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Chen Z, Jia Q, Zhao Z, Zhang Q, Chen Y, Qiao N, Ye Z, Ji C, Zhang Y, He W, Shi C, Cai Y, Yao B, Han R, Wang Y, Shou X, Shen M, Cao X, Zhou X, Cheng H, Zhu J, Hu Y, Zhang Z, Ye H, Li Y, Li S, Wang Y, Ma Z, Ni T, Zhao Y. Transcription Factor ASCL1 Acts as a Novel Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of the Cushing's Disease. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:2296-2306. [PMID: 35521682 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgac280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. In this multiomics study, we combined RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) with Sanger sequencing to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of achaete-scute complex homolog 1 (ASCL1), a pioneer transcription factor, as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of CD and its possible downstream pathway. METHODS RNA-seq was adopted to investigate the gene expression profile of CD, and Sanger sequencing was adopted to detect gene mutations. Bioinformatics analysis was used to depict transcriptional dysregulation under different gene mutation backgrounds. The function of ASCL1 in hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and apoptosis were studied in vitro. The effectiveness of an ASCL1 inhibitor was evaluated in primary CD cells, and the clinical relevance of ASCL1 was examined in 68 patients with CD. RNA-seq in AtT-20 cells on Ascl1 knockdown combined with published chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data and dual luciferase assays were used to explore downstream pathways. RESULTS ASCL1 was exclusively overexpressed in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in AtT-20 cells. An ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD. CONCLUSION Our findings help to clarify the pathogenesis of CD and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD. SUMMARY The pathogenesis of Cushing's disease (CD) is still not adequately understood despite the identification of somatic driver mutations in USP8, BRAF, and USP48. Moreover, few effective medical therapies are currently available for the treatment of CD. Here, using a multiomics approach, we first report the aberrant overexpression of the transcription factor gene ASCL1 in USP8-mutant and wild-type tumors of CD. Ascl1 promoted adrenocorticotrophin hormone overproduction and tumorigenesis and directly regulated Pomc in mouse AtT-20 cells. Notably, an ASCL1 inhibitor presented promising efficacy in both AtT-20 and primary CD cells. Importantly, ASCL1 overexpression was associated with a larger tumor volume and higher adrenocorticotrophin secretion in patients with CD. Thus, our findings improve understanding of CD pathogenesis and suggest that ASCL1 is a potential therapeutic target the treatment of CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyuan Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Qi Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhaozhao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qilin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Nidan Qiao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Zhao Ye
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Chenxing Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Wenqiang He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Chengzhang Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yixin Cai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Boyuan Yao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuefei Shou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Ming Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Xiaoyun Cao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Haixia Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingjing Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhaoyun Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongying Ye
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shiqi Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Yongfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Zengyi Ma
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
| | - Ting Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, Human Phenome Institute, School of Life Sciences and Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Neurosurgical Institute of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Clinical Medical Center of Neurosurgery, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Pituitary Tumor Center, Shanghai,, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institutes of Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, Shanghai, China
- National Center for Neurological Disorders, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 201100, China
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Harno E, Gali Ramamoorthy T, Coll AP, White A. POMC: The Physiological Power of Hormone Processing. Physiol Rev 2019; 98:2381-2430. [PMID: 30156493 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00024.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is the archetypal polypeptide precursor of hormones and neuropeptides. In this review, we examine the variability in the individual peptides produced in different tissues and the impact of the simultaneous presence of their precursors or fragments. We also discuss the problems inherent in accurately measuring which of the precursors and their derived peptides are present in biological samples. We address how not being able to measure all the combinations of precursors and fragments quantitatively has affected our understanding of the pathophysiology associated with POMC processing. To understand how different ratios of peptides arise, we describe the role of the pro-hormone convertases (PCs) and their tissue specificities and consider the cellular processing pathways which enable regulated secretion of different peptides that play crucial roles in integrating a range of vital physiological functions. In the pituitary, correct processing of POMC peptides is essential to maintain the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and this processing can be disrupted in POMC-expressing tumors. In hypothalamic neurons expressing POMC, abnormalities in processing critically impact on the regulation of appetite, energy homeostasis, and body composition. More work is needed to understand whether expression of the POMC gene in a tissue equates to release of bioactive peptides. We suggest that this comprehensive view of POMC processing, with a focus on gaining a better understanding of the combination of peptides produced and their relative bioactivity, is a necessity for all involved in studying this fascinating physiological regulatory phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Harno
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Thanuja Gali Ramamoorthy
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Anthony P Coll
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science , Cambridge , United Kingdom
| | - Anne White
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastrointestinal Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester , Manchester , United Kingdom ; and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science , Cambridge , United Kingdom
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Wittmann G, Farkas E, Szilvásy-Szabó A, Gereben B, Fekete C, Lechan RM. Variable proopiomelanocortin expression in tanycytes of the adult rat hypothalamus and pituitary stalk. J Comp Neurol 2016; 525:411-441. [PMID: 27503597 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is generally believed that proopiomelanocortin (POMC) is expressed exclusively by neurons in the adult rodent brain. Unbeknownst to most researchers, however, Pomc in situ hybridization studies in the rat show specific labeling in the ventral wall of the hypothalamic third ventricle, which is formed by specialized ependymal cells, called tanycytes. Here we characterized this non-neuronal POMC expression in detail using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques, and report two unique characteristics. First, POMC mRNA and precursor protein expression in non-neuronal cells varies to a great degree as to the extent and abundance of expression. In brains with low-level expression, POMC mRNA and protein was largely confined to a population of tanycytes within the infundibular stalk/caudal median eminence, termed here γ tanycytes, and a subset of closely located β and α2 tanycytes. In brains with high-level expression, POMC mRNA and protein was observed in the vast majority of α2, β, and γ tanycytes. This variability was observed in both adult males and females; of 41 rats between 8 and 15 weeks of age, 17 had low-, 9 intermediate-, and 15 high-level POMC expression in tanycytes. Second, unlike other known POMC-expressing cells, tanycytes rarely contained detectable levels of adrenocorticotropin or α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. The results indicate either a dynamic spatiotemporal pattern whereby low and high POMC syntheses in tanycytes occur periodically in each brain, or marked interindividual differences that may persist throughout adulthood. Future studies are required to examine these possibilities and elucidate the physiologic importance of POMC in tanycytes. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:411-441, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gábor Wittmann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
| | - Erzsébet Farkas
- Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.,Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Multidisciplinary Doctoral School of Sciences and Technology, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
| | - Anett Szilvásy-Szabó
- Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 1083, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, János Szentágothai PhD School of Neurosciences, Budapest, 1085, Hungary
| | - Balázs Gereben
- Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
| | - Csaba Fekete
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111.,Department of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 1083, Hungary
| | - Ronald M Lechan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Tupper Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111.,Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111
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