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Chen Y, Ying Y, Ma W, Ma H, Shi L, Gao X, Jia M, Li M, Song X, Kong W, Chen W, Zheng X, Muluh TA, Wang X, Wang M, Shu XS. Targeting the Epigenetic Reader ENL Inhibits Super-Enhancer-Driven Oncogenic Transcription and Synergizes with BET Inhibition to Suppress Tumor Progression. Cancer Res 2024; 84:1237-1251. [PMID: 38241700 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-23-1836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations at cis-regulatory elements (CRE) fine-tune transcriptional output. Epigenetic readers interact with CREs and can cooperate with other chromatin regulators to drive oncogene transcription. Here, we found that the YEATS domain-containing histone acetylation reader ENL (eleven-nineteen leukemia) acts as a key regulator of super-enhancers (SE), which are highly active distal CREs, across cancer types. ENL occupied the majority of SEs with substantially higher preference over typical enhancers, and the enrichment of ENL at SEs depended on its ability to bind acetylated histones. Rapid depletion of ENL by auxin-inducible degron tagging severely repressed the transcription of SE-controlled oncogenes, such as MYC, by inducing the decommissioning of their SEs, and restoring ENL protein expression largely reversed these effects. Additionally, ENL was indispensable for the rapid activation of SE-regulated immediate early genes in response to growth factor stimulation. Furthermore, ENL interacted with the histone chaperone FACT complex and was required for the deposition of FACT over CREs, which mediates nucleosome reorganization required for transcription initiation and elongation. Proper control of transcription by ENL and ENL-associated FACT was regulated by the histone reader BRD4. ENL was overexpressed in colorectal cancer and functionally contributed to colorectal cancer growth and metastasis. ENL degradation or inhibition synergized with BET inhibitors that target BRD4 in restraining colorectal cancer progression. These findings establish the essential role of epigenetic reader ENL in governing SE-driven oncogenic transcription and uncover the potential of ENL intervention to increase sensitivity to BET inhibition. SIGNIFICANCE ENL plays a key role in decoding epigenetic marks at highly active oncogenic super-enhancers and can be targeted in combination with BET inhibition as a promising synergistic strategy for optimizing cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongheng Chen
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wenlong Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongchao Ma
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Shi
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuefeng Gao
- Integrative Microecology Center, Department of Gastroenterology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiqi Li
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoman Song
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weixiao Kong
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiangyi Zheng
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tobias Achu Muluh
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, China
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2
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Li L, Shu XS, Geng H, Ying J, Guo L, Luo J, Xiang T, Wu L, Ma BBY, Chan ATC, Zhu X, Ambinder RF, Tao Q. A novel tumor suppressor encoded by a 1p36.3 lncRNA functions as a phosphoinositide-binding protein repressing AKT phosphorylation/activation and promoting autophagy. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1166-1183. [PMID: 36813924 PMCID: PMC10154315 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01129-w] [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] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides/small proteins, encoded by noncanonical open reading frames (ORF) of previously claimed non-coding RNAs, have recently been recognized possessing important biological functions, but largely uncharacterized. 1p36 is an important tumor suppressor gene (TSG) locus frequently deleted in multiple cancers, with critical TSGs like TP73, PRDM16, and CHD5 already validated. Our CpG methylome analysis identified a silenced 1p36.3 gene KIAA0495, previously thought coding long non-coding RNA. We found that the open reading frame 2 of KIAA0495 is actually protein-coding and translating, encoding a small protein SP0495. KIAA0495 transcript is broadly expressed in multiple normal tissues, but frequently silenced by promoter CpG methylation in multiple tumor cell lines and primary tumors including colorectal, esophageal and breast cancers. Its downregulation/methylation is associated with poor survival of cancer patients. SP0495 induces tumor cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, senescence and autophagy, and inhibits tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SP0495 binds to phosphoinositides (PtdIns(3)P, PtdIns(3,5)P2) as a lipid-binding protein, inhibits AKT phosphorylation and its downstream signaling, and further represses oncogenic AKT/mTOR, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. SP0495 also regulates the stability of autophagy regulators BECN1 and SQSTM1/p62 through modulating phosphoinositides turnover and autophagic/proteasomal degradation. Thus, we discovered and validated a 1p36.3 small protein SP0495, functioning as a novel tumor suppressor regulating AKT signaling activation and autophagy as a phosphoinositide-binding protein, being frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in multiple tumors as a potential biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- School of Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hua Geng
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Jianming Ying
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Tingxiu Xiang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Longtao Wu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Brigette B Y Ma
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Anthony T C Chan
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaofeng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Richard F Ambinder
- Johns Hopkins Singapore and Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qian Tao
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
- Johns Hopkins Singapore and Sydney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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3
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Muluh TA, Shu XS, Ying Y. Targeting cancer metabolic vulnerabilities for advanced therapeutic efficacy. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114658. [PMID: 37031495 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer metabolism is how cancer cells utilize nutrients and energy to support their growth and proliferation. Unlike normal cells, cancer cells have a unique metabolic profile that allows them to generate energy and the building blocks they need for rapid growth and division. This metabolic profile is marked by an increased reliance on glucose and glutamine as energy sources and changes in how cancer cells use and make key metabolic intermediates like ATP, NADH, and NADPH. This script analyzes a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in tumor metabolism, identifying the key unresolved issues, elaborates on how tumor cells differ from normal cells in their metabolism of nutrients, and explains how tumor cells conflate growth signals and nutrients to proliferate. The metabolic interaction of tumorigenesis and lipid metabolism within the tumor microenvironment and the role of ROS as an anti-tumor agent by mediating various signaling pathways for clinical cancer therapeutic targeting are outlined. Cancer metabolism is highly dynamic and heterogeneous; thus, advanced technologies to better investigate metabolism at the unicellular level without altering tumor tissue are necessary for better research and clinical transformation. The study of cancer metabolism is an area of active research, as scientists seek to understand the underlying metabolic changes that drive cancer growth and to identify potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Achu Muluh
- Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China; Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
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4
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Chen Y, Ying Y, Wang M, Ma C, Jia M, Shi L, Wang S, Zheng X, Chen W, Shu XS. A distal super-enhancer activates oncogenic ETS2 via recruiting MECOM in inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:8. [PMID: 36609474 PMCID: PMC9822945 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05513-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal activities of distal cis-regulatory elements (CREs) contribute to the initiation and progression of cancer. Gain of super-enhancer (SE), a highly active distal CRE, is essential for the activation of key oncogenes in various cancers. However, the mechanism of action for most tumor-specific SEs still largely remains elusive. Here, we report that a candidate oncogene ETS2 was activated by a distal SE in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer (CRC). The SE physically interacted with the ETS2 promoter and was required for the transcription activation of ETS2. Strikingly, the ETS2-SE activity was dramatically upregulated in both IBD and CRC tissues when compared to normal colon controls and was strongly correlated with the level of ETS2 expression. The tumor-specific activation of ETS2-SE was further validated by increased enhancer RNA transcription from this region in CRC. Intriguingly, a known IBD-risk SNP resides in the ETS2-SE and the genetic variant modulated the level of ETS2 expression through affecting the binding of an oncogenic transcription factor MECOM. Silencing of MECOM induced significant downregulation of ETS2 in CRC cells, and the level of MECOM and ETS2 correlated well with each other in CRC and IBD samples. Functionally, MECOM and ETS2 were both required for maintaining the colony-formation and sphere-formation capacities of CRC cells and MECOM was crucial for promoting migration. Taken together, we uncovered a novel disease-specific SE that distantly drives oncogenic ETS2 expression in IBD and CRC and delineated a mechanistic link between non-coding genetic variation and epigenetic regulation of gene transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongheng Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- Clinical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, China
| | - Canjie Ma
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Min Jia
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Liang Shi
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Shilan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xiangyi Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
- Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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5
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Wang M, Shu XS, Li M, Zhang Y, Yao Y, Huang X, Li J, Wei P, He Z, Lu J, Ying Y. A Novel Strategy Conjugating PD-L1 Polypeptide With Doxorubicin Alleviates Chemotherapeutic Resistance and Enhances Immune Response in Colon Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:737323. [PMID: 34858817 PMCID: PMC8631515 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.737323] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Modifying the structure of anti-tumor chemotherapy drug is of significance to enhance the specificity and efficacy of drug-delivery. A novel proteolysis resistant PD-L1-targeted peptide (PPA1) has been reported to bind to PD-L1 and disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction, thus appearing as an outstanding tumor-targeting modification of synergistic drug conjugate for effective anti-tumor treatment. However, the combination regimen of coupling PD-L1 polypeptide with chemotherapeutic drug in tumoricidal treatment has not been reported thus far. Methods We developed a novel synergistic strategy by conjugating PPA1 to doxorubicin (DOX) with a pH sensitive linker that can trigger the release of DOX near acidic tumor tissues. The binding affinity of PPA1-DOX with PD-L1 and the acid-sensitive cleavage of PPA1-DOX were investigated. A mouse xenograft model of colon cancer was used to evaluate the biodistribution, cytotoxicity and anti-tumor activity of PPA1-DOX. Results PPA1-DOX construct showed high binding affinity with PD-L1 in vitro and specifically enriched within tumor when administered in vivo. PPA1-DOX exhibited a significantly lower toxicity and a remarkably higher antitumor activity in vivo, as compared with free PPA1, random polypeptide-DOX conjugate, DOX, or 5-FU, respectively. Moreover, increased infiltration of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was found in tumors from PPA1-DOX treated mice. Conclusions We describe here for the first time that the dual-functional conjugate PPA1-DOX, which consist of the PD-L1-targeted polypeptide that renders both the tumor-specific drug delivery and inhibitory PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibition, and a cytotoxic agent that is released and kills tumor cells once reaching tumor tissues, thus representing a promising therapeutic option for colon cancer with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiqi Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yilin Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Youli Yao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jianna Li
- Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- Shenzhen University General Hospital, Department of Endocrinology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhendan He
- College of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Technology University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Integrated Bioinfomedicine & Translational Science, Hong Kong Baptist University Shenzhen Research Institute and Continuing Education, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
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6
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Hu Y, Shu XS, Yu J, Sun MA, Chen Z, Liu X, Fang Q, Zhang W, Hui X, Ying Y, Fu L, Lu D, Kumar R, Wang Y. Improving the diversity of captured full-length isoforms using a normalized single-molecule RNA-sequencing method. Commun Biol 2020; 3:403. [PMID: 32732980 PMCID: PMC7393167 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01125-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human genes form a large variety of isoforms after transcription, encoding distinct transcripts to exert different functions. Single-molecule RNA sequencing facilitates accurate identification of the isoforms by extending nucleotide read length significantly. However, the gene or isoform diversity is lowly represented by the mRNA molecules captured by single-molecule RNA sequencing. Here, we show that a cDNA normalization procedure before the library preparation for PacBio RS II sequencing captures 3.2–6.0 fold more full-length high-quality isoform species for different human samples, as compared to the non-normalized capture procedure. Many lowly expressed, functionally important isoforms can be detected. In addition, normalized PacBio RNA sequencing also resolves more allele-specific haplotype transcripts. Finally, we apply the cDNA normalization based long-read RNA sequencing method to profile the transcriptome of human gastric signet-ring cell carcinomas, identify new cancer-specific transcriptome signatures, and thus, bring out the utility of the improved protocols in gene expression studies. Hu et al. combine cDNA normalization before library preparation with a software tool to increase the capture of RNA isoform species in single-molecule RNA sequencing. They demonstrate that this approach can detect previously unknown transcripts in gastric signet-ring cell carcinomas that are not present in non-malignant tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueming Hu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jiaxian Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ming-An Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zewei Chen
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Xianming Liu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, Shenzhen, 518020, China
| | - Qiongfang Fang
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Shenzhen GenRead Tech. Co. LTD., Shenzhen, 518132, China
| | - Xinjie Hui
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Ying Ying
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Li Fu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Desheng Lu
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivendrum, 695014, Kerala, India.,Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, 23298, USA.,Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, 07103, USA
| | - Yejun Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
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7
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Shu XS, Zhu H, Huang X, Yang Y, Wang D, Zhang Y, Zhang W, Ying Y. Loss of β-catenin via activated GSK3β causes diabetic retinal neurodegeneration by instigating a vicious cycle of oxidative stress-driven mitochondrial impairment. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13437-13462. [PMID: 32575075 PMCID: PMC7377872 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is the earliest event in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Our previous study proposed that impairment of mitochondrial trafficking by hyperphosphorylated tau is a potential contributor to RGCs synapse degeneration. However, other molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial defect in diabetic retinal neurodegeneration remain to be elucidated. Here, using a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mouse model, we showed for the first time that downregulation of active β-catenin due to abnormal GSK3β activation caused synaptic neurodegeneration of RGCs by inhibiting ROS scavenging enzymes, thus triggering oxidative stress-driven mitochondrial impairment in HFD-induced diabetes. Rescue of β-catenin via ectopic expression of β-catenin with a recombinant adenoviral vector, or via GSK3β inhibition by a targeted si-GSK3β, through intravitreal administration, abrogated the oxidative stress-derived mitochondrial defect and synaptic neurodegeneration in diabetic RGCs. By contrast, ablation of β-catenin by si-β-catenin abolished the protective effect of GSK3β inhibition on diabetic RGCs by suppression of antioxidant scavengers and augmentation of oxidative stress-driven mitochondrial lesion. Thus, our data identify β-catenin as a part of an endogenous protective system in diabetic RGCs and a promising target to develop intervention strategies that protect RGCs from neurodegeneration at early onset of diabetic retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huazhang Zhu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangfan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Dandan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yiling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Weizhen Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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8
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Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Zhang Z, Bai Z, Jin H, Guo X, Huang X, Li M, Wang M, Shu XS, Yuan Y, Ying Y. CDCA2 Inhibits Apoptosis and Promotes Cell Proliferation in Prostate Cancer and Is Directly Regulated by HIF-1α Pathway. Front Oncol 2020; 10:725. [PMID: 32509575 PMCID: PMC7248370 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major serious malignant tumor and is commonly diagnosed in older men. Identification of novel cancer-related genes in PCa is important for understanding its tumorigenesis mechanism and developing new therapies against PCa. Here, we used RNA sequencing to identify the specific genes, which are upregulated in PCa cell lines and tissues. The cell division cycle associated protein (CDCA) family, which plays a critical role in cell division and proliferation, is upregulated in the PCa cell lines of our RNA-Sequencing data. Moreover, we found that CDCA2 is overexpressed, and its protein level positively correlates with its histological grade, clinical stage, and Gleason Score. CDCA2 was further found to be upregulated and correlated with poor prognosis and patient survival in multiple cancer types in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The functional study suggests that inhibition of CDCA2 will lead to apoptosis and lower proliferation in vitro. Silencing of CDCA2 also repressed tumor growth in vivo. Loss of CDCA2 affects several oncogenic pathways, including MAPK signaling. In addition, we further demonstrated that CDCA2 was induced in hypoxia and directly regulated by the HIF-1α/Smad3 complex. Thus, our data indicate that CDCA2 could act as an oncogene and is regulated by hypoxia and the HIF-1αpathway. CDCA2 may be a useful prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yingduan Cheng
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Saint John's Health Center, John Wayne Cancer Institute, PHS, Santa Monica, CA, United States
| | - Zhaoxia Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhongyuan Bai
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongtao Jin
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaojing Guo
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiqi Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Maolin Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yeqing Yuan
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College of Jinan University, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ying Ying
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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9
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Li L, Fan Y, Huang X, Luo J, Zhong L, Shu XS, Lu L, Xiang T, Chan ATC, Yeo W, Chen C, Chan WY, Huganir RL, Tao Q. Tumor Suppression of Ras GTPase-Activating Protein RASA5 through Antagonizing Ras Signaling Perturbation in Carcinomas. iScience 2019; 21:1-18. [PMID: 31654850 PMCID: PMC6820368 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2019.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [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: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant RAS signaling activation is common in cancers with even few Ras mutations, indicating alternative dysregulation other than genetic mutations. We identified a Ras GTPase-activating gene RASA5/SYNGAP1, at the common 6p21.3 deletion, methylated/downregulated in multiple carcinomas and different from other RASA family members (RASA1–RASA4), indicating its special functions in tumorigenesis. RASA5 mutations are rare, unlike other RASA members, whereas its promoter CpG methylation is frequent in multiple cancer cell lines and primary carcinomas and associated with patient’s poor survival. RASA5 expression inhibited tumor cell migration/invasion and growth in mouse model, functioning as a tumor suppressor. RASA5 suppressed RAS signaling, depending on its Ras GTPase-activating protein catalytic activity, which could be counteracted by oncogenic HRas Q61L mutant. RASA5 knockdown enhanced Ras signaling to promote tumor cell growth. RASA5 also inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) through regulating actin reorganization. Thus, epigenetic inactivation of RASA5 contributing to hyperactive RAS signaling is involved in Ras-driven human oncogenesis. RASA5 is normally widely expressed but epigenetically silenced in multiple cancers Epigenetic disruption of RASA5 is associated with tumor progression in patients RASA5 suppresses RAS signaling, depending on its RasGAP catalytic activity RASA5 functions as a tumor suppressor through inhibiting EMT and metastasis
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
| | - Yichao Fan
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Xin Huang
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Jie Luo
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Lan Zhong
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong; School of Medicine and Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Lu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Tingxiu Xiang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Epigenetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Anthony T C Chan
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Winnie Yeo
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Ceshi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Models and Human Disease Mechanisms of CAS and Yunnan Province, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Wai Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
| | - Richard L Huganir
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Qian Tao
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin, Hong Kong.
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10
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Ying Y, Zhang YL, Ma CJ, Li MQ, Tang CY, Yang YF, Zeng JH, Huang XY, Yi J, Wang XM, He ZD, Shu XS. Neuroprotective Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 against Hyperphosphorylated Tau-Induced Diabetic Retinal Neurodegeneration via Activation of IRS-1/Akt/GSK3β Signaling. J Agric Food Chem 2019; 67:8348-8360. [PMID: 31304751 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b02954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We have recently demonstrated that tau hyperphosphorylation causes diabetic synaptic neurodegeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which might be the earliest affair during the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Thus, there is a pressing need to seek therapeutic agents possessing neuroprotective effects against tau hyperphosphorylation in RGCs for arresting the progression of DR. Here, using a well-characterized diabetes model of db/db mouse, we discovered that topical ocular application of 10 mg/kg/day of ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1), one of the major active ingredients extracted from Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng, ameliorated hyperphosphorylated tau-triggered RGCs synaptic neurodegeneration in diabetic mice. The neuroprotective effects of GRg1 on diabetic retinae were abrogated when retinal IRS-1 or Akt was suppressed by intravitreal injection with si-IRS-1 or topically coadministered with a specific inhibitor of Akt, respectively. However, selective repression of retinal GSK3β by intravitreal administration of si-GSK3β rescued the neuroprotective properties of GRg1 when Akt was inactivated. Therefore, the present study showed for the first time that GRg1 can prevent hyperphosphorylated tau-induced synaptic neurodegeneration of RGCs via activation of IRS-1/Akt/GSK3β signaling in the early phase of DR. Moreover, our data clarify the potential therapeutic significance of GRg1 for neuroprotective intervention strategies of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ying
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Yi-Lin Zhang
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Can-Jie Ma
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Mei-Qi Li
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Chao-Yue Tang
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Yang-Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , Guangdong 510064 , China
| | - Jun-Hui Zeng
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Xiao-Yan Huang
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Junbo Yi
- Instrumental Analysis Center of Shenzhen University , Xili Campus, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060 , China
| | - Xiao-Mei Wang
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
| | - Zhen-Dan He
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine , Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060 , China
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Center for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences , Shenzhen University Health Sciences Center , Shenzhen , Guangdong 518060 , China
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11
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Shu XS, Zhao Y, Sun Y, Zhong L, Cheng Y, Zhang Y, Ning K, Tao Q, Wang Y, Ying Y. The epigenetic modifier PBRM1 restricts the basal activity of the innate immune system by repressing retinoic acid-inducible gene-I-like receptor signalling and is a potential prognostic biomarker for colon cancer. J Pathol 2018; 244:36-48. [PMID: 28940253 DOI: 10.1002/path.4986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
It has long been known that patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer (CRC). The innate immune system of host cells provides a first-line defence against pathogenic infection, whereas an uncontrolled inflammatory response under homeostatic conditions usually leads to pathological consequences, as exemplified by the chronic inflammation of IBD. The key molecules and pathways keeping innate immunity in check are still poorly defined. Here, we report that the chromatin remodeller polybromo-1 (PBRM1) is a repressor of innate immune signalling mediated by retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs). Knockdown of PBRM1 in colon cancer cells increased the expression of two receptor genes (RIG-I and MDA5) and upregulated interferon (IFN)-related and inflammation-related gene signatures. The innate immune signal stimulated by a double-stranded RNA viral mimic was exaggerated by PBRM1 suppression. PBRM1 cooperated with polycomb protein EZH2 to directly bind the cis-regulatory elements of RIG-I and MDA5, thereby suppressing their transcription. Moreover, upregulation of RIG-I and MDA5 is required for IFN response activation induced by PBRM1 silencing. TRIM25, a protein stimulated by the RLR pathway and IFN production, physically interacted with PBRM1 and induced PBRM1 protein destabilization by promoting its ubiquitination. These findings reveal a PBRM1-RLR regulatory circuit that can keep innate immune activity at a minimal level in resting cells, and also ensure a robust inflammatory response in the case of pathogen invasion. PBRM1 was found to be downregulated in primary tissues from patients with CRC or IBD, and its expression correlated negatively with that of RLR genes and interferon-stimulated genes in CRC samples. Lower PBRM1 expression was associated with advanced pathological grade and poorer survival of CRC patients, indicating that PBRM1 could serve as a potential prognostic biomarker for CRC. Copyright © 2017 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Sheng Shu
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yingying Zhao
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yanmei Sun
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Lan Zhong
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, West China Second Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Yingduan Cheng
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Yixiang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Kaile Ning
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qian Tao
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, Sir YK Pao Centre for Cancer, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Yejun Wang
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Ying Ying
- School of Medicine, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, PR China
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12
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Shu XS, Li L, Ji M, Cheng Y, Ying J, Fan Y, Zhong L, Liu X, Tsao SW, Chan ATC, Tao Q. FEZF2, a novel 3p14 tumor suppressor gene, represses oncogene EZH2 and MDM2 expression and is frequently methylated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Carcinogenesis 2013; 34:1984-93. [PMID: 23677067 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgt165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an Epstein-Barr virus-associated tumor prevalent in southern China and southeast Asia, with the 3p14-p12 locus reported as a critical tumor suppressor gene (TSG) region during its pathogenesis. We identified a novel 3p14.2 TSG, FEZF2 (FEZ family zinc finger 2), for NPC. FEZF2 is readily expressed in normal tissues including upper respiratory epithelium, testis, brain and ovary tissues, as well as in immortalized nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP69, but it is completely silenced in NPC cell lines due to CpG methylation of its promoter, although no homozygous deletion of FEZF2 was detected. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment restored FEZF2 expression in NPC cell lines along with its promoter demethylation. FEZF2 was frequently downregulated in NPC tumors, with promoter methylation detected in 75.5% of tumors, but only in 7.1% of normal nasopharyngeal tissues. Restored FEZF2 expression suppressed NPC cell clonogenicity through inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and also inhibited NPC cell migration and stemness. FEZF2 acted as a histone deacetylase-associated repressor downregulating multiple oncogenes including EZH2 and MDM2, through direct binding to their promoters. Concomitantly, overexpression of EZH2 was frequently detected in NPC tumors. Thus, we have identified FEZF2 as a novel 3p14.2 TSG frequently inactivated by promoter methylation in NPC, which functions as a repressor downregulating multiple oncogene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Sheng Shu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shatin, Hong Kong
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13
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Abstract
Key components of the cell epigenome include DNA CpG methylation profile and chromatin modification patterns. Chromatin regulators act as master controllers of gene transcription in normal cells through regulation of histone modifications and chromatin remodeling. During human cancer pathogenesis, the functions of chromatin regulators are frequently disrupted by genetic mutations and/or epigenetic alterations, causing perturbation of broad or even genome-wide scale gene-expression profiles. Thus, histone-modifying and chromatin-remodeling genes can be taken as critical 'cancer genes'. This review summarizes the current knowledge on chromatin regulators with tumor suppressor properties, as well as their aberrant alterations in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Sheng Shu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer & Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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14
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Li LL, Shu XS, Wang ZH, Cao Y, Tao Q. Epigenetic disruption of cell signaling in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Chin J Cancer 2011; 30:231-9. [PMID: 21439244 PMCID: PMC4013349 DOI: 10.5732/cjc.011.10080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy with remarkable ethnic and geographic distribution in southern China and Southeast Asia. Alternative to genetic changes, aberrant epigenetic events disrupt multiple genes involved in cell signaling pathways through DNA methylation of promoter CpG islands and/or histone modifications. These epigenetic alterations grant cell growth advantage and contribute to the initiation and progression of NPC. In this review, we summarize the epigenetic deregulation of cell signaling in NPC tumorigenesis and highlight the importance of identifying epigenetic cell signaling regulators in NPC research. Developing pharmacologic strategies to reverse the epigenetic-silencing of cell signaling regulators might thus be useful to NPC prevention and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Li Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cancer Nanotechnology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-CUHK, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China;
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, P. R. China;
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P. R. China.
| | - Xing-Sheng Shu
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, P. R. China;
| | - Zhao-Hui Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cancer Nanotechnology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-CUHK, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China;
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, P. R. China;
| | - Ya Cao
- Cancer Research Institute, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, P. R. China.
| | - Qian Tao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Cancer Nanotechnology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences-CUHK, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P. R. China;
- Cancer Epigenetics Laboratory, Sir YK Pao Center for Cancer, Department of Clinical Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong and CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518057, P. R. China;
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