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Gimeno-Valiente F, López-Rodas G, Castillo J, Franco L. The Many Roads from Alternative Splicing to Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms Involving Driver Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2123. [PMID: 38893242 PMCID: PMC11171328 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16112123] [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: 05/05/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer driver genes are either oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes that are classically activated or inactivated, respectively, by driver mutations. Alternative splicing-which produces various mature mRNAs and, eventually, protein variants from a single gene-may also result in driving neoplastic transformation because of the different and often opposed functions of the variants of driver genes. The present review analyses the different alternative splicing events that result in driving neoplastic transformation, with an emphasis on their molecular mechanisms. To do this, we collected a list of 568 gene drivers of cancer and revised the literature to select those involved in the alternative splicing of other genes as well as those in which its pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, with the result, in both cases, of producing an oncogenic isoform. Thirty-one genes fall into the first category, which includes splicing factors and components of the spliceosome and splicing regulators. In the second category, namely that comprising driver genes in which alternative splicing produces the oncogenic isoform, 168 genes were found. Then, we grouped them according to the molecular mechanisms responsible for alternative splicing yielding oncogenic isoforms, namely, mutations in cis splicing-determining elements, other causes involving non-mutated cis elements, changes in splicing factors, and epigenetic and chromatin-related changes. The data given in the present review substantiate the idea that aberrant splicing may regulate the activation of proto-oncogenes or inactivation of tumour suppressor genes and details on the mechanisms involved are given for more than 40 driver genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Gimeno-Valiente
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, University College London Cancer Institute, London WC1E 6DD, UK;
| | - Gerardo López-Rodas
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (G.L.-R.); (J.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Josefa Castillo
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (G.L.-R.); (J.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Cáncer (CIBERONC), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Franco
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Health Research INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain; (G.L.-R.); (J.C.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat de València, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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Di Donato M, Di Zazzo E, Salvati A, Sorrentino C, Giurato G, Fiore D, Proto MC, Rienzo M, Casamassimi A, Gazzerro P, Bifulco M, Castoria G, Weisz A, Nassa G, Abbondanza C. RIZ2 at the crossroad of the EGF/EGFR signaling in colorectal cancer. J Transl Med 2023; 21:736. [PMID: 37853459 PMCID: PMC10585774 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04621-6] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most deadly and fourth most diagnosed cancer worldwide. Despite the progress in early diagnosis and advanced therapeutic options, CRC shows a poor prognosis with a 5 year survival rate of ~ 45%. PRDM2/RIZ, a member of PR/SET domain family (PRDM), expresses two main molecular variants, the PR-plus isoform (RIZ1) and the PR-minus (RIZ2). The imbalance in their expression levels in favor of RIZ2 is observed in many cancer types. The full length RIZ1 has been extensively investigated in several cancers where it acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas few studies have explored the RIZ2 oncogenic properties. PRDM2 is often target of frameshift mutations and aberrant DNA methylation in CRC. However, little is known about its role in CRC. METHODS We combined in-silico investigation of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) CRC datasets, cellular and molecular assays, transcriptome sequencing and functional annotation analysis to assess the role of RIZ2 in human CRC. RESULTS Our in-silico analysis on TCGA datasets confirmed that PRDM2 gene is frequently mutated and transcriptionally deregulated in CRC and revealed that a RIZ2 increase is highly correlated with a significant RIZ1 downregulation. Then, we assayed several CRC cell lines by qRT-PCR analysis for the main PRDM2 transcripts and selected DLD1 cell line, which showed the lowest RIZ2 levels. Therefore, we overexpressed RIZ2 in these cells to mimic TCGA datasets analysis results and consequently to assess the PRDM2/RIZ2 role in CRC. Data from RNA-seq disclosed that RIZ2 overexpression induced profound changes in CRC cell transcriptome via EGF pathway deregulation, suggesting that RIZ2 is involved in the EGF autocrine regulation of DLD1 cell behavior. Noteworthy, the forced RIZ2 expression increased cell viability, growth, colony formation, migration and organoid formation. These effects could be mediated by the release of high EGF levels by RIZ2 overexpressing DLD1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our findings add novel insights on the putative RIZ2 tumor-promoting functions in CRC, although additional efforts are warranted to define the underlying molecular mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Di Donato
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Annamaria Salvati
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Carmela Sorrentino
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giurato
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
- CRGS-Genome Research Center for Health, University of Salerno Campus of Medicine, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Donatella Fiore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Fisciano, Italy
| | | | - Monica Rienzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy
| | - Amelia Casamassimi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
| | | | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Gabriella Castoria
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Weisz
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
- CRGS-Genome Research Center for Health, University of Salerno Campus of Medicine, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Giovanni Nassa
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Genomics, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry 'Scuola Medica Salernitana', University of Salerno, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
- CRGS-Genome Research Center for Health, University of Salerno Campus of Medicine, 84081, Baronissi, Italy
| | - Ciro Abbondanza
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy.
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Di Zazzo E, Rienzo M, Casamassimi A, De Rosa C, Medici N, Gazzerro P, Bifulco M, Abbondanza C. Exploring the putative role of PRDM1 and PRDM2 transcripts as mediators of T lymphocyte activation. J Transl Med 2023; 21:217. [PMID: 36964555 PMCID: PMC10039509 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04066-x] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell activation and programming from their naïve/resting state, characterized by widespread modifications in chromatin accessibility triggering extensive changes in transcriptional programs, is orchestrated by several cytokines and transcription regulators. PRDM1 and PRDM2 encode for proteins with PR/SET and zinc finger domains that control several biological processes, including cell differentiation, through epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Different transcripts leading to main protein isoforms with (PR +) or without (PR-) the PR/SET domain have been described. Although many studies have established the critical PRDM1 role in hematopoietic cell differentiation, maintenance and/or function, the single transcript contribution has not been investigated before. Otherwise, very few evidence is currently available on PRDM2. Here, we aimed to analyze the role of PRDM1 and PRDM2 different transcripts as mediators of T lymphocyte activation. METHODS We analyzed the transcription signature of the main variants from PRDM1 (BLIMP1a and BLIMP1b) and PRDM2 (RIZ1 and RIZ2) genes, in human T lymphocytes and Jurkat cells overexpressing PRDM2 cDNAs following activation through different signals. RESULTS T lymphocyte activation induced an early increase of RIZ2 and RIZ1 followed by BLIMP1b increase and finally by BLIMP1a increase. The "first" and the "second" signals shifted the balance towards the PR- forms for both genes. Interestingly, the PI3K signaling pathway modulated the RIZ1/RIZ2 ratio in favor of RIZ1 while the balance versus RIZ2 was promoted by MAPK pathway. Cytokines mediating different Jak/Stat signaling pathways (third signal) early modulated the expression of PRDM1 and PRDM2 and the relationship of their different transcripts confirming the early increase of the PR- transcripts. Different responses of T cell subpopulations were also observed. Jurkat cells showed that the acute transient RIZ2 increase promoted the balancing of PRDM1 forms towards BLIMP1b. The stable forced expression of RIZ1 or RIZ2 induced a significant variation in the expression of key transcription factors involved in T lymphocyte differentiation. The BLIMP1a/b balance shifted in favor of BLIMP1a in RIZ1-overexpressing cells and of BLIMP1b in RIZ2-overexpressing cells. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the first characterization of PRDM2 in T-lymphocyte activation/differentiation and novel insights on PRDM1 and PRDM2 transcription regulation during initial activation phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, 86100, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Monica Rienzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Amelia Casamassimi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Caterina De Rosa
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Medici
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy
| | - Patrizia Gazzerro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084, Salerno, Fisciano (SA), Italy
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Ciro Abbondanza
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", 80138, Naples, Italy.
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A Potential Prognostic Marker PRDM1 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:1934381. [PMID: 35607327 PMCID: PMC9123419 DOI: 10.1155/2022/1934381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a major threat to people's health. PRDM1 is a transcription factor with multiple functions, and its functions have been validated in a variety of tumors; however, there are few studies reported on PRDM1 in PAAD. Using the GEPIA2 database, this research found that PRDM1 expression in PAAD was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database showed that high expression of PRDM1 in PAAD has a poor prognosis, suggesting that PRDM1 may be a potential prognostic marker in PAAD. The cBioPortal database shows that the expression of PRDM1 in PAAD is significantly correlated with its methylation degree. Further analysis on the coexpressed genes of PRDM1 in PAAD was performed by using LinkedOmics database to explore potential mechanisms. Based on gene enrichment analysis, PRDM1 was implicated in many pathways involved in tumor progression. In the construction of a PPI network of PRDM1 and its coexpressed gene protein via the STRING database, we found that PRDM1 may be involved in the pathogenesis and development of PAAD. TIMER database suggested that a high level of PRDM1 has a significant positive correlation with macrophages, neutrophils, and DCs. Potential methylation sites of PRDM1 were found through DNMIVD database, and MethSurv database explored eight sites which were significantly related with the prognosis of PAAD. In conclusion, PRDM1 may work as a prognostic marker or even provide a potential therapeutic strategy in PAAD.
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Rienzo M, Di Zazzo E, Casamassimi A, Gazzerro P, Perini G, Bifulco M, Abbondanza C. PRDM12 in Health and Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222112030. [PMID: 34769459 PMCID: PMC8585061 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222112030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PRDM12 is a member of the PRDI-BF1 (positive regulatory domain I-binding factor 1) homologous domain (PRDM)-containing protein family, a subfamily of Kruppel-like zinc finger proteins, controlling key processes in the development of cancer. PRDM12 is expressed in a spatio-temporal manner in neuronal systems where it exerts multiple functions. PRDM12 is essential for the neurogenesis initiation and activation of a cascade of downstream pro-neuronal transcription factors in the nociceptive lineage. PRDM12 inactivation, indeed, results in a complete absence of the nociceptive lineage, which is essential for pain perception. Additionally, PRDM12 contributes to the early establishment of anorexigenic neuron identity and the maintenance of high expression levels of pro-opiomelanocortin, which impacts on the program bodyweight homeostasis. PRDMs are commonly involved in cancer, where they act as oncogenes/tumor suppressors in a “Yin and Yang” manner. PRDM12 is not usually expressed in adult normal tissues but its expression is re-activated in several cancer types. However, little information is currently available on PRDM12 expression in cancers and its mechanism of action has not been thoroughly described. In this review, we summarize the recent findings regarding PRDM12 by focusing on four main biological processes: neurogenesis, pain perception, oncogenesis and cell metabolism. Moreover, we wish to highlight the importance of future studies focusing on the PRDM12 signaling pathway(s) and its role in cancer onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Rienzo
- Department of Environmental, Biological, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Amelia Casamassimi
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| | - Patrizia Gazzerro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano, Salerno, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Perini
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Maurizio Bifulco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131 Naples, Italy;
| | - Ciro Abbondanza
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Via L. De Crecchio, 80138 Naples, Italy;
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