylation at residues serine 62 and threonine 58. These results provide mechanistic insights into the modulation of MYCN oncoprotein by PRMT1, and suggest that targeting PRMT1 may have a therapeutic impact on MYCN-driven oncogenesis.
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