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Pérez Baca MDR, Jacobs EZ, Vantomme L, Leblanc P, Bogaert E, Dheedene A, De Cock L, Haghshenas S, Foroutan A, Levy MA, Kerkhof J, McConkey H, Chen CA, Batzir NA, Wang X, Palomares M, Carels M, Dermaut B, Sadikovic B, Menten B, Yuan B, Vergult S, Callewaert B. Haploinsufficiency of ZFHX3, encoding a key player in neuronal development, causes syndromic intellectual disability. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:509-528. [PMID: 38412861 PMCID: PMC10940049 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2024.01.013] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) result from impaired development and functioning of the brain. Here, we identify loss-of-function (LoF) variation in ZFHX3 as a cause for syndromic intellectual disability (ID). ZFHX3 is a zinc-finger homeodomain transcription factor involved in various biological processes, including cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. We describe 42 individuals with protein-truncating variants (PTVs) or (partial) deletions of ZFHX3, exhibiting variable intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder, recurrent facial features, relative short stature, brachydactyly, and, rarely, cleft palate. ZFHX3 LoF associates with a specific methylation profile in whole blood extracted DNA. Nuclear abundance of ZFHX3 increases during human brain development and neuronal differentiation. ZFHX3 was found to interact with the chromatin remodeling BRG1/Brm-associated factor complex and the cleavage and polyadenylation complex, suggesting a function in chromatin remodeling and mRNA processing. Furthermore, ChIP-seq for ZFHX3 revealed that it predominantly binds promoters of genes involved in nervous system development. We conclude that loss-of-function variants in ZFHX3 are a cause of syndromic ID associating with a specific DNA methylation profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Del Rocío Pérez Baca
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Z Jacobs
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lies Vantomme
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pontus Leblanc
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elke Bogaert
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Dheedene
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurenz De Cock
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sadegheh Haghshenas
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Aidin Foroutan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Michael A Levy
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Jennifer Kerkhof
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
| | - Haley McConkey
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Chun-An Chen
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nurit Assia Batzir
- Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikvah 4920235, Israel
| | - Xia Wang
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - María Palomares
- INGEMM, Instituto de Genética Médica y Molecular, IdiPAZ, Hospital Universitario la Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Marieke Carels
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; VIB UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Dermaut
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Verspeeten Clinical Genome Centre, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Björn Menten
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bo Yuan
- Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle and Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Sarah Vergult
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Bert Callewaert
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Soeprijadi RS, Andarini S, Hariyanti T, Wayan Arsana Wiyasa I. Lactogenesis factors in the Asian population. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 554:117784. [PMID: 38272252 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.117784] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The increasing incidence of disrupted lactogenesis in Asian populations underscores the importance of timely identification and efficient intervention. This study acknowledges the influence of ethnicity on genetic variations and aims to investigate the genetic mechanisms that contribute to lactogenesis in individuals of Asian descent. This study examines the possibilities of genetic screening as a means of applying preventive measures, with a particular focus on epigenetic techniques. Additionally, the analysis looks into the underlying mechanisms involved in milk production. This review discusses the intricate mechanisms underlying breast milk production and the potential influence of genetic variables on lactogenesis. Specifically, it explores the association between lactogenesis issues and genetic conditions such as depression, obesity, gestational hypertension, and gestational diabetes. These genetic factors could potentially be found by genetic screening as contributors to disruption in lactogenesis. This study aims to promote future investigation in the subject of genetic testing and its potential association with lactogenesis issues, despite the current scarcity of direct research on this topic. The statement posits that the progress made in genetic testing has the potential to provide novel insights into the timely identification and treatment of disrupted lactogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raden Slamet Soeprijadi
- Doctoral Study Program in Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
| | - Sri Andarini
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
| | - Tita Hariyanti
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
| | - I Wayan Arsana Wiyasa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia.
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Del Rocío Pérez Baca M, Jacobs EZ, Vantomme L, Leblanc P, Bogaert E, Dheedene A, De Cock L, Haghshenas S, Foroutan A, Levy MA, Kerkhof J, McConkey H, Chen CA, Batzir NA, Wang X, Palomares M, Carels M, Demaut B, Sadikovic B, Menten B, Yuan B, Vergult S, Callewaert B. A novel neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by loss-of-function of the Zinc Finger Homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) gene. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.22.23289895. [PMID: 37292950 PMCID: PMC10246128 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.22.23289895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) result from impaired development and functioning of the brain. Here, we identify loss-of-function variation in ZFHX3 as a novel cause for syndromic intellectual disability (ID). ZFHX3, previously known as ATBF1, is a zinc-finger homeodomain transcription factor involved in multiple biological processes including cell differentiation and tumorigenesis. Through international collaboration, we collected clinical and morphometric data (Face2Gene) of 41 individuals with protein truncating variants (PTVs) or (partial) deletions of ZFHX3 . We used data mining, RNA and protein analysis to identify the subcellular localization and spatiotemporal expression of ZFHX3 in multiple in vitro models. We identified the DNA targets of ZFHX3 using ChIP seq. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry indicated potential binding partners of endogenous ZFHX3 in neural stem cells that were subsequently confirmed by reversed co-immunoprecipitation and western blot. We evaluated a DNA methylation profile associated with ZFHX3 haploinsufficiency using DNA methylation analysis on whole blood extracted DNA of six individuals with ZFHX3 PTVs and four with a (partial) deletion of ZFHX3 . A reversed genetic approach characterized the ZFHX3 orthologue in Drosophila melanogaster . Loss-of-function variation of ZFHX3 consistently associates with (mild) ID and/or behavioural problems, postnatal growth retardation, feeding difficulties, and recognizable facial characteristics, including the rare occurrence of cleft palate. Nuclear abundance of ZFHX3 increases during human brain development and neuronal differentiation in neural stem cells and SH-SY5Y cells, ZFHX3 interacts with the chromatin remodelling BRG1/Brm-associated factor complex and the cleavage and polyadenylation complex. In line with a role for chromatin remodelling, ZFHX3 haploinsufficiency associates with a specific DNA methylation profile in leukocyte-derived DNA. The target genes of ZFHX3 are implicated in neuron and axon development. In Drosophila melanogaster , z fh2, considered to be the ZFHX3 orthologue, is expressed in the third instar larval brain. Ubiquitous and neuron-specific knockdown of zfh2 results in adult lethality underscoring a key role for zfh2 in development and neurodevelopment. Interestingly, ectopic expression of zfh2 as well as ZFHX3 in the developing wing disc results in a thoracic cleft phenotype. Collectively, our data shows that loss-of-function variants in ZFHX3 are a cause of syndromic ID, that associates with a specific DNA methylation profile. Furthermore, we show that ZFHX3 participates in chromatin remodelling and mRNA processing.
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Li M, Zheng Y, Li X, Shen X, Zhang T, Weng B, Mao H, Zhao J. ATBF1 is a potential diagnostic marker of histological grade and functions via WNT5A in breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1280. [PMID: 36476423 PMCID: PMC9727999 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10380-2] [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: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histological grade has been demonstrated to be an important factor of breast cancer outcome and is associated with cell differentiation and is currently being evaluated via H&E-stained sections. Molecular biomarkers are essential to improve the accuracy of histological grading. ATBF1, a large transcription factor, has been considered a tumor suppressor gene with frequent mutations or deletions in multiple cancers. In breast cancer, ATBF1 was reported to function in cell differentiation and mammary development. However, its role in the clinic has rarely been reported. METHODS Breast cancer tissues (BCTs) and adjacent noncancerous tissues (ANCTs) were collected to analyze the expression of ATBF1 at the mRNA and protein levels. Three anti-ATBF1 antibodies recognizing independent peptides of ATBF1 (N-terminal end, middle region and C-terminal end) were applied for IHC staining. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to silence ATBF1 expression and to investigate the roles of ATBF1 in MCF7 cells. Microarrays were introduced to analyze the differentially expressed genes, enriched GO terms and KEGG terms regulated by ATBF1 and its potential downstream genes, which were further confirmed in vitro and in clinical samples. RESULTS The expression of ATBF1 was reduced in BCTs at both the mRNA and protein levels compared with that in ANCTs. ATBF1 protein was predominantly localized in the nucleus of ANCTs but in the cytoplasm of BCTs. Both the mRNA and protein levels of ATBF1 were significantly correlated with histological grade. Consistently, knockdown of ATBF1 increased stemness marker expression and reduced differentiation markers in vitro. Further analysis identified WNT5A as an essential downstream gene of ATBF1 in breast cancer cells. Treatment of WNT5A disrupted cell proliferation induced by ATBF1 silencing. In BCTs, a significant correlation was observed between the expression of WNT5A and ATBF1. CONCLUSION The results indicated that ATBF1 expression might be a useful diagnostic marker associated with histological grade and breast cancer malignancy. WNT5A and its signaling pathway are novel mechanisms by which ATBF1 contributes to breast cancer tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211 China ,Ningbo Institute of Medical Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang China
| | - Yanan Zheng
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211 China
| | - Xujun Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Department of Breast Surgery, Hwa Mei Hospital, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang China
| | - Xiaohan Shen
- Ningbo Diagnostic Pathology Center, Ningbo, Zhejiang China
| | - Tingxia Zhang
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211 China
| | - Bowen Weng
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211 China
| | - Haijiao Mao
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang China
| | - Jiyuan Zhao
- grid.203507.30000 0000 8950 5267Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, 818 Fenghua Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315211 China
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Fu X, Zhang Z, Liu M, Li J, A J, Fu L, Huang C, Dong JT. AR imposes different effects on ZFHX3 transcription depending on androgen status in prostate cancer cells. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:800-812. [PMID: 34953044 PMCID: PMC8817138 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Both androgen receptor (AR) and the ZFHX3 transcription factor modulate prostate development. While AR drives prostatic carcinogenesis, ZFHX3 is a tumour suppressor whose loss activates the PI3K/AKT signalling in advanced prostate cancer (PCa). However, it is unknown whether ZFHX3 and AR are functionally related in PCa cells and, if so, how. Here, we report that in AR-positive LNCaP and C4-2B PCa cells, androgen upregulates ZFHX3 transcription via androgen-induced AR binding to the androgen-responsive elements (AREs) of the ZFHX3 promoter. Androgen also upregulated ZFHX3 transcription in vivo, as castration dramatically reduced Zfhx3 mRNA and protein levels in mouse prostates, and ZFHX3 mRNA levels correlated with AR activities in human PCa. Interestingly, the binding of AR to one ARE occurred in the absence of androgen, and the binding repressed ZFHX3 transcription as this repressive binding was interrupted by androgen treatment. The enzalutamide antiandrogen prevented androgen from inducing ZFHX3 transcription and caused excess ZFHX3 protein degradation. In human PCa, ZFHX3 was downregulated and the downregulation correlated with worse patient survival. These findings establish a regulatory relationship between AR and ZFHX3, suggest a role of ZFHX3 in AR function and implicate ZFHX3 loss in the antiandrogen therapies of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Fu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingcheng Liu
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jun A
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liya Fu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenyang Huang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin-Tang Dong
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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Ni G, Yang X, Li J, Wu X, Liu Y, Li H, Chen S, Fogarty CE, Frazer IH, Chen G, Liu X, Wang T. Intratumoral injection of caerin 1.1 and 1.9 peptides increases the efficacy of vaccinated TC-1 tumor-bearing mice with PD-1 blockade by modulating macrophage heterogeneity and the activation of CD8 + T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1335. [PMID: 34429969 PMCID: PMC8369845 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Developing a vaccine formula that alters the tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to be more immune active against a tumor is key to the improvement of clinical responses to immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that, in conjunction with E7 antigen-specific immunotherapy, and IL-10 and PD-1 blockade, intratumoral administration of caerin 1.1/1.9 peptides improves TC-1 tumor microenvironment (TME) to be more immune active than injection of a control peptide. METHODS We compared the survival time of vaccinated TC-1 tumor-bearing mice with PD-1 and IL-10 blockade, in combination with a further injection of caerin 1.1/1.9 or control peptides. The tumor-infiltrating haematopoietic cells were examined by flow cytometry. Single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics were used to quantify changes in cellular activity across different cell types within the TME. RESULTS The injection of caerin 1.1/1.9 increased the efficacy of vaccinated TC-1 tumor-bearing mice with anti-PD-1 treatment and largely expanded the populations of macrophages and NK cells with higher immune activation level, while reducing immunosuppressive macrophages. More activated CD8+ T cells were induced with higher populations of memory and effector-memory CD8+ T subsets. Computational integration of the proteome with the single-cell transcriptome supported activation of Stat1-modulated apoptosis and significant reduction in immune-suppressive B-cell function following caerin 1.1 and 1.9 treatment. CONCLUSIONS Caerin 1.1/1.9-containing treatment results in improved antitumor responses. Harnessing the novel candidate genes preferentially enriched in the immune active cell populations may allow further exploration of distinct macrophages, T cells and their functions in TC-1 tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoying Ni
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical SchoolGuangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaodan Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical SchoolGuangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Junjie Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical SchoolGuangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xiaolian Wu
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
| | - Ying Liu
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
| | - Hejie Li
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
| | - Shu Chen
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
| | - Conor E Fogarty
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
| | - Ian H Frazer
- Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Queensland Diamantina InstituteTranslational Research InstituteThe University of QueenslandWoolloongabbaQLDAustralia
| | - Guoqiang Chen
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
| | - Xiaosong Liu
- Cancer Research InstituteFirst People’s Hospital of FoshanFoshanGuangdongChina
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
- The First Affiliated Hospital/Clinical Medical SchoolGuangdong Pharmaceutical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastMaroochydore DCQLDAustralia
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Dong G, Ma G, Wu R, Liu J, Liu M, Gao A, Li X, A J, Liu X, Zhang Z, Zhang B, Fu L, Dong JT. ZFHX3 Promotes the Proliferation and Tumor Growth of ER-Positive Breast Cancer Cells Likely by Enhancing Stem-Like Features and MYC and TBX3 Transcription. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113415. [PMID: 33217982 PMCID: PMC7698617 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer is a common malignancy, but the understanding of its cellular and molecular mechanisms is limited. The ZFHX3 transcription factor regulates mammary epithelial cells’ proliferation and differentiation by interacting with estrogen and progesterone receptors. Both these receptors play crucial roles in breast cancer development, but whether ZFHX3 also impacts breast cancer is unknown. In this study, the authors aim to determine if ZFHX3 promotes breast cancer cells’ proliferation and tumor growth and explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms. Higher ZFHX3 expression is associated with worse patient survival in breast cancer, ZFHX3 promotes the proliferation and tumor growth of breast cancer cells, and several breast cancer stem cell factors appear to be involved in the role of ZFHX3 in breast cancer growth. The findings suggest that ZFHX3 is a novel oncogenic molecule promoting breast cancer development. Such a molecule could provide novel opportunities for the treatment of breast cancer. Abstract Breast cancer is a common malignancy, but the understanding of its cellular and molecular mechanisms is limited. ZFHX3, a transcription factor with many homeodomains and zinc fingers, suppresses prostatic carcinogenesis but promotes tumor growth of liver cancer cells. ZFHX3 regulates mammary epithelial cells’ proliferation and differentiation by interacting with estrogen and progesterone receptors, potent breast cancer regulators. However, whether ZFHX3 plays a role in breast carcinogenesis is unknown. Here, we found that ZFHX3 promoted the proliferation and tumor growth of breast cancer cells in culture and nude mice; and higher expression of ZFHX3 in human breast cancer specimens was associated with poorer prognosis. The knockdown of ZFHX3 in ZFHX3-high MCF-7 cells decreased, and ZFHX3 overexpression in ZFHX3-low T-47D cells increased the proportion of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) defined by mammosphere formation and the expression of CD44, CD24, and/or aldehyde dehydrogenase 1. Among several transcription factors that have been implicated in BCSCs, MYC and TBX3 were transcriptionally activated by ZFHX3 via promoter binding, as demonstrated by luciferase-reporter and ChIP assays. These findings suggest that ZFHX3 promotes breast cancer cells’ proliferation and tumor growth likely by enhancing BCSC features and upregulating MYC, TBX3, and others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ge Dong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Gui Ma
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Rui Wu
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Mingcheng Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Ang Gao
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Xiawei Li
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jun A
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, 1365-C Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA;
| | - Liya Fu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China; (G.D.); (G.M.); (J.L.); (M.L.); (A.G.); (X.L.); (J.A.); (L.F.)
| | - Jin-Tang Dong
- Department of Human Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, 1088 Xueyuan Blvd, Shenzhen 518055, China; (R.W.); (X.L.); (Z.Z.)
- Correspondence:
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Wu R, Fang J, Liu M, A J, Liu J, Chen W, Li J, Ma G, Zhang Z, Zhang B, Fu L, Dong JT. SUMOylation of the transcription factor ZFHX3 at Lys-2806 requires SAE1, UBC9, and PIAS2 and enhances its stability and function in cell proliferation. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:6741-6753. [PMID: 32249212 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.012338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMOylation is a posttranslational modification (PTM) at a lysine residue and is crucial for the proper functions of many proteins, particularly of transcription factors, in various biological processes. Zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3), also known as AT motif-binding factor 1 (ATBF1), is a large transcription factor that is active in multiple pathological processes, including atrial fibrillation and carcinogenesis, and in circadian regulation and development. We have previously demonstrated that ZFHX3 is SUMOylated at three or more lysine residues. Here, we investigated which enzymes regulate ZFHX3 SUMOylation and whether SUMOylation modulates ZFHX3 stability and function. We found that SUMO1, SUMO2, and SUMO3 each are conjugated to ZFHX3. Multiple lysine residues in ZFHX3 were SUMOylated, but Lys-2806 was the major SUMOylation site, and we also found that it is highly conserved among ZFHX3 orthologs from different animal species. Using molecular analyses, we identified the enzymes that mediate ZFHX3 SUMOylation; these included SUMO1-activating enzyme subunit 1 (SAE1), an E1-activating enzyme; SUMO-conjugating enzyme UBC9 (UBC9), an E2-conjugating enzyme; and protein inhibitor of activated STAT2 (PIAS2), an E3 ligase. Multiple analyses established that both SUMO-specific peptidase 1 (SENP1) and SENP2 deSUMOylate ZFHX3. SUMOylation at Lys-2806 enhanced ZFHX3 stability by interfering with its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Functionally, Lys-2806 SUMOylation enabled ZFHX3-mediated cell proliferation and xenograft tumor growth of the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. These findings reveal the enzymes involved in, and the functional consequences of, ZFHX3 SUMOylation, insights that may help shed light on ZFHX3's roles in various cellular and pathophysiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jiali Fang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mingcheng Liu
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Jun A
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Jinming Liu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Wenxuan Chen
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Gui Ma
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhiqian Zhang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
| | - Liya Fu
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jin-Tang Dong
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, China
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Zhao D, Han X, Huang L, Wang J, Zhang X, Jeon JH, Zhao Q, Dong JT. Transcription factor ZFHX3 regulates calcium influx in mammary epithelial cells in part via the TRPV6 calcium channel. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 519:366-371. [PMID: 31519324 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.08.148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3) is a transcription factor that regulates multiple cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and neoplastic development. It is also involved in the function of steroid hormones estrogen and progesterone and the peptide hormone prolactin in mammary epithelial cells. In this study, we investigated whether and how ZFHX3 regulates intracellular calcium homeostasis in mammary epithelial cells. We found that ZFHX3 affected both store operated calcium entry and store independent calcium entry (SOCE and SICE). Simultaneously, the expression of the calcium channel TRPV6 was regulated by ZFHX3, as demonstrated by expression analysis and luciferase reporter assay. In cells with knockdown of ZFHX3, calcium entry was partially rescued by the overexpression of wild type but not the pore mutants of TRPV6. In addition, overexpression of TRPV6 promoted differentiation of the MCF10A mammary epithelial cells in three-dimensional culture, which is consistent with our previous findings that ZFHX3 is essential for mammary gland differentiation. These findings suggest that ZFHX3 plays an important role in intracellular calcium homeostasis in mammary epithelial cells, at least in part, by regulating TRPV6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhao
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xueying Han
- Department of Zoology and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Lili Huang
- Department of Zoology and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Jianpeng Wang
- Department of Zoology and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Ju-Hong Jeon
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799, South Korea
| | - Qiang Zhao
- Department of Zoology and Developmental Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China.
| | - Jin-Tang Dong
- Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China; Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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ZFHX3 is indispensable for ERβ to inhibit cell proliferation via MYC downregulation in prostate cancer cells. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:28. [PMID: 30979864 PMCID: PMC6461672 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0138-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Both estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2, also known as estrogen receptor beta (ERβ)) and the zinc-finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3, also known as ATBF1 for AT motif-binding factor 1) modulate prostate development and suppress prostatic tumorigenesis in mice. ZFHX3 is integral to proper functions of ESR1 (i.e., estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)), which belongs to the same family of proteins as ESR2, but is hardly expressed in prostate epithelial cells. It is not clear how ZFHX3 suppresses prostatic tumorigenesis. In this study, we investigated whether ZFHX3 and ERβ functionally interact with each other in the suppression of prostatic tumorigenesis. In two androgen receptor (AR)-positive prostate cancer cell lines, C4-2B and LNCaP, we first validated ERβ’s tumor suppressor activity indicated by the inhibition of cell proliferation and repression of MYC expression. We found that loss of ZFHX3 increased cell proliferation and MYC expression, and downregulation of MYC was necessary for ZFHX3 to inhibit cell proliferation in the same cell lines. Importantly, loss of ZFHX3 prevented ERβ from suppressing cell proliferation and repressing MYC transcription. Biochemically, ERβ and ZFHX3 physically interacted with each other and they both occupied the same region of the common MYC promoter, even though ZFHX3 also bound to another region of the MYC promoter. Higher levels of ZFHX3 and ERβ in human prostate cancer tissue samples correlated with better patient survival. These findings establish MYC repression as a mechanism for ZFHX3’s tumor suppressor activity and ZFHX3 as an indispensable factor for ERβ’s tumor suppressor activity in prostate cancer cells. Our data also suggest that intact ZFHX3 function is required for using ERβ-selective agonists to effectively treat prostate cancer.
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