1
|
Lay MA, Thompson VF, Adelakun AD, Schwartz JC. Ewing Sarcoma Related protein 1 recognizes R-loops by binding DNA forks. Biopolymers 2024; 115:e23576. [PMID: 38511874 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23576] [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: 01/20/2024] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
EWSR1 (Ewing Sarcoma Related protein 1) is an RNA binding protein that is ubiquitously expressed across cell lines and involved in multiple parts of RNA processing, such as transcription, splicing, and mRNA transport. EWSR1 has also been implicated in cellular mechanisms to control formation of R-loops, a three-stranded nucleic acid structure consisting of a DNA:RNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA strand. Unscheduled R-loops result in genomic and transcription stress. Loss of function of EWSR1 functions commonly found in Ewing Sarcoma correlates with high abundance of R-loops. In this study, we investigated the mechanism for EWSR1 to recognize an R-loop structure specifically. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), we detected the high affinity binding of EWSR1 to substrates representing components found in R-loops. EWSR1 specificity could be isolated to the DNA fork region, which transitions between double- and single-stranded DNA. Our data suggests that the Zinc-finger domain (ZnF) with flanking arginine and glycine rich (RGG) domains provide high affinity binding, while the RNA recognition motif (RRM) with its RGG domains offer improved specificity. This model offers a rational for EWSR1 specificity to encompass a wide range in contexts due to the DNA forks always found with R-loops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michelle A Lay
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Valery F Thompson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Ajibola D Adelakun
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jacob C Schwartz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Selig EE, Bhura R, White MR, Akula S, Hoffman RD, Tovar CN, Xu X, Booth RE, Libich DS. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of the nucleic acid binding properties of the RNA/DNA binding protein EWS. Biopolymers 2023; 114:e23536. [PMID: 36929870 PMCID: PMC10233817 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23536] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
EWS is a member of the FET family of RNA/DNA binding proteins that regulate crucial phases of nucleic acid metabolism. EWS comprises an N-terminal low-complexity domain (LCD) and a C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD). The RBD is further divided into three RG-rich regions, which flank an RNA-recognition motif (RRM) and a zinc finger (ZnF) domain. Recently, EWS was shown to regulate R-loops in Ewing sarcoma, a pediatric bone and soft-tissue cancer in which a chromosomal translocation fuses the N-terminal LCD of EWS to the C-terminal DNA binding domain of the transcription factor FLI1. Though EWS was shown to directly bind R-loops, the binding mechanism was not elucidated. In the current study, the RBD of EWS was divided into several constructs, which were subsequently assayed for binding to various nucleic acid structures expected to form at R-loops, including RNA stem-loops, DNA G-quadruplexes, and RNA:DNA hybrids. EWS interacted with all three nucleic acid structures with varying affinities and multiple domains contributed to binding each substrate. The RRM and RG2 region appear to bind nucleic acids promiscuously while the ZnF displayed more selectivity for single-stranded structures. With these results, the structural underpinnings of EWS recognition and binding of R-loops and other nucleic acid structures is better understood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Selig
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
| | - Roohi Bhura
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - Matthew R White
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - Shivani Akula
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - Renee D Hoffman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - Carmel N Tovar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - Xiaoping Xu
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
| | - Rachell E Booth
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Texas, 78209, USA
| | - David S Libich
- Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, 78229, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Seong BKA, Dharia NV, Lin S, Donovan KA, Chong S, Robichaud A, Conway A, Hamze A, Ross L, Alexe G, Adane B, Nabet B, Ferguson FM, Stolte B, Wang EJ, Sun J, Darzacq X, Piccioni F, Gray NS, Fischer ES, Stegmaier K. TRIM8 modulates the EWS/FLI oncoprotein to promote survival in Ewing sarcoma. Cancer Cell 2021; 39:1262-1278.e7. [PMID: 34329586 PMCID: PMC8443273 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2021.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fusion-transcription factors (fusion-TFs) represent a class of driver oncoproteins that are difficult to therapeutically target. Recently, protein degradation has emerged as a strategy to target these challenging oncoproteins. The mechanisms that regulate fusion-TF stability, however, are generally unknown. Using CRISPR-Cas9 screening, we discovered tripartite motif-containing 8 (TRIM8) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that ubiquitinates and degrades EWS/FLI, a driver fusion-TF in Ewing sarcoma. Moreover, we identified TRIM8 as a selective dependency in Ewing sarcoma compared with >700 other cancer cell lines. Mechanistically, TRIM8 knockout led to an increase in EWS/FLI protein levels that was not tolerated. EWS/FLI acts as a neomorphic substrate for TRIM8, defining the selective nature of the dependency. Our results demonstrate that fusion-TF protein stability is tightly regulated and highlight fusion oncoprotein-specific regulators as selective therapeutic targets. This study provides a tractable strategy to therapeutically exploit oncogene overdose in Ewing sarcoma and potentially other fusion-TF-driven cancers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Kyung A Seong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shan Lin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Katherine A Donovan
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shasha Chong
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Robichaud
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy Conway
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Hamze
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Linda Ross
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gabriela Alexe
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Biniam Adane
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fleur M Ferguson
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Björn Stolte
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Dr.von Hauner Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Emily Jue Wang
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jialin Sun
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Xavier Darzacq
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA; CIRM Center of Excellence, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - Nathanael S Gray
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric S Fischer
- Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Srivastava A, Giangiobbe S, Skopelitou D, Miao B, Paramasivam N, Diquigiovanni C, Bonora E, Hemminki K, Försti A, Bandapalli OR. Whole Genome Sequencing Prioritizes CHEK2, EWSR1, and TIAM1 as Possible Predisposition Genes for Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:600682. [PMID: 33692755 PMCID: PMC7937922 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.600682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Familial inheritance in non-medullary thyroid cancer (NMTC) is an area that has yet to be adequately explored. Despite evidence suggesting strong familial clustering of non-syndromic NMTC, known variants still account for a very small percentage of the genetic burden. In a recent whole genome sequencing (WGS) study of five families with several NMTCs, we shortlisted promising variants with the help of our in-house developed Familial Cancer Variant Prioritization Pipeline (FCVPPv2). Here, we report potentially disease-causing variants in checkpoint kinase 2 (CHEK2), Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) and T-lymphoma invasion and metastasis-inducing protein 1 (TIAM1) in one family. Performing WGS on three cases, one probable case and one healthy individual in a family with familial NMTC left us with 112254 variants with a minor allele frequency of less than 0.1%, which was reduced by pedigree-based filtering to 6368. Application of the pipeline led to the prioritization of seven coding and nine non-coding variants from this family. The variant identified in CHEK2, a known tumor suppressor gene involved in DNA damage-induced DNA repair, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, has been previously identified as a germline variant in breast and prostate cancer and has been functionally validated by Roeb et al. in a yeast-based assay to have an intermediate effect on protein function. We thus hypothesized that this family may harbor additional disease-causing variants in other functionally related genes. We evaluated two further variants in EWSR1 and TIAM1 with promising in silico results and reported interaction in the DNA-damage repair pathway. Hence, we propose a polygenic mode of inheritance in this family. As familial NMTC is considered to be more aggressive than its sporadic counterpart, it is important to identify such susceptibility genes and their associated pathways. In this way, the advancement of personalized medicine in NMTC patients can be fostered. We also wish to reopen the discussion on monogenic vs polygenic inheritance in NMTC and instigate further development in this area of research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aayushi Srivastava
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sara Giangiobbe
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Diamanto Skopelitou
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Beiping Miao
- Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Nagarajan Paramasivam
- Computational Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Molecular Diagnostics Program, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Chiara Diquigiovanni
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malphigi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elena Bonora
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malphigi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Kari Hemminki
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Pilsen, Czechia
| | - Asta Försti
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Obul Reddy Bandapalli
- Division of Molecular Genetic Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
- Preclinical Pediatric Oncology, Hopp Children’s Cancer Center (KiTZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- Division of Pediatric Neurooncology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Obul Reddy Bandapalli,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Selvanathan S, Graham G, Grego A, Baker T, Hogg J, Simpson M, Batish M, Crompton B, Stegmaier K, Tomazou E, Kovar H, Üren A, Toretsky J. EWS-FLI1 modulated alternative splicing of ARID1A reveals novel oncogenic function through the BAF complex. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:9619-9636. [PMID: 31392992 PMCID: PMC6765149 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Connections between epigenetic reprogramming and transcription or splicing create novel mechanistic networks that can be targeted with tailored therapies. Multiple subunits of the chromatin remodeling BAF complex, including ARID1A, play a role in oncogenesis, either as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Recent work demonstrated that EWS-FLI1, the oncogenic driver of Ewing sarcoma (ES), plays a role in chromatin regulation through interactions with the BAF complex. However, the specific BAF subunits that interact with EWS-FLI1 and the precise role of the BAF complex in ES oncogenesis remain unknown. In addition to regulating transcription, EWS-FLI1 also alters the splicing of many mRNA isoforms, but the role of splicing modulation in ES oncogenesis is not well understood. We have identified a direct connection between the EWS-FLI1 protein and ARID1A isoform protein variant ARID1A-L. We demonstrate here that ARID1A-L is critical for ES maintenance and supports oncogenic transformation. We further report a novel feed-forward cycle in which EWS-FLI1 leads to preferential splicing of ARID1A-L, promoting ES growth, and ARID1A-L reciprocally promotes EWS-FLI1 protein stability. Dissecting this interaction may lead to improved cancer-specific drug targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saravana P Selvanathan
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Garrett T Graham
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Alexander R Grego
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | | | - J Robert Hogg
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Center, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark Simpson
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Mona Batish
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Brian Crompton
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Eleni M Tomazou
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Aykut Üren
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chau BL, Ng KP, Li KKC, Lee KA. RGG boxes within the TET/FET family of RNA-binding proteins are functionally distinct. Transcription 2016; 7:141-51. [PMID: 27159574 PMCID: PMC4984686 DOI: 10.1080/21541264.2016.1183071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The multi-functional TET (TAF15/EWS/TLS) or FET (FUS/EWS/TLS) protein family of higher organisms harbor a transcriptional-activation domain (EAD) and an RNA-binding domain (RBD). The transcriptional activation function is, however, only revealed in oncogenic TET-fusion proteins because in native TET proteins it is auto-repressed by RGG-boxes within the TET RBD. Auto-repression is suggested to involve direct cation-pi interactions between multiple Arg residues within RGG boxes and EAD aromatics. Via analysis of TET transcriptional activity in different organisms, we report herein that repression is not autonomous but instead requires additional trans-acting factors. This finding is not supportive of a proposed model whereby repression occurs via a simple intramolecular EAD/RGG-box interaction. We also show that RGG-boxes present within reiterated YGGDRGG repeats that are unique to TAF15, are defective for repression due to the conserved Asp residue. Thus, RGG boxes within TET proteins can be functionally distinguished. While our results show that YGGDRGG repeats are not involved in TAF15 auto-repression, their remarkable number and conservation strongly suggest that they may confer specialized properties to TAF15 and thus contribute to functional differentiation within the TET/FET protein family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bess Ling Chau
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - King Pan Ng
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Kim K C Li
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| | - Kevin A.W. Lee
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong S.A.R., China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Todorova R. Disordered binding regions of Ewing's sarcoma fusion proteins. Bioorg Khim 2014; 40:20-30. [PMID: 25898720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
A relationship was found between the Amino acid (AA) composition, Intrinsic Protein Disorder (IPD) and Protein Binding Regions (PBRs) of the functional regions of Ewing's sarcoma protein (EWS) and oncogenic EWS fusion proteins (EFPs). EWS has high IPD and 64% predicted Disordered Binding Regions (DBRs) by ANCHOR. The native Transcription Factors, fused to EWS Activation Domain (EAD) in EFPs, show high DBRs in N-terminal domain and relatively low in C-terminal domain. EFPs oncogenic function is related to IPD and PBRs probabilities, high around breakpoint and decreased in the fused Transcription Factor. The increased IPD in EAD around (AA 82), and the small RBRs around (AAs (50-60) and 100) are consistent with the reported physical interactions with RNA Polymerase II subunits. The AAs (228-264) of EWS, interacting with ZFM1 (SF1), correspond to two peaks of DBRs by Anchor and high IPD by IUPred. The IQ domain of EAD (AAs 258-280) that is phosphorylated by PKC and interacts with calmodulin, has high IPD and DBRs probability. The Ser266, conserved site of PKC phosphorylation, is situated in DBR and IPD region with about 100% probability. The small PBRs found in the EAD correspond to important physical protein-protein interactions, confirmed by experimental data. Thus regions of EWS and EFPs, included in functional interactions with other partners, are enriched of Protein Binding Regions by ANCHOR. The development of IPD- and PBRs-related, EWS-FLI1-directed specific therapies will help the design of antitumor agents against ESFT because of high patient mortality in cases of meta- static disease.
Collapse
|
8
|
Tsugita M, Yamada N, Noguchi S, Yamada K, Moritake H, Shimizu K, Akao Y, Ohno T. Ewing sarcoma cells secrete EWS/Fli-1 fusion mRNA via microvesicles. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77416. [PMID: 24124617 PMCID: PMC3790721 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/22/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumours defined as Ewing sarcoma (ES) constitute a group of highly malignant neoplasms that most often affect children and young adults in the first 2 decades of life. The EWS/Fli-1 fusion gene, a product of the translocation t(11;22) (q24; 12), is detected in 95% of ES patients. Recently, it was validated that cells emit a heterogeneous mixture of vesicular, organelle-like structures (microvesicles, MVs) into their surroundings including blood and body fluids, and that these MVs contain a selected set of tumor-related proteins and high levels of mRNAs and miRNAs. In this present study, we detected the Ewing sarcoma-specific EWS/Fli-1 mRNA in MVs from the culture medium of ES cell lines carrying t(11;22) (q24; 12). Also, we detected this fusion gene in approximately 40% of the blood samples from mice inoculated with xenografts of TC135 or A673 cells. These findings indicate the EWS/Fli-1 mRNA in MVs might be a new non-invasive diagnostic marker for specific cases of Ewing sarcoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Tsugita
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Nami Yamada
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
- United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Noguchi
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kazunari Yamada
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Moritake
- Division of Pediatrics, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
| | - Katsuji Shimizu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Akao
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Ohno
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Gifu, Japan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Agra N, Cidre F, García-García L, de la Parra J, Alonso J. Lysyl oxidase is downregulated by the EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein and its propeptide domain displays tumor supressor activities in Ewing sarcoma cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66281. [PMID: 23750284 PMCID: PMC3672102 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common bone malignancy in children and young adults. It is driven by oncogenic fusion proteins (i.e. EWS/FLI1) acting as aberrant transcription factors that upregulate and downregulate target genes, leading to cellular transformation. Thus, identificating these target genes and understanding their contribution to Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis are key for the development of new therapeutic strategies. In this study we show that lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme involved in maintaining structural integrity of the extracellular matrix, is downregulated by the EWS/FLI1 oncoprotein and in consequence it is not expressed in Ewing sarcoma cells and primary tumors. Using a doxycycline inducible system to restore LOX expression in an Ewing sarcoma derived cell line, we showed that LOX displays tumor suppressor activities. Interestingly, we showed that the tumor suppressor activity resides in the propeptide domain of LOX (LOX-PP), an N-terminal domain produced by proteolytic cleavage during the physiological processing of LOX. Expression of LOX-PP reduced cell proliferation, cell migration, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and formation of tumors in immunodeficient mice. By contrast, the C-terminal domain of LOX, which contains the enzymatic activity, had the opposite effects, corroborating that the tumor suppressor activity of LOX is mediated exclusively by its propeptide domain. Finally, we showed that LOX-PP inhibits ERK/MAPK signalling pathway, and that many pathways involved in cell cycle progression were significantly deregulated by LOX-PP, providing a mechanistic explanation to the cell proliferation inhibition observed upon LOX-PP expression. In summary, our observations indicate that deregulation of the LOX gene participates in Ewing sarcoma development and identify LOX-PP as a new therapeutic target for one of the most aggressive paediatric malignancies. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies based on the administration of LOX propeptide or functional analogues could be useful for the treatment of this devastating paediatric cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Agra
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Florencia Cidre
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura García-García
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan de la Parra
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Alonso
- Unidad de Tumores Sólidos Infantiles, Área de Genética Humana, Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Berger M, Dirksen U, Braeuninger A, Koehler G, Juergens H, Krumbholz M, Metzler M. Genomic EWS-FLI1 fusion sequences in Ewing sarcoma resemble breakpoint characteristics of immature lymphoid malignancies. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56408. [PMID: 23441188 PMCID: PMC3575406 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 08/27/2012] [Accepted: 01/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations between the EWS gene and members of the ETS gene family are characteristic molecular features of the Ewing sarcoma. The most common translocation t(11;22)(q24;q12) fuses the EWS gene to FLI1, and is present in 85–90% of Ewing sarcomas. In the present study, a specifically designed multiplex long-range PCR assay was applied to amplify genomic EWS-FLI1 fusion sites from as little as 100 ng template DNA. Characterization of the EWS-FLI1 fusion sites of 42 pediatric and young adult Ewing sarcoma patients and seven cell lines revealed a clustering in the 5′ region of the EWS-breakpoint cluster region (BCR), in contrast to random distribution of breakpoints in the FLI1-BCR. No association of breakpoints with various recombination-inducing sequence motifs was identified. The occurrence of small deletions and duplications at the genomic junction is characteristic of involvement of the non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) repair system, similar to findings at chromosomal breakpoints in pediatric leukemia and lymphoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Berger
- University Hospital Erlangen, Department of Pediatrics, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- University Hospital Muenster, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Muenster, Germany
| | | | - Gabriele Koehler
- University Hospital Muenster, Department of Pathology, Muenster, Germany
| | - Heribert Juergens
- University Hospital Muenster, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Muenster, Germany
| | - Manuela Krumbholz
- University Hospital Erlangen, Department of Pediatrics, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Metzler
- University Hospital Erlangen, Department of Pediatrics, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A W Lee
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong, SAR China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ng KP, Potikyan G, Savene ROV, Denny CT, Uversky VN, Lee KAW. Multiple aromatic side chains within a disordered structure are critical for transcription and transforming activity of EWS family oncoproteins. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:479-84. [PMID: 17202261 PMCID: PMC1766410 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0607007104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [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] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the N-terminal approximately 250 residues of the Ewings sarcoma (EWS) oncogene produce a group of EWS fusion proteins (EFPs) that cause several distinct human cancers. EFPs are potent transcriptional activators and interact with other proteins required for mRNA biogenesis, indicating that EFPs induce tumorigenesis by perturbing gene expression. Although EFPs were discovered more than a decade ago, molecular analysis has been greatly hindered by the repetitive EWS activation domain (EAD) structure, containing multiple degenerate hexapeptide repeats (consensus SYGQQS) with a conserved tyrosine residue. By exploiting total gene synthesis, we have been able to systematically mutagenize the EAD and determine the effect on transcriptional activation by EWS/ATF1 and cellular transformation by EWS/Fli1. In both assays, we find the following requirements for EAD function. First, multiple tyrosine residues are essential. Second, phenylalanine can effectively substitute for tyrosine, showing that an aromatic ring can confer EAD function in the absence of tyrosine phosphorylation. Third, there is little requirement for specific peptide sequences and, thus, overall sequence composition (and not the degenerate hexapeptide repeat) confers EAD activity. Consistent with the above findings, we also report that the EAD is intrinsically disordered. However, a sensitive computational predictor of natural protein disorder (PONDR VL3) identifies potential molecular recognition features that are tyrosine-dependent and that correlate well with EAD function. In summary we have uncovered several molecular features of the EAD that will impact future studies of the broader EFP family and molecular recognition by complex intrinsically disordered proteins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- King Pan Ng
- *Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, S.A.R. China
| | - Gary Potikyan
- Molecular Biology Institute, Gwynne Hazen Cherry Memorial Laboratories, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Rupert O. V. Savene
- Molecular Biology Institute, Gwynne Hazen Cherry Memorial Laboratories, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Christopher T. Denny
- Molecular Biology Institute, Gwynne Hazen Cherry Memorial Laboratories, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095
| | - Vladimir N. Uversky
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202; and
- Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Moscow Region 142290, Russia
| | - Kevin A. W. Lee
- *Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, S.A.R. China
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Zakaryan RP, Gehring H. Identification and characterization of the nuclear localization/retention signal in the EWS proto-oncoprotein. J Mol Biol 2006; 363:27-38. [PMID: 16965792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2006.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2006] [Revised: 08/03/2006] [Accepted: 08/03/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) protein, a member of a large family of RNA-binding proteins, contains an N-terminal transcriptional activation domain (EAD) and a C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD). Due to its multifunctional properties EWS protein is involved in processes such as gene expression, RNA processing and transport, and cell signaling. Chimeric EWS proteins generated by chromosomal translocations cause malignant tumors. EWS protein is located predominantly in the nucleus, but was found also in the cytosol and associated with the cell membrane. The determinants responsible for the nuclear localization of the protein were as yet unknown. We identified the nuclear localization signal of EWS protein at its C terminus (C-NLS), which is required for the nuclear import and retention of the protein. The C-NLS sequence is conserved in related proto-oncoproteins suggesting an NLS function also in these proteins. Two arginine residues, due to their positive charge, a proline residue and a tyrosine residue are essential for C-NLS function. The nuclear localization of EWS protein is independent of the regions in RBD containing numerous arginine methylation sites, RNA-recognition and zinc finger motifs. Regions in EAD guide the subnuclear partition of EWS protein and contain another but different NLS that allows nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of the N-terminal domain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rouzanna P Zakaryan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Pahlich S, Bschir K, Chiavi C, Belyanskaya L, Gehring H. Different methylation characteristics of protein arginine methyltransferase 1 and 3 toward the Ewing Sarcoma protein and a peptide. Proteins 2006; 61:164-75. [PMID: 16044463 DOI: 10.1002/prot.20579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The multifunctional Ewing Sarcoma (EWS) protein, a member of a large family of RNA-binding proteins, is extensively asymmetrically dimethylated at arginine residues within RGG consensus sequences. Using recombinant proteins we examined whether type I protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT)1 or 3 is responsible for asymmetric dimethylations of the EWS protein. After in vitro methylation of the EWS protein by GST-PRMT1, we identified 27 dimethylated arginine residues out of 30 potential methylation sites by mass spectrometry-based techniques (MALDI-TOF MS and MS/MS). Thus, PRMT1 recognizes most if not all methylation sites of the EWS protein. With GST-PRMT3, however, only nine dimethylated arginines, located mainly in the C-terminal region of EWS protein, could be assigned, indicating that structural determinants prevent complete methylation. In contrary to previous reports this study also revealed that trypsin is able to cleave after methylated arginines. Pull-down experiments showed that endogenous EWS protein binds efficiently to GST-PRMT1 but less to GST-PRMT3, which is in accordance to the in vitro methylation results. Furthermore, methylation of a peptide containing different methylation sites revealed differences in the site selectivity as well as in the kinetic properties of GST-PRMT1 and GST-PRMT3. Kinetic differences due to an inhibition effect of the methylation inhibitor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine could be excluded by determining the corresponding K(i) values of the two enzymes and the K(d) values for the methyl donor S-adenosyl-L-methionine. The study demonstrates the strength of MS-based methods for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of enzymic arginine methylation, a posttranslational modification that becomes more and more the object of investigations.
Collapse
|
15
|
Abstract
Multifunctional proteins are demonstrating that gene expression is not a series of compartmentalized events beginning with transcription and culminating in delivery of mature mRNA into the cytoplasm, but an integrated pathway of transcription, splicing, RNA metabolism and subcellular targeting of translation. One such multifunctional family is made up of the RNA-binding proteins TLS, EWS and TAF15. These three proteins each contribute a potent transcriptional activation domain to oncogenic fusion proteins, and the formation of these fusion genes are thought to be the primary causes of their associated cancers. Wild-type TLS, EWS and TAF15 can function as classical transcription factors in addition to their better-known functions in splicing and mRNA transport. The interaction between TLS and the stress-response protein YB-1 is an example of how these proteins can induce a multi-faceted change in gene expression, as they can interact to induce changes in both transcription and splicing of target genes. Investigating the multiple functions of TLS, EWS and TAF15 will enhance our understanding of gene expression as a whole, and also allow us to better understand how these proteins may be contributing to the oncogenic pathways the associated fusion proteins initiate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Law
- Manitoba Institute of Cell Biology and the University of Manitoba, 675 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Perani M, Antonson P, Hamoudi R, Ingram CJE, Cooper CS, Garrett MD, Goodwin GH. The Proto-oncoprotein SYT Interacts with SYT-interacting Protein/Co-activator Activator (SIP/CoAA), a Human Nuclear Receptor Co-activator with Similarity to EWS and TLS/FUS Family of Proteins. J Biol Chem 2005; 280:42863-76. [PMID: 16227627 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m502963200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The proto-oncoprotein SYT is involved in the unique translocation t(X;18) found in synovial sarcoma SYT-SSX fusions. SYT has a conserved N-terminal domain (SNH domain) that interacts with the human paralog of Drosophila Brahma (hBRM) and Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) chromatin remodeling proteins and a C-terminal transactivating sequence rich in glutamine, proline, glycine, and tyrosine (QPGY domain). Here we reported the isolation of the ribonucleoprotein SYT-interacting protein/co-activator activator (SIP/CoAA), which specifically binds the QPGY domain of SYT and also the SYT-SSX2 translocation fusion. SIP/CoAA is a general nuclear co-activator and an RNA splicing modulator that contains two RNA recognition motifs and multiple hexapeptide repeats. We showed that the region consisting of the hexapeptide motif (YQ domain) is similar to the hexapeptide repeat domain found in EWS and in TLS/FUS family proteins. The YQ domain also resembles the QPGY region of SYT itself and like all these other domains acts as a transcriptional activator in reporter assays. Most interestingly, the last 84 amino acids adjacent to YQ down-modulate by 25-fold the YQ transactivation of the reporter gene, and both domains are important for SIP/CoAA binding to SYT. In addition, SYT acts together with SIP/CoAA in stimulating estrogen and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcriptional activation. Activation is hormone-dependent and requires functional hBRM and/or BRG1. The stimulation is strongly reduced if the N-terminal region of hBRM/BRG1 (amino acids 1-211) is deleted. This region encompasses the SNF11 binding domain (amino acids 156-211), which interacts specifically with SYT in vivo and in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michela Perani
- Section of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Institute of Cancer Research and Cancer Research UK Centre for Cancer Therapeutics, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Abstract
The Ewings Sarcoma Oncoprotein (EWS) interacts with several components of the mammalian transcriptional and pre-mRNA splicing machinery and is also found in the cytoplasm and even on the cell surface. The apparently diverse cellular functions of EWS are, however, not well characterized. EWS harbours a potent N-terminal transcriptional activation domain (the EAD) that is revealed in the context of oncogenic EWS-fusion proteins (EFPs) and a C-terminal RNA-binding domain (RBD) that recruits pre-mRNA splicing factors and may couple transcription and splicing. In contrast to EFPs, the presumed transcriptional role of normal EWS remains enigmatic. Here, we report that multiple RGG-boxes within the RBD are necessary and sufficient for cis-repression of the EAD and that RGG-boxes can also repress in-trans, within dimeric partners. Lys can functionally substitute for Arg, indicating that the basic nature of the Arg side chain is the critical determinant of RGG-box-mediated repression. In addition to the EAD, RGG-boxes can repress a broad range of activation domains (including those of VP16, E1a and CREB), but repression can be alleviated by the simultaneous presence of more than one activation domain. We therefore propose that a key function of RGG boxes within native EWS is to restrict promiscuous activation by the EAD while still allowing EWS to enter functional transcription complexes and participate in other transactions involving pre-mRNAs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin A. W. Lee
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +852 2358 8636; Fax: +852 2358 1559;
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
The Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) contains a characteristic translocation the chimeric transcript of which is translated to become the EWS-FLI1 fusion protein. EWS-FLI1 regulates transcription and posttranscriptional splicing. Elimination of EWS-FLI1 protein from ESFT cells induces apoptosis and reduces xenograft tumor growth. Therefore the production of a biologically active recombinant EWS-FLI1 could lead to discoveries that would enhance our mechanistic understanding of ESFT. We have cloned, expressed, and purified a biologically active recombinant EWS-FLI1 in Escherichia coli using affinity column chromatography. A refolding procedure was required to render the recombinant EWS-FLI1 soluble in relatively native conditions. The structural alterations induced by the refolding procedure were monitored by SDS-gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. Recombinant EWS-FLI1 under native conditions approaches a largely unfolded conformation. Recombinant EWS-FLI1 protein under native conditions specifically binds to DNA and transcribes RNA. Our biologically active recombinant EWS-FLI1 oncoprotein will be useful to identify functional molecular partners and inhibitors.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Circular Dichroism
- Cloning, Molecular
- DNA-Binding Proteins/chemistry
- DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Humans
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/biosynthesis
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/physiology
- Protein Binding
- Protein Folding
- Protein Structure, Secondary
- Protein Structure, Tertiary
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/chemistry
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/biosynthesis
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/isolation & purification
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/physiology
- Sarcoma, Ewing/chemistry
- Sarcoma, Ewing/drug therapy
- Sarcoma, Ewing/genetics
- Spectrometry, Fluorescence
- Spodoptera/genetics
- Trans-Activators/biosynthesis
- Trans-Activators/chemistry
- Trans-Activators/genetics
- Trans-Activators/physiology
- Transcription Factors/biosynthesis
- Transcription Factors/genetics
- Transcription Factors/physiology
- Transcriptional Activation
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aykut Uren
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Research Building, Room W316, 3970 Reservoir Road, N.W., Box 571469, Washington, DC 20057-1469, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Young PJ, Francis JW, Lince D, Coon K, Androphy EJ, Lorson CL. The Ewing's sarcoma protein interacts with the Tudor domain of the survival motor neuron protein. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2003; 119:37-49. [PMID: 14597228 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2003.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The survival motor neuron (SMN) gene is the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) determining gene. Here we report that the SMN protein product interacts in vitro and in vivo with the arginine/glycine (RG)-rich RNA binding protein and transcription factor, Ewing's sarcoma (EWS). Recently, the SMN encoded Tudor domain (exon 3) and the YG-motifs (exon 6) have been shown to be involved in binding to RG-rich proteins. Here, we demonstrate that the Tudor domain encoded by SMN exon 3 is independently sufficient to mediate the interaction with EWS. Synthetic mutations within the Tudor domain, as well as a SMA patient-derived mutation within exon 3, reduced the levels of the SMN/EWS interaction. Carboxyl-terminal SMN mutations that prevent formation of SMN oligomers also indirectly reduced EWS binding. A role for arginine methylation has been observed in some RG-containing SMN-interacting proteins. Here we demonstrate that SMN interacts with non-methylated EWS and an EWS-derived RG-containing peptide. In contrast to previously reported results, symmetrical dimethylation of the EWS-derived RG-peptide results in a quantitative increase in the dissociation rate between SMN and the symmetrical dimethylated EWS RG-peptide. Consistent with the interaction data, endogenous and transiently expressed SMN co-localizes with endogenous EWS in a number of cultured cell lines, as well as rat primary neuron cultures. Anti-sense RNA experiments, however, demonstrate that EWS does not mediate the nuclear distribution of SMN or other Cajal body components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Young
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, 210 Connaway Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Matsuoka Y, Matsuoka Y, Shibata S, Yasuhara N, Yoneda Y. Identification of Ewing's sarcoma gene product as a glycoprotein using a monoclonal antibody that recognizes an immunodeterminant containing O-linked N-acetylglucosamine moiety. Hybrid Hybridomics 2002; 21:233-6. [PMID: 12193275 DOI: 10.1089/153685902760213831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) oncogene is fused to a variety of cellular transcription factors in various forms of human cancers. Although EWS fusion proteins have been extensively studied, the normal function of EWS remains poorly characterized. We previously reported that a monoclonal antibody, referred to as MY95, recognized nucleoporins such as p62, Nup98, and CAN/Nup214 and an uncharacterized polypeptide with an apparent molecular mass of 83 kDa. In the present study, an amino acid sequence analysis of this 83-kDa protein revealed that it is, in fact, EWS, which is not known to belong to the nucleoporins. We further demonstrated that the immunodeterminant of MY95 contains an N-acetylglucosamine moiety, indicating that EWS is a glycoprotein. Interestingly, the glycosylation level of EWS changes during the neural differentiation of P19 cells. MY95 will be quite useful in further studies of the glycosylated form of EWS in terms of understanding the normal cellular function of this oncogene product.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Matsuoka
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, 2-2 Yamada-oka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|