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Hosohama L, Tifrea DF, Nee K, Park SY, Wu J, Habowski AN, Van C, Seldin MM, Edwards RA, Waterman ML. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cell Subtypes Orchestrate Distinct Tumor Microenvironments. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.25.591144. [PMID: 38712298 PMCID: PMC11071458 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.25.591144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Several classification systems have been developed to define tumor subtypes in colorectal cancer (CRC). One system proposes that tumor heterogeneity derives in part from distinct cancer stem cell populations that co-exist as admixtures of varying proportions. However, the lack of single cell resolution has prohibited a definitive identification of these types of stem cells and therefore any understanding of how each influence tumor phenotypes. Here were report the isolation and characterization of two cancer stem cell subtypes from the SW480 CRC cell line. We find these cancer stem cells are oncogenic versions of the normal Crypt Base Columnar (CBC) and Regenerative Stem Cell (RSC) populations from intestinal crypts and that their gene signatures are consistent with the "Admixture" and other CRC classification systems. Using publicly available single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data from CRC patients, we determine that RSC and CBC cancer stem cells are commonly co-present in human CRC. To characterize influences on the tumor microenvironment, we develop subtype-specific xenograft models and we define their tumor microenvironments at high resolution via scRNAseq. RSCs create differentiated, inflammatory, slow growing tumors. CBCs create proliferative, undifferentiated, invasive tumors. With this enhanced resolution, we unify current CRC patient classification schema with TME phenotypes and organization.
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2
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Hachey SJ, Sobrino A, Lee JG, Jafari MD, Klempner SJ, Puttock EJ, Edwards RA, Lowengrub JS, Waterman ML, Zell JA, Hughes CCW. A human vascularized microtumor model of patient-derived colorectal cancer recapitulates clinical disease. Transl Res 2023; 255:97-108. [PMID: 36481562 PMCID: PMC10593408 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Accurately modeling tumor biology and testing novel therapies on patient-derived cells is critically important to developing therapeutic regimens personalized to a patient's specific disease. The vascularized microtumor (VMT), or "tumor-on-a-chip," is a physiologic preclinical cancer model that incorporates key features of the native human tumor microenvironment within a transparent microfluidic platform, allowing rapid drug screening in vitro. Herein we optimize methods for generating patient-derived VMT (pVMT) using fresh colorectal cancer (CRC) biopsies and surgical resections to test drug sensitivities at the individual patient level. In response to standard chemotherapy and TGF-βR1 inhibition, we observe heterogeneous responses between pVMT derived from 6 patient biopsies, with the pVMT recapitulating tumor growth, histological features, metabolic heterogeneity, and drug responses of actual CRC tumors. Our results suggest that a translational infrastructure providing rapid information from patient-derived tumor cells in the pVMT, as established in this study, will support efforts to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J Hachey
- Irvine Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Agua Sobrino
- Irvine Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - John G Lee
- Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California
| | | | | | - Eric J Puttock
- Irvine Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - John S Lowengrub
- Irvine Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Irvine Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Jason A Zell
- Irvine School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Irvine Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California; Irvine Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, California.
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3
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Bardwell AJ, Wu B, Sarin KY, Waterman ML, Atwood SX, Bardwell L. ERK2 MAP kinase regulates SUFU binding by multisite phosphorylation of GLI1. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202101353. [PMID: 35831023 PMCID: PMC9279676 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202101353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
As a mechanism of crosstalk, potentially relevant to cancer and developmental signaling, ERK2 MAP kinase phosphorylates the Hedgehog-pathway transcription factor GLI1 on three sites, promoting release of the negative regulator SUFU and the consequent activation of GLI1. Crosstalk between the Hedgehog and MAPK signaling pathways occurs in several types of cancer and contributes to clinical resistance to Hedgehog pathway inhibitors. Here we show that MAP kinase-mediated phosphorylation weakens the binding of the GLI1 transcription factor to its negative regulator SUFU. ERK2 phosphorylates GLI1 on three evolutionarily conserved target sites (S102, S116, and S130) located near the high-affinity binding site for SUFU; these phosphorylations cooperate to weaken the affinity of GLI1–SUFU binding by over 25-fold. Phosphorylation of any one, or even any two, of the three sites does not result in the level of SUFU release seen when all three sites are phosphorylated. Tumor-derived mutations in R100 and S105, residues bordering S102, also diminish SUFU binding, collectively defining a novel evolutionarily conserved SUFU affinity–modulating region. In cultured mammalian cells, GLI1 variants containing phosphomimetic substitutions of S102, S116, and S130 displayed an increased ability to drive transcription. We conclude that multisite phosphorylation of GLI1 by ERK2 or other MAP kinases weakens GLI1-SUFU binding, thereby facilitating GLI1 activation and contributing to both physiological and pathological crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jane Bardwell
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Beibei Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kavita Y Sarin
- Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Scott X Atwood
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Lee Bardwell
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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4
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Chun SK, Fortin BM, Fellows RC, Habowski AN, Verlande A, Song WA, Mahieu AL, Lefebvre AEYT, Sterrenberg JN, Velez LM, Digman MA, Edwards RA, Pannunzio NR, Seldin MM, Waterman ML, Masri S. Disruption of the circadian clock drives Apc loss of heterozygosity to accelerate colorectal cancer. Sci Adv 2022; 8:eabo2389. [PMID: 35947664 PMCID: PMC9365282 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo2389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
An alarming rise in young onset colorectal cancer (CRC) has been reported; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains undefined. Suspected risk factors of young onset CRC include environmental aspects, such as lifestyle and dietary factors, which are known to affect the circadian clock. We find that both genetic disruption and environmental disruption of the circadian clock accelerate Apc-driven CRC pathogenesis in vivo. Using an intestinal organoid model, we demonstrate that clock disruption promotes transformation by driving Apc loss of heterozygosity, which hyperactivates Wnt signaling. This up-regulates c-Myc, a known Wnt target, which drives heightened glycolytic metabolism. Using patient-derived organoids, we show that circadian rhythms are lost in human tumors. Last, we identify that variance between core clock and Wnt pathway genes significantly predicts the survival of patients with CRC. Overall, our findings demonstrate a previously unidentified mechanistic link between clock disruption and CRC, which has important implications for young onset cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Kook Chun
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Bridget M. Fortin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Rachel C. Fellows
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Amber N. Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Amandine Verlande
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Wei A. Song
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Alisa L. Mahieu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | | | - Leandro M. Velez
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Michelle A. Digman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Robert A. Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | | | - Marcus M. Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marian L. Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Selma Masri
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
- Corresponding author.
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5
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Vu T, Vallmitjana A, Gu J, La K, Xu Q, Flores J, Zimak J, Shiu J, Hosohama L, Wu J, Douglas C, Waterman ML, Ganesan A, Hedde PN, Gratton E, Zhao W. Spatial transcriptomics using combinatorial fluorescence spectral and lifetime encoding, imaging and analysis. Nat Commun 2022; 13:169. [PMID: 35013281 PMCID: PMC8748653 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27798-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiplexed mRNA profiling in the spatial context provides new information enabling basic research and clinical applications. Unfortunately, existing spatial transcriptomics methods are limited due to either low multiplexing or complexity. Here, we introduce a spatialomics technology, termed Multi Omic Single-scan Assay with Integrated Combinatorial Analysis (MOSAICA), that integrates in situ labeling of mRNA and protein markers in cells or tissues with combinatorial fluorescence spectral and lifetime encoded probes, spectral and time-resolved fluorescence imaging, and machine learning-based decoding. We demonstrate MOSAICA's multiplexing scalability in detecting 10-plex targets in fixed colorectal cancer cells using combinatorial labeling of five fluorophores with facile error-detection and removal of autofluorescence. MOSAICA's analysis is strongly correlated with sequencing data (Pearson's r = 0.96) and was further benchmarked using RNAscopeTM and LGC StellarisTM. We further apply MOSAICA for multiplexed analysis of clinical melanoma Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues. We finally demonstrate simultaneous co-detection of protein and mRNA in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tam Vu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Alexander Vallmitjana
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Joshua Gu
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kieu La
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Qi Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jesus Flores
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- CIRM Stem Cell Research Biotechnology Training Program at California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, 90840, USA
| | - Jan Zimak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jessica Shiu
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Linzi Hosohama
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Christopher Douglas
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92617, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Anand Ganesan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Per Niklas Hedde
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Enrico Gratton
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Laboratory for Fluorescence Dynamics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - Weian Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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6
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Chen GT, Tifrea DF, Murad R, Habowski AN, Lyou Y, Duong MR, Hosohama L, Mortazavi A, Edwards RA, Waterman ML. Disruption of beta-catenin dependent Wnt signaling in colon cancer cells remodels the microenvironment to promote tumor invasion. Mol Cancer Res 2021; 20:468-484. [PMID: 34799404 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-0349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The recent classification of colon cancer into molecular subtypes revealed that patients with the poorest prognosis harbor tumors with the lowest levels of Wnt signaling. This is contrary to the general understanding that overactive Wnt signaling promotes tumor progression from early initiation stages through to the later stages including invasion and metastasis. Here, we directly test this assumption by reducing the activity of ß-catenin-dependent Wnt signaling in colon cancer cell lines at either an upstream or downstream step in the pathway. We determine that Wnt-reduced cancer cells exhibit a more aggressive disease phenotype, including increased mobility in vitro and disruptive invasion into mucosa and smooth muscle in an orthotopic mouse model. RNA sequencing reveals that interference with Wnt signaling leads to an upregulation of gene programs that favor cell migration and invasion and a downregulation of inflammation signatures in the tumor microenvironment. We identify a set of upregulated genes common among the Wnt perturbations that are predictive of poor patient outcomes in early-invasive colon cancer. Our findings suggest that while targeting Wnt signaling may reduce tumor burden, an inadvertent side effect is the emergence of invasive cancer. Implications: Decreased Wnt signaling in colon tumors leads to a more aggressive disease phenotype due to an upregulation of gene programs favoring cell migration in the tumor and downregulation of inflammation programs in the tumor microenvironment; these impacts must be carefully considered in developing Wnt-targeting therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George T Chen
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Rabi Murad
- Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine
| | - Amber N Habowski
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Yung Lyou
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Linzi Hosohama
- Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental & Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine
| | | | - Marian L Waterman
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
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7
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Martin K, Zhang T, Lin TT, Habowski AN, Zhao R, Tsai CF, Chrisler WB, Sontag RL, Orton DJ, Lu YJ, Rodland KD, Yang B, Liu T, Smith RD, Qian WJ, Waterman ML, Wiley HS, Shi T. Facile One-Pot Nanoproteomics for Label-Free Proteome Profiling of 50-1000 Mammalian Cells. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:4452-4461. [PMID: 34351778 PMCID: PMC8945255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in sample preparation enable label-free mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteome profiling of small numbers of mammalian cells. However, specific devices are often required to downscale sample processing volume from the standard 50-200 μL to sub-μL for effective nanoproteomics, which greatly impedes the implementation of current nanoproteomics methods by the proteomics research community. Herein, we report a facile one-pot nanoproteomics method termed SOPs-MS (surfactant-assisted one-pot sample processing at the standard volume coupled with MS) for convenient robust proteome profiling of 50-1000 mammalian cells. Building upon our recent development of SOPs-MS for label-free single-cell proteomics at a low μL volume, we have systematically evaluated its processing volume at 10-200 μL using 100 human cells. The processing volume of 50 μL that is in the range of volume for standard proteomics sample preparation has been selected for easy sample handling with a benchtop micropipette. SOPs-MS allows for reliable label-free quantification of ∼1200-2700 protein groups from 50 to 1000 MCF10A cells. When applied to small subpopulations of mouse colon crypt cells, SOPs-MS has revealed protein signatures between distinct subpopulation cells with identification of ∼1500-2500 protein groups for each subpopulation. SOPs-MS may pave the way for routine deep proteome profiling of small numbers of cells and low-input samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tai-Tu Lin
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Amber N. Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Rui Zhao
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - William B. Chrisler
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Ryan L. Sontag
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Daniel J. Orton
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Yong-Jie Lu
- Centre for Cancer Biomarker and Biotherapeutics, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Karin D. Rodland
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Bin Yang
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States; Bioproducts, Sciences & Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Washington State University, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Tao Liu
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Richard D. Smith
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Marian L. Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - H. Steven Wiley
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Tujin Shi
- Corresponding Author Tujin Shi – Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States; Phone: (509) 371-6579;
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8
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Hachey SJ, Movsesyan S, Nguyen QH, Burton-Sojo G, Tankazyan A, Wu J, Hoang T, Zhao D, Wang S, Hatch MM, Celaya E, Gomez S, Chen GT, Davis RT, Nee K, Pervolarakis N, Lawson DA, Kessenbrock K, Lee AP, Lowengrub J, Waterman ML, Hughes CCW. An in vitro vascularized micro-tumor model of human colorectal cancer recapitulates in vivo responses to standard-of-care therapy. Lab Chip 2021; 21:1333-1351. [PMID: 33605955 PMCID: PMC8525497 DOI: 10.1039/d0lc01216e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Around 95% of anti-cancer drugs that show promise during preclinical study fail to gain FDA-approval for clinical use. This failure of the preclinical pipeline highlights the need for improved, physiologically-relevant in vitro models that can better serve as reliable drug-screening and disease modeling tools. The vascularized micro-tumor (VMT) is a novel three-dimensional model system (tumor-on-a-chip) that recapitulates the complex human tumor microenvironment, including perfused vasculature, within a transparent microfluidic device, allowing real-time study of drug responses and tumor-stromal interactions. Here we have validated this microphysiological system (MPS) platform for the study of colorectal cancer (CRC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, by showing that gene expression, tumor heterogeneity, and treatment responses in the VMT more closely model CRC tumor clinicopathology than current standard drug screening modalities, including 2-dimensional monolayer culture and 3-dimensional spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie J. Hachey
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Silva Movsesyan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Quy H. Nguyen
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Giselle Burton-Sojo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Ani Tankazyan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Tuyen Hoang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Da Zhao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Shuxiong Wang
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Michaela M. Hatch
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Elizabeth Celaya
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Samantha Gomez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - George T. Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Ryan T. Davis
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Kevin Nee
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Nicholas Pervolarakis
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Devon A. Lawson
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Kai Kessenbrock
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Abraham P. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - John Lowengrub
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Marian L. Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
| | - Christopher C. W. Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, IrvineIrvineCA92697USA
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9
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Habowski AN, Habowski TJ, Waterman ML. GECO: gene expression clustering optimization app for non-linear data visualization of patterns. BMC Bioinformatics 2021; 22:29. [PMID: 33494695 PMCID: PMC7831185 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-020-03951-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to continued advances in sequencing technology, the limitation in understanding biological systems through an “-omics” lens is no longer the generation of data, but the ability to analyze it. Importantly, much of this rich -omics data is publicly available waiting to be further investigated. Although many code-based pipelines exist, there is a lack of user-friendly and accessible applications that enable rapid analysis or visualization of data.
Results GECO (Gene Expression Clustering Optimization; http://www.theGECOapp.com) is a minimalistic GUI app that utilizes non-linear reduction techniques to rapidly visualize expression trends in many types of biological data matrices (such as bulk RNA-seq or proteomics). The required input is a data matrix with samples and any type of expression level of genes/protein/other with a unique ID. The output is an interactive t-SNE or UMAP analysis that clusters genes (or proteins/other unique IDs) based on their expression patterns across the multiple samples enabling visualization of expression trends. Customizable settings for dimensionality reduction, data normalization, along with visualization parameters including coloring and filters, ensure adaptability to a variety of user uploaded data. Conclusion This local and cloud-hosted web browser app enables investigation of any -omic data matrix in a rapid and code-independent manner. With the continued growth of available -omic data, the ability to quickly evaluate a dataset, including specific genes of interest, is more important than ever. GECO is intended to supplement traditional statistical analysis methods and is particularly useful when visualizing clusters of genes with similar trajectories across many samples (ex: multiple cell types, time course, dose response). Users will be empowered to investigate -omic data with a new lens of visualization and analysis that has the potential to uncover genes of interest, cohorts of co-regulated genes programs, and previously undetected patterns of expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
| | - T J Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - M L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
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10
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Habowski AN, Flesher JL, Bates JM, Tsai CF, Martin K, Zhao R, Ganesan AK, Edwards RA, Shi T, Wiley HS, Shi Y, Hertel KJ, Waterman ML. Publisher Correction: Transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of stemness and differentiation in the colon crypt. Commun Biol 2020; 3:495. [PMID: 32884070 PMCID: PMC7471919 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01237-0] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jessica L Flesher
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer M Bates
- Institute for Immunology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Kendall Martin
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tujin Shi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - H Steven Wiley
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Yongsheng Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Klemens J Hertel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Habowski AN, Flesher JL, Bates JM, Tsai CF, Martin K, Zhao R, Ganesan AK, Edwards RA, Shi T, Wiley HS, Shi Y, Hertel KJ, Waterman ML. Transcriptomic and proteomic signatures of stemness and differentiation in the colon crypt. Commun Biol 2020; 3:453. [PMID: 32814826 PMCID: PMC7438495 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal stem cells are non-quiescent, dividing epithelial cells that rapidly differentiate into progenitor cells of the absorptive and secretory cell lineages. The kinetics of this process is rapid such that the epithelium is replaced weekly. To determine how the transcriptome and proteome keep pace with rapid differentiation, we developed a new cell sorting method to purify mouse colon epithelial cells. Here we show that alternative mRNA splicing and polyadenylation dominate changes in the transcriptome as stem cells differentiate into progenitors. In contrast, as progenitors differentiate into mature cell types, changes in mRNA levels dominate the transcriptome. RNA processing targets regulators of cell cycle, RNA, cell adhesion, SUMOylation, and Wnt and Notch signaling. Additionally, global proteome profiling detected >2,800 proteins and revealed RNA:protein patterns of abundance and correlation. Paired together, these data highlight new potentials for autocrine and feedback regulation and provide new insights into cell state transitions in the crypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jessica L Flesher
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jennifer M Bates
- Institute for Immunology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Chia-Feng Tsai
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Kendall Martin
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Rui Zhao
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Anand K Ganesan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Tujin Shi
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - H Steven Wiley
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99354, USA
| | - Yongsheng Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Klemens J Hertel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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Tran TQ, Hanse EA, Habowski AN, Li H, Ishak Gabra MB, Yang Y, Lowman XH, Ooi AM, Liao SY, Edwards RA, Waterman ML, Kong M. α-Ketoglutarate attenuates Wnt signaling and drives differentiation in colorectal cancer. Nat Cancer 2020; 1:345-358. [PMID: 32832918 PMCID: PMC7442208 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-020-0035-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Genetic-driven deregulation of the Wnt pathway is crucial but not sufficient for colorectal cancer (CRC) tumourigenesis. Here, we show that environmental glutamine restriction further augments Wnt signaling in APC mutant intestinal organoids to promote stemness and leads to adenocarcinoma formation in vivo via decreasing intracellular alpha-ketoglutarate (aKG) levels. aKG supplementation is sufficient to rescue low-glutamine induced stemness and Wnt hyperactivation. Mechanistically, we found that aKG promotes hypomethylation of DNA and histone H3K4me3, leading to an upregulation of differentiation-associated genes and downregulation of Wnt target genes, respectively. Using CRC patient-derived organoids and several in vivo CRC tumour models, we show that aKG supplementation suppresses Wnt signaling and promotes cellular differentiation, thereby significantly restricting tumour growth and extending survival. Together, our results reveal how metabolic microenvironment impacts Wnt signaling and identify aKG as a potent antineoplastic metabolite for potential differentiation therapy for CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thai Q Tran
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Eric A Hanse
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Amber N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Haiqing Li
- Division of Informatics, Department of Computational and Quantitative Medicine, Center of Informatics, Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope Cancer Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Mari B Ishak Gabra
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Xazmin H Lowman
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Amelia M Ooi
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Shu Y Liao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Mei Kong
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
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Morgan RG, Ridsdale J, Payne M, Heesom KJ, Wilson MC, Davidson A, Greenhough A, Davies S, Williams AC, Blair A, Waterman ML, Tonks A, Darley RL. LEF-1 drives aberrant β-catenin nuclear localization in myeloid leukemia cells. Haematologica 2019; 104:1365-1377. [PMID: 30630973 PMCID: PMC6601079 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2018.202846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is frequently dysregulated in myeloid leukemias and is implicated in leukemogenesis. Nuclear-localized β-catenin is indicative of active Wnt signaling and is frequently observed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients; however, some patients exhibit little or no nuclear β-catenin even where cytosolic β-catenin is abundant. Control of the subcellular localization of β-catenin therefore represents an additional mechanism regulating Wnt signaling in hematopoietic cells. To investigate the factors mediating the nuclear-localization of β-catenin, we carried out the first nuclear/cytoplasmic proteomic analysis of the β-catenin interactome in myeloid leukemia cells and identified putative novel β-catenin interactors. Comparison of interacting factors between Wnt-responsive cells (high nuclear β-catenin) versus Wnt-unresponsive cells (low nuclear β-catenin) suggested the transcriptional partner, LEF-1, could direct the nuclear-localization of β-catenin. The relative levels of nuclear LEF-1 and β-catenin were tightly correlated in both cell lines and in primary AML blasts. Furthermore, LEF-1 knockdown perturbed β-catenin nuclear-localization and transcriptional activation in Wnt-responsive cells. Conversely, LEF-1 overexpression was able to promote both nuclear-localization and β-catenin-dependent transcriptional responses in previously Wnt-unresponsive cells. This is the first β-catenin interactome study in hematopoietic cells and reveals LEF-1 as a mediator of nuclear β- catenin level in human myeloid leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys G Morgan
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK .,School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, UK
| | - Jenna Ridsdale
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Megan Payne
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Sara Davies
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Ann C Williams
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Allison Blair
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alex Tonks
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Richard L Darley
- Department of Haematology, Division of Cancer and Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
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Sierra RA, Hoverter NP, Ramirez RN, Vuong LM, Mortazavi A, Merrill BJ, Waterman ML, Donovan PJ. TCF7L1 suppresses primitive streak gene expression to support human embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Development 2018; 145:dev.161075. [PMID: 29361574 DOI: 10.1242/dev.161075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are exquisitely sensitive to WNT ligands, which rapidly cause differentiation. Therefore, hESC self-renewal requires robust mechanisms to keep the cells in a WNT inactive but responsive state. How they achieve this is largely unknown. We explored the role of transcriptional regulators of WNT signaling, the TCF/LEFs. As in mouse ESCs, TCF7L1 is the predominant family member expressed in hESCs. Genome-wide, it binds a gene cohort involved in primitive streak formation at gastrulation, including NODAL, BMP4 and WNT3 Comparing TCF7L1-bound sites with those bound by the WNT signaling effector β-catenin indicates that TCF7L1 acts largely on the WNT signaling pathway. TCF7L1 overlaps less with the pluripotency regulators OCT4 and NANOG than in mouse ESCs. Gain- and loss-of-function studies indicate that TCF7L1 suppresses gene cohorts expressed in the primitive streak. Interestingly, we find that BMP4, another driver of hESC differentiation, downregulates TCF7L1, providing a mechanism of BMP and WNT pathway intersection. Together, our studies indicate that TCF7L1 plays a major role in maintaining hESC pluripotency, which has implications for human development during gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Sierra
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nathan P Hoverter
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Ricardo N Ramirez
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Linh M Vuong
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Bradley J Merrill
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Peter J Donovan
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA .,Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Lyou Y, Habowski AN, Chen GT, Waterman ML. Inhibition of nuclear Wnt signalling: challenges of an elusive target for cancer therapy. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:4589-4599. [PMID: 28752891 PMCID: PMC5727325 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [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: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly conserved Wnt signalling pathway plays an important role in embryonic development and disease pathogenesis, most notably cancer. The 'canonical' or β-catenin-dependent Wnt signal initiates at the cell plasma membrane with the binding of Wnt proteins to Frizzled:LRP5/LRP6 receptor complexes and is mediated by the translocation of the transcription co-activator protein, β-catenin, into the nucleus. β-Catenin then forms a complex with T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer binding factor (LEF) transcription factors to regulate multiple gene programmes. These programmes play roles in cell proliferation, migration, vasculogenesis, survival and metabolism. Mutations in Wnt signalling pathway components lead to constitutively active Wnt signalling that drives aberrant expression of these programmes and development of cancer. It has been a longstanding and challenging goal to develop therapies that can interfere with the TCF/LEF-β-catenin transcriptional complex. This review will focus on the (i) structural considerations for targeting the TCF/LEF-β-catenin and co-regulatory complexes in the nucleus, (ii) current molecules that directly target TCF/LEF-β-catenin activity and (iii) ideas for targeting newly discovered components of the TCF/LEF-β-catenin complex and/or downstream gene programmes regulated by these complexes. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung Lyou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology OncologyUniversity of California Irvine Medical CenterOrangeCAUSA
| | - Amber N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - George T Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCAUSA
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Lyou Y, Habowski A, Sprowl-Tanio S, Pate K, Chen G, Waterman ML. Abstract 5494: Hypoxia via HIF1alpha can regulate Wnt signaling in human colon cancer cells. Cancer Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2017-5494] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Standard-of-care treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer combines chemotherapy with bevacizumab, an angiogenesis inhibitor that depletes nutrients and triggers hypoxia. Unfortunately, this strategy extends patient survival only a few months because tumors acquire adaptive resistance, enabling resumption of angiogenesis. Adaptive resistance arises from reprogrammed metabolism, but the regulatory networks that govern reprogramming are not defined. Our studies have shown that overactive Wnt signaling, which is the most common cause of colon cancer, programs cancer metabolism by promoting glycolysis and angiogenesis. Interestingly, metabolic genes targeted by Wnt are also regulated by the hypoxia transcription factor HIF1alpha suggesting there may be crosstalk between the two pathways. Several studies suggest that HIF1alpha can influence Wnt signaling, but the reported effects are variable ranging from positive to negative. We find that HIF1alpha and LEF/TCF/beta-catenin complexes co-regulate metabolic targets including LEF1 and TCF1 (TCF7) expression. Using luciferase reporters driven by LEF/TCF promoters, we observe significantly increased LEF1/TCF1 but not TCF3(TCF7L1)/TCF4(TCF7L2) promoter activity in hypoxic colon cancer cells. We identified putative hypoxia responsive elements (HREs) in the human LEF1 promoter and deletion of these HREs reduced responsiveness to hypoxia. Furthermore, when colon cancer cells were treated with inhibitors that either inactivate or reduce HIF1alpha protein, there was a significant decrease in Wnt reporter activity. These results suggest that hypoxia and the Wnt pathway crosstalk wherein hypoxia co-regulates metabolism genes and increases Wnt signaling capacity via LEF/TCF expression. Current studies are underway to investigate the mechanisms of crosstalk and joint regulation of metabolic gene programs during adaptive resistance.
Citation Format: Yung Lyou, Amber Habowski, Stephanie Sprowl-Tanio, Kira Pate, George Chen, Marian L. Waterman. Hypoxia via HIF1alpha can regulate Wnt signaling in human colon cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5494. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5494
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kira Pate
- 2University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
| | - George Chen
- 2University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA
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Lee M, Chen GT, Puttock E, Wang K, Edwards RA, Waterman ML, Lowengrub J. Mathematical modeling links Wnt signaling to emergent patterns of metabolism in colon cancer. Mol Syst Biol 2017; 13:912. [PMID: 28183841 PMCID: PMC5327728 DOI: 10.15252/msb.20167386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-intrinsic metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer that provides anabolic support to cell proliferation. How reprogramming influences tumor heterogeneity or drug sensitivities is not well understood. Here, we report a self-organizing spatial pattern of glycolysis in xenograft colon tumors where pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK1), a negative regulator of oxidative phosphorylation, is highly active in clusters of cells arranged in a spotted array. To understand this pattern, we developed a reaction-diffusion model that incorporates Wnt signaling, a pathway known to upregulate PDK1 and Warburg metabolism. Partial interference with Wnt alters the size and intensity of the spotted pattern in tumors and in the model. The model predicts that Wnt inhibition should trigger an increase in proteins that enhance the range of Wnt ligand diffusion. Not only was this prediction validated in xenograft tumors but similar patterns also emerge in radiochemotherapy-treated colorectal cancer. The model also predicts that inhibitors that target glycolysis or Wnt signaling in combination should synergize and be more effective than each treatment individually. We validated this prediction in 3D colon tumor spheroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Lee
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - George T Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Eric Puttock
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kehui Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - John Lowengrub
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
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Sprowl-Tanio S, Habowski AN, Pate KT, McQuade MM, Wang K, Edwards RA, Grun F, Lyou Y, Waterman ML. Lactate/pyruvate transporter MCT-1 is a direct Wnt target that confers sensitivity to 3-bromopyruvate in colon cancer. Cancer Metab 2016; 4:20. [PMID: 27729975 PMCID: PMC5046889 DOI: 10.1186/s40170-016-0159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [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: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is increasing evidence that oncogenic Wnt signaling directs metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells to favor aerobic glycolysis or Warburg metabolism. In colon cancer, this reprogramming is due to direct regulation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) gene transcription. Additional metabolism genes are sensitive to Wnt signaling and exhibit correlative expression with PDK1. Whether these genes are also regulated at the transcriptional level, and therefore a part of a core metabolic gene program targeted by oncogenic WNT signaling, is not known. Results Here, we identify monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT-1; encoded by SLC16A1) as a direct target gene supporting Wnt-driven Warburg metabolism. We identify and validate Wnt response elements (WREs) in the proximal SLC16A1 promoter and show that they mediate sensitivity to Wnt inhibition via dominant-negative LEF-1 (dnLEF-1) expression and the small molecule Wnt inhibitor XAV939. We also show that WREs function in an independent and additive manner with c-Myc, the only other known oncogenic regulator of SLC16A1 transcription. MCT-1 can export lactate, the byproduct of Warburg metabolism, and it is the essential transporter of pyruvate as well as a glycolysis-targeting cancer drug, 3-bromopyruvate (3-BP). Using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assays to follow cell proliferation, we tested a panel of colon cancer cell lines for sensitivity to 3-BP. We observe that all cell lines are highly sensitive and that reduction of Wnt signaling by XAV939 treatment does not synergize with 3-BP, but instead is protective and promotes rapid recovery. Conclusions We conclude that MCT-1 is part of a core Wnt signaling gene program for glycolysis in colon cancer and that modulation of this program could play an important role in shaping sensitivity to drugs that target cancer metabolism. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40170-016-0159-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Sprowl-Tanio
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Amber N Habowski
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Kira T Pate
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Miriam M McQuade
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Kehui Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Felix Grun
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Yung Lyou
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
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20
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Tsai BP, Jimenez J, Lim S, Fitzgerald KD, Zhang M, Chuah CTH, Axelrod H, Wilson L, Ong ST, Semler BL, Waterman ML. A novel Bcr-Abl-mTOR-eIF4A axis regulates IRES-mediated translation of LEF-1. Open Biol 2015; 4:140180. [PMID: 25392452 PMCID: PMC4248067 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.140180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) in cellular mRNAs direct expression of growth-promoting factors through an alternative translation mechanism that has yet to be fully defined. Lymphoid enhancer factor-1 (LEF-1), a Wnt-mediating transcription factor important for cell survival and metastasis in cancer, is produced via IRES-directed translation, and its mRNA is frequently upregulated in malignancies, including chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). In this study, we determined that LEF1 expression is regulated by Bcr-Abl, the oncogenic protein that drives haematopoietic cell transformation to CML. We have previously shown that the LEF1 5′ untranslated region recruits a complex of proteins to its IRES, including the translation initiation factor eIF4A. In this report, we use two small molecule inhibitors, PP242 (dual mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) kinase inhibitor) and hippuristanol (eIF4A inhibitor), to define IRES regulation via a Bcr-Abl–mTOR–eIF4A axis in CML cell lines and primary patient leukaemias. We found that LEF1 and other IRESs are uniquely sensitive to the activities of Bcr-Abl/mTOR. Most notably, we discovered that eIF4A, an RNA helicase, elicits potent non-canonical effects on the LEF1 IRES. Hippuristanol inhibition of eIF4A stalls translation of IRES mRNA and triggers dissociation from polyribosomes. We propose that a combination drug strategy which targets mTOR and IRES-driven translation disrupts key factors that contribute to growth and proliferation in CML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky Pinjou Tsai
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Judith Jimenez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Lim
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Kerry D Fitzgerald
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Charles T H Chuah
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore
| | - Haley Axelrod
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Luke Wilson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - S Tiong Ong
- Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Signature Research Program, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore Department of Haematology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre, Singapore Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bert L Semler
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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21
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Ehsan SM, Welch-Reardon KM, Waterman ML, Hughes CCW, George SC. A three-dimensional in vitro model of tumor cell intravasation. Integr Biol (Camb) 2015; 6:603-10. [PMID: 24763498 DOI: 10.1039/c3ib40170g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the cause of over 90% of all human cancer deaths. Early steps in the metastatic process include: the formation of new blood vessels, the initiation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the mobilization of tumor cells into the circulation. There are ongoing efforts to replicate the physiological landscape of human tumor tissue using three-dimensional in vitro culture models; however, few systems are able to capture the full range of authentic, complex in vivo events such as neovascularization and intravasation. Here we introduce the Prevascularized Tumor (PVT) model to investigate early events of solid tumor progression. PVT spheroids are composed of endothelial and tumor cells, and are embedded in a fibrin matrix containing fibroblasts. The PVT model facilitates two mechanisms of vessel formation: robust sprouting angiogenesis into the matrix, and contiguous vascularization within the spheroid. Furthermore, the PVT model enables the intravasation of tumor cells that is enhanced under low oxygen conditions and is also dependent on the key EMT transcription factor Slug. The PVT model provides a significant advance in the mimicry of human tumors in vitro, and may improve investigation and targeting of events in the metastatic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema M Ehsan
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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22
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Hoverter NP, Zeller MD, McQuade MM, Garibaldi A, Busch A, Selwan EM, Hertel KJ, Baldi P, Waterman ML. The TCF C-clamp DNA binding domain expands the Wnt transcriptome via alternative target recognition. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:13615-32. [PMID: 25414359 PMCID: PMC4267635 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku1186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 11/01/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
LEF/TCFs direct the final step in Wnt/β-catenin signalling by recruiting β-catenin to genes for activation of transcription. Ancient, non-vertebrate TCFs contain two DNA binding domains, a High Mobility Group box for recognition of the Wnt Response Element (WRE; 5'-CTTTGWWS-3') and the C-clamp domain for recognition of the GC-rich Helper motif (5'-RCCGCC-3'). Two vertebrate TCFs (TCF-1/TCF7 and TCF-4/TCF7L2) use the C-clamp as an alternatively spliced domain to regulate cell-cycle progression, but how the C-clamp influences TCF binding and activity genome-wide is not known. Here, we used a doxycycline inducible system with ChIP-seq to assess how the C-clamp influences human TCF1 binding genome-wide. Metabolic pulse-labeling of nascent RNA with 4'Thiouridine was used with RNA-seq to connect binding to the Wnt transcriptome. We find that the C-clamp enables targeting to a greater number of gene loci for stronger occupancy and transcription regulation. The C-clamp uses Helper sites concurrently with WREs for gene targeting, but it also targets TCF1 to sites that do not have readily identifiable canonical WREs. The coupled ChIP-seq/4'Thiouridine-seq analysis identified new Wnt target genes, including additional regulators of cell proliferation. Thus, C-clamp containing isoforms of TCFs are potent transcriptional regulators with an expanded transcriptome directed by C-clamp-Helper site interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nate P Hoverter
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Michael D Zeller
- Department of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Miriam M McQuade
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Angela Garibaldi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Anke Busch
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Selwan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Klemens J Hertel
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Pierre Baldi
- Department of Information and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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23
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Ehsan SM, Inoue M, Waterman ML, Hughes CC, George SC. Abstract 14: Drug sensitivity of vascularized tumor tissue in vitro. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-14] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
While there have been significant advances in using 3D culture systems to recapitulate physiological aspects of the tumor microenvironment, few systems are able to capture the full range of authentic, complex in vivo processes such as neovascularization and metastasis. Furthermore, these systems generally utilize established cell lines which compromise the clinical relevance. The goal of this study was to create a 3D in vitro model of patient-specific vascularized tumor tissue that could be used to evaluate the sensitivity to F-fluoruracil (5-FU). Colon cancer cells isolated directly from patient biopsies and endothelial colony forming cell-derived endothelial cells (EC) from cord blood were combined to form multicellular spheroids, and then embedded in a fibrin gel containing normal stromal cells (primary human lung fibroblasts). After 7 days in culture, these “prevascularized tumors” (PVTs) exhibited robust sprouting angiogenesis into the surrounding matrix, and also formed a distinct and contiguous vessel network within the spheroid itself. Network formation and branching of the sprouting vessels was comparable to those generated by co-culture spheroids of EC and cells from the colon cancer cell line SW620. These spheroids in particular demonstrated intravasation of single cells within the lumens of the vessel networks. This phenomenon was enhanced in low oxygen, and abrogated by silencing the transcription factor Slug. Thus, this phenomena is consistent with endothelial-mesenchymal transition. The PVTs have furthermore been used to distinguish the effects of EC on SW620 viability in response to 5-FU. Spheroids composed of EC and SW620 cells demonstrated decreased sensitivity to low dosage 5-FU treatment compared to spheroids composed of SW620 cells only, implicating potential EC-induced drug resistance. Our results demonstrate the utility of a 3D model system of the tumor microenvironment that may be used to study intravasation, microvessel formation, and sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs.
Citation Format: Seema M. Ehsan, Masahiro Inoue, Marian L. Waterman, Christopher CW Hughes, Steven C. George. Drug sensitivity of vascularized tumor tissue in vitro. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 14. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-14
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masahiro Inoue
- 2Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
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Alonzo LF, Robertson CJ, Moya ML, Waterman ML, Hughes CC, George SC. Abstract 3930: Recapitulating the microenvironment in vitro for comparative study of factors affecting tumor growth and vascularization. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-3930] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Tumor growth is dramatically affected by the microenvironment, including supporting cells such as the stroma and vasculature, mechanical factors, such as interstitial flow and extracellular matrix and aspects of the tumor mass itself, including shape. However, current tumor growth models, including xenograft models, 2D and/or simplistic 3D cultures, are unable to address these interactions in a high throughput human-derived system. We have developed a novel microfluidic platform that combines human derived perfused microvessels, stroma, and interstitial flow with 3D culture. This platform was used to quantitatively compare the role of these microenvironmental factors on tumor growth.
Methods: A microfluidic device was fabricated consisting of two supply channels on either side of a central tissue compartment. The inner stromal compartment consists of normal human fibroblasts (NHLFs) and GFP-labeled human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor cells, SW620, seeded in a fibrin matrix. To simulate a vasculogenic-like process, human cord blood endothelial colony forming cells endothelial cells (ECFC-ECs) were distributed throughout the stromal channel with the fibroblasts and tumor cells.
Tumor growth rate and area was compared across day, interstitial flow rates and tumor shape (fractal dimension, perimeter to area) with ANOVA.
Results: Cell viability within the device was maintained under interstitial flow conditions for a period of 21 days. Within one week of culture, microvessel formation and significant tumor growth into spheroids (n=636) were observed. On average, tumor growth rate was 26% ±62% per day with the highest growth rates observed on the first days. By day 7, many tumor masses had died off, with 2-3 large, fast growing tumors remaining per chamber. Highest tumor growth rates and areas were observed in tumor masses with a characteristic morphology of high perimeter to area and lower cohesion.
Interstitial flow rates ranging from essentially static to supraphysiologic were generated. Differences in tumor growth rates were not statistically significant across chambers with different mean flow rates.
To demonstrate intraluminal flow within the vascular network, fluorescently labeled dextran (40, 70, and 150 kDa) was introduced into the microfluidic lines. Dextran was retained in the vessel network, and showed tumor cells residing in the intraluminal space of the formed vasculature. By day 14, the network eroded, as the tumor masses overgrew and encompassed more than 60% of the chamber volume.
Discussion: We have developed a novel 3D microfluidic system of the tumor microenvironment that features perfused capillaries and controlled interstitial flow. Tumor growth was affected by tumor characteristic shape in this model though interstitial flow appeared to play a lesser role. Vascular development was observed and its interaction with tumor growth will be analyzed in future work.
Citation Format: Luis F. Alonzo, Claire J. Robertson, Monica L. Moya, Marian L. Waterman, Christopher C. Hughes, Steven C. George. Recapitulating the microenvironment in vitro for comparative study of factors affecting tumor growth and vascularization. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3930. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3930
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Chen GT, Lee M, Pate K, Wang K, Edwards RA, Lowengrub JS, Waterman ML. Abstract 138: A role for Wnt signaling in regulation of Warburg metabolism in colon cancer. Cancer Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2014-138] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
For most aerobic organisms, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) is the predominant metabolic pathway for production of cellular energy. Compared to anaerobic metabolism, OXPHOS is much more efficient at producing ATP. However, despite an abundance of environmental oxygen and the induction of angiogenesis by a colon cancer tumor, the predominant metabolic pathway utilized is glycolysis. This paradox is also known as Warburg metabolism.
In mouse xenograft tumors grown from SW620 colon cancer cells, partial inhibition of beta-catenin dependent Wnt signaling shifts metabolism of the tumor, where glycolysis markers decrease. We also determined that transcription of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 gene (PDK1), is regulated by Wnt signaling. PDK1 protein normally inactivates mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) through phosphorylation in order to increase the conversion of pyruvate to lactate in the cytosol. We concluded that Wnt signaling directs Warburg metabolism in colon cancer via regulation of a key regulator of glycolysis.
When staining for phosphorylated PDH in the xenograft tumors as a measure of active PDK, we discovered a unique spotted pattern of discrete regions of increased phospho-PDH at regular intervals throughout the xenograft tumor. The pattern was accentuated when Wnt signaling was reduced and it was completely abolished with PDK1 expression. This regular spotted pattern was also seen in beta-catenin expression, suggesting that Wnt signaling may be responsible for establishing the spotted pattern. We hypothesized that this patterning could be modeled mathematically as a Turing pattern. Beta-catenin dependent Wnt signaling and its associated inhibitors have been previously characterized to form Turing patterns, or reaction-diffusion systems, in multiple developmental biology systems.
Our collaborative group has developed a system of reaction-diffusion equations that describes the formation of these spots in relation to varying concentrations of Wnt signaling, Wnt inhibitors, and nutrients. Included in the model are equations for glycolytic cells, oxidative cells, Wnt signaling activity, Wnt inhibitors, PDK activity, lactate, HIF, and a general nutrient term. Wnt activity and Wnt inhibitor equations are based on the Gierer-Meinhardt activator-inhibitor model. The tumor cells switch metabolic regimes based on PDK activity level (high activity implies a tendency towards glycolysis, and low activity tends toward oxidative phosphorylation).
Using novel imaging techniques and mathematical modeling, we have demonstrated that beta-catenin dependent Wnt signaling regulates expression of PDK1 to drive glycolysis in xenograft tumors. This increased glycolysis exists in a regular Turing pattern throughout the tumor. Our mathematical models will allow us to predict changes to tumor metabolism and behavior in response to modulation of Wnt signaling or external stimuli.
Citation Format: George T. Chen, Mary Lee, Kira Pate, Kehui Wang, Robert A. Edwards, John S. Lowengrub, Marian L. Waterman. A role for Wnt signaling in regulation of Warburg metabolism in colon cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 138. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-138
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Abstract
Secreted Wnt lipoproteins are cysteine-rich and lipid-modified morphogens that bind to the Frizzled (FZD) receptor and LDL receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6). Wnt engages FZD through protruding thumb and index finger domains, which are each assembled from paired β strands secured by disulfide bonds and grasp two sides of the FZD ectodomain. The importance of Wnt disulfide bonds has been assumed but uncharacterized. We systematically analyzed cysteines and associated disulfide bonds in the prototypic Wnt3a. Our data show that mutation of any individual cysteine of Wnt3a results in covalent Wnt oligomers through ectopic intermolecular disulfide bond formation and diminishes/abolishes Wnt signaling. Although individual cysteine mutations in the amino part of the saposin-like domain and in the base of the index finger are better tolerated and permit residual Wnt3a secretion/activity, those in the amino terminus, the thumb, and at the tip of the index finger are incompatible with secretion and/or activity. A few select double cysteine mutants based on the disulfide bond pattern restore Wnt secretion/activity. Further, a double cysteine mutation at the index finger tip results in a Wnt3a with normal secretion but minimal FZD binding and dominant negative properties. Our results experimentally validate predictions from the Wnt crystal structure and highlight critical but different roles of the saposin-like and cytokine-like domains, including the thumb and the index finger in Wnt folding/secretion and FZD binding. Finally, we modified existing expression vectors for 19 epitope-tagged human WNT proteins by removal of a tag-supplied ectopic cysteine, thereby generating tagged WNT ligands active in canonical and non-canonical signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan T MacDonald
- From the F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Annie Hien
- From the F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Xinjun Zhang
- From the F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Oladoyin Iranloye
- From the F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - David M Virshup
- the Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School, 8 College Road, 169857 Singapore, and
| | - Marian L Waterman
- the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, California 92697
| | - Xi He
- From the F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115,
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27
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Pate KT, Stringari C, Sprowl-Tanio S, Wang K, TeSlaa T, Hoverter NP, McQuade MM, Garner C, Digman MA, Teitell MA, Edwards RA, Gratton E, Waterman ML. Wnt signaling directs a metabolic program of glycolysis and angiogenesis in colon cancer. EMBO J 2014; 33:1454-73. [PMID: 24825347 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201488598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the mechanism by which Wnt signaling drives proliferation during oncogenesis is attributed to its regulation of the cell cycle. Here, we show how Wnt/β-catenin signaling directs another hallmark of tumorigenesis, namely Warburg metabolism. Using biochemical assays and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to probe metabolism in vitro and in living tumors, we observe that interference with Wnt signaling in colon cancer cells reduces glycolytic metabolism and results in small, poorly perfused tumors. We identify pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) as an important direct target within a larger gene program for metabolism. PDK1 inhibits pyruvate flux to mitochondrial respiration and a rescue of its expression in Wnt-inhibited cancer cells rescues glycolysis as well as vessel growth in the tumor microenvironment. Thus, we identify an important mechanism by which Wnt-driven Warburg metabolism directs the use of glucose for cancer cell proliferation and links it to vessel delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira T Pate
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Chiara Stringari
- Laboratory of Fluorescence Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Sprowl-Tanio
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Kehui Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Tara TeSlaa
- Departments of Pathology, Pediatrics, and Bioengineering, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nate P Hoverter
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Miriam M McQuade
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Chad Garner
- Department of Epidemiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michelle A Digman
- Laboratory of Fluorescence Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Michael A Teitell
- Departments of Pathology, Pediatrics, and Bioengineering, David Geffen School of Medicine University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Edwards
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Enrico Gratton
- Laboratory of Fluorescence Dynamics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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28
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Chodaparambil JV, Pate KT, Hepler MRD, Tsai BP, Muthurajan UM, Luger K, Waterman ML, Weis WI. Molecular functions of the TLE tetramerization domain in Wnt target gene repression. EMBO J 2014; 33:719-31. [PMID: 24596249 DOI: 10.1002/embj.201387188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling activates target genes by promoting association of the co-activator β-catenin with TCF/LEF transcription factors. In the absence of β-catenin, target genes are silenced by TCF-mediated recruitment of TLE/Groucho proteins, but the molecular basis for TLE/TCF-dependent repression is unclear. We describe the unusual three-dimensional structure of the N-terminal Q domain of TLE1 that mediates tetramerization and binds to TCFs. We find that differences in repression potential of TCF/LEFs correlates with their affinities for TLE-Q, rather than direct competition between β-catenin and TLE for TCFs as part of an activation-repression switch. Structure-based mutation of the TLE tetramer interface shows that dimers cannot mediate repression, even though they bind to TCFs with the same affinity as tetramers. Furthermore, the TLE Q tetramer, not the dimer, binds to chromatin, specifically to K20 methylated histone H4 tails, suggesting that the TCF/TLE tetramer complex promotes structural transitions of chromatin to mediate repression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayanth V Chodaparambil
- Departments of Structural Biology and Molecular & Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Konstorum A, Sprowl SA, Waterman ML, Lander AD, Lowengrub JS. Predicting mechanism of biphasic growth factor action on tumor growth using a multi-species model with feedback control. J Coupled Syst Multiscale Dyn 2013; 1:459-467. [PMID: 25075381 PMCID: PMC4112130 DOI: 10.1166/jcsmd.2013.1028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A large number of growth factors and drugs are known to act in a biphasic manner: at lower concentrations they cause increased division of target cells, whereas at higher concentrations the mitogenic effect is inhibited. Often, the molecular details of the mitogenic effect of the growth factor are known, whereas the inhibitory effect is not. Hepatoctyte Growth Factor, HGF, has recently been recognized as a strong mitogen that is present in the microenvironment of solid tumors. Recent evidence suggests that HGF acts in a biphasic manner on tumor growth. We build a multi-species model of HGF action on tumor cells using different hypotheses for high dose-HGF activation of a growth inhibitor and show that the shape of the dose-response curve is directly related to the mechanism of inhibitor activation. We thus hypothesize that the shape of a dose-response curve is informative of the molecular action of the growth factor on the growth inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Konstorum
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3875, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, 2620 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2280, USA
| | - Stephanie A. Sprowl
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, 2620 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2280, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Marian L. Waterman
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, 2620 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2280, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
| | - Arthur D. Lander
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, 2620 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2280, USA
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, 2011 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2300, USA
| | - John S. Lowengrub
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-3875, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, 2620 Biological Sciences III, Irvine, CA 92697-2280, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, 3120 Natural Sciences II, Irvine, CA 92697-2715, USA
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30
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Sprowl
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Marian L. Waterman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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31
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Alonzo LF, Moya ML, Campagna ZT, Sprowl S, Waterman ML, Hughes CC, George SC. Abstract 3844: A novel microfluidic platform to mimic tumor angiogenesis. Cancer Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.am2013-3844] [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: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Tumor growth and development depend on the ability of tumor cells to recruit normal host cells within its microenvironment, such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Thus, understanding the relationships between host and tumor cells is essential to developing new and complementary approaches to the overall management of the disease. Previous work has relied on xenograft tumors in mouse models, or relatively simplistic in vitro cultures. These approaches have provided valuable insights, but they possess inherent limitations. To address these limitations we present a novel microfluidic device that recreates specific features of the complex tumor microenvironment. The platform includes two discrete, but interconnected cellular environments that can mimic microvessel recruitment of 3D metabolically active tumor mass. Methods: The microfluidic device was fabricated by standard polydimethlsiloxane (PDMS) micro-molding. The design consists of two rows of diamond-shaped tissue compartments (∼ 1 mm3) juxtaposed in parallel and connected via micropores specifically designed to control the flow of hydrogels during loading. The first compartment is used to simulate a vasculogenesis-like process, and it consists of fibroblasts (NHLFs) and endothelial colony forming cell-derived endothelial cells (ECFC-ECs) seeded in a fibrin matrix. The second compartment is used to simulate tumor tissue, and it is composed of fibrin matrix alone, or with the addition of human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor cells (SW620 cells) with or without NHLFs. Supplying each tissue channel are intersecting, fluid-filled microchannels that provide a dynamic supply of culture media on either side of the tissue compartments. The pressure within these compartments can be manipulated to control the direction and magnitude of interstitial fluid flow. This flexibility can manipulate cell behavior within one compartment over the other, as needed. Results: Cells in the device remained viable through 3 weeks of culture. Within the first week, vessel formation was observed in the first chamber, and angiogenesis was observed in the direction opposite to the direction of interstitial flow, that is toward, and then directly entering the second chamber as early as day 4. Addition of SW620s in the second chamber enhanced angiogenesis as evidenced by an increase in the number of ECFC-ECs sprouts (1.83 vs 2.33) and sprout length (142+36.6 μm vs 196+40.9 μm). Discussion: We have developed a novel microfluidic system of the tumor microenvironment that allows for real-time visualization of the interaction between sprouting microvessels, the stroma, and tumor cells in 3D. The device provides flexibility and reproducibility in a controlled environment, and can allow for high-throughput screening, which may be useful for the discovery of anti-cancer drugs.
Citation Format: Luis F. Alonzo, Monica L. Moya, Zachary T. Campagna, Stephanie Sprowl, Marian L. Waterman, Chris C. Hughes, Steven C. George. A novel microfluidic platform to mimic tumor angiogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3844. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3844
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32
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Abstract
Two new studies reveal ways in which the Wnt pathway commandeers Hippo components for signaling. Azzolin et al. show how the Hippo transcription factor TAZ mediates Wnt signals, and Rosenbluh et al. show how β-catenin and YAP1 form a kinase-regulated complex with transcription factor TBX5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky P Tsai
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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33
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Stringari C, Pate KT, Edwards RA, Waterman ML, Gratton E. Metabolic Imaging of Colon Cancer Tumors In Vivo by Phasor Fluorescence Lifetime Microscopy of NADH. Biophys J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.11.1902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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34
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Abstract
T-cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) transcription factors are the major end point mediators of Wnt/Wingless signaling throughout metazoans. TCF/LEFs are multifunctional proteins that use their sequence-specific DNA-binding and context-dependent interactions to specify which genes will be regulated by Wnts. Much of the work to define their actions has focused on their ability to repress target gene expression when Wnt signals are absent and to recruit β-catenin to target genes for activation when Wnts are present. Recent advances have highlighted how these on/off actions are regulated by Wnt signals and stabilized β-catenin. In contrast to invertebrates, which typically contain one TCF/LEF protein that can both activate and repress Wnt targets, gene duplication and isoform complexity of the family in vertebrates have led to specialization, in which individual TCF/LEF isoforms have distinct activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken M Cadigan
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 48109-1048, USA
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Tsai BP, Wang X, Huang L, Waterman ML. Quantitative Profiling of In Vivo-assembled RNA-Protein Complexes Using a Novel Integrated Proteomic Approach*. Mol Cell Proteomics 2011. [DOI: 10.1074/mcp.a110.007385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
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36
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Abstract
Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway via mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) is a critical event in the development of colon cancer. For colon carcinogenesis, however, constitutive signaling through the canonical Wnt pathway is not a singular event. Here we review how canonical Wnt signaling is modulated by intracellular LEF/TCF composition and location, the action of different Wnt ligands, and the secretion of Wnt inhibitory molecules. We also review the contributions of non-canonical Wnt signaling and other distinct pathways in the tumor micro environment that cross-talk to the canonical Wnt pathway and thereby influence colon cancer progression. These ‘non-APC’ aspects of Wnt signaling are considered in relation to the development of potential agents for the treatment of patients with colon cancer. Regulatory pathways that influence Wnt signaling highlight how it might be possible to design therapies that target a network of signals beyond that of APC and β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rani Najdi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine
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37
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Tsai BP, Wang X, Huang L, Waterman ML. Quantitative profiling of in vivo-assembled RNA-protein complexes using a novel integrated proteomic approach. Mol Cell Proteomics 2011; 10:M110.007385. [PMID: 21285413 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m110.007385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Identification of proteins in RNA-protein complexes is an important step toward understanding regulation of RNA-based processes. Because of the lack of appropriate methodologies, many studies have relied on the creation of in vitro assembled RNA-protein complexes using synthetic RNA and cell extracts. Such complexes may not represent authentic RNPs as they exist in living cells as synthetic RNA may not fold properly and nonspecific RNA-protein interactions can form during cell lysis and purification processes. To circumvent limitations in current approaches, we have developed a novel integrated strategy namely MS2 in vivo biotin tagged RNA affinity purification (MS2-BioTRAP) to capture bona fide in vivo-assembled RNA-protein complexes. In this method, HB-tagged bacteriophage protein MS2 and stem-loop tagged target or control RNAs are co-expressed in cells. The tight association between MS2 and the RNA stem-loop tags allows efficient HB-tag based affinity purification of authentic RNA-protein complexes. Proteins associated with target RNAs are subsequently identified and quantified using SILAC-based quantitative mass spectrometry. Here the 1.2 kb internal ribosome entry site (IRES) from lymphoid enhancer factor-1 mRNA has been used as a proof-of-principle target RNA. An IRES target was chosen because of its importance in protein translation and our limited knowledge of proteins associated with IRES function. With a conventionally translated target RNA as control, 36 IRES binding proteins have been quantitatively identified including known IRES binding factors, novel interacting proteins, translation initiation factors (eIF4A-1, eIF-2A, and eIF3g), and ribosomal subunits with known noncanonical actions (RPS19, RPS7, and RPL26). Validation studies with the small molecule eIF4A-1 inhibitor Hippuristanol shows that translation of endogenous lymphoid enhancer factor-1 mRNA is especially sensitive to eIF4A-1 activity. Our work demonstrates that MS2 in vivo biotin tagged RNA affinity purification is an effective and versatile approach that is generally applicable for other RNA-protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky Pinjou Tsai
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA
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38
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Abstract
There is a need in biological research for tools designed to manipulate the environment surrounding microscopic regions of tissue. In the current work, a device for the oriented capture of an important and under-studied tissue, the colon crypt, has been designed and tested. The objective of this work is to create a BioMEMs device for biological assays of living colonic crypts. The end goal will be to subject the polarized tissue to user-controlled fluidic microenvironments in a manner that recapitulates the in vivo state. Crypt surrogates, polymeric structures of similar dimensions and shape to isolated colon crypts, were used in the initial design and testing of the device. Successful capture of crypt surrogates was accomplished on a simple device composed of an array of micron-scale capture sites that enabled individual structures to be captured with high efficiency (92+/-3%) in an ordered and properly oriented fashion. The device was then evaluated using colon crypts isolated from a murine animal model. The capture efficiency attained using the fixed biologic sample was 37+/-5% due to the increased variability of the colon crypts compared with the surrogate structures, yet 94+/-3% of the captured crypts were properly oriented. A simple approach to plug the remaining capture sites in the array was performed using inert glass beads. Blockage of unfilled capture sites is an important feature to establish a chemical gradient across the arrayed crypts. A chemical concentration gradient (Cluminal/Cbasal>10) was demonstrated across the arrayed crypts for over 8 h. Finally unfixed colon crypts were demonstrated to be effectively captured by the micromesh array and to remain viable on the capture sites at 5 h after mouse sacrifice. The present study demonstrates the feasibility and potential for rationally microengineered technologies to address the specific needs of the biologic researcher.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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39
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Abstract
Lymphoid enhancer factor 1 (LEF-1) mediates Wnt signaling via recruitment of β-catenin to target genes. The LEF1 gene is aberrantly transcribed in colon cancers because promoter 1 (P1) is a Wnt target gene and is activated by TCF–β-catenin complexes. A second promoter in intron 2 (P2) produces dominant negative LEF-1 isoforms (dnLEF-1), but P2 is silent because it is repressed by an upstream distal repressor element. In this study we identify Yin Yang 1 (YY1) transcription factor as the P2-specific factor necessary for repression. Site-directed mutagenesis and EMSA were used to identify a YY1-binding site at +25 in P2, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays detected YY1 binding to endogenous LEF1 P2. Mutation of this site relieves P2 repression in transient transfections, and knockdown of endogenous YY1 relieves repression of integrated P2 reporter constructs and decreases the H3K9me3 epigenetic marks. YY1 is responsible for repressor specificity because introduction of a single YY1-binding site into the P1 promoter makes it sensitive to the distal repressor. We also show that induced expression of dnLEF-1 in colon cancer cells slows their rate of proliferation. We propose that YY1 plays an important role in preventing dnLEF-1 expression and growth inhibition in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriko N Yokoyama
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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40
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Wu B, Piloto S, Schilling TF, Waterman ML. Ring finger protein 14 regulates beta‐catenin/TCF‐mediated transcription. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.713.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Piloto
- Developmental and Cell BiologyUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA
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41
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Pate KT, Yokoyama NN, Waterman ML. Regulation of the LEF1 gene's alternative promoter. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.713.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kira T Pate
- Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA
| | - Noriko N Yokoyama
- Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA
| | - Marian L Waterman
- Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA
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Najdi R, Theisen H, Atcha F, Edwards R, Marsh JL, Waterman ML. TCF‐1 Regulation By A Wnt‐Kinase Network In Colon Cancer. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.712.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rani Najdi
- Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California IrvineIrvineCA
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43
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Tsai BP, Wang X, Huang L, Waterman ML. Identifying IRES RNA‐Protein Complexes by SILAC based Mass Spectrometry. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.499.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiaorong Wang
- Physiology & Biophysics and Developmental & Cell BiologyUC IrvineIrvineCA
| | - Lan Huang
- Physiology & Biophysics and Developmental & Cell BiologyUC IrvineIrvineCA
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44
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Waterman ML, Najdi R, Hoverter N, Pate KT, Marsh JL. LEF/TCFs and Transcription Regulation. FASEB J 2010. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.177.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rani Najdi
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC IrvineIRvineCA
| | - Nate Hoverter
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC IrvineIRvineCA
| | - Kira T. Pate
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, UC IrvineIRvineCA
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Sikandar SS, Pate KT, Anderson S, Dizon D, Edwards RA, Waterman ML, Lipkin SM. NOTCH signaling is required for formation and self-renewal of tumor-initiating cells and for repression of secretory cell differentiation in colon cancer. Cancer Res 2010; 70:1469-78. [PMID: 20145124 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-09-2557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
NOTCH signaling is critical for specifying the intestinal epithelial cell lineage and for initiating colorectal adenomas and colorectal cancers (CRC). Based on evidence that NOTCH is important for the maintenance and self-renewal of cancer-initiating cells in other malignancies, we studied the role of NOTCH signaling in colon cancer-initiating cells (CCIC). Tumors formed by CCICs maintain many properties of the primary CRCs from which they were derived, such as glandular organization, cell polarity, gap junctions, and expression of characteristic CRC molecular markers. Furthermore, CCICs have the property of self-renewal. In this study, we show that NOTCH signaling is 10- to 30-fold higher in CCIC compared with widely used colon cancer cell lines. Using small-molecule inhibition and short hairpin RNA knockdown, we show that NOTCH prevents CCIC apoptosis through repression of cell cycle kinase inhibitor p27 and transcription factor ATOH1. NOTCH is also critical to intrinsic maintenance of CCIC self-renewal and the repression of secretory cell lineage differentiation genes such as MUC2. Our findings describe a novel human cell system to study NOTCH signaling in CRC tumor initiation and suggest that inhibition of NOTCH signaling may improve CRC chemoprevention and chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheen S Sikandar
- Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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46
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Najdi R, Syed A, Arce L, Theisen H, Ting JH, Atcha F, Nguyen AV, Martinez M, Holcombe RF, Edwards RA, Marsh JL, Waterman ML. A Wnt kinase network alters nuclear localization of TCF-1 in colon cancer. Oncogene 2009; 28:4133-46. [PMID: 19749792 PMCID: PMC2787979 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2009.271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Constitutive activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway has been implicated as the primary cause of colon cancer. However, the major transducers of Wnt signaling in the intestine, T-cell factor 1 (TCF-1) and TCF-4, have opposing functions. Knockout of TCF-4 suppresses growth and maintenance of crypt stem cells, whereas knockout of TCF-1 leads to adenomas. These phenotypes suggest that TCF-4 is Wnt-promoting, whereas TCF-1 acts like a tumor suppressor. Our study of TCF expression in human colon crypts reveals a mechanistic basis for this paradox. In normal colon cells, a dominant-negative isoform of TCF-1 (dnTCF-1) is expressed that is equally distributed between nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. In colon cancer cells, TCF-1 is predominantly cytoplasmic. Localization is because of active nuclear export and is directed by an autocrine-acting Wnt ligand that requires Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) activity for secretion and a downstream step in the export pathway. TCF-4 remains nuclear; its unopposed activity is accompanied by downregulation of dnTCF-1 and increased expression of full-length isoforms. Thus, the dnTCF-1 and TCF-4 balance is corrupted in cancer by two mechanisms, a Wnt/CaMKII kinase signal for nuclear export and decreased dnTCF-1 expression. We propose that dnTCF-1 provides homeostatic regulation of Wnt signaling and growth in normal colon, and the alterations in nuclear export and promoter usage contribute to aberrant Wnt activity in colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Najdi
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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47
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Abstract
Background Drosophila Groucho and its human Transducin-like-Enhancer of Split orthologs (TLEs) function as transcription co-repressors within the context of Wnt signaling, a pathway with strong links to cancer. The current model for how Groucho/TLE's modify Wnt signaling is by direct competition with β-catenin for LEF/TCF binding. The molecular events involved in this competitive interaction are not defined and the actions of Groucho/TLEs within the context of Wnt-linked cancer are unknown. Methods We used in vitro protein interaction assays with the LEF/TCF family member LEF-1, and in vivo assays with Wnt reporter plasmids to define Groucho/TLE interaction and repressor function. Results Mapping studies reveal that Groucho/TLE binds two regions in LEF-1. The primary site of recognition is a 20 amino acid region in the Context Dependent Regulatory domain. An auxiliary site is in the High Mobility Group DNA binding domain. Mutation of an eight amino acid sequence within the primary region (RFSHHMIP) results in a loss of Groucho action in a transient reporter assay. Drosophila Groucho, human TLE-1, and a truncated human TLE isoform Amino-enhancer-of-split (AES), work equivalently to repress LEF-1•β-catenin transcription in transient reporter assays, and these actions are sensitive to the HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A. A survey of Groucho/TLE action in a panel of six colon cancer cell lines with elevated β-catenin shows that Groucho is not able to repress transcription in a subset of these cell lines. Conclusion Our data shows that Groucho/TLE repression requires two sites of interaction in LEF-1 and that a central, conserved amino acid sequence within the primary region (F S/T/P/xx y I/L/V) is critical. Our data also reveals that AES opposes LEF-1 transcription activation and that both Groucho and AES repression require histone deacetylase activity suggesting multiple steps in Groucho competition with β-catenin. The variable ability of Groucho/TLE to oppose Wnt signaling in colon cancer cells suggests there may be defects in one or more of these steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Arce
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4025, USA.
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48
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Abstract
A major endpoint of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway is a change in the transcription of target genes. The transcription factors lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) and T cell factor (TCF) serve as the main gatekeepers of these changes by selecting genes to be targeted by the transcriptional coregulator beta-catenin and by defining how target gene expression will be altered. Most research has focused on LEF/TCF:beta-catenin-mediated activation of transcription, but there have been some reports that suggest that this complex also directly represses transcription. A recent study uncovered a new mode of repression of Wnt target genes in which recognition of a novel DNA element by TCF specifies that beta-catenin acts as a transcriptional repressor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nate P Hoverter
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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49
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Semler BL, Waterman ML. IRES-mediated pathways to polysomes: nuclear versus cytoplasmic routes. Trends Microbiol 2008; 16:1-5. [PMID: 18083033 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2007.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2007] [Revised: 11/01/2007] [Accepted: 11/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic mRNA initiates translation by cap-dependent scanning, ribosome shunting and cap-independent internal ribosome entry. Internal ribosome entry was first discovered for cytoplasmic RNA viruses but has also been identified for DNA viruses and cellular mRNAs. An internal ribosome entry site (IRES) directs internal binding of ribosomes and nucleates the formation of a translation initiation complex. Current research is aimed at identifying interactions between IRES elements and RNA-binding proteins known as ITAFs (IRES trans-acting factors). Here we compare IRES elements from cytoplasmic RNA viruses with those of cellular mRNAs and DNA viruses with nuclear mRNA synthesis, and suggest that ITAF composition and IRES function directly reflect the site of synthesis of mRNA and the history of its pathway to polysomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert L Semler
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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50
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Yang M, Waterman ML, Brachmann RK. hADA2a and hADA3 are required for acetylation, transcriptional activity and proliferative effects of beta-catenin. Cancer Biol Ther 2007; 7:120-8. [PMID: 18059173 DOI: 10.4161/cbt.7.1.5197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Beta-catenin is the key transcriptional activator of the Wnt pathway important for development and tissue homeostasis of multicellular organisms. Its deregulation contributes to many human cancers. The beta-catenin transcriptional activator complex continues to be defined, but already contains several proteins with chromatin remodeling activity. Here we show that two members of histone acetyltransferase complexes without enzymatic activity, hADA2a and hADA3, are required for full activity of beta-catenin. hADA2a and hADA3 physically interact with beta-catenin, and the interaction is mediated through Armadillo repeats 6 through 12 and the C-terminal transactivation domain of beta-catenin. Both hADA2a and hADA3 reside with beta-catenin at the enhancer for the Wnt target gene c-Myc. RNA interference-mediated reduction of hADA2a and hADA3 results in reduced beta-catenin acetylation, reduced activity in reporter gene assays and reduced activation of endogenous beta-catenin target genes. Overall, loss of hADA2a and hADA3 negatively impacts beta-catenin-mediated proliferation. Our studies identify hADA2a and hADA3 as crucial cofactors of beta-catenin that are likely involved in the assembly of transactivation-competent beta-catenin complexes at Wnt target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yang
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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