1
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Sciarrillo R, Terrana F, Comandatore A, Supadmanaba IGP, Wang B, Hassouni BE, Mantini G, Jansen G, Avan A, Carbone D, Diana P, Peters GJ, Morelli L, Cloos J, Assaraf YG, Giovannetti E. Exploring Splicing Modulation as an Innovative Approach to Combat Pancreatic Cancer: SF3B1 Emerges as a Prognostic Indicator and Therapeutic Target. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:3173-3184. [PMID: 38904016 PMCID: PMC11186358 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.92671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) poses significant challenges in terms of prognosis and treatment. Recent research has identified splicing deregulation as a new cancer hallmark. Herein, we investigated the largely uncharacterized alternative splicing profile and the key splicing factor SF3B1 in PDAC pancreatic cells and tissues as a potential discovery source of plausible drug targets and new predictive biomarkers of clinical outcome. The research involved a transcriptome-wide analysis, comparing profiles of splicing profiles in PDAC primary cells with normal ductal cells. This revealed more than 400 significant differential splicing events in genes involved in regulation of gene expression, primarily related to mRNA splicing, and metabolism of nucleic acids. PDAC cultures were highly sensitive to the SF3B1 modulators, E7107 and Pladienolide-B, showing IC50s in the low nanomolar range. These compounds induced apoptosis, associated to induction of the MCL-1/S splice variant. and reduced cell migration, associated to RON mis-splicing. In an orthotopic mouse model, E7107 showed promising results. Furthermore, we evaluated SF3B1 expression in specimens from 87 patients and found a significant association of SF3B1 expression with progression-free and overall survival. In conclusion, SF3B1 emerges as both a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target in PDAC, impacting cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. These findings warrant future studies on this new therapeutic strategy against PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Sciarrillo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesca Terrana
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Annalisa Comandatore
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Gede Putu Supadmanaba
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Udayana, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Giulia Mantini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Amir Avan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Faculty of Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Daniela Carbone
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Patrizia Diana
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Biologiche Chimiche e Farmaceutiche (STEBICEF), Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Luca Morelli
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cancer Pharmacology Lab, Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Temaj G, Chichiarelli S, Saha S, Telkoparan-Akillilar P, Nuhii N, Hadziselimovic R, Saso L. An intricate rewiring of cancer metabolism via alternative splicing. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115848. [PMID: 37813165 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
All human genes undergo alternative splicing leading to the diversity of the proteins. However, in some cases, abnormal regulation of alternative splicing can result in diseases that trigger defects in metabolism, reduced apoptosis, increased proliferation, and progression in almost all tumor types. Metabolic dysregulations and immune dysfunctions are crucial factors in cancer. In this respect, alternative splicing in tumors could be a potential target for therapeutic cancer strategies. Dysregulation of alternative splicing during mRNA maturation promotes carcinogenesis and drug resistance in many cancer types. Alternative splicing (changing the target mRNA 3'UTR binding site) can result in a protein with altered drug affinity, ultimately leading to drug resistance.. Here, we will highlight the function of various alternative splicing factors, how it regulates the reprogramming of cancer cell metabolism, and their contribution to tumor initiation and proliferation. Also, we will discuss emerging therapeutics for treating tumors via abnormal alternative splicing. Finally, we will discuss the challenges associated with these therapeutic strategies for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazmend Temaj
- Faculty of Pharmacy, College UBT, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
| | - Silvia Chichiarelli
- Department of Biochemical Sciences "A. Rossi-Fanelli", Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sarmistha Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura 00185, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | | | - Nexhibe Nuhii
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Tetovo, 1200 Tetovo, Macedonia
| | - Rifat Hadziselimovic
- Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", La Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy.
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3
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Zheng Y, Zhong G, He C, Li M. Targeted splicing therapy: new strategies for colorectal cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1222932. [PMID: 37664052 PMCID: PMC10470845 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1222932] [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: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
RNA splicing is the process of forming mature mRNA, which is an essential phase necessary for gene expression and controls many aspects of cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Abnormal gene-splicing events are closely related to the development of tumors, and the generation of oncogenic isoform in splicing can promote tumor progression. As a main process of tumor-specific splicing variants, alternative splicing (AS) can promote tumor progression by increasing the production of oncogenic splicing isoforms and/or reducing the production of normal splicing isoforms. This is the focus of current research on the regulation of aberrant tumor splicing. So far, AS has been found to be associated with various aspects of tumor biology, including cell proliferation and invasion, resistance to apoptosis, and sensitivity to different chemotherapeutic drugs. This article will review the abnormal splicing events in colorectal cancer (CRC), especially the tumor-associated splicing variants arising from AS, aiming to offer an insight into CRC-targeted splicing therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chengcheng He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Li X, Liu D, Wang Y, Chen Y, Wang C, Lin Z, Tian L. PHF5A as a new OncoTarget and therapeutic prospects. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18010. [PMID: 37483794 PMCID: PMC10362332 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PHF5A (PHD-finger domain protein 5A) is a highly conserved protein comprised of 110 amino acids that belong to PHD zinc finger proteins and is ubiquitously expressed in entire eukaryotic nuclei from yeast to man. PHF5A is an essential component of the SF3B splicing complex regulating protein-protein or protein-DNA interactions; particularly involved in pre-mRNA splicing. Besides its basic spliceosome-associated attributes encompassing the regulation of alternative splicing of specific genes, PHF5A also plays a pivotal role in cell cycle regulation and morphological development of cells along with their differentiation into particular tissues/organs, DNA damage repair, maintenance of pluripotent embryonic stem cells (CSCs) embryogenesis and regulation of chromatin-mediated transcription. Presently identification of spliceosome and non-spliceosome-associated attributes of PHF5A needs great attention based on its key involvement in the pathogenesis of cancer malignancies including the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma, endometrial adenocarcinoma, breast, and colorectal cancer. PHF5A is an essential splicing factor or cofactor actively participating as an oncogenic protein in tumorigenesis via activation of downstream signaling pathway attributed to its regulation of dysregulated splicing or abnormal alternative splicing of targeted genes. Further, the participation of PHF5A in regulating the growth of cancer stem cells might not be ignored. The current review briefly overviews the structural and functional attributes of PHF5A along with its hitherto described role in the propagation of cancer malignancies and its future concern as a potential therapeutic target for cancer management/treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojiang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Dalong Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Yun Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, LiaoYuanCity TCM Hospital, LiaoYuan, 136200, China
| | - Chenyang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, LiaoYuanCity TCM Hospital, LiaoYuan, 136200, China
| | - Zhicheng Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Baishan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Baishan, 134300, China
| | - Lin Tian
- Department of Lung Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130000, China
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Muller IB, Lin M, de Jonge R, Will N, López-Navarro B, van der Laken C, Struys EA, Oudejans CBM, Assaraf YG, Cloos J, Puig-Kröger A, Jansen G. Methotrexate Provokes Disparate Folate Metabolism Gene Expression and Alternative Splicing in Ex Vivo Monocytes and GM-CSF- and M-CSF-Polarized Macrophages. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9641. [PMID: 37298590 PMCID: PMC10253671 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119641] [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: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages constitute important immune cell targets of the antifolate methotrexate (MTX) in autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. Regulation of folate/MTX metabolism remains poorly understood upon pro-inflammatory (M1-type/GM-CSF-polarized) and anti-inflammatory (M2-type/M-CSF-polarized) macrophages. MTX activity strictly relies on the folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS) dependent intracellular conversion and hence retention to MTX-polyglutamate (MTX-PG) forms. Here, we determined FPGS pre-mRNA splicing, FPGS enzyme activity and MTX-polyglutamylation in human monocyte-derived M1- and M2-macrophages exposed to 50 nmol/L MTX ex vivo. Moreover, RNA-sequencing analysis was used to investigate global splicing profiles and differential gene expression in monocytic and MTX-exposed macrophages. Monocytes displayed six-eight-fold higher ratios of alternatively-spliced/wild type FPGS transcripts than M1- and M2-macrophages. These ratios were inversely associated with a six-ten-fold increase in FPGS activity in M1- and M2-macrophages versus monocytes. Total MTX-PG accumulation was four-fold higher in M1- versus M2-macrophages. Differential splicing after MTX-exposure was particularly apparent in M2-macrophages for histone methylation/modification genes. MTX predominantly induced differential gene expression in M1-macrophages, involving folate metabolic pathway genes, signaling pathways, chemokines/cytokines and energy metabolism. Collectively, macrophage polarization-related differences in folate/MTX metabolism and downstream pathways at the level of pre-mRNA splicing and gene expression may account for variable accumulation of MTX-PGs, hence possibly impacting MTX treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittai B. Muller
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.B.M.); (M.L.); (R.d.J.); (E.A.S.); (C.B.M.O.)
| | - Marry Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.B.M.); (M.L.); (R.d.J.); (E.A.S.); (C.B.M.O.)
| | - Robert de Jonge
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.B.M.); (M.L.); (R.d.J.); (E.A.S.); (C.B.M.O.)
| | - Nico Will
- Facility for Environment and Natural Science, Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus-Senftenberg, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany;
| | - Baltasar López-Navarro
- Laboratorio de Inmuno-Metabolismo e Inflamación, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain; (B.L.-N.); (A.P.-K.)
| | - Conny van der Laken
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center–location VUmc, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Eduard A. Struys
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.B.M.); (M.L.); (R.d.J.); (E.A.S.); (C.B.M.O.)
| | - Cees B. M. Oudejans
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (I.B.M.); (M.L.); (R.d.J.); (E.A.S.); (C.B.M.O.)
| | - Yehuda G. Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel;
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam University Medical Center–location VUmc, Cancer Center Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Amaya Puig-Kröger
- Laboratorio de Inmuno-Metabolismo e Inflamación, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Hospital Gregorio Marañón, 28007 Madrid, Spain; (B.L.-N.); (A.P.-K.)
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center–location VUmc, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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6
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Li M, Cheng Q, Wang X, Yang Y. Research progress and therapeutic prospect of PHF5A acting as a new target for malignant tumors. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2022; 51:647-655. [PMID: 36581580 PMCID: PMC10264978 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PHD-finger domain protein 5A (PHF5A) is a member of the PHD-finger like protein superfamily and widely expressed in the nucleus of eukaryotes. The PHD-finger like domain is a protein-DNA or protein-protein interaction region. In addition to regulate alternative splicing of target genes as a spliceosome protein subunit, PHF5A is also involved in pluripotency maintenance of embryonic stem cells, chromatin remodeling, DNA damage repair, embryogenesis and histomorphological development. Recently, increasing studies have focused on exploring spliceosome-related and non-spliceosome-related functions of PHF5A and its relationship with the tumorigenesis, development and patient prognosis of various malignant tumors, such as breast cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancer. The underlying mechanisms of PHF5A may include mediating aberrant alternative splicing of target genes, activating downstream signaling pathways as an oncogene/protein, and regulating abnormal gene transcription as a nuclear transcription factor or cofactor. Besides, PHF5A was also found to be involved in the growth regulation of cancer stem cells. In this review, we aimed to delineate the structural and functional characteristics of PHF5A, to summarize its role in the occurrence and development of malignant tumors hitherto described, and to provide potential targets for anti-tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Li
- 1. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Qianqian Cheng
- 1. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- 2. Anhui Clinical and Preclinical Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China
- 3. Molecular Diagnosis Center, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China
| | - Yan Yang
- 1. Department of Medical Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, Anhui Province, China
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7
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De Kesel J, Fijalkowski I, Taylor J, Ntziachristos P. Splicing dysregulation in human hematologic malignancies: beyond splicing mutations. Trends Immunol 2022; 43:674-686. [PMID: 35850914 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Splicing is a fundamental process in pre-mRNA maturation. Whereas alternative splicing (AS) enriches the diversity of the proteome, its aberrant regulation can drive oncogenesis. So far, most attention has been given to spliceosome mutations (SMs) in the context of splicing dysregulation in hematologic diseases. However, in recent years, post-translational modifications (PTMs) and transcriptional alterations of splicing factors (SFs), just as epigenetic signatures, have all been shown to contribute to global splicing dysregulation as well. In addition, the contribution of aberrant splicing to the neoantigen repertoire of cancers has been recognized. With the pressing need for novel therapeutics to combat blood cancers, this article provides an overview of emerging mechanisms that contribute to aberrant splicing, as well as their clinical potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas De Kesel
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Igor Fijalkowski
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Justin Taylor
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Panagiotis Ntziachristos
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium; Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University and Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
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8
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Leo IR, Aswad L, Stahl M, Kunold E, Post F, Erkers T, Struyf N, Mermelekas G, Joshi RN, Gracia-Villacampa E, Östling P, Kallioniemi OP, Tamm KP, Siavelis I, Lehtiö J, Vesterlund M, Jafari R. Integrative multi-omics and drug response profiling of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1691. [PMID: 35354797 PMCID: PMC8967900 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29224-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Although standard-of-care chemotherapeutics are sufficient for most ALL cases, there are subsets of patients with poor response who relapse in disease. The biology underlying differences between subtypes and their response to therapy has only partially been explained by genetic and transcriptomic profiling. Here, we perform comprehensive multi-omic analyses of 49 readily available childhood ALL cell lines, using proteomics, transcriptomics, and pharmacoproteomic characterization. We connect the molecular phenotypes with drug responses to 528 oncology drugs, identifying drug correlations as well as lineage-dependent correlations. We also identify the diacylglycerol-analog bryostatin-1 as a therapeutic candidate in the MEF2D-HNRNPUL1 fusion high-risk subtype, for which this drug activates pro-apoptotic ERK signaling associated with molecular mediators of pre-B cell negative selection. Our data is the foundation for the interactive online Functional Omics Resource of ALL (FORALL) with navigable proteomics, transcriptomics, and drug sensitivity profiles at https://proteomics.se/forall. Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia is characterised by a range of genetic aberrations. Here, the authors use multi-omics profiling of ALL cell lines to connect molecular phenotypes and drug responses to provide an interactive resource of drug sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Rose Leo
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Luay Aswad
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Matthias Stahl
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Elena Kunold
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Frederik Post
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden.,Institute of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Muenster, Schlossplatz 7, 48149, Muenster, Germany
| | - Tom Erkers
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Nona Struyf
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Georgios Mermelekas
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rubin Narayan Joshi
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Eva Gracia-Villacampa
- Division of Gene Technology, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, KTH, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Päivi Östling
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Olli P Kallioniemi
- Molecular Precision Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Katja Pokrovskaja Tamm
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, J6:140 BioClinicum, Akademiska stråket 1, 171 64, Solna, Sweden
| | - Ioannis Siavelis
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Janne Lehtiö
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Mattias Vesterlund
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden
| | - Rozbeh Jafari
- Clinical Proteomics Mass Spectrometry, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Science for Life Laboratory, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Solna, Sweden.
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9
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Venkataramany AS, Schieffer KM, Lee K, Cottrell CE, Wang PY, Mardis ER, Cripe TP, Chandler DS. Alternative RNA Splicing Defects in Pediatric Cancers: New Insights in Tumorigenesis and Potential Therapeutic Vulnerabilities. Ann Oncol 2022; 33:578-592. [PMID: 35339647 DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compared to adult cancers, pediatric cancers are uniquely characterized by a genomically stable landscape and lower tumor mutational burden. However, alternative splicing, a global cellular process that produces different mRNA/protein isoforms from a single mRNA transcript, has been increasingly implicated in the development of pediatric cancers. DESIGN We review the current literature on the role of alternative splicing in adult cancer, cancer predisposition syndromes, and pediatric cancers. We also describe multiple splice variants identified in adult cancers and confirmed through comprehensive genomic profiling in our institutional cohort of rare, refractory and relapsed pediatric and adolescent young adult cancer patients. Finally, we summarize the contributions of alternative splicing events to neoantigens and chemoresistance and prospects for splicing-based therapies. RESULTS Published dysregulated splicing events can be categorized as exon inclusion, exon exclusion, splicing factor upregulation, or splice site alterations. We observe these phenomena in cancer predisposition syndromes (Lynch syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, CHEK2) and pediatric leukemia (B-ALL), sarcomas (Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma), retinoblastoma, Wilms tumor, and neuroblastoma. Within our institutional cohort, we demonstrate splice variants in key regulatory genes (CHEK2, TP53, PIK3R1, MDM2, KDM6A, NF1) that resulted in exon exclusion or splice site alterations, which were predicted to impact functional protein expression and promote tumorigenesis. Differentially spliced isoforms and splicing proteins also impact neoantigen creation and treatment resistance, such as imatinib or glucocorticoid regimens. Additionally, splice-altering strategies with the potential to change the therapeutic landscape of pediatric cancers include antisense oligonucleotides, adeno-associated virus gene transfers, and small molecule inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS Alternative splicing plays a critical role in the formation and growth of pediatric cancers, and our institutional cohort confirms and highlights the broad spectrum of affected genes in a variety of cancers. Further studies that elucidate the mechanisms of disease-inducing splicing events will contribute toward the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Venkataramany
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Medical Scientist Training Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - K M Schieffer
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - K Lee
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - C E Cottrell
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - P Y Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - E R Mardis
- The Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - T P Cripe
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Division of Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant, Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States
| | - D S Chandler
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States; Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program and The Center for RNA Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States.
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10
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Maturation State-Specific Alternative Splicing in FLT3-ITD and NPM1 Mutated AML. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13163929. [PMID: 34439083 PMCID: PMC8394193 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13163929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In hematological malignancies, genome-wide sequencing studies found the process of splicing to be surprisingly frequently disrupted. While recent studies characterized altered splicing in relation to splicing factor mutations in AML, this study explored differential splicing profiles associated with two most common aberrations in AML: FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations. We identified the differential splicing of FAB-type specific gene sets in FLT3-ITD+/NPM1+ specimens as compared to FLT3-ITD−/NPM1− samples. The primary functions perturbed by differential splicing in all three FAB types included cell cycle control and DNA damage response. Interestingly, differential expression mainly affected genes involved in hematopoietic differentiation. Our findings increase our understanding of how genetic mutations translate to phenotypic features of AML cells to further improve response predictions and to find innovative therapeutic approaches. Altogether, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report differential splicing profiles associated with FLT3-ITD with a concomitant NPM1 mutation in AML. Abstract Despite substantial progress achieved in unraveling the genetics of AML in the past decade, its treatment outcome has not substantially improved. Therefore, it is important to better understand how genetic mutations translate to phenotypic features of AML cells to further improve response predictions and to find innovative therapeutic approaches. In this respect, aberrant splicing is a crucial contributor to the pathogenesis of hematological malignancies. Thus far, altered splicing is well characterized in relation to splicing factor mutations in AML. However, splicing profiles associated with mutations in other genes remain largely unexplored. In this study, we explored differential splicing profiles associated with two of the most common aberrations in AML: FLT3-ITD and NPM1 mutations. Using RNA-sequencing data of a total of 382 primary AML samples, we found that the co-occurrence of FLT3-ITD and mutated NPM1 is associated with differential splicing of FAB-type specific gene sets. Despite the FAB-type specificity of particular gene sets, the primary functions perturbed by differential splicing in all three FAB types include cell cycle control and DNA damage response. Interestingly, we observed functional divergence between alternatively spliced and differentially expressed genes in FLT3-ITD+/NPM1+ samples in all analyzed FAB types, with differential expression affecting genes involved in hematopoietic differentiation. Altogether, these observations indicate that concomitant FLT3-ITD and mutated NPM1 are associated with the maturation state-specific differential splicing of genes with potential oncogenic relevance.
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11
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Mehterov N, Kazakova M, Sbirkov Y, Vladimirov B, Belev N, Yaneva G, Todorova K, Hayrabedyan S, Sarafian V. Alternative RNA Splicing-The Trojan Horse of Cancer Cells in Chemotherapy. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071085. [PMID: 34356101 PMCID: PMC8306420 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost all transcribed human genes undergo alternative RNA splicing, which increases the diversity of the coding and non-coding cellular landscape. The resultant gene products might have distinctly different and, in some cases, even opposite functions. Therefore, the abnormal regulation of alternative splicing plays a crucial role in malignant transformation, development, and progression, a fact supported by the distinct splicing profiles identified in both healthy and tumor cells. Drug resistance, resulting in treatment failure, still remains a major challenge for current cancer therapy. Furthermore, tumor cells often take advantage of aberrant RNA splicing to overcome the toxicity of the administered chemotherapeutic agents. Thus, deciphering the alternative RNA splicing variants in tumor cells would provide opportunities for designing novel therapeutics combating cancer more efficiently. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive outline of the recent findings in alternative splicing in the most common neoplasms, including lung, breast, prostate, head and neck, glioma, colon, and blood malignancies. Molecular mechanisms developed by cancer cells to promote oncogenesis as well as to evade anticancer drug treatment and the subsequent chemotherapy failure are also discussed. Taken together, these findings offer novel opportunities for future studies and the development of targeted therapy for cancer-specific splicing variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Mehterov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Kazakova
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Yordan Sbirkov
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Boyan Vladimirov
- Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Nikolay Belev
- Medical Simulation and Training Center, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Galina Yaneva
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Varna, 9002 Varna, Bulgaria;
| | - Krassimira Todorova
- Laboratory of Reproductive OMICs Technologies, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (S.H.)
| | - Soren Hayrabedyan
- Laboratory of Reproductive OMICs Technologies, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; (K.T.); (S.H.)
| | - Victoria Sarafian
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (N.M.); (M.K.); (Y.S.)
- Research Institute, Medical University-Plovdiv, 4002 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +359-882-512-952
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12
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Muller IB, Lin M, Lems WF, Ter Wee MM, Wojtuszkiewicz A, Nurmohamed MT, Cloos J, Assaraf YG, Jansen G, de Jonge R. Association of altered folylpolyglutamate synthetase pre-mRNA splicing with methotrexate unresponsiveness in early rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 60:1273-1281. [PMID: 32940699 PMCID: PMC7937028 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives An efficient pharmacological response to MTX treatment in RA patients relies on the retention and accumulation of intracellular MTX-polyglutamates catalysed by the enzyme folylpolyglutamate synthetase (FPGS). We recently identified a partial retention of FPGS intron 8 (8PR) as a prominent splice variant conferring FPGS dysfunction and decreased MTX polyglutamylation in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Here, we explored the association between FPGS 8PR levels and lack of MTX responsiveness in RA patients. Methods Thirty-six patients undergoing MTX treatment were enrolled from the Combinatie behandeling Reumatoide Artritis (COBRA)-light trial. RNA was isolated from blood samples at baseline, 13 weeks and 26 weeks of therapy, from patients in either COBRA-light (n = 21) or COBRA (n = 15) treatment arms. RT-qPCR analysis was used to assess RNA levels of FPGS 8PR over wild-type FPGS (8WT). Results In the COBRA-light treatment arm, higher baseline ratios of 8PR/8WT were significantly associated with higher 44-joint disease activity score (DAS44) at 13 and 26 weeks. Higher baseline ratios of 8PR/8WT also trended towards not obtaining low disease activity (DAS <1.6) and becoming a EULAR non-responder at 13 and 26 weeks. In the COBRA-treatment arm, a significant association was observed between high baseline 8PR/8WT ratios and higher DAS44 score at 26 weeks. Higher 8PR/8WT ratios were associated with non-response at week 26 based on both low disease activity and EULAR criteria. Conclusion This study is the first to associate alterations in FPGS pre-mRNA splicing levels with reduced responsiveness to MTX treatment in RA patients. Trial registration ISRCTN55552928.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittai B Muller
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marry Lin
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Willem F Lems
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marieke M Ter Wee
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Wojtuszkiewicz
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael T Nurmohamed
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, location Reade, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and Immunology Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert de Jonge
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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13
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Muller IB, Meijers S, Kampstra P, van Dijk S, van Elswijk M, Lin M, Wojtuszkiewicz AM, Jansen G, de Jonge R, Cloos J. Computational comparison of common event-based differential splicing tools: practical considerations for laboratory researchers. BMC Bioinformatics 2021; 22:347. [PMID: 34174808 PMCID: PMC8236165 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-021-04263-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Computational tools analyzing RNA-sequencing data have boosted alternative splicing research by identifying and assessing differentially spliced genes. However, common alternative splicing analysis tools differ substantially in their statistical analyses and general performance. This report compares the computational performance (CPU utilization and RAM usage) of three event-level splicing tools; rMATS, MISO, and SUPPA2. Additionally, concordance between tool outputs was investigated. RESULTS Log-linear relations were found between job times and dataset size in all splicing tools and all virtual machine (VM) configurations. MISO had the highest job times for all analyses, irrespective of VM size, while MISO analyses also exceeded maximum CPU utilization on all VM sizes. rMATS and SUPPA2 load averages were relatively low in both size and replicate comparisons, not nearing maximum CPU utilization in the VM simulating the lowest computational power (D2 VM). RAM usage in rMATS and SUPPA2 did not exceed 20% of maximum RAM in both size and replicate comparisons while MISO reached maximum RAM usage in D2 VM analyses for input size. Correlation coefficients of differential splicing analyses showed high correlation (β > 80%) between different tool outputs with the exception of comparisons of retained intron (RI) events between rMATS/MISO and rMATS/SUPPA2 (β < 60%). CONCLUSIONS Prior to RNA-seq analyses, users should consider job time, amount of replicates and splice event type of interest to determine the optimal alternative splicing tool. In general, rMATS is superior to both MISO and SUPPA2 in computational performance. Analysis outputs show high concordance between tools, with the exception of RI events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ittai B Muller
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | - Marry Lin
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna M Wojtuszkiewicz
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Rm CCA 4.24, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Rheumatology and immunology Center, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert de Jonge
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Hematology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Rm CCA 4.24, Amsterdam UMC - location VUmc, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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14
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Sciarrillo R, Wojtuszkiewicz A, Assaraf YG, Jansen G, Kaspers GJL, Giovannetti E, Cloos J. The role of alternative splicing in cancer: From oncogenesis to drug resistance. Drug Resist Updat 2020; 53:100728. [PMID: 33070093 DOI: 10.1016/j.drup.2020.100728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a tightly regulated process whereby non-coding sequences of pre-mRNA are removed and protein-coding segments are assembled in diverse combinations, ultimately giving rise to proteins with distinct or even opposing functions. In the past decade, whole genome/transcriptome sequencing studies revealed the high complexity of splicing regulation, which occurs co-transcriptionally and is influenced by chromatin status and mRNA modifications. Consequently, splicing profiles of both healthy and malignant cells display high diversity and alternative splicing was shown to be widely deregulated in multiple cancer types. In particular, mutations in pre-mRNA regulatory sequences, splicing regulators and chromatin modifiers, as well as differential expression of splicing factors are important contributors to cancer pathogenesis. It has become clear that these aberrations contribute to many facets of cancer, including oncogenic transformation, cancer progression, response to anticancer drug treatment as well as resistance to therapy. In this respect, alternative splicing was shown to perturb the expression a broad spectrum of relevant genes involved in drug uptake/metabolism (i.e. SLC29A1, dCK, FPGS, and TP), activation of nuclear receptor pathways (i.e. GR, AR), regulation of apoptosis (i.e. MCL1, BCL-X, and FAS) and modulation of response to immunotherapy (CD19). Furthermore, aberrant splicing constitutes an important source of novel cancer biomarkers and the spliceosome machinery represents an attractive target for a novel and rapidly expanding class of therapeutic agents. Small molecule inhibitors targeting SF3B1 or splice factor kinases were highly cytotoxic against a wide range of cancer models, including drug-resistant cells. Importantly, these effects are enhanced in specific cancer subsets, such as splicing factor-mutated and c-MYC-driven tumors. Furthermore, pre-clinical studies report synergistic effects of spliceosome modulators in combination with conventional antitumor agents. These strategies based on the use of low dose splicing modulators could shift the therapeutic window towards decreased toxicity in healthy tissues. Here we provide an extensive overview of the latest findings in the field of regulation of splicing in cancer, including molecular mechanisms by which cancer cells harness alternative splicing to drive oncogenesis and evade anticancer drug treatment as well as splicing-based vulnerabilities that can provide novel treatment opportunities. Furthermore, we discuss current challenges arising from genome-wide detection and prediction methods of aberrant splicing, as well as unravelling functional relevance of the plethora of cancer-related splicing alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Sciarrillo
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma's Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anna Wojtuszkiewicz
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yehuda G Assaraf
- The Fred Wyszkowski Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Biology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 3200003, Israel
| | - Gerrit Jansen
- Amsterdam Immunology and Rheumatology Center, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Gertjan J L Kaspers
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Emma's Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Department of Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Fondazione Pisana per la Scienza, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacqueline Cloos
- Department of Hematology, Amsterdam UMC, VU University Medical Center, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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15
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Cherry S, Lynch KW. Alternative splicing and cancer: insights, opportunities, and challenges from an expanding view of the transcriptome. Genes Dev 2020; 34:1005-1016. [PMID: 32747477 PMCID: PMC7397854 DOI: 10.1101/gad.338962.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decade there has been increased awareness of the potential role of alternative splicing in the etiology of cancer. In particular, advances in RNA-Sequencing technology and analysis has led to a wave of discoveries in the last few years regarding the causes and functional relevance of alternative splicing in cancer. Here we discuss the current understanding of the connections between splicing and cancer, with a focus on the most recent findings. We also discuss remaining questions and challenges that must be addressed in order to use our knowledge of splicing to guide the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Cherry
- Department of Pathology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Kristen W Lynch
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
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