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Xu W, Kim JS, Yang T, Ya A, Sadzewicz L, Tallon L, Harris BT, Sarkaria J, Jin F, Waldman T. STAG2 mutations regulate 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107341. [PMID: 38705393 PMCID: PMC11157269 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Inactivating mutations of genes encoding the cohesin complex are common in a wide range of human cancers. STAG2 is the most commonly mutated subunit. Here we report the impact of stable correction of endogenous, naturally occurring STAG2 mutations on gene expression, 3D genome organization, chromatin loops, and Polycomb signaling in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In two GBM cell lines, correction of their STAG2 mutations significantly altered the expression of ∼10% of all expressed genes. Virtually all the most highly regulated genes were negatively regulated by STAG2 (i.e., expressed higher in STAG2-mutant cells), and one of them-HEPH-was regulated by STAG2 in uncultured GBM tumors as well. While STAG2 correction had little effect on large-scale features of 3D genome organization (A/B compartments, TADs), STAG2 correction did alter thousands of individual chromatin loops, some of which controlled the expression of adjacent genes. Loops specific to STAG2-mutant cells, which were regulated by STAG1-containing cohesin complexes, were very large, supporting prior findings that STAG1-containing cohesin complexes have greater loop extrusion processivity than STAG2-containing cohesin complexes and suggesting that long loops may be a general feature of STAG2-mutant cancers. Finally, STAG2 mutation activated Polycomb activity leading to increased H3K27me3 marks, identifying Polycomb signaling as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in STAG2-mutant GBM tumors. Together, these findings illuminate the landscape of STAG2-regulated genes, A/B compartments, chromatin loops, and pathways in GBM, providing important clues into the largely still unknown mechanism of STAG2 tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying Xu
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Biomedical Sciences Training Program, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jung-Sik Kim
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Tianyi Yang
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Biomedical Sciences Training Program, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Alvin Ya
- MD/PhD Program, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Tumor Biology Training Program, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Lisa Sadzewicz
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luke Tallon
- Institute for Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brent T Harris
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Jann Sarkaria
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Fulai Jin
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Department of Computer and Data Sciences, Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
| | - Todd Waldman
- Department of Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
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2
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Pallotta MM, Di Nardo M, Musio A. Synthetic Lethality between Cohesin and WNT Signaling Pathways in Diverse Cancer Contexts. Cells 2024; 13:608. [PMID: 38607047 PMCID: PMC11011321 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cohesin is a highly conserved ring-shaped complex involved in topologically embracing chromatids, gene expression regulation, genome compartmentalization, and genome stability maintenance. Genomic analyses have detected mutations in the cohesin complex in a wide array of human tumors. These findings have led to increased interest in cohesin as a potential target in cancer therapy. Synthetic lethality has been suggested as an approach to exploit genetic differences in cancer cells to influence their selective killing. In this study, we show that mutations in ESCO1, NIPBL, PDS5B, RAD21, SMC1A, SMC3, STAG2, and WAPL genes are synthetically lethal with stimulation of WNT signaling obtained following LY2090314 treatment, a GSK3 inhibitor, in several cancer cell lines. Moreover, treatment led to the stabilization of β-catenin and affected the expression of c-MYC, probably due to the occupancy decrease in cohesin at the c-MYC promoter. Finally, LY2090314 caused gene expression dysregulation mainly involving pathways related to transcription regulation, cell proliferation, and chromatin remodeling. For the first time, our work provides the underlying molecular basis for synthetic lethality due to cohesin mutations and suggests that targeting the WNT may be a promising therapeutic approach for tumors carrying mutated cohesin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Musio
- Institute for Biomedical Technologies (ITB), National Research Council (CNR), 56124 Pisa, Italy; (M.M.P.); (M.D.N.)
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3
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Holguin-Cruz JA, Bui JM, Jha A, Na D, Gsponer J. Widespread alteration of protein autoinhibition in human cancers. Cell Syst 2024; 15:246-263.e7. [PMID: 38366601 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2024.01.009] [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: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Autoinhibition is a prevalent allosteric regulatory mechanism in signaling proteins. Reduced autoinhibition underlies the tumorigenic effect of some known cancer drivers, but whether autoinhibition is altered generally in cancer remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that cancer-associated missense mutations, in-frame insertions/deletions, and fusion breakpoints are enriched within inhibitory allosteric switches (IASs) across all cancer types. Selection for IASs that are recurrently mutated in cancers identifies established and unknown cancer drivers. Recurrent missense mutations in IASs of these drivers are associated with distinct, cancer-specific changes in molecular signaling. For the specific case of PPP3CA, the catalytic subunit of calcineurin, we provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of altered autoinhibition by cancer mutations using biomolecular simulations, and demonstrate that such mutations are associated with transcriptome changes consistent with increased calcineurin signaling. Our integrative study shows that autoinhibition-modulating genetic alterations are positively selected for by cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Holguin-Cruz
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jennifer M Bui
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Ashwani Jha
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Dokyun Na
- School of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756, Republic of Korea
| | - Jörg Gsponer
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
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4
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Barwe SP, Kolb EA, Gopalakrishnapillai A. Down syndrome and leukemia: An insight into the disease biology and current treatment options. Blood Rev 2024; 64:101154. [PMID: 38016838 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101154] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Children with Down syndrome (DS) have a 10- to 20-fold greater predisposition to develop acute leukemia compared to the general population, with a skew towards myeloid leukemia (ML-DS). While ML-DS is known to be a subtype with good outcome, patients who relapse face a dismal prognosis. Acute lymphocytic leukemia in DS (DS-ALL) is considered to have poor prognosis. The relapse rate is high in DS-ALL compared to their non-DS counterparts. We have a better understanding about the mutational spectrum of DS leukemia. Studies using animal, embryonic stem cell- and induced pluripotent stem cell-based models have shed light on the mechanism by which these mutations contribute to disease initiation and progression. In this review, we list the currently available treatment strategies for DS-leukemias along with their outcome with emphasis on challenges with chemotherapy-related toxicities in children with DS. We focus on the mechanisms of initiation and progression of leukemia in children with DS and highlight the novel molecular targets with greater success in preclinical trials that have the potential to progress to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali P Barwe
- Lisa Dean Moseley Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, USA
| | - E Anders Kolb
- Lisa Dean Moseley Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, USA
| | - Anilkumar Gopalakrishnapillai
- Lisa Dean Moseley Institute for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, Delaware, 19803, USA.
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5
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Zhou J, Nie R, He Z, Cai X, Chen J, Lin W, Yin Y, Xiang Z, Zhu T, Xie J, Zhang Y, Wang X, Lin P, Xie D, D'Andrea AD, Cai M. STAG2 Regulates Homologous Recombination Repair and Sensitivity to ATM Inhibition. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2302494. [PMID: 37985839 PMCID: PMC10754142 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202302494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Stromal antigen 2 (STAG2), a subunit of the cohesin complex, is recurrently mutated in various tumors. However, the role of STAG2 in DNA repair and its therapeutic implications are largely unknown. Here it is reported that knockout of STAG2 results in increased double-stranded breaks (DSBs) and chromosomal aberrations by reducing homologous recombination (HR) repair, and confers hypersensitivity to inhibitors of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATMi), Poly ADP Ribose Polymerase (PARPi), or the combination of both. Of note, the impaired HR by STAG2-deficiency is mainly attributed to the restored expression of KMT5A, which in turn methylates H4K20 (H4K20me0) to H4K20me1 and thereby decreases the recruitment of BRCA1-BARD1 to chromatin. Importantly, STAG2 expression correlates with poor prognosis of cancer patients. STAG2 is identified as an important regulator of HR and a potential therapeutic strategy for STAG2-mutant tumors is elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Guangxi International Travel Healthcare Centre (Port Clinic of Nanning Customs District)NanningGuangxi530021China
| | - Run‐Cong Nie
- Department of Gastric SurgeryState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zhang‐Ping He
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xiao‐Xia Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Jie‐Wei Chen
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Wen‐ping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Yi‐Xin Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Zhi‐Cheng Xiang
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Tian‐Chen Zhu
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Juan‐Juan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - You‐Cheng Zhang
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Peng Lin
- Department of Thoracic SurgeryState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Dan Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
| | - Alan D D'Andrea
- Department of Radiation OncologyDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMA02215USA
- Center for DNA Damage and RepairDana‐Farber Cancer InstituteBostonMA02215USA
| | - Mu‐Yan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
- Department of PathologyState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for CancerSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou510060China
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6
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Mellis IA, Bodkin N, Melzer ME, Goyal Y. Prevalence of and gene regulatory constraints on transcriptional adaptation in single cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.14.553318. [PMID: 37645989 PMCID: PMC10462021 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.14.553318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Cells and tissues have a remarkable ability to adapt to genetic perturbations via a variety of molecular mechanisms. Nonsense-induced transcriptional compensation, a form of transcriptional adaptation, has recently emerged as one such mechanism, in which nonsense mutations in a gene can trigger upregulation of related genes, possibly conferring robustness at cellular and organismal levels. However, beyond a handful of developmental contexts and curated sets of genes, to date, no comprehensive genome-wide investigation of this behavior has been undertaken for mammalian cell types and contexts. Moreover, how the regulatory-level effects of inherently stochastic compensatory gene networks contribute to phenotypic penetrance in single cells remains unclear. Here we combine computational analysis of existing datasets with stochastic mathematical modeling and machine learning to uncover the widespread prevalence of transcriptional adaptation in mammalian systems and the diverse single-cell manifestations of minimal compensatory gene networks. Regulon gene expression analysis of a pooled single-cell genetic perturbation dataset recapitulates important model predictions. Our integrative approach uncovers several putative hits-genes demonstrating possible transcriptional adaptation-to follow up on experimentally, and provides a formal quantitative framework to test and refine models of transcriptional adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A. Mellis
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Bodkin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Madeline E. Melzer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yogesh Goyal
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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7
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Park DS, Nguyen SC, Isenhart R, Shah PP, Kim W, Barnett RJ, Chandra A, Luppino JM, Harke J, Wai M, Walsh PJ, Abdill RJ, Yang R, Lan Y, Yoon S, Yunker R, Kanemaki MT, Vahedi G, Phillips-Cremins JE, Jain R, Joyce EF. High-throughput Oligopaint screen identifies druggable 3D genome regulators. Nature 2023; 620:209-217. [PMID: 37438531 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06340-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The human genome functions as a three-dimensional chromatin polymer, driven by a complex collection of chromosome interactions1-3. Although the molecular rules governing these interactions are being quickly elucidated, relatively few proteins regulating this process have been identified. Here, to address this gap, we developed high-throughput DNA or RNA labelling with optimized Oligopaints (HiDRO)-an automated imaging pipeline that enables the quantitative measurement of chromatin interactions in single cells across thousands of samples. By screening the human druggable genome, we identified more than 300 factors that influence genome folding during interphase. Among these, 43 genes were validated as either increasing or decreasing interactions between topologically associating domains. Our findings show that genetic or chemical inhibition of the ubiquitous kinase GSK3A leads to increased long-range chromatin looping interactions in a genome-wide and cohesin-dependent manner. These results demonstrate the importance of GSK3A signalling in nuclear architecture and the use of HiDRO for identifying mechanisms of spatial genome organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Park
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Son C Nguyen
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Randi Isenhart
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Parisha P Shah
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wonho Kim
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R Jordan Barnett
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aditi Chandra
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer M Luppino
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jailynn Harke
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - May Wai
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patrick J Walsh
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Richard J Abdill
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rachel Yang
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Yemin Lan
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sora Yoon
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Yunker
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Masato T Kanemaki
- Department of Chromosome Science, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Genetics, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), Shizuoka, Japan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Golnaz Vahedi
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Phillips-Cremins
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rajan Jain
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric F Joyce
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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8
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Mfarej MG, Hyland CA, Sanchez AC, Falk MM, Iovine MK, Skibbens RV. Cohesin: an emerging master regulator at the heart of cardiac development. Mol Biol Cell 2023; 34:rs2. [PMID: 36947206 PMCID: PMC10162415 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-12-0557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cohesins are ATPase complexes that play central roles in cellular processes such as chromosome division, DNA repair, and gene expression. Cohesinopathies arise from mutations in cohesin proteins or cohesin complex regulators and encompass a family of related developmental disorders that present with a range of severe birth defects, affect many different physiological systems, and often lead to embryonic fatality. Treatments for cohesinopathies are limited, in large part due to the lack of understanding of cohesin biology. Thus, characterizing the signaling networks that lie upstream and downstream of cohesin-dependent pathways remains clinically relevant. Here, we highlight alterations in cohesins and cohesin regulators that result in cohesinopathies, with a focus on cardiac defects. In addition, we suggest a novel and more unifying view regarding the mechanisms through which cohesinopathy-based heart defects may arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G. Mfarej
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Caitlin A. Hyland
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Annie C. Sanchez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Matthias M. Falk
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - M. Kathryn Iovine
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
| | - Robert V. Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015
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9
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Horsfield JA. Full circle: a brief history of cohesin and the regulation of gene expression. FEBS J 2023; 290:1670-1687. [PMID: 35048511 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The cohesin complex has a range of crucial functions in the cell. Cohesin is essential for mediating chromatid cohesion during mitosis, for repair of double-strand DNA breaks, and for control of gene transcription. This last function has been the subject of intense research ever since the discovery of cohesin's role in the long-range regulation of the cut gene in Drosophila. Subsequent research showed that the expression of some genes is exquisitely sensitive to cohesin depletion, while others remain relatively unperturbed. Sensitivity to cohesin depletion is also remarkably cell type- and/or condition-specific. The relatively recent discovery that cohesin is integral to forming chromatin loops via loop extrusion should explain much of cohesin's gene regulatory properties, but surprisingly, loop extrusion has failed to identify a 'one size fits all' mechanism for how cohesin controls gene expression. This review will illustrate how early examples of cohesin-dependent gene expression integrate with later work on cohesin's role in genome organization to explain mechanisms by which cohesin regulates gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
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10
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Liu C, Li J, Chen G, He R, Lin R, Huang Z, Li J, Du X, Lv X. A cohesin-associated gene score may predict immune checkpoint blockade in hepatocellular carcinoma. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:1857-1874. [PMID: 36052535 PMCID: PMC9527596 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Stromal antigen 1 (STAG1), a component of cohesion, is overexpressed in various cancers, but it is unclear whether it has a role in the transcriptional regulation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To test this hypothesis, here, we screened global HCC datasets and performed multiscale embedded gene co-expression network analysis to identify the potential functional modules of differentially expressed STAG1 co-expressed genes. The putative transcriptional targets of STAG1 were identified using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by high-throughput DNA sequencing. The cohesin-associated gene score (CAGS) was quantified using the The Cancer Genome Atlas HCC cohort and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Distinct cohesin-associated gene patterns were identified by calculating the euclidean distance of each patient. We assessed the potential ability of the CAGS in predicting immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment response using IMvigor210 and GSE78220 cohorts. STAG1 was upregulated in 3313 HCC tissue samples compared with 2692 normal liver tissue samples (standard mean difference = 0.54). A total of three cohesin-associated gene patterns were identified, where cluster 2 had a high TP53 mutated rate and a poor survival outcome. Low CAGS predicted a significant survival advantage but presaged poor immunotherapy response. Differentially expressed STAG1 co-expression genes were enriched in the mitotic cell cycle, lymphocyte activation, and blood vessel development. PDS5A and PDGFRA were predicted as the downstream transcriptional targets of STAG1. In summary, STAG1 is significantly upregulated in global HCC tissue samples and may participate in blood vessel development and the mitotic cell cycle. A cohesin-associated gene scoring system may have potential to predict the ICB response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui‐Zhen Liu
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Jian‐Di Li
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Rong‐Quan He
- Department of Medical OncologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Rui Lin
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Zhi‐Guang Huang
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Jian‐Jun Li
- Department of General SurgeryThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Xiu‐Fang Du
- Department of PathologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
| | - Xiao‐Ping Lv
- Department of GastroenterologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical UniversityNanningChina
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11
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Buskirk S, Skibbens RV. G1-Cyclin2 (Cln2) promotes chromosome hypercondensation in eco1/ctf7 rad61 null cells during hyperthermic stress in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6613937. [PMID: 35736360 PMCID: PMC9339302 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkac157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Eco1/Ctf7 is a highly conserved acetyltransferase that activates cohesin complexes and is critical for sister chromatid cohesion, chromosome condensation, DNA damage repair, nucleolar integrity, and gene transcription. Mutations in the human homolog of ECO1 (ESCO2/EFO2), or in genes that encode cohesin subunits, result in severe developmental abnormalities and intellectual disabilities referred to as Roberts syndrome and Cornelia de Lange syndrome, respectively. In yeast, deletion of ECO1 results in cell inviability. Codeletion of RAD61 (WAPL in humans), however, produces viable yeast cells. These eco1 rad61 double mutants, however, exhibit a severe temperature-sensitive growth defect, suggesting that Eco1 or cohesins respond to hyperthermic stress through a mechanism that occurs independent of Rad61. Here, we report that deletion of the G1 cyclin CLN2 rescues the temperature-sensitive lethality otherwise exhibited by eco1 rad61 mutant cells, such that the triple mutant cells exhibit robust growth over a broad range of temperatures. While Cln1, Cln2, and Cln3 are functionally redundant G1 cyclins, neither CLN1 nor CLN3 deletions rescue the temperature-sensitive growth defects otherwise exhibited by eco1 rad61 double mutants. We further provide evidence that CLN2 deletion rescues hyperthermic growth defects independent of START and impacts the state of chromosome condensation. These findings reveal novel roles for Cln2 that are unique among the G1 cyclin family and appear critical for cohesin regulation during hyperthermic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Buskirk
- Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USA
| | - Robert V Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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12
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Genetic variation as a long-distance modulator of RAD21 expression in humans. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13035. [PMID: 35906355 PMCID: PMC9338076 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15081-1] [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: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic mutations and changes in expression of RAD21 are common in many types of cancer. Moreover, sub-optimal levels of RAD21 expression in early development can result in cohesinopathies. Altered RAD21 levels can result directly from mutations in the RAD21 gene. However, whether DNA variants outside of the RAD21 gene could control its expression and thereby contribute to cancer and developmental disease is unknown. In this study, we searched for genomic variants that modify RAD21expression to determine their potential to contribute to development or cancer by RAD21 dysregulation. We searched 42,953,834 genomic variants for a spatial-eQTL association with the transcription of RAD21. We identified 123 significant associations (FDR < 0.05), which are local (cis) or long-distance (trans) regulators of RAD21 expression. The 123 variants co-regulate a further seven genes (AARD, AKAP11, GRID1, KCNIP4, RCN1, TRIOBP, and USP32), enriched for having Sp2 transcription factor binding sites in their promoter regions. The Sp2 transcription factor and six of the seven genes had previously been associated with cancer onset, progression, and metastasis. Our results suggest that genome-wide variation in non-coding regions impacts on RAD21 transcript levels in addition to other genes, which then could impact on oncogenesis and the process of ubiquitination. This identification of distant co-regulation of oncogenes represents a strategy for discovery of novel genetic regions influencing cancer onset and a potential for diagnostics.
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13
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Nie H, Wu Y, Ou C, He X. Comprehensive Analysis of SMC Gene Family Prognostic Value and Immune Infiltration in Patients With Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:832312. [PMID: 35372377 PMCID: PMC8965256 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.832312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Members from the structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) gene family function as oncogenes in various tumor types, but their roles in PAAD have not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of the SMC family in tumor progression and cancer immune infiltration in PAAD using integrative bioinformatic analyses. The results showed that the SMC 1A, 2, 3, 4, and 6 were overexpressed in PAAD tissues; of these, SMC 1A, 4, 5, and 6 could be potential prognostic biomarkers for PAAD. The expression of SMC genes was found to be strongly associated with immune cell infiltration. According to the infiltrative status of various immune cells, the mRNA expression of SMC genes in PAAD was associated with the overall and recurrence-free survival of patients. In conclusion, the SMC gene family is associated with PAAD and may be involved in tumorigenesis and cancer-immune interactions; thus, members from this gene family may serve as promising prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers of PAAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Nie
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanhao Wu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunlin Ou
- Department of Pathology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoyun He
- Departments of Ultrasound Imaging, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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14
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Mfarej MG, Skibbens RV. Genetically induced redox stress occurs in a yeast model for Roberts syndrome. G3 (BETHESDA, MD.) 2022; 12:6460337. [PMID: 34897432 PMCID: PMC9210317 DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Roberts syndrome (RBS) is a multispectrum developmental disorder characterized by severe limb, craniofacial, and organ abnormalities and often intellectual disabilities. The genetic basis of RBS is rooted in loss-of-function mutations in the essential N-acetyltransferase ESCO2 which is conserved from yeast (Eco1/Ctf7) to humans. ESCO2/Eco1 regulate many cellular processes that impact chromatin structure, chromosome transmission, gene expression, and repair of the genome. The etiology of RBS remains contentious with current models that include transcriptional dysregulation or mitotic failure. Here, we report evidence that supports an emerging model rooted in defective DNA damage responses. First, the results reveal that redox stress is elevated in both eco1 and cohesion factor Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant cells. Second, we provide evidence that Eco1 and cohesion factors are required for the repair of oxidative DNA damage such that ECO1 and cohesin gene mutations result in reduced cell viability and hyperactivation of DNA damage checkpoints that occur in response to oxidative stress. Moreover, we show that mutation of ECO1 is solely sufficient to induce endogenous redox stress and sensitizes mutant cells to exogenous genotoxic challenges. Remarkably, antioxidant treatment desensitizes eco1 mutant cells to a range of DNA damaging agents, raising the possibility that modulating the cellular redox state may represent an important avenue of treatment for RBS and tumors that bear ESCO2 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael G Mfarej
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
| | - Robert V Skibbens
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USA
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15
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Boucher AC, Caldwell KJ, Crispino JD, Flerlage JE. Clinical and biological aspects of myeloid leukemia in Down syndrome. Leukemia 2021; 35:3352-3360. [PMID: 34518645 PMCID: PMC8639661 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01414-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Children with Down syndrome are at an elevated risk of leukemia, especially myeloid leukemia (ML-DS). This malignancy is frequently preceded by transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM), which is self-limited expansion of fetal liver-derived megakaryocyte progenitors. An array of international studies has led to consensus in treating ML-DS with reduced-intensity chemotherapy, leading to excellent outcomes. In addition, studies performed in the past 20 years have revealed many of the genetic and epigenetic features of the tumors, including GATA1 mutations that are arguably associated with all cases of both TAM and ML-DS. Despite these advances in understanding the clinical and biological aspects of ML-DS, little is known about the mechanisms of relapse. Upon relapse, patients face a poor outcome, and there is no consensus on treatment. Future studies need to be focused on this challenging aspect of leukemia in children with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Boucher
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Kenneth J Caldwell
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - John D Crispino
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
| | - Jamie E Flerlage
- Department of Oncology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA.
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16
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de Castro CPM, Cadefau M, Cuartero S. The Mutational Landscape of Myeloid Leukaemia in Down Syndrome. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4144. [PMID: 34439298 PMCID: PMC8394284 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13164144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with Down syndrome (DS) are particularly prone to haematopoietic disorders. Paediatric myeloid malignancies in DS occur at an unusually high frequency and generally follow a well-defined stepwise clinical evolution. First, the acquisition of mutations in the GATA1 transcription factor gives rise to a transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) in DS newborns. While this condition spontaneously resolves in most cases, some clones can acquire additional mutations, which trigger myeloid leukaemia of Down syndrome (ML-DS). These secondary mutations are predominantly found in chromatin and epigenetic regulators-such as cohesin, CTCF or EZH2-and in signalling mediators of the JAK/STAT and RAS pathways. Most of them are also found in non-DS myeloid malignancies, albeit at extremely different frequencies. Intriguingly, mutations in proteins involved in the three-dimensional organization of the genome are found in nearly 50% of cases. How the resulting mutant proteins cooperate with trisomy 21 and mutant GATA1 to promote ML-DS is not fully understood. In this review, we summarize and discuss current knowledge about the sequential acquisition of genomic alterations in ML-DS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Cadefau
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (C.P.M.d.C); (M.C.)
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain
| | - Sergi Cuartero
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (C.P.M.d.C); (M.C.)
- Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Campus Can Ruti, 08916 Badalona, Spain
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17
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García-Gutiérrez P, García-Domínguez M. BETting on a Transcriptional Deficit as the Main Cause for Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:709232. [PMID: 34386522 PMCID: PMC8353280 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.709232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cornelia de Lange Syndrome (CdLS) is a human developmental syndrome with complex multisystem phenotypic features. It has been traditionally considered a cohesinopathy together with other phenotypically related diseases because of their association with mutations in subunits of the cohesin complex. Despite some overlap, the clinical manifestations of cohesinopathies vary considerably and, although their precise molecular mechanisms are not well defined yet, the potential pathomechanisms underlying these diverse developmental defects have been theoretically linked to alterations of the cohesin complex function. The cohesin complex plays a critical role in sister chromatid cohesion, but this function is not affected in CdLS. In the last decades, a non-cohesion-related function of this complex on transcriptional regulation has been well established and CdLS pathoetiology has been recently associated to gene expression deregulation. Up to 70% of CdLS cases are linked to mutations in the cohesin-loading factor NIPBL, which has been shown to play a prominent function on chromatin architecture and transcriptional regulation. Therefore, it has been suggested that CdLS can be considered a transcriptomopathy. Actually, CdLS-like phenotypes have been associated to mutations in chromatin-associated proteins, as KMT2A, AFF4, EP300, TAF6, SETD5, SMARCB1, MAU2, ZMYND11, MED13L, PHIP, ARID1B, NAA10, BRD4 or ANKRD11, most of which have no known direct association with cohesin. In the case of BRD4, a critical highly investigated transcriptional coregulator, an interaction with NIPBL has been recently revealed, providing evidence on their cooperation in transcriptional regulation of developmentally important genes. This new finding reinforces the notion of an altered gene expression program during development as the major etiological basis for CdLS. In this review, we intend to integrate the recent available evidence on the molecular mechanisms underlying the clinical manifestations of CdLS, highlighting data that favors a transcription-centered framework, which support the idea that CdLS could be conceptualized as a transcriptomopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo García-Gutiérrez
- Andalusian Centre for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Mario García-Domínguez
- Andalusian Centre for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine-CABIMER, CSIC-Universidad de Sevilla-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
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18
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Antony J, Chin CV, Horsfield JA. Cohesin Mutations in Cancer: Emerging Therapeutic Targets. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6788. [PMID: 34202641 PMCID: PMC8269296 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The cohesin complex is crucial for mediating sister chromatid cohesion and for hierarchal three-dimensional organization of the genome. Mutations in cohesin genes are present in a range of cancers. Extensive research over the last few years has shown that cohesin mutations are key events that contribute to neoplastic transformation. Cohesin is involved in a range of cellular processes; therefore, the impact of cohesin mutations in cancer is complex and can be cell context dependent. Candidate targets with therapeutic potential in cohesin mutant cells are emerging from functional studies. Here, we review emerging targets and pharmacological agents that have therapeutic potential in cohesin mutant cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisha Antony
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Chue Vin Chin
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
| | - Julia A. Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand;
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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19
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Labudina A, Horsfield JA. The three-dimensional genome in zebrafish development. Brief Funct Genomics 2021:elab008. [PMID: 33675363 DOI: 10.1093/bfgp/elab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, remarkable progress has been made toward understanding the three-dimensional (3D) organisation of genomes and the influence of genome organisation on gene regulation. Although 3D genome organisation probably plays a crucial role in embryo development, animal studies addressing the developmental roles of chromosome topology are only just starting to emerge. Zebrafish, an important model system for early development, have already contributed important advances in understanding the developmental consequences of perturbation in 3D genome organisation. Zebrafish have been used to determine the effects of mutations in proteins responsible for 3D genome organisation: cohesin and CTCF. In this review, we highlight research to date from zebrafish that has provided insight into how 3D genome organisation contributes to tissue-specific gene regulation and embryo development.
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20
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Ketharnathan S, Labudina A, Horsfield JA. Cohesin Components Stag1 and Stag2 Differentially Influence Haematopoietic Mesoderm Development in Zebrafish Embryos. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:617545. [PMID: 33365313 PMCID: PMC7750468 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.617545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cohesin is a multiprotein complex made up of core subunits Smc1, Smc3, and Rad21, and either Stag1 or Stag2. Normal haematopoietic development relies on crucial functions of cohesin in cell division and regulation of gene expression via three-dimensional chromatin organization. Cohesin subunit STAG2 is frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies, but the individual contributions of Stag variants to haematopoiesis or malignancy are not fully understood. Zebrafish have four Stag paralogues (Stag1a, Stag1b, Stag2a, and Stag2b), allowing detailed genetic dissection of the contribution of Stag1-cohesin and Stag2-cohesin to development. Here we characterize for the first time the expression patterns and functions of zebrafish stag genes during embryogenesis. Using loss-of-function CRISPR-Cas9 zebrafish mutants, we show that stag1a and stag2b contribute to primitive embryonic haematopoiesis. Both stag1a and stag2b mutants present with erythropenia by 24 h post-fertilization. Homozygous loss of either paralogue alters the number of haematopoietic/vascular progenitors in the lateral plate mesoderm. The lateral plate mesoderm zone of scl-positive cells is expanded in stag1a mutants with concomitant loss of kidney progenitors, and the number of spi1-positive cells are increased, consistent with skewing toward primitive myelopoiesis. In contrast, stag2b mutants have reduced haematopoietic/vascular mesoderm and downregulation of primitive erythropoiesis. Our results suggest that Stag1 and Stag2 proteins cooperate to balance the production of primitive haematopoietic/vascular progenitors from mesoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarada Ketharnathan
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Anastasia Labudina
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Julia A Horsfield
- Department of Pathology, Otago Medical School, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Center for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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