MDC1 Enhances Estrogen Receptor-mediated Transactivation and Contributes to Breast Cancer Suppression

Sex difference and immunosenescence affect transplantation outcomes

Kidney transplantation is a well-established alternative to renal replacement therapy. Although the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is increasing, the availability of kidney for transplantation is still insufficient to meet the needs. As age increases, the prevalence of ESRD increases; thus, the population of aged donors and recipients occupies large proportion. Accumulated senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory factors and induce senescence. Additionally, it is gradually becoming clear that biological sex differences can influence aging and cause differences in senescence. Here, we review whether age-related sex differences affect organ transplant outcomes and what should be done in the future.

Recent Research Advances in Double-Strand Break and Mismatch Repair Defects in Prostate Cancer and Potential Clinical Applications

Prostate cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Recent research advances have emphasized the critical roles of mismatch repair (MMR) and double-strand break (DSB) in prostate cancer development and progression. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the molecular mechanisms underlying DSB and MMR defects in prostate cancer, as well as their clinical implications. Furthermore, we discuss the promising therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint inhibitors and PARP inhibitors in targeting these defects, particularly in the context of personalized medicine and further perspectives. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of these novel treatments, including Food and Drugs Association (FDA) drug approvals, offering hope for improved patient outcomes. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of understanding the interplay between MMR and DSB defects in prostate cancer to develop innovative and effective therapeutic strategies for patients.

MDC1 maintains active elongation complexes of RNA polymerase II

The role of MDC1 in the DNA damage response has been extensively studied; however, its impact on other cellular processes is not well understood. Here, we describe the role of MDC1 in transcription as a regulator of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII). Depletion of MDC1 causes a genome-wide reduction in the abundance of actively engaged RNAPII elongation complexes throughout the gene body of protein-encoding genes under unperturbed conditions. Decreased engaged RNAPII subsequently alters the assembly of the spliceosome complex on chromatin, leading to changes in pre-mRNA splicing. Mechanistically, the S/TQ domain of MDC1 modulates RNAPII-mediated transcription. Upon genotoxic stress, MDC1 promotes the abundance of engaged RNAPII complexes at DNA breaks, thereby stimulating nascent transcription at the damaged sites. Of clinical relevance, cancer cells lacking MDC1 display hypersensitivity to RNAPII inhibitors. Overall, we unveil a role of MDC1 in RNAPII-mediated transcription with potential implications for cancer treatment.

The Interplay between the Cellular Response to DNA Double-Strand Breaks and Estrogen

Cancer development is often connected to impaired DNA repair and DNA damage signaling pathways. The presence of DNA damage in cells activates DNA damage response, which is a complex cellular signaling network that includes DNA repair, activation of the cell cycle checkpoints, cellular senescence, and apoptosis. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are toxic lesions that are mainly repaired by the non-homologous end joining and homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathways. Estrogen-dependent cancers, like breast and ovarian cancers, are frequently associated with mutations in genes that play a role in HRR. The female sex hormone estrogen binds and activates the estrogen receptors (ERs), ERα, ERβ and G-protein-coupled ER 1 (GPER1). ERα drives proliferation, while ERβ inhibits cell growth. Estrogen regulates the transcription, stability and activity of numerus DDR factors and DDR factors in turn modulate ERα expression, stability and transcriptional activity. Additionally, estrogen stimulates DSB formation in cells as part of its metabolism and proliferative effect. In this review, we will present an overview on the crosstalk between estrogen and the cellular response to DSBs. We will discuss how estrogen regulates DSB signaling and repair, and how DDR factors modulate the expression, stability and activity of estrogen. We will also discuss how the regulation of HRR genes by estrogen promotes the development of estrogen-dependent cancers.

Functional defects of cancer-associated MDC1 mutations in DNA damage repair

Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint protein 1 (MDC1) serves as a docking platform to promote the localization of various DNA damage response (DDR) components to DNA double-strand break (DSB) sites. MDC1 is vital in controlling proper DDR and maintaining genomic stability. In cancers, genomic instability results from mutations in DNA repair genes and drives cancer development. The mutations of MDC1 in human cancers have not been systematically examined and little is known about the molecular phenotypes caused by these genetic changes. Here, we summarized cancer-associated mutations of MDC1 including insertion/deletion mutations as well as missense mutations in key functional domains of MDC1 from ICGC, TCGA and COSMIC databases. We analyzed 711 somatic mutations of MDC1 across 26 types of human cancers and examined the functional defects of these cancer-associated mutations of MDC1 in the context of DNA damage repair. 6 truncation mutations and 7 missense mutations of MDC1 were chosen for further study. 6 truncation mutations which abolish MDC1-γH2AX interaction abrogate its biological functions in DNA damage repair. 2 missense mutations in FHA domain impaired ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) phosphorylation. 5 missense mutations in BRCT domain also abolished its interaction with γH2AX, resulting in defects in foci formation of MDC1, 53BP1 and BRCA1 as well as defects in G2/M checkpoints. We further used structural modeling to analyze the potential molecular mechanism by which the 7 missense mutations cause the DNA damage repair defects. Taken together, our results reveal these cancer-associated MDC1 mutations can result in functional defects in DNA damage response and may serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnostics in future.

The spectrum of sex differences in cancer

Sex differences in cellular and systems biology have been evolutionarily selected to optimize reproductive success in all species with little (sperm) and big (ova) gamete producers. They are evident from the time of fertilization and accrue throughout development through genetic, epigenetic, and circulating sex hormone-dependent mechanisms. Among other effects, they significantly impact on chromatin organization, metabolism, cell cycle regulation, immunity, longevity, and cancer risk and survival. Sex differences in cancer should be expected and accounted for in basic, translational, and clinical oncology research.

Sexual Differentiation Specifies Cellular Responses to DNA Damage

Significant sex differences exist across cellular, tissue organization, and body system scales to serve the distinct sex-specific functions required for reproduction. They are present in all animals that reproduce sexually and have widespread impacts on normal development, aging, and disease. Observed from the moment of fertilization, sex differences are patterned by sexual differentiation, a lifelong process that involves mechanisms related to sex chromosome complement and the epigenetic and acute activational effects of sex hormones. In this mini-review, we examine evidence for sex differences in cellular responses to DNA damage, their underlying mechanisms, and how they might relate to sex differences in cancer incidence and response to DNA-damaging treatments.

Exploring Somatic Alteration Associating With Aggressive Behaviors of Papillary Thyroid Carcinomas by Targeted Sequencing

Wisely differentiating high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients from low-risk PTC patients preoperatively is necessary when comes to making a personalized treatment plan. It is not easy to stratify the risk of patients according to sonography or lab results before surgery. This study aims to seek out potential mutation gene markers that may be helpful in stratifying the risk of PTC. A custom panel of 439 PTC relevant and classic tumor metabolic pathway relevant genes was designed. Targeted capture sequencing was performed on 35 pairs of samples from 35 PTC tumors and 35 para-tumor thyroid tissues obtained during surgery. Variant calling and detection of cancer gene mutations were identified by bio-information analysis. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) was performed to do functional enrichment analysis of high-frequency mutant genes. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 6 PTC patients to explore the expression of protein associated with interested genes. Event-free survival (EFS) was calculated to determine which genes might affect the prognosis of patients. We have identified 32 high-frequency mutant genes in PTC including BRAF. RBL2 was found to be significantly correlated to event-free survival, FOXO1, MUC6, PCDHB9, NOTCH1, FIZ1, and RTN1 were significantly associated with EFS, while BRAF mutant was not correlated to any of the prognosis indicators. Our findings in this study might open more choices when designing thyroid gene panels used in FNA samples to diagnose PTC and predict the potentially aggressive behavior of PTC.

Mediator of DNA Damage Checkpoint 1 (MDC1) Is a Novel Estrogen Receptor Coregulator in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) is the most common special histologic subtype of breast cancer, and nearly all ILC tumors express estrogen receptor alpha (ER). However, clinical and laboratory data suggest ILC are strongly estrogen-driven but not equally antiestrogen-sensitive. We hypothesized ILC-specific ER coregulators mediate ER functions and antiestrogen resistance in ILC, and profiled ER-associated proteins by mass spectrometry. Three ER+ ILC cell lines (MDA MB 134VI, SUM44PE, and BCK4) were compared with ER+ invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) line data, and we examined whether siRNA of identified proteins suppressed ER-driven proliferation in ILC cells. This identified mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1), a tumor suppressor in DNA damage response (DDR), as a novel ER coregulator in ILC. We confirmed ER:MDC1 interaction was specific to ILC versus IDC cells, and found MDC1 knockdown suppressed ILC cell proliferation and tamoxifen resistance. Using RNA-sequencing, we found in ILC cells MDC1 knockdown broadly dysregulates the ER transcriptome, with ER:MDC1 target genes enriched for promoter hormone response elements. Importantly, our data are inconsistent with MDC1 tumor suppressor functions in DDR, but suggest a novel oncogenic role for MDC1 as an ER coregulator. Supporting this, in breast tumor tissue microarrays, MDC1 protein was frequently low or absent in IDC, but MDC1 loss was rare in ER+ ILC. ER:MDC1 interaction and MDC1 coregulator functions may underlie ER function in ILC and serve as targets to overcome antiestrogen resistance in ILC. IMPLICATIONS: MDC1 has novel ER coregulator activity in ILC, which may underlie ILC-specific ER functions, estrogen response, and antiestrogen resistance.

The Nexus of Endocrine Signaling and Cancer: How Steroid Hormones Influence Genomic Stability

Endocrine-driven malignancies, including breast and prostate cancer, are among the most common human cancers. The relationship between sex steroid hormones (eg, androgen, estrogen, and progesterone), their cognate receptors, and genomic stability lie at the center of endocrine-driven cancer development, progression, and therapeutic resistance. A variety of direct and indirect mechanisms have been described that link steroid hormone signaling to the loss of genomic integrity that drives early carcinogenesis. These effects are often enriched within endocrine receptor cistromes, accounting for the high proportion of mutations and rearrangements in the region of hormone response elements. In other cases, the effects are generalized and rely on a complex array of genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic interactions. Both androgen and estrogen receptors directly modulate the DNA damage response by trans-activating DNA damage response genes and redirecting the cellular repair machinery in the wake of genotoxic stress. Here we review the key mechanistic underpinnings of the relationship between sex steroid hormone receptors and genomic stability. In addition, we summarize emerging research in this area and discuss important implications for cancer prevention and treatment.

DNA damage response and breast cancer development: Possible therapeutic applications of ATR, ATM, PARP, BRCA1 inhibition

Breast cancer is the most common and significant cancers in females regarding the loss of life quality. Similar to other cancers, one of the etiologic factors in breast cancer is DNA damage. A plethora of molecules are responsible for sensing DNA damage and mediating actions which lead to DNA repair, senescence, cell cycle arrest and if damage is unbearable to apoptosis. In each of these, aberrations leading to unrepaired damage was resulted in uncontrolled proliferation and cancer. Another cellular function is autophagy defined as a process eliminating of unnecessary proteins in stress cases involved in pathogenesis of cancer. Knowing their role in cancer, scholars have tried to develop strategies in order to target DDR and autophagy. Further, the interactions of DDR and autophagy plus their regulatory role on each other have been focused simultaneously. The present review study has aimed to illustrate the importance of DDR and autophagy in breast cancer according to the related studies and uncover the relation between DDR and autophagy and its significance in breast cancer therapy.

Targeting DNA Damage Response in Prostate and Breast Cancer

Steroid hormone signaling induces vast gene expression programs which necessitate the local formation of transcription factories at regulatory regions and large-scale alterations of the genome architecture to allow communication among distantly related cis-acting regions. This involves major stress at the genomic DNA level. Transcriptionally active regions are generally instable and prone to breakage due to the torsional stress and local depletion of nucleosomes that make DNA more accessible to damaging agents. A dedicated DNA damage response (DDR) is therefore essential to maintain genome integrity at these exposed regions. The DDR is a complex network involving DNA damage sensor proteins, such as the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1), the DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), the ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase and the ATM and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase, as central regulators. The tight interplay between the DDR and steroid hormone receptors has been unraveled recently. Several DNA repair factors interact with the androgen and estrogen receptors and support their transcriptional functions. Conversely, both receptors directly control the expression of agents involved in the DDR. Impaired DDR is also exploited by tumors to acquire advantageous mutations. Cancer cells often harbor germline or somatic alterations in DDR genes, and their association with disease outcome and treatment response led to intensive efforts towards identifying selective inhibitors targeting the major players in this process. The PARP-1 inhibitors are now approved for ovarian, breast, and prostate cancer with specific genomic alterations. Additional DDR-targeting agents are being evaluated in clinical studies either as single agents or in combination with treatments eliciting DNA damage (e.g., radiation therapy, including targeted radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) or addressing targets involved in maintenance of genome integrity. Recent preclinical and clinical findings made in addressing DNA repair dysfunction in hormone-dependent and -independent prostate and breast tumors are presented. Importantly, the combination of anti-hormonal therapy with DDR inhibition or with radiation has the potential to enhance efficacy but still needs further investigation.

Prediction of Overall Survival Among Female Patients With Breast Cancer Using a Prognostic Signature Based on 8 DNA Repair-Related Genes

IMPORTANCE

Breast cancer (BC), a common malignant tumor, ranks first among cancers in terms of morbidity and mortality among female patients. Currently, identifying effective prognostic models has a significant association with the prediction of the overall survival of patients with BC and guidance of clinicians in early diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVES

To identify a potential DNA repair-related prognostic signature through a comprehensive evaluation and to further improve the accuracy of prediction of the overall survival of patients with BC.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In this prognostic study, conducted from October 9, 2019, to February 3, 2020, the gene expression profiles and clinical data of patients with BC were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. This study consisted of a training set from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 2 validation cohorts from the Gene Expression Omnibus, which included 1096 patients with BC. A prognostic signature based on 8 DNA repair-related genes (DRGs) was developed to predict overall survival among female patients with BC.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Primary screening prognostic biomarkers were analyzed using univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox proportional hazards regression. A risk model was completely established through multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Finally, a prognostic nomogram, combining the DRG signature and clinical characteristics of patients, was constructed. To examine the potential mechanisms of the DRGs, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In this prognostic study based on samples from 1096 women with BC (mean [SD] age, 59.6 [13.1] years), 8 DRGs (MDC1, RPA3, MED17, DDB2, SFPQ, XRCC4, CYP19A1, and PARP3) were identified as prognostic biomarkers. The time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that the 8-gene signature had a good predictive accuracy. In the training cohort, the areas under the curve were 0.708 for 3-year survival and 0.704 for 5-year survival. In the validation cohort, the areas under the curve were 0.717 for 3-year survival and 0.772 for 5-year survival in the GSE9893 data set and 0.691 for 3-year survival and 0.718 for 5-year survival in the GSE42568 data set. This DRG signature mainly involved some regulation pathways of vascular endothelial cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this study, a prognostic signature using 8 DRGs was developed that successfully predicted overall survival among female patients with BC. This risk model provides new clinical evidence for the diagnostic accuracy and targeted treatment of BC.

Roles for MDC1 in cancer development and treatment

The DNA damage response (DDR) is necessary to maintain genome integrity and prevent the accumulation of oncogenic mutations. Consequently, proteins involved in the DDR often serve as tumor suppressors, carrying out the crucial task of keeping DNA fidelity intact. Mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1) is a scaffold protein involved in the early steps of the DDR. MDC1 interacts directly with γ-H2AX, the phosphorylated form of H2AX, a commonly used marker for DNA damage. It then propagates the phosphorylation of H2AX by recruiting ATM kinase. While the function of MDC1 in the DDR has been reviewed previously, its role in cancer has not been reviewed, and numerous studies have recently identified a link between MDC1 and carcinogenesis. This includes MDC1 functioning as a tumor suppressor, with its loss serving as a biomarker for cancer and contributor to drug sensitivity. Studies also indicate that MDC1 operates outside of its traditional role in DDR, and functions as a co-regulator of nuclear receptor transcriptional activity, and that mutations in MDC1 are present in tumors and can also cause germline predisposition to cancer. This review will discuss reports that link MDC1 to cancer and identify MDC1 as an important player in tumor formation, progression, and treatment. We also discuss mechanisms by which MDC1 levels are regulated and how this contributes to tumor formation.

USP22 positively modulates ERα action via its deubiquitinase activity in breast cancer

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is the crucial factor in ERα-positive breast cancer progression. Endocrine therapies targeting ERα signaling is one of the widely used therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. However, a large number of the patients become refractory to therapy. Abnormal expression of ERα co-regulator facilitates breast cancer development and tendency of endocrine resistance. Thus, it is necessary to discover the novel co-regulators modulating ERα action. Here, we demonstrate that histone deubiquitinase USP22 is highly expressed in breast cancer samples compared with that in the benign tissue, and high expression of USP22 was significantly associated with poorer overall survival in BCa samples. Moreover, USP22 associates with ERα to be involved in maintenance of ERα stability. USP22 enhances ERα-induced transactivation. We further provide the evidence that USP22 is recruited together with ERα to cis-regulatory elements of ERα target gene. USP22 promotes cell growth even under hypoxia condition and with the treatment of ERα antagonist in breast cancer cells. Importantly, the deubiquitination activity of USP22 is required for its functions on maintenance of ERα stability, thereby enhancing ERα action and conferring endocrine resistance in breast cancer.

The impact of TP53BP1 and MLH1 on metastatic capability in cases of locally advanced prostate cancer and their usefulness in clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Lymph node (LN) metastases increase the risk of death from prostate cancer (CaP). The dysfunction of factors responsible for DNA injury detection may promote the evolution of localized primary tumors into the metastatic form.

METHODS

In this study, 52 cases of CaP were analyzed. The cases were divided into groups of CaP without metastases (N0), with metastases to the LNs (N+), and metastatic LN tissue. Immunohistochemical examinations were performed with antibodies against MDC1, TP53BP1, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed lower nuclear expression of TP53BP1 in N+ cases than in N0 cases (P = 0.026). Nuclear TP53BP1 expression was lower in LN cases than in N+ cases (P = 0.019). Statistical analysis showed lower nuclear expression of MLH1 in N+ cases than in to N0 cases (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Decreased expression of both MLH1 and TP53B1 were demonstrated in N+ cases of CaP. This observation could help to determine the risk of nodal metastasis, and to select appropriate treatment modalities for patients with locally advanced CaP.

BRCA1 represses DNA replication initiation through antagonizing estrogen signaling and maintains genome stability in parallel with WEE1-MCM2 signaling during pregnancy

The mammary gland undergoes fast cell proliferation during early pregnancy, yet the mechanism to ensure genome integrity during this highly proliferative stage is largely unknown. We show that pregnancy triggers replicative stresses leading to genetic instability in mice carrying a mammary specific disruption of breast cancer associated gene-1 (BRCA1). The fast cell proliferation was correlated with enhanced expression of most genes encoding replisomes, which are positively regulated by estrogen/ERα signaling but negatively regulated by BRCA1. Our further analysis revealed two parallel signaling pathways, which are mediated by ATR-CHK1 and WEE1-MCM2 and are responsible for regulating DNA replication checkpoint. Upon DNA damage, BRCA1 deficiency markedly enhances DNA replication initiation and preferably impairs DNA replication checkpoint mediated by ATR and CHK1. Meanwhile, DNA damage also activates WEE1-MCM2 signaling, which inhibits DNA replication initiation and enables BRCA1-deficient cells to avoid further genomic instability. Finally, we demonstrated that overriding this defense by WEE1 inhibition in combination with cisplatin, which causes DNA damage, serves as a promising therapeutic approach for killing BRCA1-deficient cancer cells.

Estrogen receptors involvement in intervertebral discogenic pain of the elderly women: colocalization and correlation with the expression of Substance P in nucleus pulposus

Estrogenic modulation of pain is an exceedingly complex phenomenon. However, whether estrogen is involved in discogenic low back pain still remains unclear. Here, immunoreactivity staining technique was used to examine the expression level of the estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and a pain related neuropeptide, Substance P in the lumbar intervertebral discs to analyze the relationship between the ERs and Substance P. Nucleus pulposus tissues of 23 elderly female patients were harvested during spinal surgeries and made to detect the immunoreactivity staining of ERα, ERβ and Substance P. The colocalization and intensities of ERs and Substance P were explored and evaluated respectively. The correlations between changes of ERα, ERβ and Substance P were also assessed.Our results revealed that Substance P colocalized with ERα and ERβ both in cytoplasm and nucleus of the nucleus pulposus cells. HSCORE analysis indicated that Substance P negatively correlated with both ERα and ERβ expression. Collectively, the crosstalk between ERs and Substance P might exist in the disc tissue. Estrogen-dependent pain mechanism might partly be mediated through ERs and Substance P in the nucleus pulposus of the elderly females. Estrogen and its receptors might be drug targets in discogenic low back pain diseases.

SOX9 activity is induced by oncogenic Kras to affect MDC1 and MCMs expression in pancreatic cancer

SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 9 (SOX9) is required for oncogenic Kras-mediated acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM), pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias (PanINs) and ultimately pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, how oncogenic Kras affects SOX9 activity is not yet understood, and SOX9-associated genes in PDAC are also unknown at all. Here, we investigated the mechanistic link between SOX9 and oncogenic Kras, studied biological function of SOX9, and identified SOX9-related genes and their clinical significance in patients with PDAC. Our studies reveal that oncogenic Kras induces SOX9 mRNA and protein expression as well as phosphorylated SOX9 expression in human pancreatic ductal progenitor cells (HPNE) and pancreatic ductal cells (HPDE). Moreover, oncogenic Kras promoted nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of SOX9 in these cells. TAK1/IκBα/NF-κB pathway contributed to induction of SOX9 by oncogenic Kras, and SOX9 in turn enhanced NF-κB activation. SOX9 promoted the proliferation of HPNE and PDAC cells, and correlated with minichromosome maintenance complex components (MCMs) and mediator of DNA damage checkpoint 1 (MDC1) expression. The overexpressive MDC1 was associated with less perineural and lymph node invasion of tumors and early TNM-stage of patients. Our results indicate that oncogenic Kras induces constitutive activation of SOX9 in HPNE and HPDE cells, and Kras/TAK1/IκBα/NF-κB pathway and a positive feedback between SOX9 and NF-κB are involved in this inducing process. SOX9 accelerates proliferation of cells and affects MCMs and MDC1 expression. MDC1 is associated negatively with invasion and metastasis of PDAC.

Polymorphisms in homologous recombination repair genes and the risk and survival of breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Immunoglobulin (Ig)A antibody of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) was found to associate with breast cancer (BC), whereas IgA positivity was related to a series of genetic markers in the genes of homologous recombination repair system (HRRs). We assessed the associations of the polymorphisms in HRR genes with the risk and survival of BC.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted with 1551 bc cases and 1605 age-matched healthy controls between October 2008 and March 2012 in the Guangzhou Breast Cancer Study (GZBCS), China, and the case population were followed up until 31 January 2016. Five single nucleotide polymorphisms of candidate genes in HRR system were genotyped. Odds ratios (ORs) and hazards ratios (HRs) were calculated using multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression to estimate the risk and prognostic effect, respectively.

RESULTS

RFC1 rs6829064 (AA) was associated with an increased BC risk [OR = 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.06-1.73] compared to the wild genotype (GG). NRM rs1075496 (GT/TT versus GG) was associated with a worse progression-free survival (PFS) and the HR was 1.34 (95% CI = 1.01-1.78), particularly among advanced patients. LIG3 rs1052536 (CT/TT versus CC) was associated with a better PFS and the HR was 0.70 (95% CI = 0.53-0.93). However, RAD54L rs1710286 and RPA1 rs11078676 were not observed to be associated with either the risk or survival of BC.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the present study suggest that the polymorphisms in HRR genes were associated with BC risk (RFC1 rs6829064) and prognosis (NRM rs1075496 and LIG3 rs1052536), whereas RAD54L rs1710286 and RPA1 rs11078676 had null associations with BC.

DNA repair genes PAXIP1 and TP53BP1 expression is associated with breast cancer prognosis

Despite remarkable advances in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment, advanced or recurrent breast tumors have limited therapeutic approaches. Many treatment strategies try to explore the limitations of DNA damage response (DDR) in tumor cells to selectively eliminate them. BRCT (BRCA1 C-terminal) domains are present in a superfamily of proteins involved in cell cycle checkpoints and the DDR. Tandem BRCT domains (tBRCT) represent a distinct class of these domains. We investigated the expression profile of 7 tBRCT genes (BARD1, BRCA1, LIG4, ECT2, MDC1, PAXIP1/PTIP and TP53BP1) in breast cancer specimens and observed a high correlation between PAXIP1 and TP53BP1 gene expression in tumor samples. Tumors with worse prognosis (tumor grade 3 and triple negative) showed reduced expression of tBRCT genes, notably, PAXIP1 and TP53BP1. Survival analyses data indicated that tumor status of both genes may impact prognosis. PAXIP1 and 53BP1 protein levels followed gene expression results, i.e., are intrinsically correlated, and also reduced in more advanced tumors. Evaluation of both genes in triple negative breast tumor samples which were characterized for their BRCA1 status showed that PAXIP1 is overexpressed in BRCA1 mutant tumors. Taken together our findings indicate that PAXIP1 status correlates with breast cancer staging, in a manner similar to what has been characterized for TP53BP1.

BAP18 coactivates androgen receptor action and promotes prostate cancer progression

BPTF associated protein of 18 kDa (BAP18) has been reported as a component of MLL1-WDR5 complex. However, BAP18 is an uncharacterized protein. The detailed biological functions of BAP18 and underlying mechanisms have not been defined. Androgen receptor (AR), a member of transcription factor, plays an essential role in prostate cancer (PCa) and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) progression. Here, we demonstrate that BAP18 is identified as a coactivator of AR in Drosophilar experimental system and mammalian cells. BAP18 facilitates the recruitment of MLL1 subcomplex and AR to androgen-response element (ARE) of AR target genes, subsequently increasing histone H3K4 trimethylation and H4K16 acetylation. Knockdown of BAP18 attenuates cell growth and proliferation of PCa cells. Moreover, BAP18 depletion results in inhibition of xenograft tumor growth in mice even under androgen-depletion conditions. In addition, our data show that BAP18 expression in clinical PCa samples is higher than that in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Our data suggest that BAP18 as an epigenetic modifier regulates AR-induced transactivation and the function of BAP18 might be targeted in human PCa to promote tumor growth and progression to castration-resistance.

Linking DNA Damage and Hormone Signaling Pathways in Cancer

DNA damage response and repair (DDR) is a tightly controlled process that serves as a barrier to tumorigenesis. Consequently, DDR is frequently altered in human malignancy, and can be exploited for therapeutic gain either through molecularly targeted therapies or as a consequence of therapeutic agents that induce genotoxic stress. In select tumor types, steroid hormones and cognate receptors serve as major drivers of tumor development/progression, and as such are frequently targets of therapeutic intervention. Recent evidence suggests that the existence of crosstalk mechanisms linking the DDR machinery and hormone signaling pathways cooperate to influence both cancer progression and therapeutic response. These underlying mechanisms and their implications for cancer management will be discussed.