1
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Field NR, Dickson KA, Nassif NT, Marsh DJ. SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 co-deficiency: An uncommon molecular signature defining a subset of rare, aggressive and undifferentiated malignancies associated with defective chromatin remodeling. Cancer Lett 2024; 605:217282. [PMID: 39369768 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.217282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 09/13/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/08/2024]
Abstract
Genetic mutations and epigenetic modifications affecting multiple cancer-related genes occur synergistically to drive tumorigenesis. Across a wide spectrum of cancers, pathogenic changes have been identified in members of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable complex including its two catalytic subunits, SMARCA4 and SMARCA2. During cancer development, it is not uncommon to lose the function of either SMARCA4 or SMARCA2, however, loss of both together has been reported to be synthetic lethal and therefore unexpected. Co-deficiency of SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 occurs as a pathognomonic feature of the early-onset ovarian cancer Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type. The loss of both catalytic subunits is also described in other rare undifferentiated neoplasms including Thoracic SMARCA4-deficient undifferentiated tumors, Malignant rhabdoid tumors and dedifferentiated or undifferentiated carcinomas, predominantly of lung, gastrointestinal, and endometrial origin. This review provides the first extensive characterization of cancers with concurrent SMARCA4 and SMARCA2 loss through the discussion of shared clinical and molecular features. Further, we discuss the mechanisms triggering the loss of catalytic activity, the cellular processes that are dysfunctional as a consequence, and finally, current therapeutic candidates which may selectively target these cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natisha R Field
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Kristie-Ann Dickson
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Najah T Nassif
- Cancer Biology, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Deborah J Marsh
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
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2
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Carneiro VL, da Silva HBF, Queiroz GDA, Veiga RV, Oliveira PRS, Carneiro NVQ, Pires ADO, da Silva RR, Sena F, Belitardo E, Nascimento R, Silva M, Marques CR, Costa RDS, Alcantra-Neves NM, Barreto ML, Cooper PJ, Figueiredo CA. WSB1 and IL21R Genetic Variants Are Involved in Th2 Immune Responses to Ascaris lumbricoides. Front Immunol 2021; 12:622051. [PMID: 33692795 PMCID: PMC7937724 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.622051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and epigenetic factors are considered to be critical for host-parasite interactions. There are limited data on the role of such factors during human infections with Ascaris lumbricoides. Here, we describe the potential role of genetic factors as determinants of the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides in Brazilian children. Stool samples were collected from the children to detect A. lumbricoides by microscopy and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBLs) were cultured in whole blood cultures for detection of cytokines (IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) in vitro. Levels of anti-A. lumbricoides IgE and IgG4 were measured in plasma. DNA was extracted from PBLs and genotyped using Illumina 2.5 Human Omni Beadchip. Candidate genes associated with A. lumbricoides responses were identified and SNVs in these selected genes associated with the Th2 immune response to A. lumbricoides. Haplotype, gene expression, and epigenetic analyses were done to identify potential associations with Th2 immune responses. GWAS on samples from 1,189 children identified WSB1 as a candidate gene, and IL-21R was selected as a biologically relevant linked gene for further analysis. Variants in WSB1 and IL21R were associated with markers of Th2 immune responses: increased A. lumbricoides-specific IgE and IL-5/IL-13 by PBLs from infected compared to uninfected individuals. In infected children, WSB1 but not IL21R gene expression was suppressed and increased methylation was observed in the WSB1 promoter region. This is the first study to show an association between genetic variants in WSB1 and IL21R and Th2 immune responses during A. lumbricoides infections in children. WSB1/IL21R pathways could provide a potential target for the treatment of Th2-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Pablo Rafael Silveira Oliveira
- Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil.,Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Flavia Sena
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Emilia Belitardo
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Regina Nascimento
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Milca Silva
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Mauricio L Barreto
- Center for Data and Knowledge Integration for Health, Fiocruz, Salvador, Brazil.,Institute of Collective Health, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Philip J Cooper
- School of Medicine, International University of Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador.,St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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3
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Lee MJ, Kuehne N, Hueniken K, Liang S, Rai S, Sorotsky H, Herman M, Shepshelovich D, Bruce J, Liang M, Patel D, Cheng D, Chen Z, Eng L, Brown MC, Cho J, Leighl NB, de Perrot M, Reisman D, Xu W, Bradbury PA, Liu G. Association of two BRM promoter polymorphisms and smoking status with malignant pleural mesothelioma risk and prognosis. Mol Carcinog 2019; 58:1960-1973. [PMID: 31355511 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Brahma (BRM), of the SWI/SNF complex, has two 6 to 7 bp insertion promoter polymorphisms (BRM-741/BRM-1321) that cause epigenetic BRM suppression, and are associated with risk of multiple cancers. BRM polymorphisms were genotyped in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) cases and asbestos-exposed controls. Multivariable logistic regression (risk) and Cox regression (prognosis) were performed, including stratified analyses by smoking status to investigate the effect of polymorphisms on MPM risk and prognosis. Although there was no significant association overall between BRM-741/BRM-1321 and risk in patients with MPM, a differential effect by smoking status was observed (P-interaction < .001), where homozygous variants were protective (aOR of 0.18-0.28) in ever smokers, while never smokers had increased risk when carrying homozygous variants (aOR of 2.7-4.4). While there was no association between BRM polymorphisms and OS in ever-smokers, the aHR of carrying homozygous-variants of BRM-741, BRM-1321 or both were 4.0 to 8.6 in never-smokers when compared to wild-type carriers. Mechanistically, lower mRNA expression of BRM was associated with poorer general cancer prognosis. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments (ChIP) revealed high BRM insertion variant homology to MEF2 regulatory binding sites. ChIP experimentation confirmed MEF2 binding only occurs in the presence of insertion variants. DNA-affinity purification assays revealed YWHA scaffold proteins as vital to BRM mRNA expression. Never-smokers who carry BRM homozygous variants have an increased chance of developing MPM, which results in worse prognosis. In contrast, in ever-smokers, there may be a protective effect, with no difference in overall survival. Mechanisms for the interaction between BRM and smoking require further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Joon Lee
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nathan Kuehne
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Katrina Hueniken
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shermi Liang
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Sudhir Rai
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Hadas Sorotsky
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Herman
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Shepshelovich
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Jeffrey Bruce
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mindy Liang
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Devalben Patel
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lawson Eng
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M Catherine Brown
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - John Cho
- Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Natasha B Leighl
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marc de Perrot
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - David Reisman
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Penelope A Bradbury
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
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4
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Yu Y, Cheng D, Parfrey P, Liu G, Savas S. Two functional indel polymorphisms in the promoter region of the Brahma gene (BRM) and disease risk and progression-free survival in colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198873. [PMID: 29894502 PMCID: PMC5997361 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective The Brahma gene (BRM) encodes a catalytic ATPase subunit of the Switch/Sucrose non-fermentable (SWI/SNF) complex, which modulates gene expression and many important cellular processes. Two indel polymorphisms in the promoter region of BRM (BRM-741 and BRM-1321) are associated with its reduced expression and the risk of susceptibility or survival outcomes in multiple solid cancers. In this study, we have examined these variants in relation to susceptibility and survival outcomes in colorectal cancer. Methods Genotypes were obtained using TaqMan assays in 427 cases and 408 controls. Multivariate logistic and Cox regression models were fitted to examine the associations of the BRM-741 and BRM-1321 genotypes adjusting for relevant covariates. Sub-group analyses based on tumor location and patient sex were also performed. In all analyses, indels were examined individually as well as in combination. Results Our results showed that there was no association between the BRM polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal cancer. However, genotype combinations of the BRM-741 and BRM-1321 variants were associated with the risk of colon cancer. Particularly, patients having at least one variant allele had increased risk of colon cancer when compared to patients with the double wild-type genotype. In the survival analyses, BRM-741 heterozygosity was associated with longer progression-free survival time in the colorectal cancer patients. A stronger association was detected in the male patients under the recessive genetic model where the homozygosity for the variant allele of BRM-741 was associated with shorter progression-free survival time. Conclusions Our analyses suggest that BRM-741 and BRM-1321 indels are associated with the risk of developing colon cancer and the BRM-741 indel is associated with the disease progression in colorectal cancer patients, especially in the male patients. Although our results show a different relationship between these indels and colorectal cancer compared to other cancer sites, they also suggest that BRM and its promoter variants may have biological roles in susceptibility and survival outcomes in colorectal cancers. Performing further analyses in additional and larger cohorts are needed to confirm our conclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Yu
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick Parfrey
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Department of Medicine, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Epidemiology, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sevtap Savas
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
- * E-mail:
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5
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Savas S, Skardasi G. The SWI/SNF complex subunit genes: Their functions, variations, and links to risk and survival outcomes in human cancers. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2018; 123:114-131. [PMID: 29482773 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
SWI/SNF is a multiprotein complex essential for regulation of eukaryotic gene expression. In this article, we review the function and characteristics of this complex and its subunits in cancer-related phenotypes. We also present and discuss the publically available survival analysis data for TCGA patient cohorts, revealing novel relationships between the expression levels of the SWI/SNF subunit genes and patient survival times in several cancers. Overall, multiple lines of research point to a wide-spread role for the SWI/SNF complex genes in human cancer susceptibility and patient survival times. Examples include the mutations in ARID1A with cancer-driving effects, associations of tumor SWI/SNF gene expression levels and patient survival times, and two BRM promoter region polymorphisms linked to risk or patient outcomes in multiple human cancers. These findings should motivate comprehensive studies in order to fully dissect these relationships and verify the potential clinical utility of the SWI/SNF genes in controlling cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevtap Savas
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada; Discipline of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada.
| | - Georgia Skardasi
- Discipline of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
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6
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Pasic I, Wong KM, Lee JJ, Espin-Garcia O, Brhane Y, Cheng D, Chen Z, Patel D, Brown C, Bucur R, Reisman D, Knox JJ, Xu W, Hung RJ, Liu G, Cleary SP. Two BRM promoter polymorphisms predict poor survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Carcinog 2017; 57:106-113. [PMID: 28892201 DOI: 10.1002/mc.22736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphisms in the promoter of the BRM gene, a critical subunit of the chromatin remodeling SWI/SNF complex, have previously been implicated in risk and prognosis in Caucasian-predominant lung, head and neck, esophageal, and pancreatic cancers, and in hepatocellular cancers in Asians. We investigated the role of these polymorphisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk and prognosis. HCC cases were recruited in a comprehensive cancer center while the matched controls were recruited from family practice units from the same catchment area. For risk analyses, unconditional logistic regression analyses were performed in HCC patients and matched healthy controls. Overall survival analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazard models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests. In 266 HCC cases and 536 controls, no association between either BRM promoter polymorphism (BRM-741 or BRM-1321) and risk of HCC was identified (P > 0.10 for all comparisons). There was significant worsening of overall survival as the number of variant alleles increased: BRM-741 per variant allele adjusted hazards ratio (aHR) 5.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.89-11.54 and BRM-1321 per variant allele aHR 4.09, 95%CI 2.22-7.51. The effects of these two polymorphisms were at least additive, where individuals who were double homozygotes for the variant alleles had a 45-fold increase in risk of death when compared to those who were double wild-type for the two polymorphisms. Two BRM promoter polymorphisms were strongly associated with HCC prognosis but were not associated with increased HCC susceptibility. The association was strongest in double homozygotes for the allele variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Pasic
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Kit M Wong
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jonghun J Lee
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Osvaldo Espin-Garcia
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yonathan Brhane
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dangxiao Cheng
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Devalben Patel
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Catherine Brown
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Roxana Bucur
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer J Knox
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Wei Xu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Rayjean J Hung
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Geoffrey Liu
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sean P Cleary
- Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota
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