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Diaz JEL, Barcessat V, Bahamon C, Hecht C, Das TK, Cagan RL. Functional exploration of copy number alterations in a Drosophila model of triple-negative breast cancer. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050191. [PMID: 38721669 PMCID: PMC11247506 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Accounting for 10-20% of breast cancer cases, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is associated with a disproportionate number of breast cancer deaths. One challenge in studying TNBC is its genomic profile: with the exception of TP53 loss, most breast cancer tumors are characterized by a high number of copy number alterations (CNAs), making modeling the disease in whole animals challenging. We computationally analyzed 186 CNA regions previously identified in breast cancer tumors to rank genes within each region by likelihood of acting as a tumor driver. We then used a Drosophila p53-Myc TNBC model to identify 48 genes as functional drivers. To demonstrate the utility of this functional database, we established six 3-hit models; altering candidate genes led to increased aspects of transformation as well as resistance to the chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil. Our work provides a functional database of CNA-associated TNBC drivers, and a template for an integrated computational/whole-animal approach to identify functional drivers of transformation and drug resistance within CNAs in other tumor types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E L Diaz
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Internal Medicine, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, CA 90095, USA
| | - Vanessa Barcessat
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Christian Bahamon
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Chana Hecht
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Tirtha K Das
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Ross L Cagan
- Department of Cell, Development, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- School of Cancer Sciences and Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1BD, UK
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2
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Bharti M, Bajpai A, Rautela U, Manzar N, Ateeq B, Sinha P. Human ERG oncoprotein represses a Drosophila LIM domain binding protein-coding gene Chip. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2211189119. [PMID: 36595681 PMCID: PMC9926275 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2211189119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Human ETS Related Gene, ERG, a master transcription factor, turns oncogenic upon its out-of-context activation in diverse developmental lineages. However, the mechanism underlying its lineage-specific activation of Notch (N), Wnt, or EZH2-three well-characterized oncogenic targets of ERG-remains elusive. We reasoned that deep homology in genetic tool kits might help uncover such elusive cancer mechanisms in Drosophila. By heterologous gain of human ERG in Drosophila, here we reveal Chip, which codes for a transcriptional coactivator, LIM-domain-binding (LDB) protein, as its novel target. ERG represses Drosophila Chip via its direct binding and, indirectly, via E(z)-mediated silencing of its promoter. Downregulation of Chip disrupts LIM-HD complex formed between Chip and Tailup (Tup)-a LIM-HD transcription factor-in the developing notum. A consequent activation of N-driven Wg signaling leads to notum-to-wing transdetermination. These fallouts of ERG gain are arrested upon a simultaneous gain of Chip, sequestration of Wg ligand, and, alternatively, loss of N signaling or E(z) activity. Finally, we show that the human LDB1, a homolog of Drosophila Chip, is repressed in ERG-positive prostate cancer cells. Besides identifying an elusive target of human ERG, our study unravels an underpinning of its lineage-specific carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Bharti
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
| | - Anjali Bajpai
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
- Mehta Family Center for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
| | - Umanshi Rautela
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
- National Institute of Immunology, India, 110067
| | - Nishat Manzar
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
| | - Bushra Ateeq
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
- Mehta Family Center for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
| | - Pradip Sinha
- Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
- Mehta Family Center for Engineering in Medicine, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 208016
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3
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Jiang H, Kimura T, Hai H, Yamamura R, Sonoshita M. Drosophila as a toolkit to tackle cancer and its metabolism. Front Oncol 2022; 12:982751. [PMID: 36091180 PMCID: PMC9458318 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.982751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most severe health problems worldwide accounting for the second leading cause of death. Studies have indicated that cancers utilize different metabolic systems as compared with normal cells to produce extra energy and substances required for their survival, which contributes to tumor formation and progression. Recently, the fruit fly Drosophila has been attracting significant attention as a whole-body model for elucidating the cancer mechanisms including metabolism. This tiny organism offers a valuable toolkit with various advantages such as high genetic conservation and similar drug response to mammals. In this review, we introduce flies modeling for cancer patient genotypes which have pinpointed novel therapeutic targets and drug candidates in the salivary gland, thyroid, colon, lung, and brain. Furthermore, we introduce fly models for metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cachexia. Diabetes mellitus and obesity are widely acknowledged risk factors for cancer, while cachexia is a cancer-related metabolic condition. In addition, we specifically focus on two cancer metabolic alterations: the Warburg effect and redox metabolism. Indeed, flies proved useful to reveal the relationship between these metabolic changes and cancer. Such accumulating achievements indicate that Drosophila offers an efficient platform to clarify the mechanisms of cancer as a systemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Taku Kimura
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Department of Oral Diagnosis and Medicine, Graduate school of Dental Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Han Hai
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryodai Yamamura
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Biosurfaces and Drug Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ryodai Yamamura, ; Masahiro Sonoshita,
| | - Masahiro Sonoshita
- Division of Biomedical Oncology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Biosurfaces and Drug Discovery, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Ryodai Yamamura, ; Masahiro Sonoshita,
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4
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Dujon AM, Boutry J, Tissot S, Meliani J, Guimard L, Rieu O, Ujvari B, Thomas F. A review of the methods used to induce cancer in invertebrates to study its effects on the evolution of species and ecosystem functioning. Methods Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.13938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine M. Dujon
- Deakin University Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Justine Boutry
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Sophie Tissot
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Jordan Meliani
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Lena Guimard
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Océane Rieu
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
| | - Beata Ujvari
- Deakin University Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Centre for Integrative Ecology Waurn Ponds Victoria Australia
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
| | - Frédéric Thomas
- CANECEV‐Centre de Recherches Ecologiques et Evolutives sur le Cancer (CREEC) Montpellier France
- CREEC, MIVEGEC UMR IRD 224‐CNRS 5290‐Université de Montpellier Montpellier France
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5
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Rass M, Gizler L, Bayersdorfer F, Irlbeck C, Schramm M, Schneuwly S. The Drosophila functional Smad suppressing element fuss, a homologue of the human Skor genes, retains pro-oncogenic properties of the Ski/Sno family. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262360. [PMID: 35030229 PMCID: PMC8759651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years Ski and Sno have been found to be involved in cancer progression e.g. in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, oestrogen receptor-positive breast carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, and leukaemia. Often, their prooncogenic features have been linked to their ability of inhibiting the anti-proliferative action of TGF-ß signalling. Recently, not only pro-oncogenic but also anti-oncogenic functions of Ski/Sno proteins have been revealed. Besides Ski and Sno, which are ubiquitously expressed other members of Ski/Sno proteins exist which show highly specific neuronal expression, the SKI Family Transcriptional Corepressors (Skor). Among others Skor1 and Skor2 are involved in the development of Purkinje neurons and a mutation of Skor1 has been found to be associated with restless legs syndrome. But neither Skor1 nor Skor2 have been reported to be involved in cancer progression. Using overexpression studies in the Drosophila eye imaginal disc, we analysed if the Drosophila Skor homologue Fuss has retained the potential to inhibit differentiation and induce increased proliferation. Fuss expressed in cells posterior to the morphogenetic furrow, impairs photoreceptor axon pathfinding and inhibits differentiation of accessory cells. However, if its expression is induced prior to eye differentiation, Fuss might inhibit the differentiating function of Dpp signalling and might maintain proliferative action of Wg signalling, which is reminiscent of the Ski/Sno protein function in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Rass
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Laura Gizler
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Florian Bayersdorfer
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Irlbeck
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schramm
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Schneuwly
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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6
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Xiong Z, Jeon M, Allaway RJ, Kang J, Park D, Lee J, Jeon H, Ko M, Jiang H, Zheng M, Tan AC, Guo X, Dang KK, Tropsha A, Hecht C, Das TK, Carlson HA, Abagyan R, Guinney J, Schlessinger A, Cagan R. Crowdsourced identification of multi-target kinase inhibitors for RET- and TAU- based disease: The Multi-Targeting Drug DREAM Challenge. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009302. [PMID: 34520464 PMCID: PMC8483411 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A continuing challenge in modern medicine is the identification of safer and more efficacious drugs. Precision therapeutics, which have one molecular target, have been long promised to be safer and more effective than traditional therapies. This approach has proven to be challenging for multiple reasons including lack of efficacy, rapidly acquired drug resistance, and narrow patient eligibility criteria. An alternative approach is the development of drugs that address the overall disease network by targeting multiple biological targets ('polypharmacology'). Rational development of these molecules will require improved methods for predicting single chemical structures that target multiple drug targets. To address this need, we developed the Multi-Targeting Drug DREAM Challenge, in which we challenged participants to predict single chemical entities that target pro-targets but avoid anti-targets for two unrelated diseases: RET-based tumors and a common form of inherited Tauopathy. Here, we report the results of this DREAM Challenge and the development of two neural network-based machine learning approaches that were applied to the challenge of rational polypharmacology. Together, these platforms provide a potentially useful first step towards developing lead therapeutic compounds that address disease complexity through rational polypharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoping Xiong
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minji Jeon
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Jaewoo Kang
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Park
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhyuk Lee
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwisang Jeon
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Bioinformatics, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Miyoung Ko
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Aik Choon Tan
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xindi Guo
- Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | | | - Kristen K. Dang
- Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Alex Tropsha
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Chana Hecht
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Tirtha K. Das
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Carlson
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Ruben Abagyan
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, San Diego, California, United States of America
| | - Justin Guinney
- Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Ross Cagan
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, United States of America
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow; Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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7
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Investigation of the protective effect of acetazolamide and SLC-0111 on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in fruit fly. Toxicol Rep 2021; 8:1300-1304. [PMID: 34221901 PMCID: PMC8246088 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
D. melanogaster was exposed to Acetazolamide (AAZ) and SLC-0111 against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity. Feeding with AAZ and SLC-0111 increased development times. The AAZ and SLC-0111 increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes thus reducing the high percentage of survival in adults caused by the CCl4 induced toxicity. AAZ and SLC-0111 were reduced CCl4-induced oxidative stress in adipose tissue in D. melanogaster and were positively affect the development of organisms.
Sulfonamide-based compounds in the development of drugs used in cancer treatment have been started to be investigated recently. In the current work, it was determined the protective effect of Acetazolamide (AAZ) and SLC-0111 on carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity in the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster). AAZ and SLC-0111 were used as a nonselective and selective inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase isozymes, respectively, to compare the selectivity effect of drugs on toxicity. The experimental toxicity was created by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) that causes tissue damage to the first stage larvae of fruit fly and used as a model organism. The effect of AAZ and SLC-0111 on toxicity of insect survival, sex ratio, longevity and some biochemical parameters such as Malondialdehyde-MDA content, Superoxide dismutase-SOD and Glutathione-S-transferase-GST activity were tested. According to the data obtained, feeding of insects with AAZ and SLC-0111 (2.5 and 10 mM, respectively) affected their survival and development positively against the toxicity induced by CCl4. Compared to the control group, GST and SOD activity was higher in pups and adults (SLC-0111 < AAZ). Because of this study, SLC-0111 is thought to be useful in protecting against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species.
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Ingles-Prieto A, Furthmann N, Crossman SH, Tichy AM, Hoyer N, Petersen M, Zheden V, Biebl J, Reichhart E, Gyoergy A, Siekhaus DE, Soba P, Winklhofer KF, Janovjak H. Optogenetic delivery of trophic signals in a genetic model of Parkinson's disease. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009479. [PMID: 33857132 PMCID: PMC8049241 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Optogenetics has been harnessed to shed new mechanistic light on current and future therapeutic strategies. This has been to date achieved by the regulation of ion flow and electrical signals in neuronal cells and neural circuits that are known to be affected by disease. In contrast, the optogenetic delivery of trophic biochemical signals, which support cell survival and are implicated in degenerative disorders, has never been demonstrated in an animal model of disease. Here, we reengineered the human and Drosophila melanogaster REarranged during Transfection (hRET and dRET) receptors to be activated by light, creating one-component optogenetic tools termed Opto-hRET and Opto-dRET. Upon blue light stimulation, these receptors robustly induced the MAPK/ERK proliferative signaling pathway in cultured cells. In PINK1B9 flies that exhibit loss of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), a kinase associated with familial Parkinson's disease (PD), light activation of Opto-dRET suppressed mitochondrial defects, tissue degeneration and behavioral deficits. In human cells with PINK1 loss-of-function, mitochondrial fragmentation was rescued using Opto-dRET via the PI3K/NF-кB pathway. Our results demonstrate that a light-activated receptor can ameliorate disease hallmarks in a genetic model of PD. The optogenetic delivery of trophic signals is cell type-specific and reversible and thus has the potential to inspire novel strategies towards a spatio-temporal regulation of tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Ingles-Prieto
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Nikolas Furthmann
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Samuel H. Crossman
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexandra-Madelaine Tichy
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nina Hoyer
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Meike Petersen
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Vanessa Zheden
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Julia Biebl
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Eva Reichhart
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
| | - Attila Gyoergy
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Daria E. Siekhaus
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
| | - Peter Soba
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Konstanze F. Winklhofer
- Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Harald Janovjak
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria), Klosterneuburg, Austria
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory Australia (EMBL Australia), Monash University, Clayton/Melbourne, Australia
- * E-mail:
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9
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Nagy N, Guyer RA, Hotta R, Zhang D, Newgreen DF, Halasy V, Kovacs T, Goldstein AM. RET overactivation leads to concurrent Hirschsprung disease and intestinal ganglioneuromas. Development 2020; 147:dev190900. [PMID: 32994173 PMCID: PMC7657479 DOI: 10.1242/dev.190900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Appropriately balanced RET signaling is of crucial importance during embryonic neural crest cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. RET deficiency, for example, leads to intestinal aganglionosis (Hirschsprung disease), whereas overactive RET can lead to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes. Some RET mutations are associated with both intestinal aganglionosis and MEN-associated tumors. This seemingly paradoxical occurrence has led to speculation of a 'Janus mutation' in RET that causes overactivation or impairment of RET activity depending on the cellular context. Using an intestinal catenary culture system to test the effects of GDNF-mediated RET activation, we demonstrate the concurrent development of distal colonic aganglionosis and intestinal ganglioneuromas. Interestingly, the tumors induced by GDNF stimulation contain enteric neuronal progenitors capable of reconstituting an enteric nervous system when transplanted into a normal developmental environment. These results suggest that a Janus mutation may not be required to explain co-existing Hirschsprung disease and MEN-associated tumors, but rather that RET overstimulation alone is enough to cause both phenotypes. The results also suggest that reprogramming tumor cells toward non-pathological fates may represent a possible therapeutic avenue for MEN-associated neoplasms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandor Nagy
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Richard A Guyer
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ryo Hotta
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Dongcheng Zhang
- Neural Crest Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Donald F Newgreen
- Neural Crest Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Viktoria Halasy
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, 1094, Hungary
| | - Allan M Goldstein
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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10
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Hamaratoglu F, Atkins M. Rounding up the Usual Suspects: Assessing Yorkie, AP-1, and Stat Coactivation in Tumorigenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4580. [PMID: 32605129 PMCID: PMC7370090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Can hyperactivation of a few key signaling effectors be the underlying reason for the majority of epithelial cancers despite different driver mutations? Here, to address this question, we use the Drosophila model, which allows analysis of gene expression from tumors with known initiating mutations. Furthermore, its simplified signaling pathways have numerous well characterized targets we can use as pathway readouts. In Drosophila tumor models, changes in the activities of three pathways, Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), Janus Kinase / Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT), and Hippo, mediated by AP-1 factors, Stat92E, and Yorkie, are reported frequently. We hypothesized this may indicate that these three pathways are commonly deregulated in tumors. To assess this, we mined the available transcriptomic data and evaluated the activity levels of eight pathways in various tumor models. Indeed, at least two out of our three suspects contribute to tumor development in all Drosophila cancer models assessed, despite different initiating mutations or tissues of origin. Surprisingly, we found that Notch signaling is also globally activated in all models examined. We propose that these four pathways, JNK, JAK/STAT, Hippo, and Notch, are paid special attention and assayed for systematically in existing and newly developed models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mardelle Atkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341, USA
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11
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Kamdem JP, Duarte AE, Ibrahim M, Lukong KE, Barros LM, Roeder T. Bibliometric analysis of personalized humanized mouse and Drosophila models for effective combinational therapy in cancer patients. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165880. [PMID: 32592936 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Research performed using model organisms such as mice and the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster has significantly enhanced our knowledge about cancer biology and the fundamental processes of cancer. This is because the major biological properties and genes associated with cancer including signaling pathways, oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and other regulators of cell growth and proliferation are evolutionary conserved. This review provides bibliometric analysis of research productivity, and performance of authors, institutions, countries, and journals associated with personalized animal cancer models, focussing on the role of Drosophila in cancer research, thus highlighting emerging trends in the field. A total of 1469 and 2672 original articles and reviews for Drosophila cancer model and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) respectively, were retrieved from the Scopus database and the most cited papers were thoroughly analyzed. Our analysis indicates a steadily increasing productivity of the animal models and especially of mouse models in cancer research. In addition to the many different systems that address almost all aspects of tumor research in humanized animal models, a trend towards using tailored screening platforms with Drosophila models in particular will become widespread in the future. Having Drosophila models that recapitulate major genetic aspects of a given tumor will enable the development and validation of novel therapeutic strategies for specific cancers, and provide a platform for screening small molecule inhibitors and other anti-tumor compounds. The combination of Drosophila cancer models and mouse PDX models particularly is highly promising and should be one of the major research strategies the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Paul Kamdem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Campus Pimenta, Crato, Ceara CEP: 63105-000, Brazil.
| | - Antonia Eliene Duarte
- Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Campus Pimenta, Crato, Ceara CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Mohammad Ibrahim
- Department of Chemistry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM), KPK, Mardan, Pakistan
| | - Kiven Erique Lukong
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology (BMI) College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
| | - Luiz Marivando Barros
- Department of Biological Sciences, Regional University of Cariri, Campus Pimenta, Crato, Ceara CEP: 63105-000, Brazil
| | - Thomas Roeder
- Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Zoologisches Institut, Molekulare Physiologie, Olshausenstraße 40, D-24098 Kiel, Germany; German Center for Lung Research, Airway Research Center North, Kiel, Germany.
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12
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Portela M. Tumourigenesis: Using Cytonemes to Engage Mesenchymal Cells in Epithelial Tumours. Curr Biol 2020; 30:R441-R443. [PMID: 32428475 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A new study in Drosophila shows that inter-tissue communication between epithelial and mesenchymal cells via Notch signalling plays a role in EGFR-driven tumourigenesis of epithelial tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Portela
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
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13
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La Marca JE, Richardson HE. Two-Faced: Roles of JNK Signalling During Tumourigenesis in the Drosophila Model. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:42. [PMID: 32117973 PMCID: PMC7012784 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) signalling pathway has many functions, regulating a diversity of processes: from cell movement during embryogenesis to the stress response of cells after environmental insults. Studies modelling cancer using the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, have identified both pro- and anti-tumourigenic roles for JNK signalling, depending on context. As a tumour suppressor, JNK signalling commonly is activated by conserved Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) signalling, which promotes the caspase-mediated death of tumourigenic cells. JNK pathway activation can also occur via actin cytoskeleton alterations, and after cellular damage inflicted by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, JNK signalling frequently acts in concert with Salvador-Warts-Hippo (SWH) signalling – either upstream of or parallel to this potent growth-suppressing pathway. As a tumour promoter, JNK signalling is co-opted by cells expressing activated Ras-MAPK signalling (among other pathways), and used to drive cell morphological changes, induce invasive behaviours, block differentiation, and enable persistent cell proliferation. Furthermore, JNK is capable of non-autonomous influences within tumour microenvironments by effecting the transcription of various cell growth- and proliferation-promoting molecules. In this review, we discuss these aspects of JNK signalling in Drosophila tumourigenesis models, and highlight recent publications that have expanded our knowledge of this important and versatile pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E La Marca
- Richardson Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Helena E Richardson
- Richardson Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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14
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Fereres S, Hatori R, Hatori M, Kornberg TB. Cytoneme-mediated signaling essential for tumorigenesis. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008415. [PMID: 31568500 PMCID: PMC6786653 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Communication between neoplastic cells and cells of their microenvironment is critical to cancer progression. To investigate the role of cytoneme-mediated signaling as a mechanism for distributing growth factor signaling proteins between tumor and tumor-associated cells, we analyzed EGFR and RET Drosophila tumor models and tested several genetic loss-of-function conditions that impair cytoneme-mediated signaling. Neuroglian, capricious, Irk2, SCAR, and diaphanous are genes that cytonemes require during normal development. Neuroglian and Capricious are cell adhesion proteins, Irk2 is a potassium channel, and SCAR and Diaphanous are actin-binding proteins, and the only process to which they are known to contribute jointly is cytoneme-mediated signaling. We observed that diminished function of any one of these genes suppressed tumor growth and increased organism survival. We also noted that EGFR-expressing tumor discs have abnormally extensive tracheation (respiratory tubes) and ectopically express Branchless (Bnl, a FGF) and FGFR. Bnl is a known inducer of tracheation that signals by a cytoneme-mediated process in other contexts, and we determined that exogenous over-expression of dominant negative FGFR suppressed tumor growth. Our results are consistent with the idea that cytonemes move signaling proteins between tumor and stromal cells and that cytoneme-mediated signaling is required for tumor growth and malignancy. The growth of many types of tumors depend on productive interactions with stromal, non-tumor neighbors, and although there is evidence that tumor and stromal cells exchange signaling proteins and growth factors that they produce, the mechanism by which these proteins move between the signaling cells has not been investigated and is not known. Our previous work has shown that normal cells make transient chemical synapses at sites where specialized filopodia called cytonemes contact signaling partners, and in this work we explore the possibility that tumors use the same mechanism to communicate with stromal cells. We show that cytoneme-mediated signaling is essential for growth of Drosophila tumors that model human EGFR over-expression and RET-driven disease. Remarkably, inhibition of cytonemes cures flies of lethal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sol Fereres
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ryo Hatori
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Makiko Hatori
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Thomas B. Kornberg
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Ung PMU, Sonoshita M, Scopton AP, Dar AC, Cagan RL, Schlessinger A. Integrated computational and Drosophila cancer model platform captures previously unappreciated chemicals perturbing a kinase network. PLoS Comput Biol 2019; 15:e1006878. [PMID: 31026276 PMCID: PMC6506148 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Drosophila provides an inexpensive and quantitative platform for measuring whole animal drug response. A complementary approach is virtual screening, where chemical libraries can be efficiently screened against protein target(s). Here, we present a unique discovery platform integrating structure-based modeling with Drosophila biology and organic synthesis. We demonstrate this platform by developing chemicals targeting a Drosophila model of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) characterized by a transformation network activated by oncogenic dRetM955T. Structural models for kinases relevant to MTC were generated for virtual screening to identify unique preliminary hits that suppressed dRetM955T-induced transformation. We then combined features from our hits with those of known inhibitors to create a ‘hybrid’ molecule with improved suppression of dRetM955T transformation. Our platform provides a framework to efficiently explore novel kinase inhibitors outside of explored inhibitor chemical space that are effective in inhibiting cancer networks while minimizing whole body toxicity. Effective and safe treatment of multigenic diseases often involves drugs that address multiple points along disease networks, i.e., polypharmacology. Polypharmacology is increasingly appreciated as a potentially desirable property of kinase drugs. However, most known drugs that interact with multiple targets have been identified as such by chance and most polypharmacological compounds are not chemically unique, resembling structures of known kinase inhibitors. The fruit fly Drosophila provides an inexpensive, rapid, quantitative, whole animal screening platform that has the potential to complement computational approaches. We present a chemical genetics approach that efficiently combines Drosophila with structural prediction and virtual screening, creating a unique discovery platform. We demonstrate the utility of our approach by developing useful small molecules targeting a kinase network in a Drosophila model of Medullary Thyroid Cancer (MTC) driven by oncogenic dRetM955T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M U Ung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Masahiro Sonoshita
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Alex P Scopton
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Arvin C Dar
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Ross L Cagan
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States of America
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16
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Fernández-Espartero CH, Rizzo A, Fulford AD, Falo-Sanjuan J, Goutte-Gattat D, Ribeiro PS. Prp8 regulates oncogene-induced hyperplastic growth in Drosophila. Development 2018; 145:dev.162156. [PMID: 30333215 PMCID: PMC6262796 DOI: 10.1242/dev.162156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although developmental signalling pathways control tumourigenic growth, the cellular mechanisms that abnormally proliferating cells rely on are still largely unknown. Drosophila melanogaster is a genetically tractable model that is used to study how specific genetic changes confer advantageous tumourigenic traits. Despite recent efforts, the role of deubiquitylating enzymes in cancer is particularly understudied. We performed a Drosophila in vivo RNAi screen to identify deubiquitylating enzymes that modulate RasV12-induced hyperplastic growth. We identified the spliceosome core component Prp8 as a crucial regulator of Ras-, EGFR-, Notch- or RET-driven hyperplasia. Loss of prp8 function alone decreased cell proliferation, increased cell death, and affected cell differentiation and polarity. In hyperplasia, Prp8 supported tissue overgrowth independently of caspase-dependent cell death. The depletion of prp8 efficiently blocked Ras-, EGFR- and Notch-driven tumours but, in contrast, enhanced tumours that were driven by oncogenic RET, suggesting a context-specific role in hyperplasia. These data show, for the first time, that Prp8 regulates hyperplasia, and extend recent observations on the potential role of the spliceosome in cancer. Our findings suggest that targeting Prp8 could be beneficial in specific tumour types. Summary: Prp8 has been identified as a modulator of oncogenic growth in multiple Drosophila cancer models, which suggests the spliceosome as a potential context-dependent target in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia H Fernández-Espartero
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Alberto Rizzo
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Alexander D Fulford
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Julia Falo-Sanjuan
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Damien Goutte-Gattat
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
| | - Paulo S Ribeiro
- Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London EC1M 6BQ, UK
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17
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Wei G, Sun L, Qin S, Li R, Chen L, Jin P, Ma F. Dme-Hsa Disease Database (DHDD): Conserved Human Disease-Related miRNA and Their Targeting Genes in Drosophila melanogaster. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19092642. [PMID: 30200613 PMCID: PMC6163619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19092642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expressions of microRNA (miRNA) can result in human diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. MiRNA mainly exert their biological functions via repressing the expression of their target genes. Drosophila melanogaster (D. melanogaster) is an ideal model for studying the molecular mechanisms behind biological phenotypes, including human diseases. In this study, we collected human and D. melanogaster miRNA as well as known human disease-related genes. In total, we identified 136 human disease-related miRNA that are orthologous to 83 D. melanogaster miRNA by mapping "seed sequence", and 677 human disease-related genes that are orthologous to 734 D. melanogaster genes using the DRSC Integrative Ortholog Prediction Tool Furthermore, we revealed the target relationship between genes and miRNA using miRTarBase database and target prediction software, including miRanda and TargetScan. In addition, we visualized interaction networks and signalling pathways for these filtered miRNA and target genes. Finally, we compiled all the above data and information to generate a database designated DHDD This is the first comprehensive collection of human disease-related miRNA and their targeting genes conserved in a D. melanogaster database. The DHDD provides a resource for easily searching human disease-related miRNA and their disease-related target genes as well as their orthologs in D. melanogaster, and conveniently identifying the regulatory relationships among them in the form of a visual network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanyun Wei
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
- School of Life Sciences, School of Ocean Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Lianjie Sun
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shijie Qin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ruimin Li
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Liming Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ping Jin
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Fei Ma
- Laboratory for Comparative Genomics and Bioinformatics & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Biotechnology, College of Life Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210046, Jiangsu, China.
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18
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Das TK, Esernio J, Cagan RL. Restraining Network Response to Targeted Cancer Therapies Improves Efficacy and Reduces Cellular Resistance. Cancer Res 2018; 78:4344-4359. [DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-17-2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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19
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KIF5B-RET Oncoprotein Signals through a Multi-kinase Signaling Hub. Cell Rep 2018; 20:2368-2383. [PMID: 28877471 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.08.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Revised: 06/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene fusions are increasingly recognized as important cancer drivers. The KIF5B-RET gene has been identified as a primary driver in a subset of lung adenocarcinomas. Targeting human KIF5B-RET to epithelia in Drosophila directed multiple aspects of transformation, including hyperproliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, invasion, and extension of striking invadopodia-like processes. The KIF5B-RET-transformed human bronchial cell line showed similar aspects of transformation, including invadopodia-like processes. Through a combination of genetic and biochemical studies, we demonstrate that the kinesin and kinase domains of KIF5B-RET act together to establish an emergent microtubule and RAB-vesicle-dependent RET-SRC-EGFR-FGFR signaling hub. We demonstrate that drugs designed to inhibit RET alone work poorly in KIF5B-RET-transformed cells. However, combining the RET inhibitor sorafenib with drugs that target EGFR, microtubules, or FGFR led to strong efficacy in both Drosophila and human cell line KIF5B-RET models. This work demonstrates the utility of exploring the full biology of fusions to identify rational therapeutic strategies.
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20
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Stuelten CH, Parent CA, Montell DJ. Cell motility in cancer invasion and metastasis: insights from simple model organisms. Nat Rev Cancer 2018; 18:296-312. [PMID: 29546880 PMCID: PMC6790333 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2018.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 312] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Metastasis remains the greatest challenge in the clinical management of cancer. Cell motility is a fundamental and ancient cellular behaviour that contributes to metastasis and is conserved in simple organisms. In this Review, we evaluate insights relevant to human cancer that are derived from the study of cell motility in non-mammalian model organisms. Dictyostelium discoideum, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster and Danio rerio permit direct observation of cells moving in complex native environments and lend themselves to large-scale genetic and pharmacological screening. We highlight insights derived from each of these organisms, including the detailed signalling network that governs chemotaxis towards chemokines; a novel mechanism of basement membrane invasion; the positive role of E-cadherin in collective direction-sensing; the identification and optimization of kinase inhibitors for metastatic thyroid cancer on the basis of work in flies; and the value of zebrafish for live imaging, especially of vascular remodelling and interactions between tumour cells and host tissues. While the motility of tumour cells and certain host cells promotes metastatic spread, the motility of tumour-reactive T cells likely increases their antitumour effects. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanisms underlying all types of cell motility, with the ultimate goal of identifying combination therapies that will increase the motility of beneficial cells and block the spread of harmful cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina H. Stuelten
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carole A. Parent
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Michigan Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- ;
| | - Denise J. Montell
- Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
- ;
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21
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Modelling Cooperative Tumorigenesis in Drosophila. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:4258387. [PMID: 29693007 PMCID: PMC5859872 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4258387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The development of human metastatic cancer is a multistep process, involving the acquisition of several genetic mutations, tumour heterogeneity, and interactions with the surrounding microenvironment. Due to the complexity of cancer development in mammals, simpler model organisms, such as the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, are being utilized to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms involved. In this review, we highlight recent advances in modelling tumorigenesis using the Drosophila model, focusing on the cooperation of oncogenes or tumour suppressors, and the interaction of mutant cells with the surrounding tissue in epithelial tumour initiation and progression.
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22
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Myers L, Perera H, Alvarado MG, Kidd T. The Drosophila Ret gene functions in the stomatogastric nervous system with the Maverick TGFβ ligand and the Gfrl co-receptor. Development 2018; 145:dev.157446. [PMID: 29361562 DOI: 10.1242/dev.157446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The RET receptor tyrosine kinase is crucial for the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS), acting as a receptor for Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) via GFR co-receptors. Drosophila has a well-conserved RET homolog (Ret) that has been proposed to function independently of the Gfr-like co-receptor (Gfrl). We find that Ret is required for development of the stomatogastric (enteric) nervous system in both embryos and larvae, and its loss results in feeding defects. Live imaging analysis suggests that peristaltic waves are initiated but not propagated in mutant midguts. Examination of axons innervating the midgut reveals increased branching but the area covered by the branches is decreased. This phenotype can be rescued by Ret expression. Additionally, Gfrl shares the same ENS and feeding defects, suggesting that Ret and Gfrl might function together via a common ligand. We identified the TGFβ family member Maverick (Mav) as a ligand for Gfrl and a Mav chromosomal deficiency displayed similar embryonic ENS defects. Our results suggest that the Ret and Gfrl families co-evolved before the separation of invertebrate and vertebrate lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Myers
- Department of Biology/ms 314, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Hiran Perera
- Department of Biology/ms 314, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | | | - Thomas Kidd
- Department of Biology/ms 314, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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23
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Das TK, Cagan RL. Non-mammalian models of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:T91-T104. [PMID: 29348307 PMCID: PMC5935467 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Twenty-five years ago, RET was identified as the primary driver of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome. MEN2 is characterized by several transformation events including pheochromocytoma, parathyroid adenoma and, especially penetrant, medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Overall, MTC is a rare but aggressive type of thyroid cancer for which no effective treatment currently exists. Surgery, radiation, radioisotope treatment and chemotherapeutics have all shown limited success, and none of these approaches have proven durable in advanced disease. Non-mammalian models that incorporate the oncogenic RET isoforms associated with MEN2 and other RET-associated diseases have been useful in delineating mechanisms underlying disease progression. These models have also identified novel targeted therapies as single agents and as combinations. These studies highlight the importance of modeling disease in the context of the whole animal, accounting for the complex interplay between tumor and normal cells in controlling disease progression as well as response to therapy. With convenient access to whole genome sequencing data from expanded thyroid cancer patient cohorts, non-mammalian models will become more complex, sophisticated and continue to complement future mammalian studies. In this review, we explore the contributions of non-mammalian models to our understanding of thyroid cancer including MTC, with a focus on Danio rerio and Drosophila melanogaster (fish and fly) models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tirtha K Das
- Department of Cell Developmental and Regenerative Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ross L Cagan
- Department of Cell Developmental and Regenerative Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Sonoshita M, Scopton AP, Ung PMU, Murray MA, Silber L, Maldonado AY, Real A, Schlessinger A, Cagan RL, Dar AC. A whole-animal platform to advance a clinical kinase inhibitor into new disease space. Nat Chem Biol 2018; 14:291-298. [PMID: 29355849 PMCID: PMC5931369 DOI: 10.1038/nchembio.2556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic tailoring of approved drugs for new indications is often difficult, as the most appropriate targets may not be readily apparent, and therefore few roadmaps exist to guide chemistry. Here, we report a multidisciplinary approach for accessing novel target and chemical space starting from an FDA-approved kinase inhibitor. By combining chemical and genetic modifier screening with computational modeling, we identify distinct kinases that strongly enhance ('pro-targets') or limit ('anti-targets') whole-animal activity of the clinical kinase inhibitor sorafenib in a Drosophila medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) model. We demonstrate that RAF-the original intended sorafenib target-and MKNK kinases function as pharmacological liabilities because of inhibitor-induced transactivation and negative feedback, respectively. Through progressive synthetic refinement, we report a new class of 'tumor calibrated inhibitors' with unique polypharmacology and strongly improved therapeutic index in fly and human MTC xenograft models. This platform provides a rational approach to creating new high-efficacy and low-toxicity drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sonoshita
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Systems Neuropharmacology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Alex P Scopton
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter M U Ung
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Matthew A Murray
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, USA
| | - Lisa Silber
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andres Y Maldonado
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Real
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Avner Schlessinger
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ross L Cagan
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arvin C Dar
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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26
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Abstract
Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a relatively uncommon yet prognostically significant thyroid cancer. Several recent advances in the biology and current or potential treatment of MTC are notable. These include a new understanding of the developmental biology of the thyroid C cell, which heretofore was thought to develop from the neural crest. RET, encoded by the most common driver gene in MTC, has been shown to be a dual function kinase, thus expanding its potential substrate repertoire. Promising new therapeutic developments are occurring; many have recently progressed to clinical development. There are new insights into RET inhibitor therapy for MTC. New strategies are being developed to inhibit the RAS proteins, which are potential therapeutic targets in MTC. Potential emerging immunotherapies for MTC are discussed. However, gaps in our knowledge of the basic biology of the C cell, its transformation to MTC, and the mechanisms of resistance to therapy impede progress; further research in these areas would have a substantial impact on the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Nelkin
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1650 Orleans Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA
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27
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Abstract
Accumulating epidemiological evidence indicates a strong clinical association between obesity and an increased risk of cancer. The global pandemic of obesity indicates a public health trend towards a substantial increase in cancer incidence and mortality. However, the mechanisms that link obesity to cancer remain incompletely understood. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been increasingly used to model an expanding spectrum of human diseases. Fly models provide a genetically simpler system that is ideal for use as a first step towards dissecting disease interactions. Recently, the combining of fly models of diet-induced obesity with models of cancer has provided a novel model system in which to study the biological mechanisms that underlie the connections between obesity and cancer. In this Review, I summarize recent advances, made using Drosophila, in our understanding of the interplay between diet, obesity, insulin resistance and cancer. I also discuss how the biological mechanisms and therapeutic targets that have been identified in fly studies could be utilized to develop preventative interventions and treatment strategies for obesity-associated cancers. Summary: This Review highlights a Drosophila model of diet-induced obesity and cancer, and how these two models are combined to study the interplay between obesity and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susumu Hirabayashi
- Metabolism and Cell Growth Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre (CSC), Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK Institute of Clinical Sciences (ICS), Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
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28
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Levinson S, Cagan RL. Drosophila Cancer Models Identify Functional Differences between Ret Fusions. Cell Rep 2017; 16:3052-3061. [PMID: 27626672 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 07/22/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
We generated and compared Drosophila models of RET fusions CCDC6-RET and NCOA4-RET. Both RET fusions directed cells to migrate, delaminate, and undergo EMT, and both resulted in lethality when broadly expressed. In all phenotypes examined, NCOA4-RET was more severe than CCDC6-RET, mirroring their effects on patients. A functional screen against the Drosophila kinome and a library of cancer drugs found that CCDC6-RET and NCOA4-RET acted through different signaling networks and displayed distinct drug sensitivities. Combining data from the kinome and drug screens identified the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 plus the multi-kinase inhibitor sorafenib as a synergistic drug combination that is specific for NCOA4-RET. Our work emphasizes the importance of identifying and tailoring a patient's treatment to their specific RET fusion isoform and identifies a multi-targeted therapy that may prove effective against tumors containing the NCOA4-RET fusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Levinson
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-1020, USA
| | - Ross L Cagan
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029-1020, USA.
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29
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Perea D, Guiu J, Hudry B, Konstantinidou C, Milona A, Hadjieconomou D, Carroll T, Hoyer N, Natarajan D, Kallijärvi J, Walker JA, Soba P, Thapar N, Burns AJ, Jensen KB, Miguel-Aliaga I. Ret receptor tyrosine kinase sustains proliferation and tissue maturation in intestinal epithelia. EMBO J 2017; 36:3029-3045. [PMID: 28899900 PMCID: PMC5641678 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201696247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase is a defining feature of enteric neurons. Its importance is underscored by the effects of its mutation in Hirschsprung disease, leading to absence of gut innervation and severe gastrointestinal symptoms. We report a new and physiologically significant site of Ret expression in the intestine: the intestinal epithelium. Experiments in Drosophila indicate that Ret is expressed both by enteric neurons and adult intestinal epithelial progenitors, which require Ret to sustain their proliferation. Mechanistically, Ret is engaged in a positive feedback loop with Wnt/Wingless signalling, modulated by Src and Fak kinases. We find that Ret is also expressed by the developing intestinal epithelium of mice, where its expression is maintained into the adult stage in a subset of enteroendocrine/enterochromaffin cells. Mouse organoid experiments point to an intrinsic role for Ret in promoting epithelial maturation and regulating Wnt signalling. Our findings reveal evolutionary conservation of the positive Ret/Wnt signalling feedback in both developmental and homeostatic contexts. They also suggest an epithelial contribution to Ret loss‐of‐function disorders such as Hirschsprung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Perea
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jordi Guiu
- BRIC-Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Bruno Hudry
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Alexandra Milona
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Dafni Hadjieconomou
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas Carroll
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nina Hoyer
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dipa Natarajan
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Jukka Kallijärvi
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - James A Walker
- Center for Human Genetic Research, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Soba
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nikhil Thapar
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Kim B Jensen
- BRIC-Biotech Research and Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N, Denmark.,The Danish Stem Cell Center (Danstem), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Irene Miguel-Aliaga
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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30
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Vitale G, Gaudenzi G, Circelli L, Manzoni MF, Bassi A, Fioritti N, Faggiano A, Colao A. Animal models of medullary thyroid cancer: state of the art and view to the future. Endocr Relat Cancer 2017; 24:R1-R12. [PMID: 27799362 DOI: 10.1530/erc-16-0399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour originating from parafollicular C cells accounting for 5-10% of thyroid cancers. Increased understanding of disease-specific molecular targets of therapy has led to the regulatory approval of two drugs (vandetanib and cabozantinib) for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. These drugs increase progression-free survival; however, they are often poorly tolerated and most treatment responses are transient. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating the pathogenesis, mechanisms for tumour invasion and metastasis and new therapeutic approaches for cancer. Unfortunately, only few models are available for medullary thyroid carcinoma. This review provides an overview of the state of the art of animal models in medullary thyroid carcinoma and highlights future developments in this field, with the aim of addressing salient features and clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Vitale
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic ResearchIstituto Auxologico Italiano IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Germano Gaudenzi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health (DISCCO)University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Circelli
- Department of Experimental OncologyLaboratory of Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, 'Fondazione Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Marco F Manzoni
- Department of Endocrinology and Internal MedicineEndocrine Tumors Unit, San Raffaele Hospital Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Bassi
- Department of PhysicsPolitecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antongiulio Faggiano
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery UnitIstituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori 'Fondazione G. Pascale' - IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | - Annamaria Colao
- Department of Clinical Medicine and SurgerySection of Endocrinology, 'Federico II' University of Naples, Naples, Italy
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31
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Abstract
Cancer is a complex disease that affects multiple organs. Whole-body animal models provide important insights into oncology that can lead to clinical impact. Here, we review novel concepts that Drosophila studies have established for cancer biology, drug discovery, and patient therapy. Genetic studies using Drosophila have explored the roles of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes that when dysregulated promote cancer formation, making Drosophila a useful model to study multiple aspects of transformation. Not limited to mechanism analyses, Drosophila has recently been showing its value in facilitating drug development. Flies offer rapid, efficient platforms by which novel classes of drugs can be identified as candidate anticancer leads. Further, we discuss the use of Drosophila as a platform to develop therapies for individual patients by modeling the tumor's genetic complexity. Drosophila provides both a classical and a novel tool to identify new therapeutics, complementing other more traditional cancer tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sonoshita
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States; Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - R L Cagan
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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32
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Yadav AK, Srikrishna S, Gupta SC. Cancer Drug Development Using Drosophila as an in vivo Tool: From Bedside to Bench and Back. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2016; 37:789-806. [PMID: 27298020 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been used for modeling cancer and as an in vivo tool for the validation and/or development of cancer therapeutics. The impetus for the use of Drosophila in cancer research stems from the high conservation of its signaling pathways, lower genetic redundancy, short life cycle, genetic amenability, and ease of maintenance. Several cell signaling pathways in Drosophila have been used for cancer drug development. The efficacy of combination therapy and uptake/bioavailability of drugs have also been studied. Drosophila has been validated using several FDA-approved drugs, suggesting a potential application of this model in drug repurposing. The model is emerging as a powerful tool for high-throughput screening and should significantly reduce the cost and time associated with drug development. In this review we discuss the applications of Drosophila in cancer drug development. The advantages and limitations of the model are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amarish Kumar Yadav
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India
| | - Saripella Srikrishna
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
| | - Subash Chandra Gupta
- Laboratory for Translational Cancer Research, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221 005, India.
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33
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Christofi T, Apidianakis Y. Drosophila and the hallmarks of cancer. ADVANCES IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING/BIOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 135:79-110. [PMID: 23615878 DOI: 10.1007/10_2013_190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
: Cancer was the disease of the twentieth century. Today it is still a leading cause of death worldwide despite being intensively investigated. Abundant knowledge exists regarding the pathological and molecular mechanisms that drive healthy cells to become malignant and form metastatic tumors. The relation of oncogenes and tumor suppressors to the genetic trigger of carcinogenesis is unquestionable. However, the development of the disease requires many characteristics that due to their proven role in cancer are collectively described as the "hallmarks of cancer." We highlight here the historic discoveries made using the model organism Drosophila melanogaster and its contributions to biomedical and cancer research. Flies are utilized as a model organism for the investigation of each and every aspect of cancer hallmarks. Due to the significant conservation between flies and mammals at the signaling and tissue physiology level it is possible to explore the genes and mechanisms responsible for cancer pathogenesis in flies. Recent Drosophila studies suggest novel aspects of therapeutic intervention and are expected to guide cancer research in the twenty-first century.
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34
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Bansal N, David G, Farias E, Waxman S. Emerging Roles of Epigenetic Regulator Sin3 in Cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 130:113-35. [PMID: 27037752 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Revolutionizing treatment strategies is an urgent clinical need in the fight against cancer. Recently the scientific community has recognized chromatin-associated proteins as promising therapeutic candidates. However, there is a need to develop more targeted epigenetic inhibitors with less toxicity. Sin3 family is one such target which consists of evolutionary conserved proteins with two paralogues Sin3A and Sin3B. Sin3A/B are global transcription regulators that provide a versatile platform for diverse chromatin-modifying activities. Sin3 proteins regulate key cellular functions that include cell cycle, proliferation, and differentiation, and have recently been implicated in cancer pathogenesis. In this chapter, we summarize the key concepts of Sin3 biology and elaborate the recent advancements in the role of Sin3 proteins in cancer with specific examples in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, and triple negative breast cancer. Finally, a program to create an integrative approach for screening antitumor agents that target chromatin-associated factors like Sin3 is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Bansal
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - G David
- New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - E Farias
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - S Waxman
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States.
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35
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Kegelman TP, Hu B, Emdad L, Das SK, Sarkar D, Fisher PB. In vivo modeling of malignant glioma: the road to effective therapy. Adv Cancer Res 2015; 121:261-330. [PMID: 24889534 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800249-0.00007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite an increased emphasis on developing new therapies for malignant gliomas, they remain among the most intractable tumors faced today as they demonstrate a remarkable ability to evade current treatment strategies. Numerous candidate treatments fail at late stages, often after showing promising preclinical results. This disconnect highlights the continued need for improved animal models of glioma, which can be used to both screen potential targets and authentically recapitulate the human condition. This review examines recent developments in the animal modeling of glioma, from more established rat models to intriguing new systems using Drosophila and zebrafish that set the stage for higher throughput studies of potentially useful targets. It also addresses the versatility of mouse modeling using newly developed techniques recreating human protocols and sophisticated genetically engineered approaches that aim to characterize the biology of gliomagenesis. The use of these and future models will elucidate both new targets and effective combination therapies that will impact on disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P Kegelman
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Luni Emdad
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Swadesh K Das
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Devanand Sarkar
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Paul B Fisher
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Institute of Molecular Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA; VCU Massey Cancer Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA.
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36
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Bennett D, Lyulcheva E, Cobbe N. Drosophila as a Potential Model for Ocular Tumors. Ocul Oncol Pathol 2015; 1:190-9. [PMID: 27172095 DOI: 10.1159/000370155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Drosophila has made many contributions to our understanding of cancer genes and mechanisms that have subsequently been validated in mammals. Despite anatomical differences between fly and human eyes, flies offer a tractable genetic model in which to dissect the functional importance of genetic lesions found to be affected in human ocular tumors. Here, we discuss different approaches for using Drosophila as a model for ocular cancer and how studies on ocular cancer genes in flies have begun to reveal potential strategies for therapeutic intervention. We also discuss recent developments in the use of Drosophila for drug discovery, which is coming to the fore as Drosophila models are becoming tailored to study tumor types found in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daimark Bennett
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Salford, UK
| | - Ekaterina Lyulcheva
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Salford, UK; North Western Deanery, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford, UK
| | - Neville Cobbe
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Salford, UK
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37
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Soba P, Han C, Zheng Y, Perea D, Miguel-Aliaga I, Jan LY, Jan YN. The Ret receptor regulates sensory neuron dendrite growth and integrin mediated adhesion. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25764303 PMCID: PMC4391025 DOI: 10.7554/elife.05491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons develop highly stereotyped receptive fields by coordinated growth of their dendrites. Although cell surface cues play a major role in this process, few dendrite specific signals have been identified to date. We conducted an in vivo RNAi screen in Drosophila class IV dendritic arborization (C4da) neurons and identified the conserved Ret receptor, known to play a role in axon guidance, as an important regulator of dendrite development. The loss of Ret results in severe dendrite defects due to loss of extracellular matrix adhesion, thus impairing growth within a 2D plane. We provide evidence that Ret interacts with integrins to regulate dendrite adhesion via rac1. In addition, Ret is required for dendrite stability and normal F-actin distribution suggesting it has an essential role in dendrite maintenance. We propose novel functions for Ret as a regulator in dendrite patterning and adhesion distinct from its role in axon guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Soba
- Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chun Han
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Yi Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Daniel Perea
- Gut Signalling and Metabolism Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Irene Miguel-Aliaga
- Gut Signalling and Metabolism Group, MRC Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lily Yeh Jan
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Yuh Nung Jan
- Department of Physiology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
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38
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Orthologs of human disease associated genes and RNAi analysis of silencing insulin receptor gene in Bombyx mori. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:18102-16. [PMID: 25302617 PMCID: PMC4227205 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151018102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2014] [Revised: 08/24/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The silkworm, Bombyx mori L., is an important economic insect that has been domesticated for thousands of years to produce silk. It is our great interest to investigate the possibility of developing the B. mori as human disease model. We searched the orthologs of human disease associated genes in the B. mori by bi-directional best hits of BLAST and confirmed by searching the OrthoDB. In total, 5006 genes corresponding to 1612 kinds of human diseases had orthologs in the B. mori, among which, there are 25 genes associated with diabetes mellitus. Of these, we selected the insulin receptor gene of the B. mori (Bm-INSR) to study its expression in different tissues and at different developmental stages and tissues. Quantitative PCR showed that Bm-INSR was highly expressed in the Malpighian tubules but expressed at low levels in the testis. It was highly expressed in the 3rd and 4th instar larvae, and adult. We knocked down Bm-INSR expression using RNA interference. The abundance of Bm-INSR transcripts were dramatically reduced to ~4% of the control level at 6 days after dsRNA injection and the RNAi-treated B. mori individuals showed apparent growth inhibition and malformation such as abnormal body color in black, which is the typical symptom of diabetic patients. Our results demonstrate that B. mori has potential use as an animal model for diabetic mellitus research.
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39
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Das TK, Cagan RL. A Drosophila approach to thyroid cancer therapeutics. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2014; 10:e65-71. [PMID: 24050232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid neoplasias represent among the fastest growing cancers. While surgery has become the treatment of choice for most thyroid tumors, many require chemotherapy. In this review, we examine the contributions of work in the fruit fly Drosophila toward multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), a Ret-based disease to which recent Drosophila models have proven useful both for understanding disease mechanism as well as helping identify new generation therapeutics.
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40
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Macagno JP, Diaz Vera J, Yu Y, MacPherson I, Sandilands E, Palmer R, Norman JC, Frame M, Vidal M. FAK acts as a suppressor of RTK-MAP kinase signalling in Drosophila melanogaster epithelia and human cancer cells. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004262. [PMID: 24676055 PMCID: PMC3967952 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) and Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) regulate multiple signalling pathways, including mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. FAK interacts with several RTKs but little is known about how FAK regulates their downstream signalling. Here we investigated how FAK regulates signalling resulting from the overexpression of the RTKs RET and EGFR. FAK suppressed RTKs signalling in Drosophila melanogaster epithelia by impairing MAPK pathway. This regulation was also observed in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, suggesting it is a conserved phenomenon in humans. Mechanistically, FAK reduced receptor recycling into the plasma membrane, which resulted in lower MAPK activation. Conversely, increasing the membrane pool of the receptor increased MAPK pathway signalling. FAK is widely considered as a therapeutic target in cancer biology; however, it also has tumour suppressor properties in some contexts. Therefore, the FAK-mediated negative regulation of RTK/MAPK signalling described here may have potential implications in the designing of therapy strategies for RTK-driven tumours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Macagno
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Jesica Diaz Vera
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Yachuan Yu
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Iain MacPherson
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Sandilands
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Palmer
- Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jim C. Norman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Margaret Frame
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Marcos Vidal
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, United Kingdom
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Klein P, Müller-Rischart AK, Motori E, Schönbauer C, Schnorrer F, Winklhofer KF, Klein R. Ret rescues mitochondrial morphology and muscle degeneration of Drosophila Pink1 mutants. EMBO J 2014; 33:341-55. [PMID: 24473149 PMCID: PMC3983680 DOI: 10.1002/embj.201284290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD)-associated Pink1 and Parkin proteins are believed to function in a common pathway controlling mitochondrial clearance and trafficking. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its signaling receptor Ret are neuroprotective in toxin-based animal models of PD. However, the mechanism by which GDNF/Ret protects cells from degenerating remains unclear. We investigated whether the Drosophila homolog of Ret can rescue Pink1 and park mutant phenotypes. We report that a signaling active version of Ret (Ret(MEN₂B) rescues muscle degeneration, disintegration of mitochondria and ATP content of Pink1 mutants. Interestingly, corresponding phenotypes of park mutants were not rescued, suggesting that the phenotypes of Pink1 and park mutants have partially different origins. In human neuroblastoma cells, GDNF treatment rescues morphological defects of PINK1 knockdown, without inducing mitophagy or Parkin recruitment. GDNF also rescues bioenergetic deficits of PINK knockdown cells. Furthermore, overexpression of Ret(MEN₂B) significantly improves electron transport chain complex I function in Pink1 mutant Drosophila. These results provide a novel mechanism underlying Ret-mediated cell protection in a situation relevant for human PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Klein
- Molecules - Signaling - Development, Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany
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Genetic and functional studies implicate synaptic overgrowth and ring gland cAMP/PKA signaling defects in the Drosophila melanogaster neurofibromatosis-1 growth deficiency. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003958. [PMID: 24278035 PMCID: PMC3836801 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000, is caused by loss of a large evolutionary conserved protein that serves as a GTPase Activating Protein (GAP) for Ras. Among Drosophila melanogaster Nf1 (dNf1) null mutant phenotypes, learning/memory deficits and reduced overall growth resemble human NF1 symptoms. These and other dNf1 defects are relatively insensitive to manipulations that reduce Ras signaling strength but are suppressed by increasing signaling through the 3′-5′ cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) dependent Protein Kinase A (PKA) pathway, or phenocopied by inhibiting this pathway. However, whether dNf1 affects cAMP/PKA signaling directly or indirectly remains controversial. To shed light on this issue we screened 486 1st and 2nd chromosome deficiencies that uncover >80% of annotated genes for dominant modifiers of the dNf1 pupal size defect, identifying responsible genes in crosses with mutant alleles or by tissue-specific RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown. Validating the screen, identified suppressors include the previously implicated dAlk tyrosine kinase, its activating ligand jelly belly (jeb), two other genes involved in Ras/ERK signal transduction and several involved in cAMP/PKA signaling. Novel modifiers that implicate synaptic defects in the dNf1 growth deficiency include the intersectin-related synaptic scaffold protein Dap160 and the cholecystokinin receptor-related CCKLR-17D1 drosulfakinin receptor. Providing mechanistic clues, we show that dAlk, jeb and CCKLR-17D1 are among mutants that also suppress a recently identified dNf1 neuromuscular junction (NMJ) overgrowth phenotype and that manipulations that increase cAMP/PKA signaling in adipokinetic hormone (AKH)-producing cells at the base of the neuroendocrine ring gland restore the dNf1 growth deficiency. Finally, supporting our previous contention that ALK might be a therapeutic target in NF1, we report that human ALK is expressed in cells that give rise to NF1 tumors and that NF1 regulated ALK/RAS/ERK signaling appears conserved in man. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disease that affects 1 in 3,000 and that is caused by loss of a protein that inactivates Ras oncoproteins. NF1 is a characteristically variable disease that predisposes patients to several symptoms, the most common of which include benign and malignant tumors, reduced growth and learning problems. We and others previously found that fruit fly mutants that lack a highly conserved dNf1 gene are reduced in size and exhibit impaired learning and memory, and that both defects appear due to abnormal Ras and cyclic-AMP (cAMP) signaling. The former was unremarkable, but how loss of dNf1 affects cAMP signaling remains poorly understood. Here we report results of a genetic screen for dominant modifiers of the dNf1 growth defect. This screen and follow-up functional studies support a model in which synaptic defects and reduced cAMP signaling in specific parts of the neuroendocrine ring gland contribute to the dNf1 growth defect. Beyond these results, we show that human ALK is expressed in cells that give rise to NF1 tumors, and that NF1 regulated ALK/RAS/ERK signaling is evolutionary conserved.
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Centrosomal kinase Nek2 cooperates with oncogenic pathways to promote metastasis. Oncogenesis 2013; 2:e69. [PMID: 24018644 PMCID: PMC3816224 DOI: 10.1038/oncsis.2013.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2013] [Revised: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Centrosomal kinase Nek2 is overexpressed in different cancers, yet how it contributes toward tumorigenesis remains poorly understood. dNek2 overexpression in a Drosophila melanogaster model led to upregulation of Drosophila Wnt ortholog wingless (Wg), and alteration of cell migration markers—Rho1, Rac1 and E-cadherin (Ecad)—resulting in changes in cell shape and tissue morphogenesis. dNek2 overexpression cooperated with receptor tyrosine kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling to upregulate activated Akt, Diap1, Mmp1 and Wg protein to promote local invasion, distant seeding and metastasis. In tumor cell injection assays, dNek2 cooperated with Ras and Src signaling to promote aggressive colonization of tumors into different adult fly tissues. Inhibition of the PI3K pathway suppressed the cooperation of dNek2 with other growth pathways. Consistent with our fly studies, overexpression of human Nek2 in A549 lung adenocarcinoma and HEK293T cells led to activation of the Akt pathway and increase in β-catenin protein levels. Our computational approach identified a class of Nek2-inhibitory compounds and a novel drug-like pharmacophore that reversed the Nek2 overexpression phenotypes in flies and human cells. Our finding posits a novel role for Nek2 in promoting metastasis in addition to its currently defined role in promoting chromosomal instability. It provides a rationale for the selective advantage of centrosome amplification in cancer.
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Abstract
Tyrosine phosphorylation plays a significant role in a wide range of cellular processes. The Drosophila genome encodes more than 20 receptor tyrosine kinases and extensive studies in the past 20 years have illustrated their diverse roles and complex signaling mechanisms. Although some receptor tyrosine kinases have highly specific functions, others strikingly are used in rather ubiquitous manners. Receptor tyrosine kinases regulate a broad expanse of processes, ranging from cell survival and proliferation to differentiation and patterning. Remarkably, different receptor tyrosine kinases share many of the same effectors and their hierarchical organization is retained in disparate biological contexts. In this comprehensive review, we summarize what is known regarding each receptor tyrosine kinase during Drosophila development. Astonishingly, very little is known for approximately half of all Drosophila receptor tyrosine kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richelle Sopko
- Department of Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
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Gonzalez C. Drosophila melanogaster: a model and a tool to investigate malignancy and identify new therapeutics. Nat Rev Cancer 2013; 13:172-83. [PMID: 23388617 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 206] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
For decades, lower-model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster have often provided the first glimpse into the mechanism of action of human cancer-related proteins, thus making a substantial contribution to elucidating the molecular basis of the disease. More recently, D. melanogaster strains that are engineered to recapitulate key aspects of specific types of human cancer have been paving the way for the future role of this 'workhorse' of biomedical research, helping to further investigate the process of malignancy, and serving as platforms for therapeutic drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayetano Gonzalez
- IRB-Barcelona, c/Baldiri Reixac 10-12, Barcelona, Spain. gonzalez@ irbbarcelona.org
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Characterization of Drosophila GDNF receptor-like and evidence for its evolutionarily conserved interaction with neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)/FasII. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51997. [PMID: 23284846 PMCID: PMC3527400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2012] [Accepted: 11/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands are secreted growth factors distantly related to the TGF-β superfamily. In mammals, they bind to the GDNF family receptor α (Gfrα) and signal through the Ret receptor tyrosine kinase. In order to gain insight into the evolution of the Ret-Gfr-Gdnf signaling system, we have cloned and characterized the first invertebrate Gfr-like cDNA (DmGfrl) from Drosophila melanogaster and generated a DmGfrl mutant allele. Results We found that DmGfrl encodes a large GPI-anchored membrane protein with four GFR-like domains. In line with the fact that insects lack GDNF ligands, DmGfrl mediated neither Drosophila Ret phosphorylation nor mammalian RET phosphorylation. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that DmGfrl is expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems throughout Drosophila development, but, surprisingly, DmGfrl and DmRet expression patterns were largely non-overlapping. We generated a DmGfrl null allele by genomic FLP deletion and found that both DmGfrl null females and males are viable but display fertility defects. The female fertility defect manifested as dorsal appendage malformation, small size and reduced viability of eggs laid by mutant females. In male flies DmGfrl interacted genetically with the Drosophila Ncam (neural cell adhesion molecule) homolog FasII to regulate fertility. Conclusion Our results suggest that Ret and Gfrl did not function as an in cis receptor-coreceptor pair before the emergence of GDNF family ligands, and that the Ncam-Gfr interaction predated the in cis Ret-Gfr interaction in evolution. The fertility defects that we describe in DmGfrl null flies suggest that GDNF receptor-like has an evolutionarily ancient role in regulating male fertility and a previously unrecognized role in regulating oogenesis. Significance These results shed light on the evolutionary aspects of the structure, expression and function of Ret-Gfrα and Ncam-Gfrα signaling complexes.
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Sin3a acts through a multi-gene module to regulate invasion in Drosophila and human tumors. Oncogene 2012; 32:3184-97. [PMID: 22890320 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin remodeling proteins regulate multiple aspects of cell homeostasis, making them ideal candidates for misregulation in transformed cells. Here, we explore Sin3A, a member of the Sin3 family of proteins linked to tumorigenesis that are thought to regulate gene expression through their role as histone deacetylases (HDACs). We identified Drosophila Sin3a as an important mediator of oncogenic Ret receptor in a fly model of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2. Reducing Drosophila Sin3a activity led to metastasis-like behavior and, in the presence of Diap1, secondary tumors distant from the site of origin. Genetic and Chip-Seq analyses identified previously undescribed Sin3a targets including genes involved in cell motility and actin dynamics, as well as signaling pathways including Src, Jnk and Rho. A key Sin3a oncogenic target, PP1B, regulates stability of β-Catenin/Armadillo: the outcome is to oppose T-cell factor (TCF) function and Wg/Wnt pathway signaling in both fly and mammalian cancer cells. Reducing Sin3A strongly increased the invasive behavior of A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. We show that Sin3A is downregulated in a variety of human tumors and that Src, JNK, RhoA and PP1B/β-Catenin are regulated in a manner analogous to our Drosophila models. Our data suggest that Sin3A influences a specific step of tumorigenesis by regulating a module of genes involved in cell invasion. Tumor progression may commonly rely on such 'modules of invasion' under the control of broad transcriptional regulators.
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Dar AC, Das TK, Shokat KM, Cagan RL. Chemical genetic discovery of targets and anti-targets for cancer polypharmacology. Nature 2012; 486:80-4. [PMID: 22678283 DOI: 10.1038/nature11127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The complexity of cancer has led to recent interest in polypharmacological approaches for developing kinase-inhibitor drugs; however, optimal kinase-inhibition profiles remain difficult to predict. Using a Ret-kinase-driven Drosophila model of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and kinome-wide drug profiling, here we identify that AD57 rescues oncogenic Ret-induced lethality, whereas related Ret inhibitors imparted reduced efficacy and enhanced toxicity. Drosophila genetics and compound profiling defined three pathways accounting for the mechanistic basis of efficacy and dose-limiting toxicity. Inhibition of Ret plus Raf, Src and S6K was required for optimal animal survival, whereas inhibition of the 'anti-target' Tor led to toxicity owing to release of negative feedback. Rational synthetic tailoring to eliminate Tor binding afforded AD80 and AD81, compounds featuring balanced pathway inhibition, improved efficacy and low toxicity in Drosophila and mammalian multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 models. Combining kinase-focused chemistry, kinome-wide profiling and Drosophila genetics provides a powerful systems pharmacology approach towards developing compounds with a maximal therapeutic index.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arvin C Dar
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158, USA
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Hughes TT, Allen AL, Bardin JE, Christian MN, Daimon K, Dozier KD, Hansen CL, Holcomb LM, Ahlander J. Drosophila as a genetic model for studying pathogenic human viruses. Virology 2011; 423:1-5. [PMID: 22177780 PMCID: PMC3253880 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2011.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2011] [Revised: 09/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are infectious particles whose viability is dependent on the cells of living organisms, such as bacteria, plants, and animals. It is of great interest to discover how viruses function inside host cells in order to develop therapies to treat virally infected organisms. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is an excellent model system for studying the molecular mechanisms of replication, amplification, and cellular consequences of human viruses. In this review, we describe the advantages of using Drosophila as a model system to study human viruses, and highlight how Drosophila has been used to provide unique insight into the gene function of several pathogenic viruses. We also propose possible directions for future research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara T Hughes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK 74464, USA
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50
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Rudrapatna VA, Cagan RL, Das TK. Drosophila cancer models. Dev Dyn 2011; 241:107-18. [PMID: 22038952 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.22771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer is driven by complex genetic and cellular mechanisms. Recently, the Drosophila community has become increasingly interested in exploring cancer issues. The Drosophila field has made seminal contributions to many of the mechanisms that are fundamental to the cancer process; several of these mechanisms have already been validated in vertebrates. Less well known are the Drosophila field's early direct contributions to the cancer field: some of the earliest tumor suppressors were identified in flies. In this review, we identify major contributions that Drosophila studies have made toward dissecting the pathways and mechanisms underlying tumor progression. We also highlight areas, such as drug discovery, where we expect Drosophila studies to make a major scientific impact in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivek A Rudrapatna
- Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA
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