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Maffeo B, Cilloni D. The Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2 O (UBE2O) and Its Therapeutic Potential in Human Leukemias and Solid Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3064. [PMID: 39272922 PMCID: PMC11394522 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein degradation is a biological phenomenon essential for cellular homeostasis and survival. Selective protein degradation is performed by the ubiquitination system which selectively targets proteins that need to be eliminated and leads them to proteasome degradation. In this narrative review, we focus on the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 O (UBE2O) and highlight the role of UBE2O in many biological and physiological processes. We further discuss UBE2O's implications in various human diseases, particularly in leukemias and solid cancers. Ultimately, our review aims to highlight the potential role of UBE2O as a therapeutic target and offers new perspectives for developing targeted treatments for human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Maffeo
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Daniela Cilloni
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
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2
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LaRue-Nolan KC, Arul GLR, Sigafoos AN, Shi J, Fernandez-Zapico ME. Insights into the mechanisms driven by H3K4 KMTs in pancreatic cancer. Biochem J 2024; 481:983-997. [PMID: 39078225 PMCID: PMC11332384 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy arising from the endocrine or exocrine compartment of this organ. Tumors from exocrine origin comprise over 90% of all pancreatic cancers diagnosed. Of these, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common histological subtype. The five-year survival rate for PDAC ranged between 5 and 9% for over four decades, and only recently saw a modest increase to ∼12-13%, making this a severe and lethal disease. Like other cancers, PDAC initiation stems from genetic changes. However, therapeutic targeting of PDAC genetic drivers has remained relatively unsuccessful, thus the focus in recent years has expanded to the non-genetic factors underlying the disease pathogenesis. Specifically, it has been proposed that dynamic changes in the epigenetic landscape promote tumor growth and metastasis. Emphasis has been given to the re-organization of enhancers, essential regulatory elements controlling oncogenic gene expression, commonly marked my histone 3 lysine 4 monomethylation (H3K4me1). H3K4me1 is typically deposited by histone lysine methyltransferases (KMTs). While well characterized as oncogenes in other cancer types, recent work has expanded the role of KMTs as tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer. Here, we review the role and translational significance for PDAC development and therapeutics of KMTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla C. LaRue-Nolan
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | | | - Ashley N. Sigafoos
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | - Jiaqi Shi
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Labs, Rogel Cancer Center and Center for RNA Biomedicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A
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3
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Windisch R, Soliman S, Hoffmann A, Chen-Wichmann L, Danese A, Vosberg S, Bravo J, Lutz S, Kellner C, Fischer A, Gebhard C, Redondo Monte E, Hartmann L, Schneider S, Beier F, Strobl CD, Weigert O, Peipp M, Schündeln M, Stricker SH, Rehli M, Bernhagen J, Humpe A, Klump H, Brendel C, Krause DS, Greif PA, Wichmann C. Engineering an inducible leukemia-associated fusion protein enables large-scale ex vivo production of functional human phagocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312499121. [PMID: 38857395 PMCID: PMC11194515 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312499121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Ex vivo expansion of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells remains a challenge due to rapid differentiation after detachment from the bone marrow niche. In this study, we assessed the capacity of an inducible fusion protein to enable sustained ex vivo proliferation of hematopoietic precursors and their capacity to differentiate into functional phagocytes. We fused the coding sequences of an FK506-Binding Protein 12 (FKBP12)-derived destabilization domain (DD) to the myeloid/lymphoid lineage leukemia/eleven nineteen leukemia (MLL-ENL) fusion gene to generate the fusion protein DD-MLL-ENL and retrovirally expressed the protein switch in human CD34+ progenitors. Using Shield1, a chemical inhibitor of DD fusion protein degradation, we established large-scale and long-term expansion of late monocytic precursors. Upon Shield1 removal, the cells lost self-renewal capacity and spontaneously differentiated, even after 2.5 y of continuous ex vivo expansion. In the absence of Shield1, stimulation with IFN-γ, LPS, and GM-CSF triggered terminal differentiation. Gene expression analysis of the obtained phagocytes revealed marked similarity with naïve monocytes. In functional assays, the novel phagocytes migrated toward CCL2, attached to VCAM-1 under shear stress, produced reactive oxygen species, and engulfed bacterial particles, cellular particles, and apoptotic cells. Finally, we demonstrated Fcγ receptor recognition and phagocytosis of opsonized lymphoma cells in an antibody-dependent manner. Overall, we have established an engineered protein that, as a single factor, is useful for large-scale ex vivo production of human phagocytes. Such adjustable proteins have the potential to be applied as molecular tools to produce functional immune cells for experimental cell-based approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Windisch
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Sarah Soliman
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Adrian Hoffmann
- Vascular Biology, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Linping Chen-Wichmann
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Anna Danese
- Biomedical Center, Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Sebastian Vosberg
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz8010, Austria
| | - Jimena Bravo
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
| | - Sebastian Lutz
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Christian Kellner
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Alexander Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Claudia Gebhard
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Enric Redondo Monte
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Luise Hartmann
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Stephanie Schneider
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Laboratory for Leukemia Diagnostics, Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Fabian Beier
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, Hemostaseology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical Faculty University Hospital Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen52074, Germany
| | - Carolin Dorothea Strobl
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Oliver Weigert
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Matthias Peipp
- Division of Antibody-Based Immunotherapy, Department of Medicine II, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Kiel24105, Germany
| | - Michael Schündeln
- Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen and the University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen45147, Germany
| | - Stefan H. Stricker
- Biomedical Center, Department of Physiological Genomics, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Michael Rehli
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg93053, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy, Regensburg93053, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bernhagen
- Vascular Biology, Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Andreas Humpe
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
| | - Hannes Klump
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Essen45147, Germany
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapeutics, University Hospital Aachen, Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen52074, Germany
| | - Christian Brendel
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Daniela S. Krause
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
- Institute of General Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main60596, Germany
| | - Philipp A. Greif
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, Partner site Munich, Munich81377, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg69120, Germany
| | - Christian Wichmann
- Division of Transfusion Medicine, Cell Therapeutics and Haemostaseology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich81377, Germany
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4
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Meyer C, Larghero P, Lopes BA, Marschalek R. The KMT2A/MLL consensus gene structure: a comprehensive update for research and diagnostic implications. Leukemia 2024; 38:1403-1406. [PMID: 38678092 PMCID: PMC11147768 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-024-02261-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- C Meyer
- Goethe-University, Institute of Pharm. Biology/DCAL, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - P Larghero
- Goethe-University, Institute of Pharm. Biology/DCAL, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - B A Lopes
- Goethe-University, Institute of Pharm. Biology/DCAL, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- GenLAb/Program of Molecular Carcinogenesis, Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - R Marschalek
- Goethe-University, Institute of Pharm. Biology/DCAL, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
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5
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Weinzapfel EN, Fedder-Semmes KN, Sun ZW, Keogh MC. Beyond the tail: the consequence of context in histone post-translational modification and chromatin research. Biochem J 2024; 481:219-244. [PMID: 38353483 PMCID: PMC10903488 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
The role of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) in chromatin structure and genome function has been the subject of intense debate for more than 60 years. Though complex, the discourse can be summarized in two distinct - and deceptively simple - questions: What is the function of histone PTMs? And how should they be studied? Decades of research show these queries are intricately linked and far from straightforward. Here we provide a historical perspective, highlighting how the arrival of new technologies shaped discovery and insight. Despite their limitations, the tools available at each period had a profound impact on chromatin research, and provided essential clues that advanced our understanding of histone PTM function. Finally, we discuss recent advances in the application of defined nucleosome substrates, the study of multivalent chromatin interactions, and new technologies driving the next era of histone PTM research.
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6
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Xu D, Jiang J, He G, Zhou H, Ji C. KMT2A is targeted by miR-361-3p and modulates leukemia cell's abilities to proliferate, migrate and invade. Hematology 2023; 28:2225341. [PMID: 37335206 DOI: 10.1080/16078454.2023.2225341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The lives and safety of humans are significantly threatened by acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is proven to be the most prevalent acute leukemia. This work is therefore intended to investigate and analyze the expressions of miR-361-3p and Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) in tissues and cell lines of AML and identify an advanced and novel target for the therapy of AML. METHODS The qRT-PCR and western blot assays were conducted to find expressions of miR-361-3p/KMT2A in AML PB and cell lines. After then, tests using CCK-8 and EdU were run to see how KMT2A affected the growth of AML cells. Transwell migration and invasion assay was conducted to evaluate KMT2A's contribution to the migration and invasion of AML cells. ENCORI and miRWalk predicted the association between KMT2A and miR-361-3p, and the dual-luciferase reporter experiment verified it. Furthermore, rescue studies were used to ascertain how KMT2A affected the miR-361-3p-regulated AML cells' abilities to proliferate, migrate, and invade. RESULTS miR-361-3p was poorly expressed while KMT2A was abundantly expressed. Additionally, KMT2A downregulation prevented AML cells from proliferating. PCNA and Ki-67 protein levels fell when KMT2A was silent. Furthermore, AML cells' motility, invasion, and metastasis were inhibited by low KMT2A expression. KMT2A was also identified as a direct target of miR-361-3p and negatively correlated with miR-361-3p. Finally, the over-expression of KMT2A partially reversed the inhibitory effects of up-regulation of miR-361-3p. CONCLUSION A potential therapeutic candidate target for the treatment of AML may be miR-361-3p/KMT2A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Department of blood internal medicine, Funing People's Hospital, Funing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinlong Jiang
- Department of blood internal medicine, Funing People's Hospital, Funing, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangsheng He
- Department of blood internal medicine, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixia Zhou
- Department of blood internal medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengfu Ji
- Department of blood internal medicine, Funing People's Hospital, Funing, People's Republic of China
- Department of blood internal medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, People's Republic of China
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7
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Wallace L, Obeng EA. Noncoding rules of survival: epigenetic regulation of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1273046. [PMID: 38028538 PMCID: PMC10644717 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1273046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is an essential process for organismal development and homeostasis. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is critical for stem cell self-renewal and differentiation in normal hematopoiesis. Increasing evidence shows that disrupting the balance between self-renewal and cell fate decisions can give rise to hematological diseases such as bone marrow failure and leukemia. Consequently, next-generation sequencing studies have identified various aberrations in histone modifications, DNA methylation, RNA splicing, and RNA modifications in hematologic diseases. Favorable outcomes after targeting epigenetic regulators during disease states have further emphasized their importance in hematological malignancy. However, these targeted therapies are only effective in some patients, suggesting that further research is needed to decipher the complexity of epigenetic regulation during hematopoiesis. In this review, an update on the impact of the epigenome on normal hematopoiesis, disease initiation and progression, and current therapeutic advancements will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Esther A. Obeng
- Department of Oncology, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, United States
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Johannessen JA, Formica M, Haukeland ALC, Bråthen NR, Al Outa A, Aarsund M, Therrien M, Enserink JM, Knævelsrud H. The human leukemic oncogene MLL-AF4 promotes hyperplastic growth of hematopoietic tissues in Drosophila larvae. iScience 2023; 26:107726. [PMID: 37720104 PMCID: PMC10504488 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
MLL-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemias are among the leukemic subtypes with poorest survival, and treatment options have barely improved over the last decades. Despite increasing molecular understanding of the mechanisms behind these hematopoietic malignancies, this knowledge has had poor translation into the clinic. Here, we report a Drosophila melanogaster model system to explore the pathways affected in MLL-r leukemia. We show that expression of the human leukemic oncogene MLL-AF4 in the Drosophila hematopoietic system resulted in increased levels of circulating hemocytes and an enlargement of the larval hematopoietic organ, the lymph gland. Strikingly, depletion of Drosophila orthologs of known interactors of MLL-AF4, such as DOT1L, rescued the leukemic phenotype. In agreement, treatment with small-molecule inhibitors of DOT1L also prevented the MLL-AF4-induced leukemia-like phenotype. Taken together, this model provides an in vivo system to unravel the genetic interactors involved in leukemogenesis and offers a system for improved biological understanding of MLL-r leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A. Johannessen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Miriam Formica
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aina Louise C. Haukeland
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nora Rojahn Bråthen
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amani Al Outa
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Miriam Aarsund
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marc Therrien
- Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
- Département de pathologie et de biologie cellulaire, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Jorrit M. Enserink
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Section for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helene Knævelsrud
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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9
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Hu H, Muntean AG. The YEATS domain epigenetic reader proteins ENL and AF9 and their therapeutic value in leukemia. Exp Hematol 2023; 124:15-21. [PMID: 37295550 PMCID: PMC10527611 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have uncovered similarities and differences between 2 highly homologous epigenetic reading proteins, namely, ENL (MLLT1) and AF9 (MLLT3) with therapeutic implications. The importance of these proteins has traditionally been exemplified by their involvement in chromosomal translocations with the mixed-lineage leukemia gene (MLL; aka KMT2a). MLL rearrangements occur in a subset of acute leukemias and generate potent oncogenic MLL-fusion proteins that impact epigenetic and transcriptional regulation. Leukemic patients with MLL rearrangements display intermediate-to-poor prognoses, necessitating further mechanistic research. Several protein complexes involved in regulating RNA polymerase II transcription and the epigenetic landscape are hijacked in MLL-r leukemia, which include ENL and AF9. Recent biochemical studies have defined a highly homologous YEATS domain in ENL and AF9 that binds acylated histones, which aids in the localization and retention of these proteins to transcriptional targets. In addition, detailed characterization of the homologous ANC-1 homology domain (AHD) on ENL and AF9 revealed differential association with transcriptional activating and repressing complexes. Importantly, CRISPR knockout screens have demonstrated a unique role for wild-type ENL in leukemic stem cell function, whereas AF9 appears important for normal hematopoietic stem cells. In this perspective, we examine the ENL and AF9 proteins with attention to recent work characterizing the epigenetic reading YEATS domains and AHD on both wild-type proteins and when fused to MLL. We summarized the drug development efforts and their therapeutic potential and assess ongoing research that has refined our understanding of how these proteins function, which continues to reveal new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiangyu Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew G Muntean
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI.
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10
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Zhang Q, Huang MJ, Wang HY, Wu Y, Chen YZ. A novel prognostic nomogram for adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a comprehensive analysis of 321 patients. Ann Hematol 2023:10.1007/s00277-023-05267-6. [PMID: 37173535 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-023-05267-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The cure rate of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adolescents and adults remains poor. This study aimed to establish a prognostic model for ≥14-year-old patients with ALL to guide treatment decisions. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 321 ALL patients between January 2017 and June 2020. Patients were randomly (2:1 ratio) divided into either the training or validation set. A nomogram was used to construct a prognostic model. Multivariate Cox analysis of the training set showed that age > 50 years, white blood cell count > 28.52×109/L, and MLL rearrangement were independent risk factors for overall survival (OS), while platelet count >37×109/L was an independent protective factor. The nomogram was established according to these independent prognostic factors in the training set, where patients were grouped into two categories: low-risk (≤13.15) and high-risk (>13.15). The survival analysis, for either total patients or sub-group patients, showed that both OS and progression-free survival (PFS) of low-risk patients was significantly better than that of high-risk patients. Moreover, treatment analysis showed that both OS and progression-free survival (PFS) of ALL with stem cell transplantation (SCT) were significantly better than that of ALL without SCT. Further stratified analysis showed that in low-risk patients, the OS and PFS of patients with SCT were significantly better than those of patients without SCT. In contrast, in high-risk patients, compared with non-SCT patients, receiving SCT can only significantly prolong the PFS, but it does not benefit the OS. We established a simple and effective prognostic model for ≥ 14-year-old patients with ALL that can provide accurate risk stratification and determine the clinical strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mei-Juan Huang
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Han-Yu Wang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Yong Wu
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
| | - Yuan-Zhong Chen
- Fujian Institute of Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory on Hematology, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China.
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11
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Komata Y, Kanai A, Maeda T, Inaba T, Yokoyama A. MOZ/ENL complex is a recruiting factor of leukemic AF10 fusion proteins. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1979. [PMID: 37031220 PMCID: PMC10082848 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37712-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the transcriptional machinery cause aberrant self-renewal of non-stem hematopoietic progenitors. AF10 fusions, such as CALM-AF10, are generated via chromosomal translocations, causing malignant leukemia. In this study, we demonstrate that AF10 fusion proteins cause aberrant self-renewal via ENL, which binds to MOZ/MORF lysine acetyltransferases (KATs). The interaction of ENL with MOZ, via its YEATS domain, is critical for CALM-AF10-mediated leukemic transformation. The MOZ/ENL complex recruits DOT1L/AF10 fusion complexes and maintains their chromatin retention via KAT activity. Therefore, inhibitors of MOZ/MORF KATs directly suppress the functions of AF10 fusion proteins, thereby exhibiting strong antitumor effects on AF10 translocation-induced leukemia. Combinatorial inhibition of MOZ/MORF and DOT1L cooperatively induces differentiation of CALM-AF10-leukemia cells. These results reveal roles for the MOZ/ENL complex as an essential recruiting factor of the AF10 fusion/DOT1L complex, providing a rationale for using MOZ/MORF KAT inhibitors in AF10 translocation-induced leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Komata
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, 997-0052, Japan
| | - Akinori Kanai
- Laboratory of Systems Genomics, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, the University of Tokyo, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-0882, Japan
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takahiro Maeda
- Division of Precision Medicine, Kyushu University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Fukuoka, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Toshiya Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8553, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata, 997-0052, Japan.
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12
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Liu L, Shen L, Ding Z, He M, Li E, Tallarico JA, Jain RK, Wang H. Mechanism of Resistance to the WDR5 Inhibitor in MLL-Rearranged Leukemia. ACS Chem Biol 2023; 18:949-958. [PMID: 37027891 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.3c00108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is a major problem often limiting the long-term effectiveness of targeted cancer therapeutics. Resistance can be acquired through mutations or amplification of the primary drug targets or activation of bypass signaling pathways. Considering the multifaceted function of WDR5 in human malignancies, WDR5 has emerged as an attractive drug target for the discovery of small-molecule inhibitors. In this study, we investigated if cancer cells might develop resistance to a highly potent WDR5 inhibitor. We established a drug-adapted cancer cell line and discovered that WDR5P173L mutation occurs in the resistant cells, which confers resistance by preventing target engagement of the inhibitor. This work elucidated the WDR5 inhibitor's potential resistance mechanism in a preclinical study as a reference for future study in the clinical stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lulu Liu
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Lingling Shen
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Zhilou Ding
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Miao He
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - En Li
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - John A Tallarico
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Rishi K Jain
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - He Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 181 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4218 Jinke Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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13
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Górecki M, Kozioł I, Kopystecka A, Budzyńska J, Zawitkowska J, Lejman M. Updates in KMT2A Gene Rearrangement in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030821. [PMID: 36979800 PMCID: PMC10045821 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The KMT2A (formerly MLL) encodes the histone lysine-specific N-methyltransferase 2A and is mapped on chromosome 11q23. KMT2A is a frequent target for recurrent translocations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), or mixed lineage (biphenotypic) leukemia (MLL). Over 90 KMT2A fusion partners have been identified until now, including the most recurring ones—AFF1, MLLT1, and MLLT3—which encode proteins regulating epigenetic mechanisms. The presence of distinct KMT2A rearrangements is an independent dismal prognostic factor, while very few KMT2A rearrangements display either a good or intermediate outcome. KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) ALL affects more than 70% of new ALL diagnoses in infants (<1 year of age), 5–6% of pediatric cases, and 15% of adult cases. KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) ALL is characterized by hyperleukocytosis, a relatively high incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement, an aggressive course with early relapse, and early relapses resulting in poor prognosis. The exact pathways of fusions and the effects on the final phenotypic activity of the disease are still subjects of much research. Future trials could consider the inclusion of targeted immunotherapeutic agents and prioritize the identification of prognostic factors, allowing for the less intensive treatment of some infants with KMT2A ALL. The aim of this review is to summarize our knowledge and present current insight into the mechanisms of KMT2A-r ALL, portray their characteristics, discuss the clinical outcome along with risk stratification, and present novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Górecki
- Student Scientific Society of Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Ilona Kozioł
- Student Scientific Society of the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Kopystecka
- Student Scientific Society of the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Julia Budzyńska
- Student Scientific Society of the Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Zawitkowska
- Department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Transplantology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Monika Lejman
- Independent Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- Correspondence:
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14
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Hu H, Saha N, Yang Y, Ahmad E, Lachowski L, Shrestha U, Premkumar V, Ropa J, Chen L, Teahan B, Grigsby S, Marschalek R, Nikolovska-Coleska Z, Muntean AG. The ENL YEATS epigenetic reader domain critically links MLL-ENL to leukemic stem cell frequency in t(11;19) Leukemia. Leukemia 2023; 37:190-201. [PMID: 36435883 PMCID: PMC11246743 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01765-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
MLL (KMT2a) translocations are found in ~10% of acute leukemia patients, giving rise to oncogenic MLL-fusion proteins. A common MLL translocation partner is ENL and associated with a poor prognosis in t(11;19) patients. ENL contains a highly conserved N-terminal YEATS domain that binds acetylated histones and interacts with the PAF1c, an epigenetic regulator protein complex essential for MLL-fusion leukemogenesis. Recently, wild-type ENL, and specifically the YEATS domain, was shown to be essential for leukemic cell growth. However, the inclusion and importance of the YEATS domain in MLL-ENL-mediated leukemogenesis remains unexplored. We found the YEATS domain is retained in 84.1% of MLL-ENL patients and crucial for MLL-ENL-mediated leukemogenesis in mouse models. Mechanistically, deletion of the YEATS domain impaired MLL-ENL fusion protein binding and decreased expression of pro-leukemic genes like Eya1 and Meis1. Point mutations that disrupt YEATS domain binding to acetylated histones decreased stem cell frequency and increased MLL-ENL-mediated leukemia latency. Therapeutically, YEATS containing MLL-ENL leukemic cells display increased sensitivity to the YEATS inhibitor SGC-iMLLT compared to control AML cells. Our results demonstrate that the YEATS domain is important for MLL-ENL fusion protein-mediated leukemogenesis and exposes an "Achilles heel" that may be therapeutically targeted for treating t(11;19) patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiangyu Hu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nirmalya Saha
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yuting Yang
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ejaz Ahmad
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lauren Lachowski
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Uttar Shrestha
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vidhya Premkumar
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - James Ropa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 950 West Walnut Street, R2-302, Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5181, USA
| | - Lili Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Blaine Teahan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sierrah Grigsby
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rolf Marschalek
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology / Diagnostic Center of Acute Leukemia, University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | | | - Andrew G Muntean
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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15
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Larson JK, Hunter‐Schlichting DN, Crowgey EL, Mills LJ, Druley TE, Marcotte EL. KMT2A‐D
pathogenicity, prevalence, and variation according to a population database. Cancer Med 2022; 12:7234-7245. [PMID: 36479909 PMCID: PMC10067056 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.5443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The KMT2 family of genes is essential epigenetic regulators promoting gene expression. The gene family contains three subgroups, each with two paralogues: KMT2A and KMT2B; KMT2C and KMT2D; KMT2F and KMT2G. KMT2A-D are among the most frequent somatically altered genes in several different cancer types. Somatic KMT2A rearrangements are well-characterized in infant leukemia (IL), and growing evidence supports the role of additional family members (KMT2B, KMT2C, and KMT2D) in leukemogenesis. Enrichment of rare heterozygous frameshift variants in KMT2A and C has been reported in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), IL, and solid tumors. Currently, the non-synonymous variation, prevalence, and penetrance of these four genes are unknown. METHODS This study determined the prevalence of pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) germline KMT2A-D variants in a cancer-free adult population from the Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). Two methods of variant interpretation were utilized: a manual genomic variant interpretation and an automated ACMG pipeline. RESULTS The ACMG pipeline identified considerably fewer P/LP variants (n = 89) compared to the manual method (n = 660) in all 4 genes. Consequently, the total P/LP prevalence and allele frequency (AF) were higher in the manual method (1:112, AF = 4.46E-03) than in ACMG (1:832, AF = 6.01E-04). Multiple ancestry-exclusive P/LP variants were identified along with an increased frequency in males compared to females. Many of these variants identified in this population database are also associated with severe juvenile conditions. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that putatively functional germline variation in these developmentally important genes is more common than previously appreciated and identification in cancer-free adults may indicate incomplete penetrance for many of these variants. Future research should examine a genetic predisposing role in IL and other pediatric cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna K. Larson
- Deparatment of Genetic Counseling University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - DeVon N. Hunter‐Schlichting
- Masonic Cancer Center University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | | | - Lauren J. Mills
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | | | - Erin L. Marcotte
- Masonic Cancer Center University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Division of Pediatric Epidemiology and Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
- Brain Tumor Program University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnesota USA
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16
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Yokoyama A. Role of the MOZ/MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system for self-renewal in normal hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. FEBS J 2022; 289:7987-8002. [PMID: 34482632 PMCID: PMC10078767 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Homeostasis in the blood system is maintained by the balance between self-renewing stem cells and nonstem cells. To promote self-renewal, transcriptional regulators maintain epigenetic information during multiple rounds of cell division. Mutations in such transcriptional regulators cause aberrant self-renewal, leading to leukemia. MOZ, a histone acetyltransferase, and MLL, a histone methyltransferase, are transcriptional regulators that promote the self-renewal of hematopoietic stem cells. Gene rearrangements of MOZ and MLL generate chimeric genes encoding fusion proteins that function as constitutively active forms. These MOZ and MLL fusion proteins constitutively activate transcription of their target genes and cause aberrant self-renewal in committed hematopoietic progenitors, which normally do not self-renew. Recent progress in the field suggests that MOZ and MLL are part of a transcriptional activation system that activates the transcription of genes with nonmethylated CpG-rich promoters. The nonmethylated state of CpGs is normally maintained during cell divisions from the mother cell to the daughter cells. Thus, the MOZ/MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system replicates the expression profile of mother cells in daughter cells by activating the transcription of genes previously transcribed in the mother cell. This review summarizes the functions of the components of the MOZ/MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system and their roles in the promotion of self-renewal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan.,National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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17
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Okuda H, Miyamoto R, Takahashi S, Kawamura T, Ichikawa J, Harada I, Tamura T, Yokoyama A. RNA-binding proteins of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families control the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6688. [PMID: 36335100 PMCID: PMC9637093 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34558-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocation generates the MLL-AF4 fusion gene, which causes acute leukemia of multiple lineages. MLL-AF4 is a strong oncogenic driver that induces leukemia without additional mutations and is the most common cause of pediatric leukemia. However, establishment of a murine disease model via retroviral transduction has been difficult owning to a lack of understanding of its regulatory mechanisms. Here, we show that MLL-AF4 protein is post-transcriptionally regulated by RNA-binding proteins, including those of KHDRBS and IGF2BP families. MLL-AF4 translation is inhibited by ribosomal stalling, which occurs at regulatory sites containing AU-rich sequences recognized by KHDRBSs. Synonymous mutations disrupting the association of KHDRBSs result in proper translation of MLL-AF4 and leukemic transformation. Consequently, the synonymous MLL-AF4 mutant induces leukemia in vivo. Our results reveal that post-transcriptional regulation critically controls the oncogenic activity of MLL-AF4; these findings might be valuable in developing novel therapies via modulation of the activity of RNA-binding proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Okuda
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ryo Miyamoto
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.258799.80000 0004 0372 2033Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto Japan
| | - Takeshi Kawamura
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XResearch Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Tokyo Japan
| | - Juri Ichikawa
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Ibuki Harada
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Tomohiko Tamura
- grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Department of Immunology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan ,grid.268441.d0000 0001 1033 6139Advanced Medical Research Center, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata Japan ,grid.272242.30000 0001 2168 5385National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo, Tokyo Japan
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18
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Tran TM, Rao DS. RNA binding proteins in MLL-rearranged leukemia. Exp Hematol Oncol 2022; 11:80. [PMID: 36307883 PMCID: PMC9615162 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-022-00343-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractRNA binding proteins (RBPs) have recently emerged as important post-transcriptional gene expression regulators in both normal development and disease. RBPs influence the fate of mRNAs through multiple mechanisms of action such as RNA modifications, alternative splicing, and miR-mediated regulation. This complex and, often, combinatorial regulation by RBPs critically impacts the expression of oncogenic transcripts and, thus, the activation of pathways that drive oncogenesis. Here, we focus on the major features of RBPs, their mechanisms of action, and discuss the current progress in investigating the function of important RBPs in MLL-rearranged leukemia.
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19
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Li X, Yao Y, Wu F, Song Y. A proteolysis-targeting chimera molecule selectively degrades ENL and inhibits malignant gene expression and tumor growth. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:41. [PMID: 35395864 PMCID: PMC8994274 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01258-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Chromosome translocations involving mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1) cause acute leukemia in most infants and 5–10% children/adults with dismal clinical outcomes. Most frequent MLL1-fusion partners AF4/AFF4, AF9/ENL and ELL, together with CDK9/cyclin-T1, constitute super elongation complexes (SEC), which promote aberrant gene transcription, oncogenesis and maintenance of MLL1-rearranged (MLL1-r) leukemia. Notably, ENL, but not its paralog AF9, is essential for MLL1-r leukemia (and several other cancers) and therefore a drug target. Moreover, recurrent ENL mutations are found in Wilms tumor, the most common pediatric kidney cancer, and play critical roles in oncogenesis. Methods Proteolysis-Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) molecules were designed and synthesized to degrade ENL. Biological activities of these compounds were characterized in cell and mouse models of MLL1-r leukemia and other cancers. Results Compound 1 efficiently degraded ENL with DC50 of 37 nM and almost depleted it at ~ 500 nM in blood and solid tumor cells. AF9 (as well as other proteins in SEC) was not significantly decreased. Compound 1-mediated ENL reduction significantly suppressed malignant gene signatures, selectively inhibited cell proliferation of MLL1-r leukemia and Myc-driven cancer cells with EC50s as low as 320 nM, and induced cell differentiation and apoptosis. It exhibited significant antitumor activity in a mouse model of MLL1-r leukemia. Compound 1 can also degrade a mutant ENL in Wilms tumor and suppress its mediated gene transcription. Conclusion Compound 1 is a novel chemical probe for cellular and in vivo studies of ENL (including its oncogenic mutants) and a lead compound for further anticancer drug development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-022-01258-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yuan Yao
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Fangrui Wu
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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20
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Nguyen N, Gudmundsson KO, Soltis AR, Oakley K, Roy KR, Han Y, Gurnari C, Maciejewski JP, Crouch G, Ernst P, Dalgard CL, Du Y. Recruitment of MLL1 complex is essential for SETBP1 to induce myeloid transformation. iScience 2022; 25:103679. [PMID: 35036869 PMCID: PMC8749219 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal activation of SETBP1 due to overexpression or missense mutations occurs frequently in various myeloid neoplasms and associates with poor prognosis. Direct activation of Hoxa9/Hoxa10/Myb transcription by SETBP1 and its missense mutants is essential for their transforming capability; however, the underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain elusive. We found that both SETBP1 and its missense mutant SETBP1(D/N) directly interact with histone methyltransferase MLL1. Using a combination of ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analysis in primary hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, we uncovered extensive overlap in their genomic occupancy and their cooperation in activating many oncogenic transcription factor genes including Hoxa9/Hoxa10/Myb and a large group of ribosomal protein genes. Genetic ablation of Mll1 as well as treatment with an inhibitor of the MLL1 complex OICR-9429 abrogated Setbp1/Setbp1(D/N)-induced transcriptional activation and transformation. Thus, the MLL1 complex plays a critical role in Setbp1-induced transcriptional activation and transformation and represents a promising target for treating myeloid neoplasms with SETBP1 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nhu Nguyen
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kristbjorn O. Gudmundsson
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Anthony R. Soltis
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kevin Oakley
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kartik R. Roy
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Yufen Han
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Carmelo Gurnari
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jaroslaw P. Maciejewski
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Gary Crouch
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Patricia Ernst
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Clifton L. Dalgard
- The American Genome Center (TAGC), Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Yang Du
- Department of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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21
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Li X, Liu S, Li X, Li XD. YEATS Domains as Novel Epigenetic Readers: Structures, Functions, and Inhibitor Development. ACS Chem Biol 2022; 18:994-1013. [PMID: 35041380 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.1c00945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interpretation of the histone posttranslational modifications (PTMs) by effector proteins, or readers, is an important epigenetic mechanism to regulate gene function. YEATS domains have been recently identified as novel readers of histone lysine acetylation and a variety of nonacetyl acylation marks. Accumulating evidence has revealed the association of dysregulated interactions between YEATS domains and histone PTMs with human diseases, suggesting the therapeutic potential of YEATS domain inhibition. Here, we discuss the molecular mechanisms adopted by YEATS domains in recognizing their preferred histone marks and the biological significance of such recognitions in normal cell physiology and pathogenesis of human diseases. Recent progress in the development of YEATS domain inhibitors is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Departments of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong G01, China
- Greater Bay Biomedical Innocenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Departments of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong G01, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Departments of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong G01, China
| | - Xiang David Li
- Departments of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong G01, China
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22
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Onodera A, Kiuchi M, Kokubo K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of inflammation by CxxC domain‐containing proteins*. Immunol Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.13056
expr 964170082 + 969516512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
- Institute for Global Prominent Research Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Masahiro Kiuchi
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Kota Kokubo
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology Graduate School of Medicine Chiba University Chiba Japan
- AMED‐CREST, AMED Chiba Japan
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Onodera A, Kiuchi M, Kokubo K, Nakayama T. Epigenetic regulation of inflammation by CxxC domain-containing proteins. Immunol Rev 2021; 305:137-151. [PMID: 34935162 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation of gene transcription in the immune system is important for proper control of protective and pathogenic inflammation. Aberrant epigenetic modifications are often associated with dysregulation of the immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, leading to pathogenic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Two classical epigenetic markers-histone modifications and DNA cytosine methylation, the latter is the 5 position of the cytosine base in the context of CpG dinucleotides-play multiple roles in the immune system. CxxC domain-containing proteins, which basically bind to the non-methylated CpG (i.e., epigenetic "readers"), often function as "writers" of the epigenetic markers via their catalytic domain within the proteins or by interacting with other epigenetic modifiers. We herein report the most recent advances in our understanding of the functions of CxxC domain-containing proteins in the immune system and inflammation, mainly focusing on T cells and macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Onodera
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,Institute for Global Prominent Research, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kiuchi
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kota Kokubo
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Toshinori Nakayama
- Department of Immunology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Chiba, Japan
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24
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Kalushkova A, Nylund P, Párraga AA, Lennartsson A, Jernberg-Wiklund H. One Omics Approach Does Not Rule Them All: The Metabolome and the Epigenome Join Forces in Haematological Malignancies. EPIGENOMES 2021; 5:epigenomes5040022. [PMID: 34968247 PMCID: PMC8715477 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes5040022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation, dysregulation of chromatin-modifying enzymes, and microRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in haematological malignancies. These epimutations, with an impact on chromatin accessibility and transcriptional output, are often associated with genomic instability and the emergence of drug resistance, disease progression, and poor survival. In order to exert their functions, epigenetic enzymes utilize cellular metabolites as co-factors and are highly dependent on their availability. By affecting the expression of metabolic enzymes, epigenetic modifiers may aid the generation of metabolite signatures that could be utilized as targets and biomarkers in cancer. This interdependency remains often neglected and poorly represented in studies, despite well-established methods to study the cellular metabolome. This review critically summarizes the current knowledge in the field to provide an integral picture of the interplay between epigenomic alterations and the cellular metabolome in haematological malignancies. Our recent findings defining a distinct metabolic signature upon response to enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) inhibition in multiple myeloma (MM) highlight how a shift of preferred metabolic pathways may potentiate novel treatments. The suggested link between the epigenome and the metabolome in haematopoietic tumours holds promise for the use of metabolic signatures as possible biomarkers of response to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Kalushkova
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (P.N.); (A.A.P.); (H.J.-W.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Patrick Nylund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (P.N.); (A.A.P.); (H.J.-W.)
| | - Alba Atienza Párraga
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (P.N.); (A.A.P.); (H.J.-W.)
| | - Andreas Lennartsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, NEO, Karolinska Institutet, 14157 Huddinge, Sweden;
| | - Helena Jernberg-Wiklund
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75185 Uppsala, Sweden; (P.N.); (A.A.P.); (H.J.-W.)
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25
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Therapeutic implications of menin inhibition in acute leukemias. Leukemia 2021; 35:2482-2495. [PMID: 34131281 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01309-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Menin inhibitors are novel targeted agents currently in clinical development for the treatment of genetically defined subsets of acute leukemia. Menin has a tumor suppressor function in endocrine glands. Germline mutations in the gene encoding menin cause the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, a hereditary condition associated with tumors of the endocrine glands. However, menin is also critical for leukemogenesis in subsets driven by rearrangement of the Lysine Methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) gene, previously known as mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL), which encodes an epigenetic modifier. These seemingly opposing functions of menin can be explained by its various roles in gene regulation. Therefore, leukemias with rearrangement of KMT2A are predicted to respond to menin inhibition with early clinical data validating this proof-of-concept. These leukemias affect infants, children and adults, and lead to adverse outcomes with current standard therapies. Recent studies have identified novel targets in acute leukemia that are susceptible to menin inhibition, such as mutated Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), the most common genetic alteration in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In addition to these alterations, other leukemia subsets with similar transcriptional dependency could be targeted through menin inhibition. This led to rationally designed clinical studies, investigating small-molecule oral menin inhibitors in relapsed acute leukemias with promising early results. Herein, we discuss the physiologic and malignant biology of menin, the mechanisms of leukemia in these susceptible subsets, and future therapeutic strategies using these inhibitors in acute leukemia.
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26
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Zeisig BB, So CWE. Therapeutic Opportunities of Targeting Canonical and Noncanonical PcG/TrxG Functions in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2021; 22:103-125. [PMID: 33929894 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-111120-102443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional deregulation is a key driver of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a heterogeneous blood cancer with poor survival rates. Polycomb group (PcG) and Trithorax group (TrxG) genes, originally identified in Drosophila melanogaster several decades ago as master regulators of cellular identity and epigenetic memory, not only are important in mammalian development but also play a key role in AML disease biology. In addition to their classical canonical antagonistic transcriptional functions, noncanonical synergistic and nontranscriptional functions of PcG and TrxG are emerging. Here, we review the biochemical properties of major mammalian PcG and TrxG complexes and their roles in AML disease biology, including disease maintenance as well as drug resistance. We summarize current efforts on targeting PcG and TrxG for treatment of AML and propose rational synthetic lethality and drug-induced antagonistic pleiotropy options involving PcG and TrxG as potential new therapeutic avenues for treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd B Zeisig
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom;
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
| | - Chi Wai Eric So
- Leukaemia and Stem Cell Biology Group, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, United Kingdom;
- Department of Haematological Medicine, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, United Kingdom
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27
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Takahashi S, Kanai A, Okuda H, Miyamoto R, Komata Y, Kawamura T, Matsui H, Inaba T, Takaori-Kondo A, Yokoyama A. HBO1-MLL interaction promotes AF4/ENL/P-TEFb-mediated leukemogenesis. eLife 2021; 10:e65872. [PMID: 34431785 PMCID: PMC8387021 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemic oncoproteins cause uncontrolled self-renewal of hematopoietic progenitors by aberrant gene activation, eventually causing leukemia. However, the molecular mechanism underlying aberrant gene activation remains elusive. Here, we showed that leukemic MLL fusion proteins associate with the HBO1 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex through their trithorax homology domain 2 (THD2) in various human cell lines. MLL proteins associated with the HBO1 complex through multiple contacts mediated mainly by the ING4/5 and PHF16 subunits in a chromatin-bound context where histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation marks were present. Of the many MLL fusions, MLL-ELL particularly depended on the THD2-mediated association with the HBO1 complex for leukemic transformation. The C-terminal portion of ELL provided a binding platform for multiple factors including AF4, EAF1, and p53. MLL-ELL activated gene expression in murine hematopoietic progenitors by loading an AF4/ENL/P-TEFb (AEP) complex onto the target promoters wherein the HBO1 complex promoted the association with AEP complex over EAF1 and p53. Moreover, the NUP98-HBO1 fusion protein exerted its oncogenic properties via interaction with MLL but not its intrinsic HAT activity. Thus, the interaction between the HBO1 complex and MLL is an important nexus in leukemic transformation, which may serve as a therapeutic target for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Takahashi
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Akinori Kanai
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Okuda
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Ryo Miyamoto
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Yosuke Komata
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | | | - Hirotaka Matsui
- Department of Molecular Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Toshiya Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Akifumi Takaori-Kondo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
- Division of Hematological Malignancy, National Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
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28
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Role of the HOXA cluster in HSC emergence and blood cancer. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1817-1827. [PMID: 34374409 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis, the process of blood formation, is controlled by a complex developmental program that involves intrinsic and extrinsic regulators. Blood formation is critical to normal embryonic development and during embryogenesis distinct waves of hematopoiesis have been defined that represent the emergence of hematopoietic stem or progenitor cells. The Class I family of homeobox (HOX) genes are also critical for normal embryonic development, whereby mutations are associated with malformations and deformity. Recently, members of the HOXA cluster (comprising 11 genes and non-coding RNA elements) have been associated with the emergence and maintenance of long-term repopulating HSCs. Previous studies identified a gradient of HOXA expression from high in HSCs to low in circulating peripheral cells, indicating their importance in maintaining blood cell numbers and differentiation state. Indeed, dysregulation of HOXA genes either directly or by genetic lesions of upstream regulators correlates with a malignant phenotype. This review discusses the role of the HOXA cluster in both HSC emergence and blood cancer formation highlighting the need for further research to identify specific roles of these master regulators in normal and malignant hematopoiesis.
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29
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Miyamoto R, Kanai A, Okuda H, Komata Y, Takahashi S, Matsui H, Inaba T, Yokoyama A. HOXA9 promotes MYC-mediated leukemogenesis by maintaining gene expression for multiple anti-apoptotic pathways. eLife 2021; 10:e64148. [PMID: 34310280 PMCID: PMC8313233 DOI: 10.7554/elife.64148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 is often highly expressed in leukemias. However, its precise roles in leukemogenesis remain elusive. Here, we show that HOXA9 maintains gene expression for multiple anti-apoptotic pathways to promote leukemogenesis. In MLL fusion-mediated leukemia, MLL fusion directly activates the expression of MYC and HOXA9. Combined expression of MYC and HOXA9 induced leukemia, whereas single gene transduction of either did not, indicating a synergy between MYC and HOXA9. HOXA9 sustained expression of the genes implicated in the hematopoietic precursor identity when expressed in hematopoietic precursors, but did not reactivate it once silenced. Among the HOXA9 target genes, BCL2 and SOX4 synergistically induced leukemia with MYC. Not only BCL2, but also SOX4 suppressed apoptosis, indicating that multiple anti-apoptotic pathways underlie cooperative leukemogenesis by HOXA9 and MYC. These results demonstrate that HOXA9 is a crucial transcriptional maintenance factor that promotes MYC-mediated leukemogenesis, potentially explaining why HOXA9 is highly expressed in many leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Miyamoto
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Akinori Kanai
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Hiroshi Okuda
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Yosuke Komata
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
| | - Satoshi Takahashi
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Kyoto University Graduate School of MedicineKyotoJapan
| | - Hirotaka Matsui
- Department of Molecular Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Toshiya Inaba
- Department of Molecular Oncology and Leukemia Program Project, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima UniversityHiroshimaJapan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer CenterTsuruokaJapan
- Division of Hematological Malignancy, National Cancer Center Research InstituteTokyoJapan
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Yokoyama A. Leukemogenesis via aberrant self-renewal by the MLL/AEP-mediated transcriptional activation system. Cancer Sci 2021; 112:3935-3944. [PMID: 34251718 PMCID: PMC8486200 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeostasis of the hematopoietic system is achieved in a hierarchy, with hematopoietic stem cells at the pinnacle. Because only hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can self-renew, the size of the hematopoietic system is strictly controlled. In hematopoietic reconstitution experiments, 1 HSC can reconstitute the entire hematopoietic system, whereas 50 multipotent progenitors cannot. This indicates that only HSCs self-renew, whereas non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors are programmed to differentiate or senesce. Oncogenic mutations of the mixed lineage leukemia gene (MLL) overcome this "programmed differentiation" by conferring the self-renewing ability to non-HSC hematopoietic progenitors. In leukemia, mutated MLL proteins constitutively activate a broad range of previously transcribed CpG-rich promoters by an MLL-mediated transcriptional activation system. This system promotes self-renewal by replicating an expression profile similar to that of the mother cell in its daughter cells. In this transcriptional activation system, MLL binds to unmethylated CpG-rich promoters and recruits RNA polymerase II. MLL recruits p300/CBP through its transcriptional activation domain, which acetylates histone H3 at lysines 9, 18, and 27. The AF4 family/ENL family/P-TEFb complex (AEP) binds to acetylated H3K9/18/27 to activate transcription. Gene rearrangements of MLL with AEP- or CBP/p300-complex components generate constitutively active transcriptional machinery of this transcriptional activation system, which causes aberrant self-renewal of leukemia stem cells. Inhibitors of the components of this system effectively decrease their leukemogenic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Japan.,National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan
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31
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Yin L, Xie S, Chen Y, Li W, Jiang X, Li H, Li J, Wu Z, Xiao X, Zhang G, Cheng Z, Peng H. Novel germline mutation KMT2A G3131S confers genetic susceptibility to familial myeloproliferative neoplasms. Ann Hematol 2021; 100:2229-2240. [PMID: 34228147 DOI: 10.1007/s00277-021-04562-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The current study analyzed the clinical and genetic characteristics of a family with familial myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Whole-exome sequencing was conducted, and a germline heterozygous mutation in lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A, also known as MLL1), G3131S (c.9391G > A, p.Gly3131Ser, rs150804738), was identified. Somatic DNA and germline DNA were collected from 8 family members, 120 healthy donors (somatic DNA), and 30 healthy donors (germline DNA). Using Sanger sequencing, the KMT2A G3131S mutation was analyzed. Four individuals, the proband (II-1), his sister (patient II-2), and family members II-3 and III-1 (somatic DNA and germline DNA), tested positive for the KMT2A G3131S mutation. We did not observe the KMT2A G3131S mutation in healthy donors (somatic DNA and germline DNA), indicating that this is not a SNP. Bioinformatics analysis of KMT2A G3131S suggested that protein structure changes could be caused by this mutation. To further elucidate the function of KMT2A G3131S, the CRISPR-Cas9 technique was applied to generate a KMT2A G3131S heterozygous K562 cell line. The colony formation potency, apoptosis, and cell cycle of KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells were analyzed. The results demonstrated that KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells showed increased proliferation and colony formation ability. Immunophenotyping was performed using flow cytometry to analyze the surface marker expression of gene-edited KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells. A significant increase in CD11b and mild increases in CD61 and CD235a were observed in KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells, suggesting that the KMT2A G3131S mutant could cause an increase in myeloproliferation. May-Giemsa staining showed that the morphological changes in KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells were consistent with the flow cytometry analysis. To verify which downstream genes were affected by the KMT2A G3131S mutant, we performed real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of previously reported KMT2A-related genes and found that C-MYB expression was significantly decreased. Western blotting was applied to investigate the expression of Kmt2a and C-myb proteins, and the results showed that in KMT2A G3131S mutant K562 cells, the expression of C-myb was decreased. Our findings suggested that KMT2A G3131S could affect the myeloproliferation of K562 cells and decrease C-myb expression. In conclusion, KMT2A G3131S could be considered a novel genetic susceptibility gene in familial MPN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yin
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Sisi Xie
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Chen
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Wang Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xian Jiang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zefang Wu
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangsen Zhang
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao Cheng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongling Peng
- Department of Hematology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Molecular Hematology, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Tumor Models and Individualized Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, People's Republic of China.
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32
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Zhu S, Chen Z, Jiang D, Wang R, Cheng X, Li D, Xv Q, Zhao F, Kim W, Guo G, Zhao C, Lou Z, Liu H. Mixed-lineage leukemia protein modulates the loading of <i>let-7a</i> onto AGO1 by recruiting RAN. Haematologica 2021; 106:1995-1999. [PMID: 33327713 PMCID: PMC8252936 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.268474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shouhai Zhu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Dan Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212001
| | - Ruiheng Wang
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Xiaoyan Cheng
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Dan Li
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Qiongyu Xv
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Wootae Kim
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Guijie Guo
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Chunjun Zhao
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025
| | - Zhenkun Lou
- Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905.
| | - Han Liu
- Shanghai Institute of Hematology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, National Research Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025.
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Histone H3K4 Methyltransferases as Targets for Drug-Resistant Cancers. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070581. [PMID: 34201935 PMCID: PMC8301125 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The KMT2 (MLL) family of proteins, including the major histone H3K4 methyltransferase found in mammals, exists as large complexes with common subunit proteins and exhibits enzymatic activity. SMYD, another H3K4 methyltransferase, and SET7/9 proteins catalyze the methylation of several non-histone targets, in addition to histone H3K4 residues. Despite these structural and functional commonalities, H3K4 methyltransferase proteins have specificity for their target genes and play a role in the development of various cancers as well as in drug resistance. In this review, we examine the overall role of histone H3K4 methyltransferase in the development of various cancers and in the progression of drug resistance. Compounds that inhibit protein-protein interactions between KMT2 family proteins and their common subunits or the activity of SMYD and SET7/9 are continuously being developed for the treatment of acute leukemia, triple-negative breast cancer, and castration-resistant prostate cancer. These H3K4 methyltransferase inhibitors, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are expected to play a role in overcoming drug resistance in leukemia and various solid cancers.
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34
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Lefeivre T, Jones L, Trinquand A, Pinton A, Macintyre E, Laurenti E, Bond J. Immature acute leukaemias: lessons from the haematopoietic roadmap. FEBS J 2021; 289:4355-4370. [PMID: 34028982 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
It is essential to relate the biology of acute leukaemia to normal blood cell development. In this review, we discuss how modern models of haematopoiesis might inform approaches to diagnosis and management of immature leukaemias, with a specific focus on T-lymphoid and myeloid cases. In particular, we consider whether next-generation analytical tools could provide new perspectives that could improve our understanding of immature blood cancer biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Lefeivre
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Luke Jones
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amélie Trinquand
- National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Antoine Pinton
- Laboratory of Onco-Haematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, Paris, France
| | - Elizabeth Macintyre
- Laboratory of Onco-Haematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (Inserm) U1151, Paris, France
| | - Elisa Laurenti
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Wellcome and MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jonathan Bond
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,National Children's Research Centre, Dublin, Ireland.,Children's Health Ireland at Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
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35
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Ni X, Londregan AT, Owen DR, Knapp S, Chaikuad A. Structure and Inhibitor Binding Characterization of Oncogenic MLLT1 Mutants. ACS Chem Biol 2021; 16:571-578. [PMID: 33749253 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.0c00960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunction of YEATS-domain-containing MLLT1, an acetyl/acyl-lysine dependent epigenetic reader domain, has been implicated in the development of aggressive cancers. Mutations in the YEATS domain have been recently reported as a cause of MLLT1 aberrant reader function. However, the structural basis for the reported alterations in affinity for acetylated/acylated histone has remained elusive. Here, we report the crystal structures of both insertion and substitution mutants present in cancer, revealing significant conformational changes of the YEATS-domain loop 8. Structural comparison demonstrates that not only did such alteration alter the binding interface for acetylated/acylated histones, but the sequence alterations in the loop in T1 mutant may enable dimeric assembly consistent with inducing self-association behavior. Nevertheless, we show that also the MLLT1 mutants can be targeted by developed acetyllysine mimetic inhibitors with affinities similarly to wild-type. Our report provides a structural basis for the altered behaviors and a potential strategy for targeting oncogenic MLLT1 mutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Ni
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Allyn T. Londregan
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research Development and Medicine, Eastern Point Road, Groton, Connecticut 06340, United States
| | - Dafydd R. Owen
- Medicine Design, Pfizer Worldwide Research Development and Medicine, 1 Portland Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Stefan Knapp
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- German Cancer network DKTK and Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University Frankfurt, 60596 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Apirat Chaikuad
- Structural Genomics Consortium and Buchmann Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 15, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Straße 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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36
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Li X, Song Y. Structure, function and inhibition of critical protein-protein interactions involving mixed lineage leukemia 1 and its fusion oncoproteins. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:56. [PMID: 33823889 PMCID: PMC8022399 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01057-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mixed lineage leukemia 1 (MLL1, also known as MLL or KMT2A) is an important transcription factor and histone-H3 lysine-4 (H3K4) methyltransferase. It is a master regulator for transcription of important genes (e.g., Hox genes) for embryonic development and hematopoiesis. However, it is largely dispensable in matured cells. Dysregulation of MLL1 leads to overexpression of certain Hox genes and eventually leukemia initiation. Chromosome translocations involving MLL1 cause ~ 75% of acute leukemia in infants and 5–10% in children and adults with a poor prognosis. Targeted therapeutics against oncogenic fusion MLL1 (onco-MLL1) are therefore needed. Onco-MLL1 consists of the N-terminal DNA-interacting domains of MLL1 fused with one of > 70 fusion partners, among which transcription cofactors AF4, AF9 and its paralog ENL, and ELL are the most frequent. Wild-type (WT)- and onco-MLL1 involve numerous protein–protein interactions (PPI), which play critical roles in regulating gene expression in normal physiology and leukemia. Moreover, WT-MLL1 has been found to be essential for MLL1-rearranged (MLL1-r) leukemia. Rigorous studies of such PPIs have been performed and much progress has been achieved in understanding their structures, structure–function relationships and the mechanisms for activating gene transcription as well as leukemic transformation. Inhibition of several critical PPIs by peptides, peptidomimetic or small-molecule compounds has been explored as a therapeutic approach for MLL1-r leukemia. This review summarizes the biological functions, biochemistry, structure and inhibition of the critical PPIs involving MLL1 and its fusion partner proteins. In addition, challenges and perspectives of drug discovery targeting these PPIs for the treatment of MLL1-r leukemia are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yongcheng Song
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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37
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Loftus JP, Yahiaoui A, Brown PA, Niswander LM, Bagashev A, Wang M, Schauf A, Tannheimer S, Tasian SK. Combinatorial efficacy of entospletinib and chemotherapy in patient-derived xenograft models of infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Haematologica 2021; 106:1067-1078. [PMID: 32414848 PMCID: PMC8018117 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2019.241729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Survival of infants with KMT2A-rearranged acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains dismal despite intensive chemotherapy. We observed constitutive phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and associated signaling proteins in infant ALL patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model specimens and hypothesized that the SYK inhibitor entospletinib would inhibit signaling and cell growth in vitro and leukemia proliferation in vivo. We further predicted that combined entospletinib and chemotherapy could augment anti-leukemia effects. Basal kinase signaling activation and HOXA9/MEIS1 expression differed among KMT2Arearranged (KMT2A-AFF1 [n=4], KMT2A-MLLT3 [n=1], KMT2A-MLLT1 [n=4]) and non-KMT2A-rearranged [n=3] ALL specimens and stratified by genetic subgroup. Incubation of KMT2A-rearranged ALL cells in vitro with entospletinib inhibited methylcellulose colony formation and SYK pathway signaling in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo inhibition of leukemia proliferation with entospletinib monotherapy was observed in RAS-wild-type KMT2A-AFF1, KMT2A-MLLT3, and KMT2A-MLLT1 ALL PDX models with enhanced activity in combination with vincristine chemotherapy in several models. Surprisingly, entospletinib did not decrease leukemia burden in two KMT2A-AFF1 PDX models with NRAS or KRAS mutations, suggesting potential RAS-mediated resistance to SYK inhibition. As hypothesized, superior inhibition of ALL proliferation was observed in KMT2A-AFF1 PDX models treated with entospletinib and the MEK inhibitor selumetinib versus vehicle or inhibitor monotherapies (P<0.05). In summary, constitutive activation of SYK and associated signaling occurs in KMT2A-rearranged ALL with in vitro and in vivo sensitivity to entospletinib. Combination therapy with vincristine or selumetinib further enhanced treatment effects of SYK inhibition. Clinical study of entospletinib and chemotherapy or other kinase inhibitors in patients with KMT2A-rearranged leukemias may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph P Loftus
- Div of Oncology, Children Hospital and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Philadelphia, USA
| | | | - Patrick A Brown
- Johns Hopkins University and Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, USA
| | - Lisa M Niswander
- Div of Oncology, Children Hospital and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Asen Bagashev
- Div of Oncology, Children Hospital and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Gilead Sciences; Foster City, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Sarah K Tasian
- Div of Oncology, Children Hospital and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Philadelphia, USA
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38
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Miyamoto R, Yokoyama A. Protocol for fractionation-assisted native ChIP (fanChIP) to capture protein-protein/DNA interactions on chromatin. STAR Protoc 2021; 2:100404. [PMID: 33855306 PMCID: PMC8024768 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2021.100404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Conventional chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) includes many steps that need to be optimized. Here, we have described a protocol of fractionation-assisted native ChIP (fanChIP) which combines subfractionation and native ChIP to purify protein/chromatin complexes applicable for analyses of both protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions within a short period of time. fanChIP is advantageous as subcellular fractionation removes chromatin-unbound materials before immunoprecipitation, and the chromatin fragmentation by micrococcal nuclease (MNase) in a mild condition enables one-step purification of intact protein/chromatin complexes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Miyamoto et al. (2020).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Miyamoto
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan
| | - Akihiko Yokoyama
- Tsuruoka Metabolomics Laboratory, National Cancer Center, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan.,Division of Hematological Malignancy, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
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39
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Panagopoulos I, Andersen K, Eilert-Olsen M, Rognlien AG, Munthe-Kaas MC, Micci F, Heim S. Rare KMT2A-ELL and Novel ZNF56-KMT2A Fusion Genes in Pediatric T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2021; 18:121-131. [PMID: 33608309 DOI: 10.21873/cgp.20247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Previous reports have associated the KMT2A-ELL fusion gene, generated by t(11;19)(q23;p13.1), with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We herein report a KMT2A-ELL and a novel ZNF56-KMT2A fusion genes in a pediatric T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). MATERIALS AND METHODS Genetic investigations were performed on bone marrow of a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with T-ALL. RESULTS A KMT2A-ELL and a novel ZNF56-KMT2A fusion genes were generated on der(11)t(11;19)(q23;p13.1) and der(19)t(11;19)(q23;p13.1), respectively. Exon 20 of KMT2A fused to exon 2 of ELL in KMT2A-ELL chimeric transcript whereas exon 1 of ZNF56 fused to exon 21 of KMT2A in ZNF56-KMT2A transcript. A literature search revealed four more T-ALL patients carrying a KMT2A-ELL fusion. All of them were males aged 11, 11, 17, and 20 years. CONCLUSION KMT2A-ELL fusion is a rare recurrent genetic event in T-ALL with uncertain prognostic implications. The frequency and impact of ZNF56-KMT2A in T-ALL are unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Panagopoulos
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway;
| | - Kristin Andersen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Martine Eilert-Olsen
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anne Gro Rognlien
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica Cheng Munthe-Kaas
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Francesca Micci
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sverre Heim
- Section for Cancer Cytogenetics, Institute for Cancer Genetics and Informatics, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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40
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Bhat KP, Ümit Kaniskan H, Jin J, Gozani O. Epigenetics and beyond: targeting writers of protein lysine methylation to treat disease. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 20:265-286. [PMID: 33469207 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-00108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein lysine methylation is a crucial post-translational modification that regulates the functions of both histone and non-histone proteins. Deregulation of the enzymes or 'writers' of protein lysine methylation, lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), is implicated in the cause of many diseases, including cancer, mental health disorders and developmental disorders. Over the past decade, significant advances have been made in developing drugs to target KMTs that are involved in histone methylation and epigenetic regulation. The first of these inhibitors, tazemetostat, was recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma and follicular lymphoma, and several more are in clinical and preclinical evaluation. Beyond chromatin, the many KMTs that regulate protein synthesis and other fundamental biological processes are emerging as promising new targets for drug development to treat diverse diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamakoti P Bhat
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Or Gozani
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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41
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Mousa NO, Gado M, Assem MM, Dawood KM, Osman A. Expression profiling of some Acute Myeloid Leukemia - associated markers to assess their diagnostic / prognostic potential. Genet Mol Biol 2021; 44:e20190268. [PMID: 33432966 PMCID: PMC7802071 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2019-0268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Investigating the etiological causes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at the
molecular level should help in identifying targets and strategies that would
increase the efficacy of the current management regimens. Some genes may act as
molecular diagnostics, of these ASXL1 and PHF6
are involved in regulation of gene expression, and BAX , and ARC, are pro- and anti-apoptotic molecules,
respectively. In this study, peripheral blood samples were collected from 54
recently diagnosed AML patients in addition to 20 healthy individuals (the
control group). Cellular RNA was extracted from all the samples and were
subjected to quantitative analysis of the transcript levels of the four selected
markers. Our data showed a significant elevation in the expression levels of
PHF6 and ARC in AML patients, when
compared to the controls (77.8% and 83.3%, respectively). On the other hand,
ASXL1 and BAX exhibited increase, to a
lesser extent, in the expression levels of the AML patients (52% and 55.6%,
respectively). Our study also showed that the expression levels of
ARC and PHF6 exhibited a concomitant
increase and this could be correlated with poor prognosis of the cases. Thus, we
can suggest these markers as reliable prognostic markers for prediction of AML
outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla O Mousa
- Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Basic and Applied Sciences Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.,Cairo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marwa Gado
- Cairo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Giza, Egypt
| | - Magda M Assem
- Cairo University, National Cancer Institute, Department of Clinical pathology, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kamal M Dawood
- Cairo University, Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Osman
- Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Basic and Applied Sciences Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.,Ain shams University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biochemistry, Cairo, Egypt
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42
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Libbrecht C, Xie HM, Kingsley MC, Haladyna JN, Riedel SS, Alikarami F, Lenard A, McGeehan GM, Ernst P, Bernt KM. Menin is necessary for long term maintenance of meningioma-1 driven leukemia. Leukemia 2021; 35:1405-1417. [PMID: 33542482 PMCID: PMC8102197 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01146-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Translocations of Meningioma-1 (MN1) occur in a subset of acute myeloid leukemias (AML) and result in high expression of MN1, either as a full-length protein, or as a fusion protein that includes most of the N-terminus of MN1. High levels of MN1 correlate with poor prognosis. When overexpressed in murine hematopoietic progenitors, MN1 causes an aggressive AML characterized by an aberrant myeloid precursor-like gene expression program that shares features of KMT2A-rearranged (KMT2A-r) leukemia, including high levels of Hoxa and Meis1 gene expression. Compounds that target a critical KMT2A-Menin interaction have proven effective in KMT2A-r leukemia. Here, we demonstrate that Menin (Men1) is also critical for the self-renewal of MN1-driven AML through the maintenance of a distinct gene expression program. Genetic inactivation of Men1 led to a decrease in the number of functional leukemia-initiating cells. Pharmacologic inhibition of the KMT2A-Menin interaction decreased colony-forming activity, induced differentiation programs in MN1-driven murine leukemia and decreased leukemic burden in a human AML xenograft carrying an MN1-ETV6 translocation. Collectively, these results nominate Menin inhibition as a promising therapeutic strategy in MN1-driven leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Libbrecht
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.452431.50000 0004 0442 349XInstitut d’Hématologie et d’Oncologie Pédiatrique, Lyon, France
| | - Hongbo M. Xie
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Department of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics (DBHI), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Molly C. Kingsley
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Jessica N. Haladyna
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Simone S. Riedel
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Fatemeh Alikarami
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Alexandra Lenard
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | | | - Patricia Ernst
- grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA ,grid.430503.10000 0001 0703 675XDepartment of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO USA
| | - Kathrin M. Bernt
- grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Pediatric Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Abramson Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA USA ,grid.239552.a0000 0001 0680 8770Division of Oncology and Center for Childhood Cancer Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 3501 Civic Center Boulevard, CTRB 3064, Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA
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Milan T, Celton M, Lagacé K, Roques É, Safa-Tahar-Henni S, Bresson E, Bergeron A, Hebert J, Meshinchi S, Cellot S, Barabé F, Wilhelm BT. Epigenetic changes in human model KMT2A leukemias highlight early events during leukemogenesis. Haematologica 2020; 107:86-99. [PMID: 33375773 PMCID: PMC8719083 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2020.271619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal translocations involving the KMT2A gene are among the most common genetic alterations found in pediatric acute myeloid leukemias although the molecular mechanisms that initiate the disease remain incompletely defined. To elucidate these initiating events we used a human model system of acute myeloid leukemia driven by the KMT2A-MLLT3 (KM3) fusion. More specifically, we investigated changes in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility at each stage of our model system and correlated these with expression changes. We observed the development of a pronounced hypomethyl - ation phenotype in the early stages of leukemic transformation after KM3 addition along with loss of expression of stem-cell-associated genes and skewed expression of other genes, such as S100A8/9, implicated in leukemogenesis. In addition, early increases in the expression of the lysine demethylase KDM4B was functionally linked to these expression changes as well as other key transcription factors. Remarkably, our ATAC-sequencing data showed that there were relatively few leukemia-specific changes and that the vast majority corresponded to open chromatin regions and transcription factor clusters previously observed in other cell types. Integration of the gene expression and epigenetic changes revealed that the adenylate cyclase gene ADCY9 is an essential gene in KM3-acute myeloid leukemia, and suggested the potential for autocrine signaling through the chemokine receptor CCR1 and CCL23 ligand. Collectively, our results suggest that KM3 induces subtle changes in the epigenome while co-opting the normal transcriptional machinery to drive leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Milan
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Magalie Celton
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Karine Lagacé
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Élodie Roques
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Safia Safa-Tahar-Henni
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC
| | - Eva Bresson
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Anne Bergeron
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Josée Hebert
- Division of Hematology-Oncology and Leukemia Cell Bank of Quebec, Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC
| | - Soheil Meshinchi
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sonia Cellot
- Department of pediatrics, division of Hematology, Ste-Justine Hospital, Montréal, QC
| | - Frédéric Barabé
- Centre de recherche en infectiologie du CHUL, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; CHU de Québec - Université Laval - Hôpital Enfant-Jésus; Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC
| | - Brian T Wilhelm
- Laboratory for High Throughput Biology, Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC.
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44
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Rearrangements of the histone lysine [K]-MethylTransferase 2A gene (KMT2A) gene on chromosome 11q23, formerly known as the mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) gene, are found in 10% and 5% of adult and children ALL cases, respectively. The most common translocated genes are AFF1 (formerly AF4), MLLT3 (formerly AF9), and MLLT1 (formerly ENL). The bimodal incidence of MLL-r-ALL usually peaks in infants in their first 2 years of life and then declines thereafter during the pediatric/young adult phase until it increases again with age. MLL-rearranged ALL (MLL-r-ALL) is characterized by hyperleukocytosis, aggressive behavior with early relapse, relatively high incidence of central nervous system (CNS) involvement, and poor prognosis. RECENT FINDINGS MLL-r-ALL cells are characterized by relative resistance to corticosteroids (due to Src kinase-induced phosphorylation of annexin A2) and L-asparaginase therapy, but they are sensitive to cytarabine chemotherapy (due to increased levels of hENT1 expression). Potential therapeutic targets include FLT3 inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, BCL-2 inhibitors, MCL-1 inhibitors, proteasome inhibitors, hypomethylating agents, Dot1L inhibitors, and CDK inhibitors. In this review, we discuss MLL-r-ALL focusing on clinical presentation, risk stratification, drug resistance, and treatment strategies, including potential novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firas El Chaer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Michael Keng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Karen K Ballen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, 1215 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA.
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Targeting Chromatin Complexes in Myeloid Malignancies and Beyond: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Innovation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122721. [PMID: 33371192 PMCID: PMC7767226 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The aberrant function of chromatin regulatory networks (epigenetics) is a hallmark of cancer promoting oncogenic gene expression. A growing body of evidence suggests that the disruption of specific chromatin-associated protein complexes has therapeutic potential in malignant conditions, particularly those that are driven by aberrant chromatin modifiers. Of note, a number of enzymatic inhibitors that block the catalytic function of histone modifying enzymes have been established and entered clinical trials. Unfortunately, many of these molecules do not have potent single-agent activity. One potential explanation for this phenomenon is the fact that those drugs do not profoundly disrupt the integrity of the aberrant network of multiprotein complexes on chromatin. Recent advances in drug development have led to the establishment of novel inhibitors of protein–protein interactions as well as targeted protein degraders that may provide inroads to longstanding effort to physically disrupt oncogenic multiprotein complexes on chromatin. In this review, we summarize some of the current concepts on the role epigenetic modifiers in malignant chromatin states with a specific focus on myeloid malignancies and recent advances in early-phase clinical trials.
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Aberrant Activity of Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase 2 (KMT2) Complexes in Oncogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249340. [PMID: 33302406 PMCID: PMC7762615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
KMT2 (histone-lysine N-methyltransferase subclass 2) complexes methylate lysine 4 on the histone H3 tail at gene promoters and gene enhancers and, thus, control the process of gene transcription. These complexes not only play an essential role in normal development but have also been described as involved in the aberrant growth of tissues. KMT2 mutations resulting from the rearrangements of the KMT2A (MLL1) gene at 11q23 are associated with pediatric mixed-lineage leukemias, and recent studies demonstrate that KMT2 genes are frequently mutated in many types of human cancers. Moreover, other components of the KMT2 complexes have been reported to contribute to oncogenesis. This review summarizes the recent advances in our knowledge of the role of KMT2 complexes in cell transformation. In addition, it discusses the therapeutic targeting of different components of the KMT2 complexes.
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The MLL family of proteins in normal development and disease. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194648. [PMID: 33157274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Miyamoto R, Okuda H, Kanai A, Takahashi S, Kawamura T, Matsui H, Kitamura T, Kitabayashi I, Inaba T, Yokoyama A. Activation of CpG-Rich Promoters Mediated by MLL Drives MOZ-Rearranged Leukemia. Cell Rep 2020; 32:108200. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
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Sugeedha J, Gautam J, Tyagi S. SET1/MLL family of proteins: functions beyond histone methylation. Epigenetics 2020; 16:469-487. [PMID: 32795105 PMCID: PMC8078731 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2020.1809873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The SET1 family of enzymes are well known for their involvement in the histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation, a conserved trait of euchromatin associated with transcriptional activation. These methyltransferases are distinct, and involved in various biological functions in the cell. Impairment in the function of SET1 family members leads to a number of abnormalities such as skeletal and neurological defects, leukaemogenesis and even lethality. Tremendous progress has been made in understanding the unique biological roles and the mechanism of SET1 enzymes in context with H3K4 methylation/canonical functions. However, in recent years, several studies have indicated the novel role of SET1 family proteins, other than H3K4 methylation, which are equally important for cellular functions. In this review, we focus on these non-canonical function of SET1 family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeyapal Sugeedha
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Jyoti Gautam
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Uppal, Hyderabad, India
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Antunes ETB, Ottersbach K. The MLL/SET family and haematopoiesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2020; 1863:194579. [PMID: 32389825 PMCID: PMC7294230 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2020.194579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As demonstrated through early work in Drosophila, members of the MLL/SET family play essential roles during embryonic development through their participation in large protein complexes that are central to epigenetic regulation of gene expression. One of its members, MLL1, has additionally received a lot of attention as it is a potent oncogenic driver in different types of leukaemia when aberrantly fused to a large variety of partners as a result of chromosomal translocations. Its exclusive association with cancers of the haematopoietic system has prompted a large number of investigations into the role of MLL/SET proteins in haematopoiesis, a summary of which was attempted in this review. Interestingly, MLL-rearranged leukaemias are particularly prominent in infant and paediatric leukaemia, which commonly initiate in utero. This, together with the known function of MLL/SET proteins in embryonic development, has focussed research efforts in recent years on understanding the role of this protein family in developmental haematopoiesis and how this may be subverted by MLL oncofusions in infant leukaemia. A detailed understanding of these prenatal events is essential for the development of new treatments that improve the survival specifically of this very young patient group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric T B Antunes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Katrin Ottersbach
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
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