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Bollino D, Claiborne JP, Hameed K, Ma X, Tighe KM, Carter-Cooper B, Lapidus RG, Strovel ET, Emadi A. Erwinia asparaginase (crisantaspase) increases plasma levels of serine and glycine. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1035537. [PMID: 36578934 PMCID: PMC9790920 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1035537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of asparaginases on plasma asparagine and glutamine is well established. However, the effect of asparaginases, particularly those derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi (also called crisantaspase), on circulating levels of other amino acids is unknown. We examined comprehensive plasma amino acid panel measurements in healthy immunodeficient/immunocompetent mice as well as in preclinical mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) using long-acting crisantaspase, and in an AML clinical study (NCT02283190) using short-acting crisantaspase. In addition to the expected decrease of plasma glutamine and asparagine, we observed a significant increase in plasma serine and glycine post-crisantaspase. In PDAC tumors, crisantaspase treatment significantly increased expression of serine biosynthesis enzymes. We then systematically reviewed clinical studies using asparaginase products to determine the extent of plasma amino acid reporting and found that only plasma levels of glutamine/glutamate and asparagine/aspartate were reported, without measuring other amino acid changes post-asparaginase. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report comprehensive plasma amino acid changes in mice and humans treated with asparaginase. As dysregulated serine metabolism has been implicated in tumor development, our findings offer insights into how leukemia/cancer cells may potentially overcome glutamine/asparagine restriction, which can be used to design future synergistic therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Bollino
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - J. Preston Claiborne
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kanwal Hameed
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Xinrong Ma
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kayla M. Tighe
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rena G. Lapidus
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Erin T. Strovel
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ashkan Emadi
- School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Ashkan Emadi,
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2
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Strovel ET, Cusmano-Ozog K, Wood T, Yu C. Measurement of lysosomal enzyme activities: A technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med 2022; 24:769-783. [PMID: 35394426 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2021.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Assays that measure lysosomal enzyme activity are important tools for the screening and diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). They are often ordered in combination with urine oligosaccharide and glycosaminoglycan analysis, additional biomarker assays, and/or DNA sequencing when an LSD is suspected. Enzyme testing in whole blood/leukocytes, serum/plasma, cultured fibroblasts, or dried blood spots demonstrating deficient enzyme activity remains a key component of LSD diagnosis and is often prompted by characteristic clinical findings, abnormal newborn screening, abnormal biochemical findings (eg, elevated glycosaminoglycans), or molecular results indicating pathogenic variants or variants of uncertain significance in a gene associated with an LSD. This document, which focuses on clinical enzyme testing for LSDs, provides a resource for laboratories to develop and implement clinical testing, to describe variables that can influence test performance and interpretation of results, and to delineate situations for which follow-up molecular testing is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin T Strovel
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Tim Wood
- Section of Genetics and Metabolism, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
| | - Chunli Yu
- Department of Genetics and Genomics Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY; Sema4, Stamford, CT
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3
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Emadi A, Kapadia B, Bollino D, Bhandary B, Baer MR, Niyongere S, Strovel ET, Kaizer H, Chang E, Choi EY, Ma X, Tighe KM, Carter-Cooper B, Moses BS, Civin CI, Mahurkar A, Shetty AC, Gartenhaus RB, Kamangar F, Lapidus RG. Venetoclax and pegcrisantaspase for complex karyotype acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2021; 35:1907-1924. [PMID: 33199836 PMCID: PMC10976320 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-020-01080-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Complex karyotype acute myeloid leukemia (CK-AML) has a dismal outcome with current treatments, underscoring the need for new therapies. Here, we report synergistic anti-leukemic activity of the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax (Ven) and the asparaginase formulation Pegylated Crisantaspase (PegC) in CK-AML in vitro and in vivo. Ven-PegC combination inhibited growth of multiple AML cell lines and patient-derived primary CK-AML cells in vitro. In vivo, Ven-PegC showed potent reduction of leukemia burden and improved survival, compared with each agent alone, in a primary patient-derived CK-AML xenograft. Superiority of Ven-PegC, compared to single drugs, and, importantly, the clinically utilized Ven-azacitidine combination, was also demonstrated in vivo in CK-AML. We hypothesized that PegC-mediated plasma glutamine depletion inhibits 4EBP1 phosphorylation, decreases the expression of proteins such as MCL-1, whose translation is cap dependent, synergizing with the BCL-2 inhibitor Ven. Ven-PegC treatment decreased cellular MCL-1 protein levels in vitro by enhancing eIF4E-4EBP1 interaction on the cap-binding complex via glutamine depletion. In vivo, Ven-PegC treatment completely depleted plasma glutamine and asparagine and inhibited mRNA translation and cellular protein synthesis. Since this novel mechanistically-rationalized regimen combines two drugs already in use in acute leukemia treatment, we plan a clinical trial of the Ven-PegC combination in relapsed/refractory CK-AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Bandish Kapadia
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, USA
| | - Dominique Bollino
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Binny Bhandary
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria R Baer
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sandrine Niyongere
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Erin T Strovel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hannah Kaizer
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Chang
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eun Yong Choi
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Xinrong Ma
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kayla M Tighe
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Brandon Carter-Cooper
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Blake S Moses
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Curt I Civin
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- University of Maryland Center for Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anup Mahurkar
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Amol C Shetty
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute of Genome Sciences, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald B Gartenhaus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, USA
| | - Farin Kamangar
- Department of Biology, School of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Strovel ET, Cowan TM, Scott AI, Wolf B. Erratum: Laboratory diagnosis of biotinidase deficiency, 2017 update: a technical standard and guideline of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. Genet Med 2018; 20:282. [DOI: 10.1038/gim.2017.201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Emadi A, Law JY, Strovel ET, Lapidus RG, Jeng LJB, Lee M, Blitzer MG, Carter-Cooper BA, Sewell D, Van Der Merwe I, Philip S, Imran M, Yu SL, Li H, Amrein PC, Duong VH, Sausville EA, Baer MR, Fathi AT, Singh Z, Bentzen SM. Asparaginase Erwinia chrysanthemi effectively depletes plasma glutamine in adult patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2017; 81:217-222. [PMID: 29119293 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-017-3459-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Depletion of glutamine (Gln) has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as neoplastic cells require Gln for synthesis of cellular components essential for survival. Asparaginases deplete Gln, and asparaginase derived from Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinaze) appears to have the greatest glutaminase activity of the available asparaginases. In this Phase I study, we sought to determine the dose of Erwinaze that safely and effectively depletes plasma Gln levels to ≤ 120 μmol/L in patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) AML. Five patients were enrolled before the study was halted due to issues with Erwinaze manufacturing supply. All patients received Erwinaze at a dose of 25,000 IU/m2 intravenously three times weekly for 2 weeks. Median trough plasma Gln level at 48 h after initial Erwinaze administration was 27.6 μmol/L, and 80% (lower limit of 1-sided 95% CI 34%) of patients achieved at least one undetectable plasma Gln value (< 12.5 μmol/L), with the fold reduction (FR) in Gln level at 3 days, relative to baseline, being 0.16 (p < 0.001 for rejecting FR = 1). No dose-limiting toxicities were identified. Two patients responded, one achieved partial remission and one achieved hematologic improvement after six doses of Erwinaze monotherapy. These data suggest asparaginase-induced Gln depletion may have an important role in the management of patients with AML, and support more pharmacologic and clinical studies on the mechanistically designed asparaginase combinations in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashkan Emadi
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA. .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA. .,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
| | - Jennie Y Law
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Erin T Strovel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rena G Lapidus
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Linda J B Jeng
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Myounghee Lee
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Miriam G Blitzer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Danielle Sewell
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Sunita Philip
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Mohammad Imran
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Stephen L Yu
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Hongxia Li
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Philip C Amrein
- Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Vu H Duong
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Edward A Sausville
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Maria R Baer
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Amir T Fathi
- Massachusetts General Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Zeba Singh
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
| | - Søren M Bentzen
- University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA.,Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA
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6
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Hoffman JD, Greger V, Strovel ET, Blitzer MG, Umbarger MA, Kennedy C, Bishop B, Saunders P, Porreca GJ, Schienda J, Davie J, Hallam S, Towne C. Next-generation DNA sequencing of HEXA: a step in the right direction for carrier screening. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2013; 1:260-8. [PMID: 24498621 PMCID: PMC3865593 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tay-Sachs disease (TSD) is the prototype for ethnic-based carrier screening, with a carrier rate of ∼1/27 in Ashkenazi Jews and French Canadians. HexA enzyme analysis is the current gold standard for TSD carrier screening (detection rate ∼98%), but has technical limitations. We compared DNA analysis by next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) plus an assay for the 7.6 kb deletion to enzyme analysis for TSD carrier screening using 74 samples collected from participants at a TSD family conference. Fifty-one of 74 participants had positive enzyme results (46 carriers, five late-onset Tay-Sachs [LOTS]), 16 had negative, and seven had inconclusive results. NGS + 7.6 kb del screening of HEXA found a pathogenic mutation, pseudoallele, or variant of unknown significance (VUS) in 100% of the enzyme-positive or obligate carrier/enzyme-inconclusive samples. NGS detected the B1 allele in two enzyme-negative obligate carriers. Our data indicate that NGS can be used as a TSD clinical carrier screening tool. We demonstrate that NGS can be superior in detecting TSD carriers compared to traditional enzyme and genotyping methodologies, which are limited by false-positive and false-negative results and ethnically focused, limited mutation panels, respectively, but is not ready for sole use due to lack of information regarding some VUS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi D Hoffman
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Floating Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Erin T Strovel
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of MD School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Miriam G Blitzer
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of MD School of Medicine Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | | | - Brian Bishop
- Good Start Genetics Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts
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Cowan TM, Strovel ET. Management and quality assurance in the biochemical genetics laboratory. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; Chapter 17:Unit 17.7. [PMID: 18972371 DOI: 10.1002/0471142905.hg1707s59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
High-quality biochemical genetics testing is critical for proper diagnosis and management of patients with inborn errors of metabolism. An accurate diagnosis is a prerequisite for proper treatment, ongoing management, and ultimately, for optimal clinical outcome. Quality testing in the biochemical genetics laboratory is managed via adherence to federal regulations that govern clinical laboratory testing. However, because these were not specifically written for biochemical genetics laboratories, a number of professional organizations have developed practice guidelines to address gaps in the federal code. This unit reviews these regulations and guidelines as they apply to quality management of the biochemical genetics laboratory, including test validation, personnel standards, proficiency testing, and overall quality management (including quality assurance, quality control, and quality improvement). It also provides examples of protocols and forms that can be adapted for the documentation of test validation, personnel training, quality control, and quality assurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tina M Cowan
- Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Abstract
The Dishevelled (Dvl) gene family encodes cytoplasmic proteins that are necessary for Wnt signal transduction. Utilizing the yeast two-hybrid system, we identified protein phosphatase 2Calpha (PP2C) as a Dvl-PDZ domain-interacting protein. PP2C exists in a complex with Dvl, beta-catenin, and Axin, a negative regulator of Wnt signaling. In a Wnt-responsive LEF-1 reporter gene assay, expression of PP2C activates transcription and also elicits a synergistic response with beta-catenin and Wnt-1. In addition, PP2C expression relieves Axin-mediated repression of LEF-1-dependent transcription. PP2C utilizes Axin as a substrate both in vitro and in vivo and decreases its half-life. These results indicate that PP2C is a positive regulator of Wnt signal transduction and mediates its effects through the dephosphorylation of Axin.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Strovel
- Division of Human Genetics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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9
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Abstract
The Dishevelled (Dvl) gene family encodes cytoplasmic proteins that are implicated in Wnt signal transduction. In mammals, the manner in which Wnt signals are transduced remains unclear. The biochemical and molecular mechanisms defining the Wnt-1 pathway are of great interest because of its important role in development and its activation in murine breast tumors. In order to elucidate Dvl's role in Wnt signaling, we attempted to overexpress Dvl in cells, but were unable to obtain stable cell lines. We show here that the overexpression of Dvl genes alters nuclear and cellular morphology of COS-1 and C57MG cells and causes cell death due to the induction of apoptosis. Deletion studies demonstrate that all three conserved domains of Dvl (DIX, PDZ, and DEP) are required for Dvl-mediated cell death. Coexpression of protein phosphatase 2Calpha, a Dvl-interacting protein identified in yeast two-hybrid studies, protects cells from the cell death observed in cells overexpressing Dvl alone. Furthermore, the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene product appears to be required for Dvl-mediated cell death. The relevance of these findings to Wnt signal transduction, as well as to developmental processes and disease, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- E T Strovel
- Division of Human Genetics, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 655 West Baltimore Street, Room 11-049, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA
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