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Nian Q, Li Y, Li J, Zhao L, Rodrigues Lima F, Zeng J, Liu R, Ye Z. U2AF1 in various neoplastic diseases and relevant targeted therapies for malignant cancers with complex mutations (Review). Oncol Rep 2024; 51:5. [PMID: 37975232 PMCID: PMC10688450 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8664] [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: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) is a multifunctional protein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of RNA splicing during eukaryotic gene expression. U2AF1 belongs to the SR family of splicing factors and is involved in the removal of introns from mRNAs and exon-exon binding. Mutations in U2AF1 are frequently observed in myelodysplastic syndrome, primary myelofibrosis, chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia, hairy cell leukaemia and other solid tumours, particularly in lung, pancreatic, and ovarian carcinomas. Therefore, targeting U2AF1 for therapeutic interventions may be a viable strategy for treating malignant diseases. In the present review, the pathogenic mechanisms associated with U2AF1 in different malignant diseases were summarized, and the potential of related targeting agents was discussed. Additionally, the feasibility of natural product-based therapies directed against U2AF1 was explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Nian
- Department of Transfusion, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Yihui Li
- Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Key Laboratory, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Jingwei Li
- Department of Transfusion, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Liyun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
| | - Fernando Rodrigues Lima
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Unité de Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Jinhao Zeng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 610000, P.R. China
| | - Rongxing Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400000, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Ye
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan 610072, P.R. China
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Rozza R, Janoš P, Spinello A, Magistrato A. Role of computational and structural biology in the development of small-molecule modulators of the spliceosome. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2022; 17:1095-1109. [PMID: 35983696 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2022.2114452] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION RNA splicing is a pivotal step of eukaryotic gene expression during which the introns are excised from the precursor (pre-)RNA and the exons are joined together to form mature RNA products (i.e a protein-coding mRNA or long non-coding (lnc)RNAs). The spliceosome, a complex ribonucleoprotein machine, performs pre-RNA splicing with extreme precision. Deregulated splicing is linked to cancer, genetic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, the discovery of small-molecules targeting core spliceosome components represents an appealing therapeutic opportunity. AREA COVERED Several atomic-level structures of the spliceosome and distinct splicing-modulators bound to its protein/RNA components have been solved. Here, we review recent advances in the discovery of small-molecule splicing-modulators, discuss opportunities and challenges for their therapeutic applicability, and showcase how structural data and/or all-atom simulations can illuminate key facets of their mechanism, thus contributing to future drug-discovery campaigns. EXPERT OPINION This review highlights the potential of modulating pre-RNA splicing with small-molecules, and anticipates how the synergy of computer and wet-lab experiments will enrich our understanding of splicing regulation/deregulation mechanisms. This information will aid future structure-based drug-discovery efforts aimed to expand the currently limited portfolio of selective splicing-modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Rozza
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Materials-foundry (CNR-IOM) C/o SISSA, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pavel Janoš
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Materials-foundry (CNR-IOM) C/o SISSA, Trieste, Italy
| | - Angelo Spinello
- Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Alessandra Magistrato
- National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Materials-foundry (CNR-IOM) C/o SISSA, Trieste, Italy
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The Biological and Clinical Consequences of RNA Splicing Factor U2AF1 Mutation in Myeloid Malignancies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184406. [PMID: 36139566 PMCID: PMC9496927 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1) is one of the most important RNA splicing genes involved in regulating the alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. U2AF1 mutation is a genetic driver event in the initiation of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and frequently occurs in myeloid malignancies. U2AF1 mutation can severely impair hematopoiesis, drive tumor progression, adversely affect disease prognosis, and promote leukemic transformation. This review summarizes the biological and clinical implications of the oncogenic role of U2AF1 mutation in myeloid tumors. Our work provides important and comprehensive insights into the development of the U2AF1 mutation as a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for myeloid malignancies. Abstract Mutations of spliceosome genes have been frequently identified in myeloid malignancies with the large-scale application of advanced sequencing technology. U2 small nuclear RNA auxiliary factor 1 (U2AF1), an essential component of U2AF heterodimer, plays a pivotal role in the pre-mRNA splicing processes to generate functional mRNAs. Over the past few decades, the mutation landscape of U2AF1 (most frequently involved S34 and Q157 hotspots) has been drawn in multiple cancers, particularly in myeloid malignancies. As a recognized early driver of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), U2AF1 mutates most frequently in MDS, followed by acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Here, for the first time, we summarize the research progress of U2AF1 mutations in myeloid malignancies, including the correlations between U2AF1 mutations with clinical and genetic characteristics, prognosis, and the leukemic transformation of patients. We also summarize the adverse effects of U2AF1 mutations on hematopoietic function, and the alterations in downstream alternative gene splicing and biological pathways, thus providing comprehensive insights into the roles of U2AF1 mutations in the myeloid malignancy pathogenesis. U2AF1 mutations are expected to be potential novel molecular markers for myeloid malignancies, especially for risk stratification, prognosis assessment, and a therapeutic target of MDS patients.
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Concurrent Zrsr2 mutation and Tet2 loss promote myelodysplastic neoplasm in mice. Leukemia 2022; 36:2509-2518. [PMID: 36030305 PMCID: PMC9522584 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01674-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
RNA splicing and epigenetic gene mutations are the most frequent genetic lesions found in patients with myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS). About 25% of patients present concomitant mutations in such pathways, suggesting a cooperative role in MDS pathogenesis. Importantly, mutations in the splicing factor ZRSR2 frequently associate with alterations in the epigenetic regulator TET2. However, the impact of these concurrent mutations in hematopoiesis and MDS remains unclear. Using CRISPR/Cas9 genetically engineered mice, we demonstrate that Zrsr2m/mTet2-/- promote MDS with reduced penetrance. Animals presented peripheral blood cytopenia, splenomegaly, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and multi-lineage dysplasia, signs consistent with MDS. We identified a myelo-erythroid differentiation block accompanied by an expansion of LT-HSC and MPP2 progenitors. Transplanted animals presented a similar phenotype, thus indicating that alterations were cell-autonomous. Whole-transcriptome analysis in HSPC revealed key alterations in ribosome, inflammation, and migration/motility processes. Moreover, we found the MAPK pathway as the most affected target by mRNA aberrant splicing. Collectively, this study shows that concomitant Zrsr2 mutation and Tet2 loss are sufficient to initiate MDS in mice. Understanding this mechanistic interplay will be crucial for the identification of novel therapeutic targets in the spliceosome/epigenetic MDS subgroup.
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Togami K, Chung SS, Madan V, Booth CAG, Kenyon CM, Cabal-Hierro L, Taylor J, Kim SS, Griffin GK, Ghandi M, Li J, Li YY, Angelot-Delettre F, Biichle S, Seiler M, Buonamici S, Lovitch SB, Louissaint A, Morgan EA, Jardin F, Piccaluga PP, Weinstock DM, Hammerman PS, Yang H, Konopleva M, Pemmaraju N, Garnache-Ottou F, Abdel-Wahab O, Koeffler HP, Lane AA. Sex-biased ZRSR2 mutations in myeloid malignancies impair plasmacytoid dendritic cell activation and apoptosis. Cancer Discov 2021; 12:522-541. [PMID: 34615655 PMCID: PMC8831459 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is an aggressive leukemia of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs). BPDCN occurs at least three times more frequently in men than women, but the reasons for this sex bias are unknown. Here, studying genomics of primary BPDCN and modeling disease-associated mutations, we link acquired alterations in RNA splicing to abnormal pDC development and inflammatory response through Toll-like receptors. Loss-of-function mutations in ZRSR2, an X chromosome gene encoding a splicing factor, are enriched in BPDCN and nearly all mutations occur in males. ZRSR2 mutation impairs pDC activation and apoptosis after inflammatory stimuli, associated with intron retention and inability to upregulate the transcription factor IRF7. In vivo, BPDCN-associated mutations promote pDC expansion and signatures of decreased activation. These data support a model in which male-biased mutations in hematopoietic progenitors alter pDC function and confer protection from apoptosis, which may impair immunity and predispose to leukemic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vikas Madan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | | | | | | | - Justin Taylor
- Medicine/Hematology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | | | | | | | - Jia Li
- National University of Singapore
| | - Yvonne Y Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pier Paolo Piccaluga
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic, and Specialty Medicine, Bologna University
| | | | | | - Henry Yang
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore
| | - Marina Konopleva
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
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