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Zhang X, Joseph S, Wu D, Bowser JL, Vaziri C. The DNA Damage Response (DDR) landscape of endometrial cancer defines discrete disease subtypes and reveals therapeutic opportunities. NAR Cancer 2024; 6:zcae015. [PMID: 38596432 PMCID: PMC11000323 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcae015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome maintenance is an enabling characteristic that allows neoplastic cells to tolerate the inherent stresses of tumorigenesis and evade therapy-induced genotoxicity. Neoplastic cells also deploy many mis-expressed germ cell proteins termed Cancer Testes Antigens (CTAs) to promote genome maintenance and survival. Here, we present the first comprehensive characterization of the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and CTA transcriptional landscapes of endometrial cancer in relation to conventional histological and molecular subtypes. We show endometrial serous carcinoma (ESC), an aggressive endometrial cancer subtype, is defined by gene expression signatures comprising members of the Replication Fork Protection Complex (RFPC) and Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway and CTAs with mitotic functions. DDR and CTA-based profiling also defines a subset of highly aggressive endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EEC) with poor clinical outcomes that share similar profiles to ESC yet have distinct characteristics based on conventional histological and genomic features. Using an unbiased CRISPR-based genetic screen and a candidate gene approach, we confirm that DDR and CTA genes that constitute the ESC and related EEC gene signatures are required for proliferation and therapy-resistance of cultured endometrial cancer cells. Our study validates the use of DDR and CTA-based tumor classifiers and reveals new vulnerabilities of aggressive endometrial cancer where none currently exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
| | - Sayali Joseph
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
| | - Jessica L Bowser
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
| | - Cyrus Vaziri
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC - 27599, USA
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2
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Naik A, Lattab B, Qasem H, Decock J. Cancer testis antigens: Emerging therapeutic targets leveraging genomic instability in cancer. MOLECULAR THERAPY. ONCOLOGY 2024; 32:200768. [PMID: 38596293 PMCID: PMC10876628 DOI: 10.1016/j.omton.2024.200768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer care has witnessed remarkable progress in recent decades, with a wide array of targeted therapies and immune-based interventions being added to the traditional treatment options such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. However, despite these advancements, the challenge of achieving high tumor specificity while minimizing adverse side effects continues to dictate the benefit-risk balance of cancer therapy, guiding clinical decision making. As such, the targeting of cancer testis antigens (CTAs) offers exciting new opportunities for therapeutic intervention of cancer since they display highly tumor specific expression patterns, natural immunogenicity and play pivotal roles in various biological processes that are critical for tumor cellular fitness. In this review, we delve deeper into how CTAs contribute to the regulation and maintenance of genomic integrity in cancer, and how these mechanisms can be exploited to specifically target and eradicate tumor cells. We review the current clinical trials targeting aforementioned CTAs, highlight promising pre-clinical data and discuss current challenges and future perspectives for future development of CTA-based strategies that exploit tumor genomic instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adviti Naik
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Boucif Lattab
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hanan Qasem
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Cancer Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
- College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Doha, Qatar
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3
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Verma S, Swain D, Kushwaha PP, Brahmbhatt S, Gupta K, Sundi D, Gupta S. Melanoma Antigen Family A (MAGE A) as Promising Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Bladder Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:246. [PMID: 38254738 PMCID: PMC10813664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The Melanoma Antigen Gene (MAGE) is a large family of highly conserved proteins that share a common MAGE homology domain. Interestingly, many MAGE family members exhibit restricted expression in reproductive tissues but are abnormally expressed in various human malignancies, including bladder cancer, which is a common urinary malignancy associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The recent literature suggests a more prominent role for MAGEA family members in driving bladder tumorigenesis. This review highlights the role of MAGEA proteins, the potential for them to serve as diagnostic or prognostic biomarker(s), and as therapeutic targets for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiv Verma
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.V.); (P.P.K.); (K.G.)
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Diya Swain
- College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (D.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Prem Prakash Kushwaha
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.V.); (P.P.K.); (K.G.)
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Smit Brahmbhatt
- College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (D.S.); (S.B.)
| | - Karishma Gupta
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.V.); (P.P.K.); (K.G.)
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Debasish Sundi
- Department of Urology, Division of Urologic Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital & Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA;
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; (S.V.); (P.P.K.); (K.G.)
- The Urology Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Department of Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
- Division of General Medical Sciences, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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4
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Zhang X, Joseph S, Wu D, Bowser JL, Vaziri C. The DNA Damage Response (DDR) landscape of endometrial cancer defines discrete disease subtypes and reveals therapeutic opportunities. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.20.567919. [PMID: 38045328 PMCID: PMC10690150 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.20.567919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Genome maintenance is an enabling characteristic that allows neoplastic cells to tolerate the inherent stresses of tumorigenesis and evade therapy-induced genotoxicity. Neoplastic cells also deploy mis-expressed germ cell proteins termed Cancer Testes Antigens (CTAs) to promote genome maintenance and survival. Here, we present the first comprehensive characterization of the DNA Damage Response (DDR) and CTA transcriptional landscapes of endometrial cancer in relation to conventional histological and molecular subtypes. We show endometrial serous carcinoma (ESC), an aggressive endometrial cancer subtype, is defined by gene expression signatures comprising members of the Replication Fork Protection Complex (RFPC) and Fanconi Anemia (FA) pathway and CTAs with mitotic functions. DDR and CTA- based profiling also defines a subset of highly aggressive endometrioid endometrial carcinomas (EEC) with poor clinical outcomes that share similar profiles to ESC yet have distinct characteristics based on conventional histological and genomic features. Using an unbiased CRISPR-based genetic screen and a candidate gene approach, we confirm that DDR and CTA genes that constitute the ESC and related EEC gene signatures are required for proliferation and therapy-resistance of cultured endometrial cancer cells. Our study validates the use of DDR and CTA-based tumor classifiers and reveals new vulnerabilities of aggressive endometrial cancer where none currently exist.
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5
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Li Y, Yang Q, Liu Y, Yi H, Ju Y, Qi G. POTEE mutation as a potential predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors in lung adenocarcinoma. Invest New Drugs 2023; 41:556-563. [PMID: 37318657 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-023-01375-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Precise selection of patients who could benefit from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is an important challenge for immunotherapy in lung cancer. POTEE (POTE Ankyrin Domain Family Member E) is a member of one primate-specific gene family which have been identified as cancer-related antigens and potential target for immunotherapy of cancer. Here, we investigated the correlation between POTEE mutation and the clinical outcome of ICIs treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We merged three NSCLC cohorts (n = 165) to assess predictive value of POTEE mutation of immunotherapy efficacy in NSCLC. The prognostic analysis and the potential molecular mechanism exploration were conducted based on the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. In the merged cohort, patients with POTEE-mutation (POTEE-Mut) had a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) (100% vs 27.7%; P < 0.001) and longer progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.001; HR 0.08; 95% CI 0.01 - 0.54) compared to patients with POTEE wild-type (POTEE-WT) in NSCLC. Also, patients with POTEE-Mut showed higher ORR (100% vs 27.2%; P < 0.001) and longer PFS (P = 0.001; HR 0.07; 95% CI 0.01 - 0.52) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). POTEE mutation was significantly associated with higher tumor mutational burden (TMB) and higher neoantigen load (NAL), but not with PD-L1 expression in LUAD. Gene set enrichment analyses (GSEA) analysis revealed prominent enrichment of signatures related to DNA repair in POTEE-Mut group (P < 0.001) in LUAD. Our results indicate that POTEE mutation could serve as a potential predictive biomarker for ICIs in LUAD. However, prospective cohort studies are still needed for further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhao Li
- Center of Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis, Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Myasthenia Gravis, Hebei Provincial Clinical Research Center for Myasthenia gravis, People's Hospital of Shijiazhuang affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei, 050000, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Qidong Yang
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd; Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, 210002, Nanjing, China
| | - Yaqin Liu
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd; Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, 210002, Nanjing, China
| | - Huan Yi
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd; Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, 210002, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongzhi Ju
- The Medical Department, The State Key Lab of Translational Medicine and Innovative Drug Development, Jiangsu Simcere Diagnostics Co., Ltd; Nanjing Simcere Medical Laboratory Science Co., Ltd, Jiangsu, 210002, Nanjing, China
| | - Guoyan Qi
- Center of Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis, People's Hospital of Shijiazhuang affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei, 050000, Shijiazhuang, China.
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6
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Llano E, Pendás AM. Synaptonemal Complex in Human Biology and Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1718. [PMID: 37443752 PMCID: PMC10341275 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131718] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The synaptonemal complex (SC) is a meiosis-specific multiprotein complex that forms between homologous chromosomes during prophase of meiosis I. Upon assembly, the SC mediates the synapses of the homologous chromosomes, leading to the formation of bivalents, and physically supports the formation of programmed double-strand breaks (DSBs) and their subsequent repair and maturation into crossovers (COs), which are essential for genome haploidization. Defects in the assembly of the SC or in the function of the associated meiotic recombination machinery can lead to meiotic arrest and human infertility. The majority of proteins and complexes involved in these processes are exclusively expressed during meiosis or harbor meiosis-specific subunits, although some have dual functions in somatic DNA repair and meiosis. Consistent with their functions, aberrant expression and malfunctioning of these genes have been associated with cancer development. In this review, we focus on the significance of the SC and their meiotic-associated proteins in human fertility, as well as how human genetic variants encoding for these proteins affect the meiotic process and contribute to infertility and cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Llano
- Departamento Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Alberto M. Pendás
- Molecular Mechanisms Program, Centro de Investigación del Cáncer, Instituto de Biologıía Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain;
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7
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Wang H, Cheng Q, Zhai Z, Cui X, Li M, Ye R, Sun L, Shen H. Transcriptomic and Proteomic Analyses of Celery Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Line and Its Maintainer Line. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044194. [PMID: 36835607 PMCID: PMC9967367 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Male sterility is a common phenomenon in the plant kingdom and based on the organelles harboring the male-sterility genes, it can be classified into the genic male sterility (GMS) and the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). In every generation, CMS can generate 100% male-sterile population, which is very important for the breeders to take advantage of the heterosis and for the seed producers to guarantee the seed purity. Celery is a cross-pollinated plant with the compound umbel type of inflorescence which carries hundreds of small flowers. These characteristics make CMS the only option to produce the commercial hybrid celery seeds. In this study, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed to identify genes and proteins that are associated with celery CMS. A total of 1255 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 89 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified between the CMS and its maintainer line, then 25 genes were found to differentially expressed at both the transcript and protein levels. Ten DEGs involved in the fleece layer and outer pollen wall development were identified by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, most of which were down-regulated in the sterile line W99A. These DEGs and DEPs were mainly enriched in the pathways of "phenylpropanoid/sporopollenin synthesis/metabolism", "energy metabolism", "redox enzyme activity" and "redox processes". Results obtained in this study laid a foundation for the future investigation of mechanisms of pollen development as well as the reasons for the CMS in celery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qing Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ziqi Zhai
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiangyun Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Mingxuan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ruiquan Ye
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (H.S.); Tel.: +86-10-6273-1014 (L.S.); +86-10-6273-2831 (H.S.)
| | - Huolin Shen
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Growth and Developmental Regulation for Protected Vegetable Crops, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
- Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, No. 2 Yuanmingyuan Xi Lu, Haidian District, Beijing 100193, China
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (H.S.); Tel.: +86-10-6273-1014 (L.S.); +86-10-6273-2831 (H.S.)
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8
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Rajpert-De Meyts E. Somatic cancers: Hijacking germ cell immortality tools. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2200212. [PMID: 36470674 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202200212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
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Ectopic expression of meiotic cohesin generates chromosome instability in cancer cell line. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2204071119. [PMID: 36179046 PMCID: PMC9549395 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2204071119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This work originated from mining of cancer genome data and proceeded to analyze the effects of ectopic expression of meiotic cohesins in mitotic cells in culture. In the process, apart from conclusively answering the question on mechanisms for RAD21L toxicity and its underrepresentation in tumor transcriptomes, we found an association of meiotic cohesin binding with BORIS/CTCFL sites in the normal testis. We also elucidated the patterns and outcomes of meiotic cohesin binding to chromosomes in model cell lines. Furthermore, we uncovered that RAD21L-based meiotic cohesin possesses a self-contained chromosome restructuring activity able to trigger sustainable but imperfect mitotic arrest leading to chromosomal instability. The discovered epigenomic and genetic mechanisms can be relevant to chromosome instability in cancer. Many tumors express meiotic genes that could potentially drive somatic chromosome instability. While germline cohesin subunits SMC1B, STAG3, and REC8 are widely expressed in many cancers, messenger RNA and protein for RAD21L subunit are expressed at very low levels. To elucidate the potential of meiotic cohesins to contribute to genome instability, their expression was investigated in human cell lines, predominately in DLD-1. While the induction of the REC8 complex resulted in a mild mitotic phenotype, the expression of the RAD21L complex produced an arrested but viable cell pool, thus providing a source of DNA damage, mitotic chromosome missegregation, sporadic polyteny, and altered gene expression. We also found that genomic binding profiles of ectopically expressed meiotic cohesin complexes were reminiscent of their corresponding specific binding patterns in testis. Furthermore, meiotic cohesins were found to localize to the same sites as BORIS/CTCFL, rather than CTCF sites normally associated with the somatic cohesin complex. These findings highlight the existence of a germline epigenomic memory that is conserved in cells that normally do not express meiotic genes. Our results reveal a mechanism of action by unduly expressed meiotic cohesins that potentially links them to aneuploidy and chromosomal mutations in affected cells.
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10
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Coiled-coil structure of meiosis protein TEX12 and conformational regulation by its C-terminal tip. Commun Biol 2022; 5:921. [PMID: 36071143 PMCID: PMC9452514 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03886-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiosis protein TEX12 is an essential component of the synaptonemal complex (SC), which mediates homologous chromosome synapsis. It is also recruited to centrosomes in meiosis, and aberrantly in certain cancers, leading to centrosome dysfunction. Within the SC, TEX12 forms an intertwined complex with SYCE2 that undergoes fibrous assembly, driven by TEX12’s C-terminal tip. However, we hitherto lack structural information regarding SYCE2-independent functions of TEX12. Here, we report X-ray crystal structures of TEX12 mutants in three distinct conformations, and utilise solution light and X-ray scattering to determine its wild-type dimeric four-helical coiled-coil structure. TEX12 undergoes conformational change upon C-terminal tip mutations, indicating that the sequence responsible for driving SYCE2-TEX12 assembly within the SC also controls the oligomeric state and conformation of isolated TEX12. Our findings provide the structural basis for SYCE2-independent roles of TEX12, including the possible regulation of SC assembly, and its known functions in meiotic centrosomes and cancer. The X-ray crystal structures of C-terminal mutants of the coiled-coil protein cancer testis antigen TEX12 in combination with modeling of the TEX12 wild-type dimer reveal the protein’s control of its oligomeric state, which resembles assembly of its complex with synaptonemal complex central element protein SYCE2.
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Abstract
Meiosis increases genetic diversity in offspring by generating genetically unique haploid gametes with reshuffled chromosomes. This process requires a specialized set of meiotic proteins, which facilitate chromosome recombination and segregation. However, re-expression of meiotic proteins in mitosis can have catastrophic oncogenic consequences and aberrant expression of meiotic proteins is a common occurrence in human tumors. Mechanistically, re-activation of meiotic genes in cancer promotes oncogenesis likely because cancers-conversely to healthy mitosis-are fueled by genetic instability which promotes tumor evolution, and evasion of immune response and treatment pressure. In this review, we explore similarities between meiotic and cancer cells with a particular focus on the oncogenic activation of meiotic genes in cancer. We emphasize the role of histones and their modifications, DNA methylation, genome organization, R-loops and the availability of distal enhancers.
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12
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Bai R, Yuan C. Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 (KK-LC-1): A Promising Cancer Testis Antigen. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1267-1277. [PMID: 35855340 PMCID: PMC9286905 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has always been a huge problem in the field of human health, and its early diagnosis and treatment are the key to solving this problem. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a family of multifunctional proteins that are specifically expressed in male spermatozoa and tumor cells but not in healthy somatic cells. Studies have found that CTAs are involved in the occurrence and development of tumors, and some CTAs trigger immunogenicity, which suggests a possibility of tumor immunotherapy. The differential expression and function of CTAs in normal tissues and tumor cells can promote the screening of tumor markers and the development of new immunotherapies. This article introduces the expression of Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen-1 (KK-LC-1), a new member of the CTA family, in different types of tumors and its role in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Bai
- 1Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cheng Yuan
- 2Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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13
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Wu SC, Münger K. Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225690. [PMID: 34830845 PMCID: PMC8616139 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Changshan Wu
- Molecular Microbiology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Karl Münger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Correspondence:
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