1
|
Capela AM, Tavares-Marcos C, Estima-Arede HF, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. NORAD-Regulated Signaling Pathways in Breast Cancer Progression. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:636. [PMID: 38339387 PMCID: PMC10854850 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030636] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) has recently been associated with pathologic mechanisms underlying cancer progression. Due to NORAD's extended range of interacting partners, there has been contradictory data on its oncogenic or tumor suppressor roles in BC. This review will summarize the function of NORAD in different BC subtypes and how NORAD impacts crucial signaling pathways in this pathology. Through the preferential binding to pumilio (PUM) proteins PUM1 and PUM2, NORAD has been shown to be involved in the control of cell cycle, angiogenesis, mitosis, DNA replication and transcription and protein translation. More recently, NORAD has been associated with PUM-independent roles, accomplished by interacting with other ncRNAs, mRNAs and proteins. The intricate network of NORAD-mediated signaling pathways may provide insights into the potential design of novel unexplored strategies to overcome chemotherapy resistance in BC treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.C.); (C.T.-M.); (H.F.E.-A.)
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (A.M.C.); (C.T.-M.); (H.F.E.-A.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tavares e Silva J, Pessoa J, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. The Impact of Long Noncoding RNAs in Tissue Regeneration and Senescence. Cells 2024; 13:119. [PMID: 38247811 PMCID: PMC10814083 DOI: 10.3390/cells13020119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Overcoming senescence with tissue engineering has a promising impact on multiple diseases. Here, we provide an overview of recent studies in which cellular senescence was inhibited through the up/downregulation of specific lncRNAs. This approach prevented senescence in the bones, joints, nervous system, heart, and blood vessels, with a potential impact on regeneration and the prevention of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, as well as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Senescence of the skin and liver could also be prevented through the regulation of cellular levels of specific lncRNAs, resulting in the rejuvenation of cells from these organs and their potential protection from disease. From these exciting achievements, which support tissue regeneration and are not restricted to stem cells, we propose lncRNA regulation through RNA or gene therapies as a prospective preventive and therapeutic approach against aging and multiple aging-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; (J.T.e.S.); (J.P.); (S.N.-P.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alves-Vale C, Capela AM, Tavares-Marcos C, Domingues-Silva B, Pereira B, Santos F, Gomes CP, Espadas G, Vitorino R, Sabidó E, Borralho P, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. Expression of NORAD correlates with breast cancer aggressiveness and protects breast cancer cells from chemotherapy. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 2023; 33:910-924. [PMID: 37680988 PMCID: PMC10480464 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.08.019] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered human lncRNA NORAD is induced after DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner. It plays a critical role in the maintenance of genomic stability through interaction with Pumilio proteins, limiting the repression of their target mRNAs. Therefore, NORAD inactivation causes chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, which contributes to the accumulation of genetic abnormalities and tumorigenesis. NORAD has been detected in several types of cancer, including breast cancer, which is the most frequently diagnosed and the second-leading cause of cancer death in women. In the present study, we confirmed upregulated NORAD expression levels in a set of human epithelial breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and MDA-MB-468), which belong to the most aggressive subtypes (triple-negative breast cancer). These results are in line with previous data showing that high NORAD expression levels in basal-like tumors were associated with poor prognosis. Here, we demonstrate that NORAD downregulation sensitizes triple-negative breast cancer cells to chemotherapy, through a potential accumulation of genomic aberrations and an impaired capacity to signal DNA damage. These results show that NORAD may represent an unexploited neoadjuvant therapeutic target for chemotherapy-unresponsive breast cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catarina Alves-Vale
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
- Hospital CUF Descobertas, CUF Oncologia, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Maria Capela
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlota Tavares-Marcos
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Domingues-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno Pereira
- i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IPATIMUP – Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Francisco Santos
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carla Pereira Gomes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Guadalupe Espadas
- Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rui Vitorino
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Eduard Sabidó
- Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paula Borralho
- Hospital CUF Descobertas, CUF Oncologia, 1998-018 Lisbon, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nóbrega-Pereira S, Santos F, Oliveira Santos M, Serafim TL, Lopes AP, Coutinho D, Carvalho FS, Domingues RM, Domingues P, Bernardes de Jesus B, Morais VA, Dias S. Mitochondrial Metabolism Drives Low-density Lipoprotein-induced Breast Cancer Cell Migration. Cancer Res Commun 2023; 3:709-724. [PMID: 37377750 PMCID: PMC10132314 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Most cancer-related deaths are due to metastases. Systemic factors, such as lipid-enriched environments [as low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol], favor breast cancer, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) metastasis formation. Mitochondria metabolism impacts TNBC invasive behavior but its involvement in a lipid-enriched setting is undisclosed. Here we show that LDL increases lipid droplets, induces CD36 and augments TNBC cells migration and invasion in vivo and in vitro. LDL induces higher mitochondrial mass and network spread in migrating cells, in an actin remodeling-dependent manner, and transcriptomic and energetic analyses revealed that LDL renders TNBC cells dependent on fatty acids (FA) usage for mitochondrial respiration. Indeed, engagement on FA transport into the mitochondria is required for LDL-induced migration and mitochondrial remodeling. Mechanistically, LDL treatment leads to mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid accumulation and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Importantly, CD36 or ROS blockade abolished LDL-induced cell migration and mitochondria metabolic adaptations. Our data suggest that LDL induces TNBC cells migration by reprogramming mitochondrial metabolism, revealing a new vulnerability in metastatic breast cancer. Significance LDL induces breast cancer cell migration that relies on CD36 for mitochondrial metabolism and network remodeling, providing an antimetastatic metabolic strategy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto de Biomedicina (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Francisco Santos
- Instituto de Biomedicina (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oliveira Santos
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Teresa L. Serafim
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Patrícia Lopes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Coutinho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Filipa S. Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rosário M. Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Center, QOPNA, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Chemistry and CESAM&ECOMARE, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro Domingues
- Mass Spectrometry Center, QOPNA, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Instituto de Biomedicina (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Vanessa A. Morais
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santos F, Capela AM, Mateus F, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. Non-coding antisense transcripts: fine regulation of gene expression in cancer. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5652-5660. [PMID: 36284703 PMCID: PMC9579725 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are coding or non-coding RNA sequences transcribed on the opposite direction from the same genomic locus. NATs are widely distributed throughout the human genome and seem to play crucial roles in physiological and pathological processes, through newly described and targeted mechanisms. NATs represent the intricate complexity of the genome organization and constitute another layer of potential targets in disease. Here, we focus on the interesting and unique role of non-coding NATs in cancer, paying particular attention to those acting as miRNA sponges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Corresponding author at: Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine – iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lopes J, Teixeira M, Cavalcante S, Gouveia M, Duarte A, Ferreira M, Simões MI, Conceição M, Ribeiro IP, Gonçalves AC, Schmidt C, de Jesus BB, Almeida R, Viamonte S, Santos M, Ribeiro F. Reduced Levels of Circulating Endothelial Cells and Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction. Arch Med Res 2022; 53:289-295. [DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
7
|
Correia M, Bernardes de Jesus B, Nóbrega-Pereira S. Novel Insights Linking lncRNAs and Metabolism With Implications for Cardiac Regeneration. Front Physiol 2021; 12:586927. [PMID: 33776783 PMCID: PMC7987814 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.586927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heart disease is the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. The associated pathology is typically characterized by the loss of cardiomyocytes that leads, eventually, to heart failure. Although conventional treatments exist, novel regenerative procedures are warranted for improving cardiac regeneration and patients well fare. Whereas following injury the capacity for regeneration of adult mammalian heart is limited, the neonatal heart is capable of substantial regeneration but this capacity is lost at postnatal stages. Interestingly, this is accompanied by a shift in the metabolic pathways and energetic fuels preferentially used by cardiomyocytes from embryonic glucose-driven anaerobic glycolysis to adult oxidation of substrates in the mitochondria. Apart from energetic sources, metabolites are emerging as key regulators of gene expression and epigenetic programs which could impact cardiac regeneration. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known master regulators of cellular and organismal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and play multifaceted functions in the cardiovascular system. Still, our understanding of the metabolic determinants and pathways that can promote cardiac regeneration in the injured hearth remains limited. Here, we will discuss the emerging concepts that provide evidence for a molecular interplay between lncRNAs and metabolic signaling in cardiovascular function and whether exploiting this axis could provide ground for improved regenerative strategies in the heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magda Correia
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Santos F, Correia M, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Bernardes de Jesus B. Age-Related Pathways in Cardiac Regeneration: A Role for lncRNAs? Front Physiol 2021; 11:583191. [PMID: 33551829 PMCID: PMC7855957 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.583191] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging imposes a barrier for tissue regeneration. In the heart, aging leads to a severe rearrangement of the cardiac structure and function and to a subsequent increased risk of heart failure. An intricate network of distinct pathways contributes to age-related alterations during healthy heart aging and account for a higher susceptibility of heart disease. Our understanding of the systemic aging process has already led to the design of anti-aging strategies or to the adoption of protective interventions. Nevertheless, our understanding of the molecular determinants operating during cardiac aging or repair remains limited. Here, we will summarize the molecular and physiological alterations that occur during aging of the heart, highlighting the potential role for long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as novel and valuable targets in cardiac regeneration/repair.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Santos
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Magda Correia
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gomes CP, Nóbrega-Pereira S, Domingues-Silva B, Rebelo K, Alves-Vale C, Marinho SP, Carvalho T, Dias S, Bernardes de Jesus B. An antisense transcript mediates MALAT1 response in human breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:771. [PMID: 31382922 PMCID: PMC6683341 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5962-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [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: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a substantial portion of the human transcriptome. LncRNAs present a very stringent cell-type/tissue specificity being potential candidates for therapeutical applications during aging and disease. As example, targeting of MALAT1, a highly conserved lncRNA originally identified in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, has shown promising results in cancer regression. Nevertheless, the regulation and specificity of MALAT1 have not been directly addressed. Interestingly, MALAT1 locus is spanned by an antisense transcript named TALAM1. METHODS Here using a collection of breast cancer cells and in vitro and in vivo migration assays we characterized the dynamics of expression and demonstrated that TALAM1 regulates and synergizes with MALAT1 during tumorigenesis. RESULTS Down-regulation of TALAM1 was shown to greatly impact on the capacity of breast cancer cells to migrate in vitro or to populate the lungs of immunocompromised mice. Additionally, we demonstrated that TALAM1 cooperates with MALAT1 in the regulation of the properties guiding breast cancer aggressiveness and malignancy. CONCLUSIONS By characterizing this sense/anti-sense pair we uncovered the complexity of MALAT1 locus regulation, describing new potential candidates for cancer targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carla Pereira Gomes
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sandrina Nóbrega-Pereira
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Domingues-Silva
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kenny Rebelo
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Catarina Alves-Vale
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Pires Marinho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Tânia Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sérgio Dias
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal. .,Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine - iBiMED, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sousa‐Franco A, Rebelo K, da Rocha ST, Bernardes de Jesus B. LncRNAs regulating stemness in aging. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e12870. [PMID: 30456884 PMCID: PMC6351848 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [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: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most outstanding observations from next-generation sequencing approaches was that only 1.5% of our genes code for proteins. The biggest part is transcribed but give rise to different families of RNAs without coding potential. The functional relevance of these abundant transcripts remains far from elucidated. Among them are the long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a relatively large and heterogeneous group of RNAs shown to be highly tissue-specific, indicating a prominent role in processes controlling cellular identity. In particular, lncRNAs have been linked to both stemness properties and detrimental pathways regulating the aging process, being novel players in the intricate network guiding tissue homeostasis. Here, we summarize the up-to-date information on the role of lncRNAs that affect stemness and hence impact upon aging, highlighting the likelihood that lncRNAs may represent an unexploited reservoir of potential therapeutic targets for reprogramming applications and aging-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- António Sousa‐Franco
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Kenny Rebelo
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Simão Teixeira da Rocha
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Instituto de Medicina MolecularFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de LisboaLisboaPortugal
- Department of Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine—iBiMEDUniversity of AveiroAveiroPortugal
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bär C, Bernardes de Jesus B, Serrano R, Tejera A, Ayuso E, Jimenez V, Formentini I, Bobadilla M, Mizrahi J, de Martino A, Gomez G, Pisano D, Mulero F, Wollert KC, Bosch F, Blasco MA. Telomerase expression confers cardioprotection in the adult mouse heart after acute myocardial infarction. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5863. [PMID: 25519492 PMCID: PMC4871230 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [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: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronary heart disease is one of the main causes of death in the developed world, and treatment success remains modest, with high mortality rates within 1 year after myocardial infarction (MI). Thus, new therapeutic targets and effective treatments are necessary. Short telomeres are risk factors for age-associated diseases, including heart disease. Here we address the potential of telomerase (Tert) activation in prevention of heart failure after MI in adult mice. We use adeno-associated viruses for cardiac-specific Tert expression. We find that upon MI, hearts expressing Tert show attenuated cardiac dilation, improved ventricular function and smaller infarct scars concomitant with increased mouse survival by 17% compared with controls. Furthermore, Tert treatment results in elongated telomeres, increased numbers of Ki67 and pH3-positive cardiomyocytes and a gene expression switch towards a regeneration signature of neonatal mice. Our work suggests telomerase activation could be a therapeutic strategy to prevent heart failure after MI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bär
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa Serrano
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Agueda Tejera
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduard Ayuso
- Centre of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Veronica Jimenez
- Centre of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ivan Formentini
- Cardiovascular and Metabolism Disease Therapy Area, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Maria Bobadilla
- Cardiovascular and Metabolism Disease Therapy Area, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jacques Mizrahi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolism Disease Therapy Area, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Grenzacherstrasse 124, 4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alba de Martino
- Histopathology Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Gomez
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Pisano
- Bioinformatics Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Mulero
- Molecular Imaging Unit, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Kai C Wollert
- Molekulare und Translationale Kardiologie, Hans-Borst-Zentrum fuür Herzund Stammzellforschung, Klinik fuür Kardiologie und Angiologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Fatima Bosch
- Centre of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy (CBATEG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, E-08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Maria A Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Bernardes de Jesus B, Blasco MA. Telomerase at the intersection of cancer and aging. Trends Genet 2013; 29:513-20. [PMID: 23876621 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2013.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [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: 01/17/2013] [Revised: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although cancer and aging have been studied as independent diseases, mounting evidence suggests that cancer is an aging-associated disease and that cancer and aging share many molecular pathways. In particular, recent studies validated telomerase activation as a potential therapeutic target for age-related diseases; in addition, abnormal telomerase expression and telomerase mutations have been associated with many different types of human tumor. Here, we revisit the connection between telomerase and cancer and aging in light of recent findings supporting a role for telomerase not only in telomere elongation, but also in metabolic fitness and Wnt activation. Understanding the physiological impact of telomerase regulation is fundamental given the therapeutic strategies that are being developed that involve telomerase modulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tomás-Loba A, Bernardes de Jesus B, Mato JM, Blasco MA. A metabolic signature predicts biological age in mice. Aging Cell 2013; 12:93-101. [PMID: 23107558 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of the mechanisms by which aging is produced is still very limited. Here, we have determined the sera metabolite profile of 117 wild-type mice of different genetic backgrounds ranging from 8 to 129 weeks of age. This has allowed us to define a robust metabolomic signature and a derived metabolomic score that reliably/accurately predicts the age of wild-type mice. In the case of telomerase-deficient mice, which have a shortened lifespan, their metabolomic score predicts older ages than expected. Conversely, in the case of mice that overexpress telomerase, their metabolic score corresponded to younger ages than expected. Importantly, telomerase reactivation late in life by using a TERT-based gene therapy recently described by us significantly reverted the metabolic profile of old mice to that of younger mice, further confirming an anti-aging role for telomerase. Thus, the metabolomic signature associated with natural mouse aging accurately predicts aging produced by telomere shortening, suggesting that natural mouse aging is in part produced by presence of short telomeres. These results indicate that the metabolomic signature is associated with the biological age rather than with the chronological age. This constitutes one of the first aging-associated metabolomic signatures in a mammalian organism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Tomás-Loba
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group; Molecular Oncology Program; Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO); Melchor Fernández Almagro 3; Madrid; E-28029; Spain
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group; Molecular Oncology Program; Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO); Melchor Fernández Almagro 3; Madrid; E-28029; Spain
| | - Jose M. Mato
- CIC bioGUNE, CIBERehd, Derio; Technology Park of Bizkaia; Derio; E-48160; Spain
| | - Maria A. Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group; Molecular Oncology Program; Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO); Melchor Fernández Almagro 3; Madrid; E-28029; Spain
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Vera E, Bernardes de Jesus B, Foronda M, Flores JM, Blasco MA. Telomerase reverse transcriptase synergizes with calorie restriction to increase health span and extend mouse longevity. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53760. [PMID: 23349740 PMCID: PMC3551964 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Accepted: 12/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Caloric restriction (CR), a reduction of food intake while avoiding malnutrition, can delay the onset of cancer and age-related diseases in several species, including mice. In addition, depending of the genetic background, CR can also increase or decrease mouse longevity. This has highlighted the importance of identifying the molecular pathways that interplay with CR in modulating longevity. Significant lifespan extension in mice has been recently achieved through over-expression of the catalytic subunit of mouse telomerase (mTERT) in a cancer protective background. Given the CR cancer-protective effects in rodents, we set to address here whether CR impacts on telomere length and synergizes with mTERT to extend mouse longevity. CR significantly decreased tumor incidence in TERT transgenic (TgTERT) mice and extended their lifespan compared to wild-type (WT) controls under the same diet, indicating a synergy between TgTERT and CR in increasing mouse longevity. In addition, longitudinal telomere length measurements in peripheral blood leukocytes from individual mice showed that CR resulted in maintenance and/or elongation telomeres in a percentage of WT mice, a situation that mimics telomere dynamics in TgTERT cohorts. These results demonstrate that CR attenuates telomere erosion associated to aging and that synergizes with TERT over-expression in increasing "health span" and extending mouse longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Vera
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Foronda
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juana M. Flores
- Animal Surgery and Medicine Department, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria A. Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bernardes de Jesus B, Blasco MA. Potential of telomerase activation in extending health span and longevity. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2012; 24:739-43. [PMID: 23085234 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2012.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The progressive increase in the elderly population worldwide has resulted in higher numbers of individuals affected by age-associated diseases, such as neurodegenerative and heart diseases, metabolic impairment, or cancer, with the subsequent burden for national health systems. Therapeutic interventions aimed to increase the quality of life at advanced age are visualized as important demands for the future, both at the level of individuals and society. Novel advances in telomerase function from several independent laboratories have resulted in potential new therapeutic strategies which appear as promising new venues to prevent cellular and tissue dysfunction and organismal decline, thereby increasing the so-called "health span". Here, we analyze these recent advances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, E-28029, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Vera E, Bernardes de Jesus B, Foronda M, Flores JM, Blasco MA. The rate of increase of short telomeres predicts longevity in mammals. Cell Rep 2012; 2:732-7. [PMID: 23022483 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2012.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrantly short telomeres result in decreased longevity in both humans and mice with defective telomere maintenance. Normal populations of humans and mice present high interindividual variation in telomere length, but it is unknown whether this is associated with their lifespan potential. To address this issue, we performed a longitudinal telomere length study along the lifespan of wild-type and transgenic telomerase reverse transcriptase mice. We found that mouse telomeres shorten ∼100 times faster than human telomeres. Importantly, the rate of increase in the percentage of short telomeres, rather than the rate of telomere shortening per month, was a significant predictor of lifespan in both mouse cohorts, and those individuals who showed a higher rate of increase in the percentage of short telomeres were also the ones with a shorter lifespan. These findings demonstrate that short telomeres have a direct impact on longevity in mammals, and they highlight the importance of performing longitudinal telomere studies to predict longevity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Vera
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, E-28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
A major goal in cancer and aging research is to discriminate the biochemical modifications that happen locally that could account for the healthiness or malignancy of tissues. Senescence is one general antiproliferative cellular process that acts as a strong barrier for cancer progression, playing a crucial role in aging. Here, we focus on the current methods to assess cellular senescence, discriminating the advantages and disadvantages of several senescence biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre, Madrid, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
Bernardes de Jesus B, Vera E, Schneeberger K, Tejera AM, Ayuso E, Bosch F, Blasco MA. Telomerase gene therapy in adult and old mice delays aging and increases longevity without increasing cancer. EMBO Mol Med 2012; 4:691-704. [PMID: 22585399 PMCID: PMC3494070 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201200245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [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: 02/22/2012] [Revised: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A major goal in aging research is to improve health during aging. In the case of mice, genetic manipulations that shorten or lengthen telomeres result, respectively, in decreased or increased longevity. Based on this, we have tested the effects of a telomerase gene therapy in adult (1 year of age) and old (2 years of age) mice. Treatment of 1- and 2-year old mice with an adeno associated virus (AAV) of wide tropism expressing mouse TERT had remarkable beneficial effects on health and fitness, including insulin sensitivity, osteoporosis, neuromuscular coordination and several molecular biomarkers of aging. Importantly, telomerase-treated mice did not develop more cancer than their control littermates, suggesting that the known tumorigenic activity of telomerase is severely decreased when expressed in adult or old organisms using AAV vectors. Finally, telomerase-treated mice, both at 1-year and at 2-year of age, had an increase in median lifespan of 24 and 13%, respectively. These beneficial effects were not observed with a catalytically inactive TERT, demonstrating that they require telomerase activity. Together, these results constitute a proof-of-principle of a role of TERT in delaying physiological aging and extending longevity in normal mice through a telomerase-based treatment, and demonstrate the feasibility of anti-aging gene therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bernardes de Jesus B, Schneeberger K, Vera E, Tejera A, Harley CB, Blasco MA. The telomerase activator TA-65 elongates short telomeres and increases health span of adult/old mice without increasing cancer incidence. Aging Cell 2011; 10:604-21. [PMID: 21426483 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2011.00700.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [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] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we show that a small-molecule activator of telomerase (TA-65) purified from the root of Astragalus membranaceus is capable of increasing average telomere length and decreasing the percentage of critically short telomeres and of DNA damage in haploinsufficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) that harbor critically short telomeres and a single copy of the telomerase RNA Terc gene (G3 Terc(+/-) MEFs). Importantly, TA-65 does not cause telomere elongation or rescue DNA damage in similarly treated telomerase-deficient G3 Terc(-/-) littermate MEFs. These results indicate that TA-65 treatment results in telomerase-dependent elongation of short telomeres and rescue of associated DNA damage, thus demonstrating that TA-65 mechanism of action is through the telomerase pathway. In addition, we demonstrate that TA-65 is capable of increasing mouse telomerase reverse transcriptase levels in some mouse tissues and elongating critically short telomeres when supplemented as part of a standard diet in mice. Finally, TA-65 dietary supplementation in female mice leads to an improvement of certain health-span indicators including glucose tolerance, osteoporosis and skin fitness, without significantly increasing global cancer incidence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre, Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Abstract
Recently in Nature, Jaskelioff et al. (2010) demonstrated that multiple aging phenotypes in a mouse model of accelerated telomere loss can be reversed within 4 weeks of reactivating telomerase. This raises the major question of whether physiological aging, likely caused by a combination of molecular defects, may also be reversible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Bernardes de Jesus
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Centre (CNIO), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, Madrid E-28029, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Oksenych V, Bernardes de Jesus B, Zhovmer A, Egly JM, Coin F. Molecular insights into the recruitment of TFIIH to sites of DNA damage. EMBO J 2009; 28:2971-80. [PMID: 19713942 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2009.230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2009] [Accepted: 07/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
XPB and XPD subunits of TFIIH are central genome caretakers involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER), although their respective role within this DNA repair pathway remains difficult to delineate. To obtain insight into the function of XPB and XPD, we studied cell lines expressing XPB or XPD ATPase-deficient complexes. We show the involvement of XPB, but not XPD, in the accumulation of TFIIH to sites of DNA damage. Recruitment of TFIIH occurs independently of the helicase activity of XPB, but requires two recently identified motifs, a R-E-D residue loop and a Thumb-like domain. Furthermore, we show that these motifs are specifically involved in the DNA-induced stimulation of the ATPase activity of XPB. Together, our data demonstrate that the recruitment of TFIIH to sites of damage is an active process, under the control of the ATPase motifs of XPB and suggest that this subunit functions as an ATP-driven hook to stabilize the binding of the TFIIH to damaged DNA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentyn Oksenych
- Department of Functional Genomics, Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS/INSERM/ULP, Illkirch Graffenstaden, France
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|