1
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Yang YT, Yao CY, Kao CJ, Chiu PJ, Lin ME, Hou HA, Lin CC, Chou WC, Tien HF. Clinical relevance of NFYA splice variants in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia undergoing intensive chemotherapy. Br J Haematol 2024. [PMID: 39192759 DOI: 10.1111/bjh.19733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Aberrant alternative splicing (AS) contributes to leukemogenesis, but reports on the clinical and biological implications of aberrant AS in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remain limited. Here, we used RNA-seq to analyse AS in AML cells from 341 patients, comparing them to healthy CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Our findings highlight distinct AS patterns in the nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha (NFYA) gene, with two main isoforms: NFYA-L (Long) and NFYA-S (Short), differing in exon 3 inclusion. Patients with lower NFYA-L but higher NFYA-S expression, termed NFYA-S predominance, displayed more favourable characteristics and better outcomes following intensive chemotherapy, regardless of age and European LeukemiaNet risk classification, compared to those with higher NFYA-L but lower NFYA-S expression, termed NFYA-L predominance. The prognostic effects were validated using The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulated cell cycle genes in NFYA-S predominant cases, resembling those of active HSCs, demonstrating relative chemosensitivity. Conversely, NFYA-L predominant cases, as observed in KMT2A-rearranged leukaemia, were associated with relative chemoresistance. NFYA-S overexpression in OCI-AML3 cells promoted cell proliferation, S-phase entry and increased cytarabine sensitivity, suggesting its clinical and therapeutic relevance in AML. Our study underscores NFYA AS as a potential prognostic biomarker in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Tsung Yang
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Yuan Yao
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chein-Jun Kao
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Ju Chiu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Hematological Oncology, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-En Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-An Hou
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Lin
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chien Chou
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwei-Fang Tien
- Division of Hematology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Far-Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
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2
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Chen F, Xu T, Jin N, Li D, Ying Y, Wang C. Transcription factor NFYA inhibits ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating PEBP1. Mutat Res 2024; 829:111873. [PMID: 38996537 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2024.111873] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death mediated by lipid peroxidation. The purpose was to explore the molecular mechanism by which phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1) regulates ferroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), hoping to identify novel therapeutic targets for LUAD. METHODS The expression, enrichment pathways and upstream transcription factors of PEBP1 were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments were conducted to validate the interaction and binding relationship between PEBP1 and the upstream transcription factor nuclear transcription factor Y subunit α (NFYA). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to measure the expression levels of PEBP1 and NFYA mRNA in LUAD cells. Cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8 assay. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), Fe2+, and lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed to evaluate ferroptosis levels in LUAD cells. RESULTS PEBP1 was downregulated and significantly enriched in the ferroptosis signaling pathway in LUAD. Overexpression of PEBP1 suppressed cell viability remarkably, while levels of MDA, Fe2+, and lipid ROS were increased. Conversely, knockdown of PEBP1 produced the opposite effects. The upstream transcription factor NFYA, predicted to be involved in the regulation of PEBP1, was also upregulated in LUAD. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, and molecular experiments revealed that NFYA transcriptionally suppressed the expression of PEBP1, and overexpression of NFYA could reverse the effects caused by PEBP1 overexpression. CONCLUSION PEBP1 regulated ferroptosis in LUAD, and the transcription factor NFYA inhibited ferroptosis in LUAD cells by transcriptionally downregulating PEBP1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Chen
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China.
| | - Tingting Xu
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Ni Jin
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Digeng Li
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Yanfu Ying
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respirotory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou City 318000, China
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3
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Dolfini D, Gnesutta N, Mantovani R. Expression and function of NF-Y subunits in cancer. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189082. [PMID: 38309445 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189082] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
NF-Y is a Transcription Factor (TF) targeting the CCAAT box regulatory element. It consists of the NF-YB/NF-YC heterodimer, each containing an Histone Fold Domain (HFD), and the sequence-specific subunit NF-YA. NF-YA expression is associated with cell proliferation and absent in some post-mitotic cells. The review summarizes recent findings impacting on cancer development. The logic of the NF-Y regulome points to pro-growth, oncogenic genes in the cell-cycle, metabolism and transcriptional regulation routes. NF-YA is involved in growth/differentiation decisions upon cell-cycle re-entry after mitosis and it is widely overexpressed in tumors, the HFD subunits in some tumor types or subtypes. Overexpression of NF-Y -mostly NF-YA- is oncogenic and decreases sensitivity to anti-neoplastic drugs. The specific roles of NF-YA and NF-YC isoforms generated by alternative splicing -AS- are discussed, including the prognostic value of their levels, although the specific molecular mechanisms of activity are still to be deciphered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, Milano 20133, Italy.
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4
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Yamanaka T, Kurosawa M, Yoshida A, Shimogori T, Hiyama A, Maity SN, Hattori N, Matsui H, Nukina N. The transcription factor NF-YA is crucial for neural progenitor maintenance during brain development. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105629. [PMID: 38199563 PMCID: PMC10839448 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105629] [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: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to stage-specific transcription factors, the role of ubiquitous transcription factors in neuronal development remains a matter of scrutiny. Here, we demonstrated that a ubiquitous factor NF-Y is essential for neural progenitor maintenance during brain morphogenesis. Deletion of the NF-YA subunit in neural progenitors by using nestin-cre transgene in mice resulted in significant abnormalities in brain morphology, including a thinner cerebral cortex and loss of striatum during embryogenesis. Detailed analyses revealed a progressive decline in multiple neural progenitors in the cerebral cortex and ganglionic eminences, accompanied by induced apoptotic cell death and reduced cell proliferation. In neural progenitors, the NF-YA short isoform lacking exon 3 is dominant and co-expressed with cell cycle genes. ChIP-seq analysis from the cortex during early corticogenesis revealed preferential binding of NF-Y to the cell cycle genes, some of which were confirmed to be downregulated following NF-YA deletion. Notably, the NF-YA short isoform disappears and is replaced by its long isoform during neuronal differentiation. Forced expression of the NF-YA long isoform in neural progenitors resulted in a significant decline in neuronal count, possibly due to the suppression of cell proliferation. Collectively, we elucidated a critical role of the NF-YA short isoform in maintaining neural progenitors, possibly by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, we identified an isoform switch in NF-YA within the neuronal lineage in vivo, which may explain the stage-specific role of NF-Y during neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience of Disease, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan; Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan; Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masaru Kurosawa
- Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Aya Yoshida
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Tomomi Shimogori
- Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Akiko Hiyama
- Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sankar N Maity
- Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Department of Neurology, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Matsui
- Department of Neuroscience of Disease, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Nukina
- Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Doshisha University Graduate School of Brain Science, Kyoto, Japan; Laboratory for Molecular Mechanisms of Brain Development, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan; Department of Neuroscience for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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5
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Ye C, Chong W, Liu Y, Zhu X, Ren H, Xu K, Xie X, Du F, Zhang Z, Wang M, Ma T, Shang L, Li L, Chen H. Suppression of tumorigenesis in LUAD by LRP1B through regulation of the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway. Am J Cancer Res 2023; 13:2886-2905. [PMID: 37560001 PMCID: PMC10408488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common type of lung cancer. LRP1B was initially identified as a cancer suppressor in several cancers. However, the potential biological phenotypes and molecular mechanisms of LRP1B in LUAD have not been fully investigated. In our study, we showed that the expression of LRP1B in LUAD tissues was lower than that in normal tissues. Knockdown of LRP1B markedly enhanced malignancy of LUAD cells. Genomic analysis indicated that the population expressing low-levels of LRP1B had higher genomic instability, which accounted for a larger proportion of aneuploidy and inflammation subtyping. Enrichment analysis of bulk and cell-line transcriptomic data both showed that the low expression of LRP1B could induce the activation of IL-6-JAK-STAT3, chemokine, cytokine, and other inflammation signaling pathways. Moreover, our findings revealed that knockdown LRP1B enhanced the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8, as confirmed by ELISA assays. Further validation using PCR and WB confirmed that downregulation of LRP1B mRNA significantly upregulated the activity of the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway. Collectively, this study highlights LRP1B as a tumor suppressor gene and reveals that LRP1B knockdown promotes malignant progression in LUAD by inducing inflammation through the IL-6-JAK-STAT3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunshui Ye
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Chong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xingyu Zhu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Huicheng Ren
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Kang Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaozhou Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Fengying Du
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zihao Zhang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Mingfei Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tianrong Ma
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Liang Shang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Leping Li
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Engineering of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical SciencesJinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hao Chen
- Clinical Research Center of Shandong University, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Qilu Hospital of Shandong UniversityJinan, Shandong, China
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6
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Rigillo G, Belluti S, Campani V, Ragazzini G, Ronzio M, Miserocchi G, Bighi B, Cuoghi L, Mularoni V, Zappavigna V, Dolfini D, Mercatali L, Alessandrini A, Imbriano C. The NF-Y splicing signature controls hybrid EMT and ECM-related pathways to promote aggressiveness of colon cancer. Cancer Lett 2023:216262. [PMID: 37307894 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant splicing events are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) and provide new opportunities for tumor diagnosis and treatment. The expression of the splice variants of NF-YA, the DNA binding subunit of the transcription factor NF-Y, is deregulated in multiple cancer types compared to healthy tissues. NF-YAs and NF-YAl isoforms differ in the transactivation domain, which may result in distinct transcriptional programs. In this study, we demonstrated that the NF-YAl transcript is higher in aggressive mesenchymal CRCs and predicts shorter patients' survival. In 2D and 3D conditions, CRC cells overexpressing NF-YAl (NF-YAlhigh) exhibit reduced cell proliferation, rapid single cell amoeboid-like migration, and form irregular spheroids with poor cell-to-cell adhesion. Compared to NF-YAshigh, NF-YAlhigh cells show changes in the transcription of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix and cell adhesion. NF-YAl and NF-YAs bind similarly to the promoter of the E-cadherin gene, but oppositely regulate its transcription. The increased metastatic potential of NF-YAlhigh cells in vivo was confirmed in zebrafish xenografts. These results suggest that the NF-YAl splice variant could be a new CRC prognostic factor and that splice-switching strategies may reduce metastatic CRC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Virginia Campani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Gregorio Ragazzini
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Miserocchi
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bighi
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Cuoghi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Mularoni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Zappavigna
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Mercatali
- Preclinic and Osteoncology Unit, Biosciences Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) "Dino Amadori", 47014, Meldola, Italy
| | - Andrea Alessandrini
- Department of Physics, Informatics and Mathematics, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/A, 41125, Modena, Italy; CNR-Nanoscience Institute-S3, Modena, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125, Modena, Italy.
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7
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Okada N, Ueki C, Shimazaki M, Tsujimoto G, Kohno S, Muranaka H, Yoshikawa K, Takahashi C. NFYA promotes malignant behavior of triple-negative breast cancer in mice through the regulation of lipid metabolism. Commun Biol 2023; 6:596. [PMID: 37268670 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04987-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Two splicing variants exist in NFYA that exhibit high expression in many human tumour types. The balance in their expression correlates with prognosis in breast cancer, but functional differences remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that NFYAv1, a long-form variant, upregulates the transcription of essential lipogenic enzymes ACACA and FASN to enhance the malignant behavior of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Loss of the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis strongly suppresses malignant behavior in vitro and in vivo, indicating that the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis is essential for TNBC malignant behavior and that the axis might be a potential therapeutic target for TNBC. Furthermore, mice deficient in lipogenic enzymes, such as Acly, Acaca, and Fasn, exhibit embryonic lethality; however, Nfyav1-deficient mice exhibited no apparent developmental abnormalities. Our results indicate that the NFYAv1-lipogenesis axis has tumour-promoting effects and that NFYAv1 may be a safe therapeutic target for TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Okada
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan.
- Department of Pharmacology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, 602-8566, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Ueki
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Masahiro Shimazaki
- Laboratory for Malignancy Control Research, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Goki Tsujimoto
- Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan
| | - Susumu Kohno
- Division of Oncology and Molecular Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Hayato Muranaka
- Division of Oncology and Molecular Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
- Samuel Oschin Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Kiyotsugu Yoshikawa
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Chiaki Takahashi
- Division of Oncology and Molecular Biology, Cancer Research Institute, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
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8
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Londero M, Gallo A, Cattaneo C, Ghilardi A, Ronzio M, Del Giacco L, Mantovani R, Dolfini D. NF-YAl drives EMT in Claudin low tumours. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:65. [PMID: 36707502 PMCID: PMC9883497 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-05591-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
NF-Y is a trimeric transcription factor whose binding site -the CCAAT box- is enriched in cancer-promoting genes. The regulatory subunit, the sequence-specificity conferring NF-YA, comes in two major isoforms, NF-YA long (NF-YAl) and short (NF-YAs). Extensive expression analysis in epithelial cancers determined two features: widespread overexpression and changes in NF-YAl/NF-YAs ratios (NF-YAr) in tumours with EMT features. We performed wet and in silico experiments to explore the role of the isoforms in breast -BRCA- and gastric -STAD- cancers. We generated clones of two Claudinlow BRCA lines SUM159PT and BT549 ablated of exon-3, thus shifting expression from NF-YAl to NF-YAs. Edited clones show normal growth but reduced migratory capacities in vitro and ability to metastatize in vivo. Using TCGA, including upon deconvolution of scRNA-seq data, we formalize the clinical importance of high NF-YAr, associated to EMT genes and cell populations. We derive a novel, prognostic 158 genes signature common to BRCA and STAD Claudinlow tumours. Finally, we identify splicing factors associated to high NF-YAr, validating RBFOX2 as promoting expression of NF-YAl. These data bring three relevant results: (i) the definition and clinical implications of NF-YAr and the 158 genes signature in Claudinlow tumours; (ii) genetic evidence of 28 amino acids in NF-YAl with EMT-promoting capacity; (iii) the definition of selected splicing factors associated to NF-YA isoforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Londero
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Gallo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Camilla Cattaneo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Ghilardi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Luca Del Giacco
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milano, Italy.
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9
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Li Z, You C, Huang J, Zhang M. NFYAv1 is a Tumor-Promoting Transcript Associated with Poor Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e938410. [PMID: 36680333 PMCID: PMC9875548 DOI: 10.12659/msm.938410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear Transcription Factor Y Subunit Alpha (NFYA), together with NFYB and NFYC, form a sequence-specific heterotrimeric nuclear transcription factor (NFY), but their functional role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. In this study, we explored the association between the NFY subunit genes and the survival of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The transcript-specific effect on HCC cell growth was studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS RNA-seq data from the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) and TCGA were analyzed in combination. In vitro cellular and molecular studies were conducted using SK-Hep-1 and Hep3B cells. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to assess correlations. Welch's unpaired t test and one-way ANOVA with post hoc Tukey's multiple comparisons were performed. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival curves were assessed by conducting log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. RESULTS NFYA was the only prognosis-related gene. Among the 2 splicing transcripts of NFYA, the long isoform (NFYAv1, NM_002505.5) but not the short-form (NFYAv2, NM_021705.4) was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS) (high [n=179] vs low [n=179], HR: 1.657, 95% CI: 1.228-2.235, P<0.001) and disease-specific survival (DSS) (high [n=175] vs low [n=175], HR: 1.986, 95% CI: 1.269-3.108, P<0.001) in HCC patients. GO/KEGG analysis in TCGA confirmed that NFYAv1 and NFYAv2 co-expressed (|Pearson's r|≥0.6) genes in primary HCC patients were enriched in quite different GO/KEGG terms. NFYAv1 knockdown significantly decreased cell viability and increased G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The shRNA only targeting NFYAv1 had a significantly stronger growth-inhibiting effect than the shRNA targeting both NFYAv1 and NFYAv2. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that NFYAv1 is a tumor-promoting transcript associated with poor prognosis of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zigang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Chengshan You
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second People’s Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Yibin, Yibin, Sichuan, PR China
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10
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Ventura I, Revert F, Revert-Ros F, Gómez-Tatay L, Prieto-Ruiz JA, Hernández-Andreu JM. SP1 and NFY Regulate the Expression of PNPT1, a Gene Encoding a Mitochondrial Protein Involved in Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911399. [PMID: 36232701 PMCID: PMC9570217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The Polyribonucleotide nucleotidyltransferase 1 gene (PNPT1) encodes polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase), a 3′-5′ exoribonuclease involved in mitochondrial RNA degradation and surveillance and RNA import into the mitochondrion. Here, we have characterized the PNPT1 promoter by in silico analysis, luciferase reporter assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), siRNA-based mRNA silencing and RT-qPCR. We show that the Specificity protein 1 (SP1) transcription factor and Nuclear transcription factor Y (NFY) bind the PNPT1 promoter, and have a relevant role regulating the promoter activity, PNPT1 expression, and mitochondrial activity. We also found in Kaplan–Meier survival curves that a high expression of either PNPase, SP1 or NFY subunit A (NFYA) is associated with a poor prognosis in liver cancer. In summary, our results show the relevance of SP1 and NFY in PNPT1 expression, and point to SP1/NFY and PNPase as possible targets in anti-cancer therapy.
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11
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Sun T, Zhang K, Li W, Liu Y, Pangeni RP, Li A, Arvanitis L, Raz DJ. Transcription factor AP2 enhances malignancy of non-small cell lung cancer through upregulation of USP22 gene expression. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:147. [PMID: 36123698 PMCID: PMC9484186 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00946-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22), a putative cancer stem cell marker, is frequently upregulated in cancers, and USP22 overexpression is associated with aggressive growth, metastasis, and therapy resistance in various human cancers including lung cancer. However, USP22 gene amplification seldom occurs, and the mechanism underlying USP22 upregulation in human cancers remains largely unknown. METHODS A luciferase reporter driven by a promoter region of USP22 gene was selectively constructed to screen against a customized siRNA library targeting 89 selected transcription factors to identify potential transcription factors (TFs) that regulate USP22 expression in human non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Association of identified TFs with USP22 and potential role of the TFs were validated and explored in NSCLC by biological assays and immunohistochemistry analysis. RESULTS Luciferase reporter assays revealed that SP1 and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) inhibit USP22 transcription, while transcription factor AP-2 Alpha/Beta (TFAP2A/2B) and c-Myc promote USP22 transcription. Binding site-directed mutagenesis and chromosome immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays validated AP2α and AP2β are novel TFs of USP22. Furthermore, overexpression of AP2A and AP2B significantly upregulates USP22 expression, and its target: Cyclin D1, concurrently enhances the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 and H1299 cells in a partially USP22-dependent manner. Moreover, AP2 protein level correlated with USP22 protein in human NSCLC tissues. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate AP2α and AP2β are important transcription factors driving USP22 gene expression to promote the progression of NSCLC, and further support USP22 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.,Laboratory of Surgery, The General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Keqiang Zhang
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
| | - Wendong Li
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Yunze Liu
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Rajendra P Pangeni
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Aimin Li
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Leonidas Arvanitis
- Department of Pathology, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Dan J Raz
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
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12
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Chen L, Hu K, Liu Y, Liu L, Tang J, Qin X. Knockdown of replication protein A 3 induces protective autophagy and enhances cisplatin sensitivity in lung adenocarcinoma by inhibiting AKT/mTOR signaling via binding to cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit 2. Drug Dev Res 2022; 83:1589-1599. [PMID: 35903032 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.21978] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Replication protein A 3 (RPA3) is a significant component of replication protein A and has been documented to function as an oncogene in several types of cancers. However, the role and underlying mechanism of RPA3 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unknown. In this study, messenger expression of RPA3 and survival probability in LUAD were predicted by the UALCAN database. The combination of RPA3 with cyclin-dependent kinases regulatory subunit 2 (CKS2) were characterized by the humanbase and STRING databases and verified by co-immunoprecipitation. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and colony formation assay. Flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay were used to determine cell cycle and cell apoptosis, respectively. The expressions of protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (AKT/mTOR) pathway and autophagy-related proteins were examined by western blot assay. Significantly, we revealed that RPA3 expression was upregulated in LUAD and is associated with poor prognosis in LUAD patients. RPA3 and CKS2 expression was highly expressed in LUAD cell lines and the interaction between RPA3 and CKS2 was confirmed. RPA3 silencing inhibited A549 cell viability, blocked cell cycle and promoted cell apoptosis, as well as induction of autophagy and inhibition of AKT/mTOR signaling. CKS2 overexpression reversed the effects of RPA3 silencing on A549 cells. In addition, RPA3 knockdown enhanced cisplatin sensitivity of A549 cells through blocking the AKT/mTOR signaling. These results suggested that RPA3 might control LUAD cell autophagy and enhance cisplatin sensitivity by regulation of AKT/mTOR signaling via targeting CKS2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Chen
- Department of Gerneral Theory of Surgery, Medical College, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Ke Hu
- Department of Gerneral Theory of Surgery, Medical College, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Department of Gerneral Theory of Surgery, Medical College, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Lingli Liu
- Department of Gerneral Theory of Surgery, Medical College, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, Hunan, China
| | - Juanjuan Tang
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaobing Qin
- Department of Oncology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Bernardini A, Gallo A, Gnesutta N, Dolfini D, Mantovani R. Phylogeny of NF-YA trans-activation splicing isoforms in vertebrate evolution. Genomics 2022; 114:110390. [PMID: 35589059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110390] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
NF-Y is a trimeric pioneer Transcription Factor (TF) whose target sequence -the CCAAT box- is present in ~25% of mammalian promoters. We reconstruct the phylogenetic history of the regulatory NF-YA subunit in vertebrates. We find that in addition to the remarkable conservation of the subunits-interaction and DNA-binding parts, the Transcriptional Activation Domain (TAD) is also conserved (>90% identity among bony vertebrates). We infer the phylogeny of the alternatively spliced exon-3 and partial splicing events of exon-7 -7N and 7C- revealing independent clade-specific losses of these regions. These isoforms shape the TAD. Absence of exon-3 in basal deuterostomes, cartilaginous fishes and hagfish, but not in lampreys, suggests that the "short" isoform is primordial, with emergence of exon-3 in chordates. Exon 7N was present in the vertebrate common ancestor, while 7C is a molecular innovation of teleost fishes. RNA-seq analysis in several species confirms expression of all these isoforms. We identify 3 blocks of amino acids in the TAD shared across deuterostomes, yet structural predictions and sequence analyses suggest an evolutionary drive for maintenance of an Intrinsically Disordered Region -IDR- within the TAD. Overall, these data help reconstruct the logic for alternative splicing of this essential eukaryotic TF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bernardini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
| | - Alberto Gallo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy.
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Upregulation of CENPM facilitates lung adenocarcinoma progression via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2021; 54:99-112. [PMID: 35130633 PMCID: PMC9909302 DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2021013] [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] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Centromere protein M (CENPM) is essential for chromosome separation during mitosis. However, its roles in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression and metastasis remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of CENPM on LUAD progression as well as the underlying mechanisms. We analyzed the expression of CENPM and its correlation with clinicopathological characteristics using GEO LUAD chip datasets and TCGA dataset. We further investigated the impact of CENPM on LUAD and . In silico analysis and qRT-PCR revealed that CENPM is upregulated in LUAD compared with that in normal lung tissues. Via gain/loss-of-function assays, we further found that CENPM promotes the LUAD cell cycle, cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibits cell apoptosis. The study showed that loss of CENPM inhibits the growth of A549 xenografts. Furthermore, we found that CENPM can promote the phosphorylation of mTOR rather than directly affect the mTOR content. Inhibition of mTOR activity abrogates the promoting effects of CENPM on cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Taken together, these results show that CENPM plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of LUAD and may be a promising therapeutic target in LUAD.
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15
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Gallo A, Ronzio M, Bezzecchi E, Mantovani R, Dolfini D. NF-Y subunits overexpression in gastric adenocarcinomas (STAD). Sci Rep 2021; 11:23764. [PMID: 34887475 PMCID: PMC8660849 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03027-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-Y is a pioneer transcription factor-TF-formed by the Histone-like NF-YB/NF-YC subunits and the regulatory NF-YA. It binds to the CCAAT box, an element enriched in promoters of genes overexpressed in many types of cancer. NF-YA is present in two major isoforms-NF-YAs and NF-YAl-due to alternative splicing, overexpressed in epithelial tumors. Here we analyzed NF-Y expression in stomach adenocarcinomas (STAD). We completed the partitioning of all TCGA tumor samples (450) according to molecular subtypes proposed by TCGA and ACRG, using the deep learning tool DeepCC. We analyzed differentially expressed genes-DEG-for enriched pathways and TFs binding sites in promoters. CCAAT is the predominant element only in the core group of genes upregulated in all subtypes, with cell-cycle gene signatures. NF-Y subunits are overexpressed, particularly NF-YA. NF-YAs is predominant in CIN, MSI and EBV TCGA subtypes, NF-YAl is higher in GS and in the ACRG EMT subtypes. Moreover, NF-YAlhigh tumors correlate with a discrete Claudinlow cohort. Elevated NF-YB levels are protective in MSS;TP53+ patients, whereas high NF-YAl/NF-YAs ratios correlate with worse prognosis. We conclude that NF-Y isoforms are associated to clinically relevant features of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Gallo
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Eugenia Bezzecchi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.
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16
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Belluti S, Semeghini V, Rigillo G, Ronzio M, Benati D, Torricelli F, Reggiani Bonetti L, Carnevale G, Grisendi G, Ciarrocchi A, Dominici M, Recchia A, Dolfini D, Imbriano C. Alternative splicing of NF-YA promotes prostate cancer aggressiveness and represents a new molecular marker for clinical stratification of patients. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:362. [PMID: 34782004 PMCID: PMC8594157 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-02166-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approaches based on expression signatures of prostate cancer (PCa) have been proposed to predict patient outcomes and response to treatments. The transcription factor NF-Y participates to the progression from benign epithelium to both localized and metastatic PCa and is associated with aggressive transcriptional profile. The gene encoding for NF-YA, the DNA-binding subunit of NF-Y, produces two alternatively spliced transcripts, NF-YAs and NF-YAl. Bioinformatic analyses pointed at NF-YA splicing as a key transcriptional signature to discriminate between different tumor molecular subtypes. In this study, we aimed to determine the pathophysiological role of NF-YA splice variants in PCa and their association with aggressive subtypes. METHODS Data on the expression of NF-YA isoforms were extracted from the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database of tumor prostate tissues and validated in prostate cell lines. Lentiviral transduction and CRISPR-Cas9 technology allowed the modulation of the expression of NF-YA splice variants in PCa cells. We characterized 3D cell cultures through in vitro assays and RNA-seq profilings. We used the rank-rank hypergeometric overlap approach to identify concordant/discordant gene expression signatures of NF-YAs/NF-YAl-overexpressing cells and human PCa patients. We performed in vivo studies in SHO-SCID mice to determine pathological and molecular phenotypes of NF-YAs/NF-YAl xenograft tumors. RESULTS NF-YA depletion affects the tumorigenic potential of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Elevated NF-YAs levels are associated to aggressive PCa specimens, defined by Gleason Score and TNM classification. NF-YAl overexpression increases cell motility, while NF-YAs enhances cell proliferation in PCa 3D spheroids and xenograft tumors. The transcriptome of NF-YAs-spheroids has an extensive overlap with localized and metastatic human PCa signatures. According to PCa PAM50 classification, NF-YAs transcript levels are higher in LumB, characterized by poor prognosis compared to LumA and basal subtypes. A significant decrease in NF-YAs/NF-YAl ratio distinguishes PCa circulating tumor cells from cancer cells in metastatic sites, consistently with pro-migratory function of NF-YAl. Stratification of patients based on NF-YAs expression is predictive of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, our results indicate that the modulation of NF-YA isoforms affects prostate pathophysiological processes and contributes to cancer-relevant phenotype, in vitro and in vivo. Evaluation of NF-YA splicing may represent a new molecular strategy for risk assessment of PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Belluti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Valentina Semeghini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rigillo
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy
| | - Mirko Ronzio
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Benati
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Federica Torricelli
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Luca Reggiani Bonetti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, Division of Pathology, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Carnevale
- Surgical, Medical and Dental Department of Morphological Sciences Related to Transplant, Oncology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Grisendi
- Laboratory of Cellular Therapy, Program of Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciarrocchi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Massimo Dominici
- Laboratory of Cellular Therapy, Program of Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology, Division of Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Children & Adults, University-Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Recchia
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, Modena, Italy.
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17
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Xie Q, Wang D, Luo X, Li Z, Hu A, Yang H, Tang J, Gao P, Sun T, Kong L. Proteome profiling of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung adenocarcinoma tissues using a tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics approach. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:706. [PMID: 34457061 PMCID: PMC8358594 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, increasing efforts have been made to improve the understanding of, and treatment options for, lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). However, considering the heterogeneity of LUAD, precise proteomics-based characterization at the molecular level is an urgent clinical requirement for effective treatment. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is a good option as the working tool for proteomics studies. The present study aimed to obtain a global protein profile using LUAD FFPE tissue samples. Using a quantitative proteomics approach, the study revealed that 360 proteins were significantly more highly expressed in LUAD than in adjacent nontumor lung tissues. Also, 19 differentially expressed membrane proteins were found to be primarily responsible for immune processes. Epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain and laminin EGF domain showed markedly different expression levels between cancer tissues and tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Furthermore, Gene Ontology functional enrichment analysis showed that significantly upregulated proteins were associated with the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, protein disulfide isomerase activity, vitamin binding, cell cycle G1/S phase transition, to name but a few. Also, numerous kinases and post-translational modification enzymes were significantly upregulated across all eight LUAD samples compared with paracarcinoma tissues. Proteomics analysis revealed that AAA domain containing 3A (ATAD3a), a member of the ATPase family, was highly expressed in LUAD tissues, which was supported by immunohistochemical analysis. Furthermore, the study confirmed that ATAD3a enhanced the cisplatin sensitivity of LUAD cells. Collectively, the findings of the present study provide new potential candidate targets in patients with LUAD, and may aid auxiliary LUAD diagnosis and surveillance in a noninvasive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xie
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Dan Wang
- Department of Neorology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Xiao Luo
- International Medical Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Aixia Hu
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Jinxing Tang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Peiyu Gao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Tingyi Sun
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
| | - Lingfei Kong
- Department of Pathology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R China
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NF-Y Subunits Overexpression in HNSCC. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13123019. [PMID: 34208636 PMCID: PMC8234210 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13123019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells have altered gene expression profiles. This is ultimately elicited by altered structure, expression or binding of transcription factors to regulatory regions of genomes. The CCAAT-binding trimer is a pioneer transcription factor involved in the activation of “cancer” genes. We and others have shown that the regulatory NF-YA subunit is overexpressed in epithelial cancers. Here, we examined large datasets of bulk gene expression profiles, as well as single-cell data, in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by bioinformatic methods. We partitioned tumors according to molecular subtypes, mutations and positivity for HPV. We came to the conclusion that high levels of the histone-like subunits and the “short” NF-YAs isoform are protective in HPV-positive tumors. On the other hand, high levels of the “long” NF-YAl were found in the recently identified aggressive and metastasis-prone cell population undergoing partial epithelial to mesenchymal transition, p-EMT. Abstract NF-Y is the CCAAT-binding trimer formed by the histone fold domain (HFD), NF-YB/NF-YC and NF-YA. The CCAAT box is generally prevalent in promoters of “cancer” genes. We reported the overexpression of NF-YA in BRCA, LUAD and LUSC, and of all subunits in HCC. Altered splicing of NF-YA was found in breast and lung cancer. We analyzed RNA-seq datasets of TCGA and cell lines of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). We partitioned all TCGA data into four subtypes, deconvoluted single-cell RNA-seq of tumors and derived survival curves. The CCAAT box was enriched in the promoters of overexpressed genes. The “short” NF-YAs was overexpressed in all subtypes and the “long” NF-YAl in Mesenchymal. The HFD subunits are overexpressed, except Basal (NF-YB) and Atypical (NF-YC); NF-YAl is increased in p53 mutated tumors. In HPV-positive tumors, high levels of NF-YAs, p16 and ΔNp63 correlate with better prognosis. Deconvolution of single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) found a correlation of NF-YAl with Cancer Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and p-EMT cells, a population endowed with metastatic potential. We conclude that overexpression of HFD subunits and NF-YAs is protective in HPV-positive tumors; expression of NF-YAl is largely confined to mutp53 tumors and malignant p-EMT cells.
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Ronzio M, Bernardini A, Pavesi G, Mantovani R, Dolfini D. On the NF-Y regulome as in ENCODE (2019). PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008488. [PMID: 33370256 PMCID: PMC7793273 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-Y is a trimeric Transcription Factor -TF- which binds with high selectivity to the conserved CCAAT element. Individual ChIP-seq analysis as well as ENCODE have progressively identified locations shared by other TFs. Here, we have analyzed data introduced by ENCODE over the last five years in K562, HeLa-S3 and GM12878, including several chromatin features, as well RNA-seq profiling of HeLa cells after NF-Y inactivation. We double the number of sequence-specific TFs and co-factors reported. We catalogue them in 4 classes based on co-association criteria, infer target genes categorizations, identify positional bias of binding sites and gene expression changes. Larger and novel co-associations emerge, specifically concerning subunits of repressive complexes as well as RNA-binding proteins. On the one hand, these data better define NF-Y association with single members of major classes of TFs, on the other, they suggest that it might have a wider role in the control of mRNA production. The ongoing ENCODE consortium represents a useful compendium of locations of TFs, chromatin marks, gene expression data. In previous reports, we identified modules of CCAAT-binding NF-Y with individual TFs. Here, we analyzed all 363 factors currently present: 68 with enrichment of CCAAT in their locations, 38 with overlap of peaks. New sequence-specific TFs, co-activators and co-repressors are reported. Co-association patterns correspond to specific targeted genes categorizations and gene expression changes, as assessed by RNA-seq after NF-Y inactivation. These data widen and better define a coherent model of synergy of NF-Y with selected groups of TFs and co-factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Ronzio
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Bernardini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Pavesi
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
- * E-mail:
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20
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Bezzecchi E, Ronzio M, Mantovani R, Dolfini D. NF-Y Overexpression in Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9157. [PMID: 33271832 PMCID: PMC7731131 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-Y is a pioneer trimeric transcription factor formed by the Histone Fold Domain (HFD) NF-YB/NF-YC subunits and NF-YA. Three subunits are required for DNA binding. CCAAT-specificity resides in NF-YA and transactivation resides in Q-rich domains of NF-YA and NF-YC. They are involved in alternative splicing (AS). We recently showed that NF-YA is overexpressed in breast and lung carcinomas. We report here on the overexpression of all subunits in the liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) TCGA database, specifically the short NF-YAs and NF-YC2 (37 kDa) isoforms. This is observed at all tumor stages, in viral-infected samples and independently from the inflammatory status. Up-regulation of NF-YAs and NF-YC, but not NF-YB, is associated to tumors with mutant p53. We used a deep-learning-based method (DeepCC) to extend the partitioning of the three molecular clusters to all HCC TCGA tumors. In iCluster3, CCAAT is a primary matrix found in promoters of up-regulated genes, and cell-cycle pathways are enriched. Finally, clinical data indicate that, globally, only NF-YAs, but not HFD subunits, correlate with the worst prognosis; in iCluster1 patients, however, all subunits correlate. The data show a difference with other epithelial cancers, in that global overexpression of the three subunits is reported and clinically relevant in a subset of patients; yet, they further reinstate the regulatory role of the sequence-specific subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Diletta Dolfini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (E.B.); (M.R.); (R.M.)
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21
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Rafique O, Mir AH. Weighted dimensionality reduction and robust Gaussian mixture model based cancer patient subtyping from gene expression data. J Biomed Inform 2020; 112:103620. [PMID: 33188907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbi.2020.103620] [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: 03/31/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The heterogeneous nature of cancer necessitates subtyping of cancer patients into distinct and well separated subgroups. However, computational issues arise because gene expression data is noisy and contains outliers apart from being high dimensional. As such, an attempt to subtype cancer patients from gene expression data leads to highly overlapping Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival plots and thus clear distinction among the discovered subtypes becomes difficult. Here we attempt to achieve a greater separation among the subtypes through a robust clustering pipeline. METHODS We propose a robust framework to achieve a better separation among the discovered subtypes. Our framework is based on dimensionality reduction of a weighted gene expression matrix using t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) and a robust Gaussian mixture model based clustering approach. Every gene is weighted according to the median absolute deviation (MAD) of the gene before dimensionality reduction. The results are quantified by measuring the minimum pairwise separation among the KM plots and minimum hazard ratio among the subtypes. We also introduce a novel method, called cumulative survival separation, to quantify the separation among the discovered subtypes. RESULTS To validate the proposed methodology we obtained five cancer gene expression datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and comparisons with Consensus Clustering (CC), Consensus non-negative matrix factorization (CNMF), fast density-aware spectral clustering (Spectrum) and Neighborhood based Multi-Omics clustering (NEMO) methodologies show that the proposed method is able to achieve a greater separation compared to the aforementioned methods in literature. For instance, the minimum pairwise life expectancy difference (in days) between the discovered subtypes for GBM is 61 days for the proposed methodology with MAD scores, whereas it is approximately 33, 19, 49 and 33 days only for CC, Spectrum, Nemo and CNMF respectively. Comparisons are also shown for the proposed framework with and without using the MAD scores and it is observed that MAD score significantly improves the subtype separation. Hazard ratio analysis also shows that the proposed methodology performs better. Furthermore, pathway over-representation analyses were carried to identify relevant genetic pathways which can be possible targets for treatment. CONCLUSION The results suggest that the use of median absolute deviation and a robust clustering methodology are helpful in achieving greater separation among the subtypes with better statistical and clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Rafique
- Machine Learning Lab, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, JK, India.
| | - A H Mir
- Machine Learning Lab, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, JK, India
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Nardone V, Chaves-Sanjuan A, Lapi M, Airoldi C, Saponaro A, Pasqualato S, Dolfini D, Camilloni C, Bernardini A, Gnesutta N, Mantovani R, Nardini M. Structural Basis of Inhibition of the Pioneer Transcription Factor NF-Y by Suramin. Cells 2020; 9:E2370. [PMID: 33138093 PMCID: PMC7692634 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
NF-Y is a transcription factor (TF) comprising three subunits (NF-YA, NF-YB, NF-YC) that binds with high specificity to the CCAAT sequence, a widespread regulatory element in gene promoters of prosurvival, cell-cycle-promoting, and metabolic genes. Tumor cells undergo "metabolic rewiring" through overexpression of genes involved in such pathways, many of which are under NF-Y control. In addition, NF-YA appears to be overexpressed in many tumor types. Thus, limiting NF-Y activity may represent a desirable anti-cancer strategy, which is an ongoing field of research. With virtual-screening docking simulations on a library of pharmacologically active compounds, we identified suramin as a potential NF-Y inhibitor. We focused on suramin given its high water-solubility that is an important factor for in vitro testing, since NF-Y is sensitive to DMSO. By electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), STD NMR, X-ray crystallography, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we showed that suramin binds to the histone fold domains (HFDs) of NF-Y, preventing DNA-binding. Our analyses, provide atomic-level detail on the interaction between suramin and NF-Y and reveal a region of the protein, nearby the suramin-binding site and poorly conserved in other HFD-containing TFs, that may represent a promising starting point for rational design of more specific and potent inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Nardone
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Antonio Chaves-Sanjuan
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Michela Lapi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Cristina Airoldi
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy;
| | - Andrea Saponaro
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Sebastiano Pasqualato
- Department of Experimental Oncology, IEO, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Via Adamello 16, 20139 Milan, Italy;
| | - Diletta Dolfini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Carlo Camilloni
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Andrea Bernardini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Nerina Gnesutta
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberto Mantovani
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
| | - Marco Nardini
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milano, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milano, Italy; (V.N.); (A.C.-S.); (M.L.); (A.S.); (D.D.); (C.C.); (A.B.); (N.G.); (R.M.)
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Zhang Y, Sun Y, Jia Y, Zhang Q, Zhu P, Ma X. α5-nAChR and survivin: Two potential biological targets in lung adenocarcinoma. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:1787-1797. [PMID: 33196129 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the overexpression of α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α5-nAChR) is associated with nicotine-related lung carcinogenesis. Survivin is one of the biomarkers of a worse prognosis for smoking-related lung cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of α5-nAChR, survivin, and clinical outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We analyzed the expression level and correlation of CHRNA5 (encoding α5-nAChR) and BIRC5 (encoding survivin) in LUAD with The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and the expression of CHRNA5 or/and BIRC5 was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Moreover, our results showed that the expression of α5-nAChR mediated survivin expression in lung cancer cells and in lung tumor xenografts. Relationships between the expression of α5-nAChR and/or survivin with clinical-pathological characteristics were analyzed using LUAD tissue samples. The results showed that expression of α5-nAChR was correlated with survivin expression in vitro and in vivo. The group coexpressing α5-nAChR and survivin had a worse prognosis than other subgroups in LUAD (p < .05). In conclusion, ascertaining the expression of both α5-nAChR and survivin provides a better measure of prognosis for LUAD patients. The combined inhibition of α5-nAChR and survivin may be a promising multitargeted gene therapeutic strategy in LUAD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhang
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yilin Sun
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang, China
| | - Yanfei Jia
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China.,Research Center of Basic Medicine, Jinan Central Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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Belluti S, Rigillo G, Imbriano C. Transcription Factors in Cancer: When Alternative Splicing Determines Opposite Cell Fates. Cells 2020; 9:E760. [PMID: 32244895 PMCID: PMC7140685 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a finely regulated mechanism for transcriptome and proteome diversification in eukaryotic cells. Correct balance between AS isoforms takes part in molecular mechanisms that properly define spatiotemporal and tissue specific transcriptional programs in physiological conditions. However, several diseases are associated to or even caused by AS alterations. In particular, multiple AS changes occur in cancer cells and sustain the oncogenic transcriptional program. Transcription factors (TFs) represent a key class of proteins that control gene expression by direct binding to DNA regulatory elements. AS events can generate cancer-associated TF isoforms with altered activity, leading to sustained proliferative signaling, differentiation block and apoptosis resistance, all well-known hallmarks of cancer. In this review, we focus on how AS can produce TFs isoforms with opposite transcriptional activities or antagonistic functions that severely impact on cancer biology. This summary points the attention to the relevance of the analysis of TFs splice variants in cancer, which can allow patients stratification despite the presence of interindividual genetic heterogeneity. Recurrent TFs variants that give advantage to specific cancer types not only open the opportunity to use AS transcripts as clinical biomarkers but also guide the development of new anti-cancer strategies in personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carol Imbriano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Campi 213/D, 41125 Modena, Italy; (S.B.); (G.R.)
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