1
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Wang M, Yan X, Dong Y, Li X, Gao B. From driver genes to gene families: A computational analysis of oncogenic mutations and ubiquitination anomalies in hepatocellular carcinoma. Comput Biol Chem 2024; 112:108119. [PMID: 38852361 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2024.108119] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a widespread primary liver cancer with a high fatality rate. Despite several genes with oncogenic effects in HCC have been identified, many remain undiscovered. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive computational analysis to explore the involvement of genes within the same families as known driver genes in HCC. Specifically, we expanded the concept beyond single-gene mutations to encompass gene families sharing homologous structures, integrating various omics data to comprehensively understand gene abnormalities in cancer. Our analysis identified 74 domains with an enriched mutation burden, 404 domain mutation hotspots, and 233 dysregulated driver genes. We observed that specific low-frequency somatic mutations may contribute to HCC occurrence, potentially overlooked by single-gene algorithms. Furthermore, we systematically analyzed how abnormalities in the ubiquitinated proteasome system (UPS) impact HCC, finding that abnormal genes in E3, E2, DUB families, and Degron genes often result in HCC by affecting the stability of oncogenic or tumor suppressor proteins. In conclusion, expanding the exploration of driver genes to include gene families with homologous structures emerges as a promising strategy for uncovering additional oncogenic alterations in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xinyue Yan
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yanan Dong
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xiaoqin Li
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Bin Gao
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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2
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Ramachandran R, Ibragimova S, Woods LM, AlHouqani T, Gomez RL, Simeoni F, Hachim MY, Somervaille TC, Philpott A, Carroll JS, Ali FR. Conserved role of FOXC1 in TNBC is parallel to FOXA1 in ER+ breast cancer. iScience 2024; 27:110500. [PMID: 39171293 PMCID: PMC11338131 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110500] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by lack of the estrogen (ER) receptor, progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), and standard receptor-targeted therapies are ineffective. FOXC1, a transcription factor aberrantly overexpressed in many cancers, drives growth, metastasis, and stem-cell-like properties in TNBC. However, the molecular function of FOXC1 is unknown, partly due to heterogeneity of TNBC. Here, we show that although FOXC1 regulates many cancer hallmarks in TNBC, its function is varied in different cell lines, highlighted by the differential response to CDK4/6 inhibitors upon FOXC1 loss. Despite this functional heterogeneity, we show that FOXC1 regulates key oncogenes and tumor suppressors and identify a set of core FOXC1 peaks conserved across TNBC cell lines. We identify the ER-associated and drug-targetable nuclear receptor NR2F2 as a cofactor of FOXC1. Finally, we show that core FOXC1 targets in TNBC are regulated in parallel by the pioneer factor FOXA1 and the nuclear receptor NR2F2 in ER + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Revathy Ramachandran
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shakhzada Ibragimova
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Laura M. Woods
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Tamader AlHouqani
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Roshna Lawrence Gomez
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Fabrizio Simeoni
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Mahmood Y. Hachim
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Tim C.P. Somervaille
- Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Anna Philpott
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jason S. Carroll
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fahad R. Ali
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
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3
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Savage SR, Yi X, Lei JT, Wen B, Zhao H, Liao Y, Jaehnig EJ, Somes LK, Shafer PW, Lee TD, Fu Z, Dou Y, Shi Z, Gao D, Hoyos V, Gao Q, Zhang B. Pan-cancer proteogenomics expands the landscape of therapeutic targets. Cell 2024; 187:4389-4407.e15. [PMID: 38917788 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.05.039] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Fewer than 200 proteins are targeted by cancer drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). We integrate Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) proteogenomics data from 1,043 patients across 10 cancer types with additional public datasets to identify potential therapeutic targets. Pan-cancer analysis of 2,863 druggable proteins reveals a wide abundance range and identifies biological factors that affect mRNA-protein correlation. Integration of proteomic data from tumors and genetic screen data from cell lines identifies protein overexpression- or hyperactivation-driven druggable dependencies, enabling accurate predictions of effective drug targets. Proteogenomic identification of synthetic lethality provides a strategy to target tumor suppressor gene loss. Combining proteogenomic analysis and MHC binding prediction prioritizes mutant KRAS peptides as promising public neoantigens. Computational identification of shared tumor-associated antigens followed by experimental confirmation nominates peptides as immunotherapy targets. These analyses, summarized at https://targets.linkedomics.org, form a comprehensive landscape of protein and peptide targets for companion diagnostics, drug repurposing, and therapy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Savage
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xinpei Yi
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonathan T Lei
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hongwei Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Ministry of China, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yuxing Liao
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Eric J Jaehnig
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Lauren K Somes
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Paul W Shafer
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Tobie D Lee
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zile Fu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Ministry of China, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yongchao Dou
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhiao Shi
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Daming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Valentina Hoyos
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Qiang Gao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Ministry of China, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Bing Zhang
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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4
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Dai H, Wu B, Ge Y, Hao Y, Zhou L, Hong R, Zhang J, Jiang W, Zhang Y, Li H, Zhang L. Deubiquitylase OTUD3 regulates integrated stress response to suppress progression and sorafenib resistance of liver cancer. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114487. [PMID: 38996071 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114487] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is activated in response to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, playing a role in tumor progression and drug resistance. The regulatory role and mechanism of ISR in liver cancer, however, remain largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that OTU domain-containing protein 3 (OTUD3) is a deubiquitylase of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), antagonizing ISR and suppressing liver cancer. OTUD3 decreases interactions between eIF2α and the kinase EIF2ΑK3 by removing K27-linked polyubiquitylation on eIF2α. OTUD3 deficiency in mice leads to enhanced ISR and accelerated progression of N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, decreased OTUD3 expression associated with elevated eIF2α phosphorylation correlates with the progression of human liver cancer. Moreover, ISR activation due to decreased OTUD3 expression renders liver cancer cells resistant to sorafenib, while the combined use of the ISR inhibitor ISRIB significantly improves their sensitivity to sorafenib. Collectively, these findings illuminate the regulatory mechanism of ISR in liver cancer and provide a potential strategy to counteract sorafenib resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongmiao Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules (CAS), National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Bo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yingwei Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yang Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Lijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ruolin Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Jinhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wenli Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China; School of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China
| | - Hongchang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Lingqiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Proteomics, National Center for Protein Sciences (Beijing), Beijing Institute of Lifeomics, Beijing 100850, China.
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5
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Li Z, Wan J, Li S, Tang Y, Lin YCD, Ni J, Cai X, Yu J, Huang HD, Lee TY. Multi-Omics Characterization of E3 Regulatory Patterns in Different Cancer Types. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7639. [PMID: 39062881 PMCID: PMC11276688 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147639] [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: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification, refers to the covalent attachment of ubiquitin molecules to substrates. This modification plays a critical role in diverse cellular processes such as protein degradation. The specificity of ubiquitination for substrates is regulated by E3 ubiquitin ligases. Dysregulation of ubiquitination has been associated with numerous diseases, including cancers. In our study, we first investigated the protein expression patterns of E3 ligases across 12 cancer types. Our findings indicated that E3 ligases tend to be up-regulated and exhibit reduced tissue specificity in tumors. Moreover, the correlation of protein expression between E3 ligases and substrates demonstrated significant changes in cancers, suggesting that E3-substrate specificity alters in tumors compared to normal tissues. By integrating transcriptome, proteome, and ubiquitylome data, we further characterized the E3-substrate regulatory patterns in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Our analysis revealed that the upregulation of the SKP2 E3 ligase leads to excessive degradation of BRCA2, potentially promoting tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Furthermore, the upregulation of E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase TRIM33 was identified as a biomarker associated with a favorable prognosis by inhibiting the cell cycle. This work exemplifies how leveraging multi-omics data to analyze E3 ligases across various cancers can unveil prognosis biomarkers and facilitate the identification of potential drug targets for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyan Li
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jingting Wan
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Shangfu Li
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Yun Tang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 75, Boai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yang-Chi-Dung Lin
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jie Ni
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Xiaoxuan Cai
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Jinhan Yu
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Hsien-Da Huang
- Warshel Institute for Computational Biology, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China; (Z.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Tzong-Yi Lee
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, No. 75, Boai Street, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
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6
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Szulc NA, Stefaniak F, Piechota M, Soszyńska A, Piórkowska G, Cappannini A, Bujnicki J, Maniaci C, Pokrzywa W. DEGRONOPEDIA: a web server for proteome-wide inspection of degrons. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:W221-W232. [PMID: 38567734 PMCID: PMC11223883 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkae238] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
E3 ubiquitin ligases recognize substrates through their short linear motifs termed degrons. While degron-signaling has been a subject of extensive study, resources for its systematic screening are limited. To bridge this gap, we developed DEGRONOPEDIA, a web server that searches for degrons and maps them to nearby residues that can undergo ubiquitination and disordered regions, which may act as protein unfolding seeds. Along with an evolutionary assessment of degron conservation, the server also reports on post-translational modifications and mutations that may modulate degron availability. Acknowledging the prevalence of degrons at protein termini, DEGRONOPEDIA incorporates machine learning to assess N-/C-terminal stability, supplemented by simulations of proteolysis to identify degrons in newly formed termini. An experimental validation of a predicted C-terminal destabilizing motif, coupled with the confirmation of a post-proteolytic degron in another case, exemplifies its practical application. DEGRONOPEDIA can be freely accessed at degronopedia.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Szulc
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Filip Stefaniak
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Piechota
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Soszyńska
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Gabriela Piórkowska
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrea Cappannini
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Janusz M Bujnicki
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Chiara Maniaci
- Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dow Street, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Wojciech Pokrzywa
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Ks. Trojdena Str., 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
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7
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Zhang L, Hsu JI, Braekeleer ED, Chen CW, Patel TD, Martell AG, Guzman AG, Wohlan K, Waldvogel SM, Uryu H, Tovy A, Callen E, Murdaugh RL, Richard R, Jansen S, Vissers L, de Vries BBA, Nussenzweig A, Huang S, Coarfa C, Anastas J, Takahashi K, Vassiliou G, Goodell MA. SOD1 is a synthetic-lethal target in PPM1D-mutant leukemia cells. eLife 2024; 12:RP91611. [PMID: 38896450 PMCID: PMC11186636 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91611] [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] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The DNA damage response is critical for maintaining genome integrity and is commonly disrupted in the development of cancer. PPM1D (protein phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1D) is a master negative regulator of the response; gain-of-function mutations and amplifications of PPM1D are found across several human cancers making it a relevant pharmacological target. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify synthetic-lethal dependencies of PPM1D, uncovering superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) as a potential target for PPM1D-mutant cells. We revealed a dysregulated redox landscape characterized by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and a compromised response to oxidative stress in PPM1D-mutant cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate a role for SOD1 in the survival of PPM1D-mutant leukemia cells and highlight a new potential therapeutic strategy against PPM1D-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Zhang
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
| | - Joanne I Hsu
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Etienne D Braekeleer
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
- Integrated Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Tajhal D Patel
- Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Alejandra G Martell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Anna G Guzman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Katharina Wohlan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Sarah M Waldvogel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
- Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Hidetaka Uryu
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUnited States
| | - Ayala Tovy
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
| | - Elsa Callen
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Rebecca L Murdaugh
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Rosemary Richard
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Sandra Jansen
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Lisenka Vissers
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Bert BA de Vries
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenNetherlands
| | - Andre Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of HealthBethesdaUnited States
| | - Shixia Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Education, Innovation and Technology, Advanced Technology Cores, University of TexasHoustonUnited States
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Jamie Anastas
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUnited States
- Department of Genome Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonUnited States
| | - George Vassiliou
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of CambridgeCambridgeUnited Kingdom
| | - Margaret A Goodell
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Cell and Gene TherapyHoustonUnited States
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8
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Wang M, Yan X, Dong Y, Li X, Gao B. Machine learning and multi-omics data reveal driver gene-based molecular subtypes in hepatocellular carcinoma for precision treatment. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012113. [PMID: 38728362 PMCID: PMC11230636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012113] [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: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) poses a barrier to effective treatment. Stratifying highly heterogeneous HCC into molecular subtypes with similar features is crucial for personalized anti-tumor therapies. Although driver genes play pivotal roles in cancer progression, their potential in HCC subtyping has been largely overlooked. This study aims to utilize driver genes to construct HCC subtype models and unravel their molecular mechanisms. Utilizing a novel computational framework, we expanded the initially identified 96 driver genes to 1192 based on mutational aspects and an additional 233 considering driver dysregulation. These genes were subsequently employed as stratification markers for further analyses. A novel multi-omics subtype classification algorithm was developed, leveraging mutation and expression data of the identified stratification genes. This algorithm successfully categorized HCC into two distinct subtypes, CLASS A and CLASS B, demonstrating significant differences in survival outcomes. Integrating multi-omics and single-cell data unveiled substantial distinctions between these subtypes regarding transcriptomics, mutations, copy number variations, and epigenomics. Moreover, our prognostic model exhibited excellent predictive performance in training and external validation cohorts. Finally, a 10-gene classification model for these subtypes identified TTK as a promising therapeutic target with robust classification capabilities. This comprehensive study provides a novel perspective on HCC stratification, offering crucial insights for a deeper understanding of its pathogenesis and the development of promising treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wang
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyue Yan
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanan Dong
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Li
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Faculty of Environment and Life of Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
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9
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Truex N, Mohapatra S, Melo M, Rodriguez J, Li N, Abraham W, Sementa D, Touti F, Keskin DB, Wu CJ, Irvine DJ, Gómez-Bombarelli R, Pentelute BL. Design of Cytotoxic T Cell Epitopes by Machine Learning of Human Degrons. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2024; 10:793-802. [PMID: 38680558 PMCID: PMC11046456 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Antigen processing is critical for therapeutic vaccines to generate epitopes for priming cytotoxic T cell responses against cancer and pathogens, but insufficient processing often limits the quantity of epitopes released. We address this challenge using machine learning to ascribe a proteasomal degradation score to epitope sequences. Epitopes with varying scores were translocated into cells using nontoxic anthrax proteins. Epitopes with a low score show pronounced immunogenicity due to antigen processing, but epitopes with a high score show limited immunogenicity. This work sheds light on the sequence-activity relationships between proteasomal degradation and epitope immunogenicity. We anticipate that future efforts to incorporate proteasomal degradation signals into vaccine designs will lead to enhanced cytotoxic T cell priming by these vaccines in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas
L. Truex
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Somesh Mohapatra
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Machine
Intelligence and Manufacturing Operations Group, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Mariane Melo
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon Institute
of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jacob Rodriguez
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Na Li
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Deborah Sementa
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Faycal Touti
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Derin B. Keskin
- Department
of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Translational
Immunogenomics Laboratory (TIGL), Dana-Farber
Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Department
of Computer Science, Metropolitan College, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Section
for Bioinformatics, Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby DK-2800, Denmark
| | - Catherine J. Wu
- Department
of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer
Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
- Harvard
Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Ragon Institute
of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department
of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815, United States
| | - Rafael Gómez-Bombarelli
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Bradley L. Pentelute
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- The
Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Broad
Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
- Center
for Environmental Health Sciences, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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10
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Zhang L, Hsu JI, Braekeleer ED, Chen CW, Patel TD, Martell AG, Guzman AG, Wohlan K, Waldvogel SM, Urya H, Tovy A, Callen E, Murdaugh R, Richard R, Jansen S, Vissers L, de Vries BB, Nussenzweig A, Huang S, Coarfa C, Anastas JN, Takahashi K, Vassiliou G, Goodell MA. SOD1 is a synthetic lethal target in PPM1D-mutant leukemia cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.31.555634. [PMID: 37693622 PMCID: PMC10491179 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.31.555634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The DNA damage response is critical for maintaining genome integrity and is commonly disrupted in the development of cancer. PPM1D (protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1D) is a master negative regulator of the response; gain-of-function mutations and amplifications of PPM1D are found across several human cancers making it a relevant pharmacologic target. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 screening to identify synthetic-lethal dependencies of PPM1D, uncovering superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) as a potential target for PPM1D-mutant cells. We revealed a dysregulated redox landscape characterized by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and a compromised response to oxidative stress in PPM1D-mutant cells. Altogether, our results demonstrate the protective role of SOD1 against oxidative stress in PPM1D-mutant leukemia cells and highlight a new potential therapeutic strategy against PPM1D-mutant cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Zhang
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
| | - Joanne I. Hsu
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
| | - Etienne D. Braekeleer
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
- Integrated Molecular and Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Tajhal D. Patel
- Texas Children’s Hospital Department of Hematology/Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Alejandra G. Martell
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Anna G. Guzman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Katharina Wohlan
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sarah M. Waldvogel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
- Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Hidetaka Urya
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Ayala Tovy
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
| | - Elsa Callen
- Laboratory of Genome Integrity, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD
| | - Rebecca Murdaugh
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Rosemary Richard
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Sandra Jansen
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisenka Vissers
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Bert B.A. de Vries
- Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Andre Nussenzweig
- Cancer and Cell Biology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Shixia Huang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Education, Innovation and Technology, Advanced Technology Cores
| | - Cristian Coarfa
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Jamie N. Anastas
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
- Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Koichi Takahashi
- Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
- Department of Education, Innovation and Technology, Advanced Technology Cores
| | - George Vassiliou
- Department of Haematology, Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge
| | - Margaret A. Goodell
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston, TX
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11
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Kong KYE, Shankar S, Rühle F, Khmelinskii A. Orphan quality control by an SCF ubiquitin ligase directed to pervasive C-degrons. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8363. [PMID: 38102142 PMCID: PMC10724198 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44096-z] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective protein degradation typically involves substrate recognition via short linear motifs known as degrons. Various degrons can be found at protein termini from bacteria to mammals. While N-degrons have been extensively studied, our understanding of C-degrons is still limited. Towards a comprehensive understanding of eukaryotic C-degron pathways, here we perform an unbiased survey of C-degrons in budding yeast. We identify over 5000 potential C-degrons by stability profiling of random peptide libraries and of the yeast C‑terminome. Combining machine learning, high-throughput mutagenesis and genetic screens reveals that the SCF ubiquitin ligase targets ~40% of degrons using a single F-box substrate receptor Das1. Although sequence-specific, Das1 is highly promiscuous, recognizing a variety of C-degron motifs. By screening for full-length substrates, we implicate SCFDas1 in degradation of orphan protein complex subunits. Altogether, this work highlights the variety of C-degron pathways in eukaryotes and uncovers how an SCF/C-degron pathway of broad specificity contributes to proteostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frank Rühle
- Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
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12
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Xu H, Hu R, Zhao Z. DegronMD: Leveraging Evolutionary and Structural Features for Deciphering Protein-Targeted Degradation, Mutations, and Drug Response to Degrons. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:msad253. [PMID: 37992195 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad253] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein-targeted degradation is an emerging and promising therapeutic approach. The specificity of degradation and the maintenance of cellular homeostasis are determined by the interactions between E3 ubiquitin ligase and degradation signals, known as degrons. The human genome encodes over 600 E3 ligases; however, only a small number of targeted degron instances have been identified so far. In this study, we introduced DegronMD, an open knowledgebase designed for the investigation of degrons, their associated dysfunctional events, and drug responses. We revealed that degrons are evolutionarily conserved and tend to occur near the sites of protein translational modifications, particularly in the regions of disordered structure and higher solvent accessibility. Through pattern recognition and machine learning techniques, we constructed the degrome landscape across the human proteome, yielding over 18,000 new degrons for targeted protein degradation. Furthermore, dysfunction of degrons disrupts the degradation process and leads to the abnormal accumulation of proteins; this process is associated with various types of human cancers. Based on the estimated phenotypic changes induced by somatic mutations, we systematically quantified and assessed the impact of mutations on degron function in pan-cancers; these results helped to build a global mutational map on human degrome, including 89,318 actionable mutations that may induce the dysfunction of degrons and disrupt protein degradation pathways. Multiomics integrative analysis unveiled over 400 drug resistance events associated with the mutations in functional degrons. DegronMD, accessible at https://bioinfo.uth.edu/degronmd, is a useful resource to explore the biological mechanisms, infer protein degradation, and assist with drug discovery and design on degrons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haodong Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ruifeng Hu
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center for Advanced Parkinson Research, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Genomics and Bioinformatics Hub, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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13
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Zhang Z, Sie B, Chang A, Leng Y, Nardone C, Timms RT, Elledge SJ. Elucidation of E3 ubiquitin ligase specificity through proteome-wide internal degron mapping. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3377-3392.e6. [PMID: 37738965 PMCID: PMC10594193 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system plays a critical role in biology by regulating protein degradation. Despite their importance, precise recognition specificity is known for a few of the 600 E3s. Here, we establish a two-pronged strategy for identifying and mapping critical residues of internal degrons on a proteome-scale in HEK-293T cells. We employ global protein stability profiling combined with machine learning to identify 15,800 peptides likely to contain sequence-dependent degrons. We combine this with scanning mutagenesis to define critical residues for over 5,000 predicted degrons. Focusing on Cullin-RING ligase degrons, we generated mutational fingerprints for 219 degrons and developed DegronID, a computational algorithm enabling the clustering of degron peptides with similar motifs. CRISPR analysis enabled the discovery of E3-degron pairs, of which we uncovered 16 pairs that revealed extensive degron variability and structural determinants. We provide the visualization of these data on the public DegronID data browser as a resource for future exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Zhang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brandon Sie
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Yumei Leng
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Christopher Nardone
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard T Timms
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Puddicombe Way, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Stephen J Elledge
- Division of Genetics, Department of Medicine, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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14
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Wang S, Wang T, Zhang X, Cheng S, Chen C, Yang G, Wang F, Wang R, Zhang Q, Yang D, Zhang Y, Liu S, Qin H, Liu Q, Liu H. The deubiquitylating enzyme USP35 restricts regulated cell death to promote survival of renal clear cell carcinoma. Cell Death Differ 2023; 30:1757-1770. [PMID: 37173391 PMCID: PMC10307860 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-023-01176-3] [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: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system governs a wide spectrum of cellular events and offers therapeutic opportunities for pharmacological intervention in cancer treatment. Renal clear cell carcinoma represents the predominant histological subtype and accounts for the majority of cancer death related to kidney malignancies. Through a systematic survey in the association of human ubiquitin-specific proteases with patient prognosis of renal clear cell carcinoma and subsequent phenotypic validation, we uncovered the tumor-promoting role of USP35. Biochemical characterizations confirmed the stabilizing effects of USP35 towards multiple members of the IAP family in an enzymatic activity-dependent manner. USP35 silencing led to reduced expression levels of IAP proteins, which were accompanied with increased cellular apoptosis. Further transcriptomic analysis revealed that USP35 knockdown affected the expression levels of NRF2 downstream transcripts, which were conferred by compromised NRF2 abundance. USP35 functions to maintain NRF2 levels by catalyzing its deubiquitylation and thus antagonizing degradation. NRF2 reduction imposed by USP35 silencing rendered renal clear cell carcinoma cells increased sensitivity to ferroptosis induction. Finally, induced USP35 knockdown markedly attenuated xenograft formation of renal clear cell carcinoma in nude mice. Hence, our findings reveal a number of USP35 substrates and uncover the protecting roles of USP35 against both apoptosis and ferroptosis in renal clear cell carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Taishu Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shaoxuan Cheng
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Chaoqun Chen
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Guoheng Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Fuqiang Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Ruilin Wang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Qingqing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Dian Yang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yingqiu Zhang
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Hongqiang Qin
- CAS Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, China
| | - Quentin Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Han Liu
- Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
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15
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Vízkeleti L, Spisák S. Rewired Metabolism Caused by the Oncogenic Deregulation of MYC as an Attractive Therapeutic Target in Cancers. Cells 2023; 12:1745. [PMID: 37443779 PMCID: PMC10341379 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131745] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
MYC is one of the most deregulated oncogenes on multiple levels in cancer. As a node transcription factor, MYC plays a diverse regulatory role in many cellular processes, including cell cycle and metabolism, both in physiological and pathological conditions. The relentless growth and proliferation of tumor cells lead to an insatiable demand for energy and nutrients, which requires the rewiring of cellular metabolism. As MYC can orchestrate all aspects of cellular metabolism, its altered regulation plays a central role in these processes, such as the Warburg effect, and is a well-established hallmark of cancer development. However, our current knowledge of MYC suggests that its spatial- and concentration-dependent contribution to tumorigenesis depends more on changes in the global or relative expression of target genes. As the direct targeting of MYC is proven to be challenging due to its relatively high toxicity, understanding its underlying regulatory mechanisms is essential for the development of tumor-selective targeted therapies. The aim of this review is to comprehensively summarize the diverse forms of MYC oncogenic deregulation, including DNA-, transcriptional- and post-translational level alterations, and their consequences for cellular metabolism. Furthermore, we also review the currently available and potentially attractive therapeutic options that exploit the vulnerability arising from the metabolic rearrangement of MYC-driven tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Vízkeleti
- Department of Bioinformatics, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, 1094 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Sándor Spisák
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
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16
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Paul AA, Szulc NA, Kobiela A, Brown SJ, Pokrzywa W, Gutowska-Owsiak D. In silico analysis of the profilaggrin sequence indicates alterations in the stability, degradation route, and intracellular protein fate in filaggrin null mutation carriers. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1105678. [PMID: 37200867 PMCID: PMC10185843 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1105678] [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: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Loss of function mutation in FLG is the major genetic risk factor for atopic dermatitis (AD) and other allergic manifestations. Presently, little is known about the cellular turnover and stability of profilaggrin, the protein encoded by FLG. Since ubiquitination directly regulates the cellular fate of numerous proteins, their degradation and trafficking, this process could influence the concentration of filaggrin in the skin. Objective: To determine the elements mediating the interaction of profilaggrin with the ubiquitin-proteasome system (i.e., degron motifs and ubiquitination sites), the features responsible for its stability, and the effect of nonsense and frameshift mutations on profilaggrin turnover. Methods: The effect of inhibition of proteasome and deubiquitinases on the level and modifications of profilaggrin and processed products was assessed by immunoblotting. Wild-type profilaggrin sequence and its mutated variants were analysed in silico using the DEGRONOPEDIA and Clustal Omega tool. Results: Inhibition of proteasome and deubiquitinases stabilizes profilaggrin and its high molecular weight of presumably ubiquitinated derivatives. In silico analysis of the sequence determined that profilaggrin contains 18 known degron motifs as well as multiple canonical and non-canonical ubiquitination-prone residues. FLG mutations generate products with increased stability scores, altered usage of the ubiquitination marks, and the frequent appearance of novel degrons, including those promoting C-terminus-mediated degradation routes. Conclusion: The proteasome is involved in the turnover of profilaggrin, which contains multiple degrons and ubiquitination-prone residues. FLG mutations alter those key elements, affecting the degradation routes and the mutated products' stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argho Aninda Paul
- Experimental and Translational Immunology Group, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Natalia A. Szulc
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adrian Kobiela
- Experimental and Translational Immunology Group, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sara J. Brown
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Wojciech Pokrzywa
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Danuta Gutowska-Owsiak
- Experimental and Translational Immunology Group, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology of University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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17
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Li J, Li L, You P, Wei Y, Xu B. Towards artificial intelligence to multi-omics characterization of tumor heterogeneity in esophageal cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2023; 91:35-49. [PMID: 36868394 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2023.02.009] [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: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a unique and complex heterogeneous malignancy, with substantial tumor heterogeneity: at the cellular levels, tumors are composed of tumor and stromal cellular components; at the genetic levels, they comprise genetically distinct tumor clones; at the phenotypic levels, cells in distinct microenvironmental niches acquire diverse phenotypic features. This heterogeneity affects almost every process of esophageal cancer progression from onset to metastases and recurrence, etc. Intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity are major obstacles in the treatment of esophageal cancer, but also offer the potential to manipulate the heterogeneity themselves as a new therapeutic strategy. The high-dimensional, multi-faceted characterization of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabonomics, etc. of esophageal cancer has opened novel horizons for dissecting tumor heterogeneity. Artificial intelligence especially machine learning and deep learning algorithms, are able to make decisive interpretations of data from multi-omics layers. To date, artificial intelligence has emerged as a promising computational tool for analyzing and dissecting esophageal patient-specific multi-omics data. This review provides a comprehensive review of tumor heterogeneity from a multi-omics perspective. Especially, we discuss the novel techniques single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, which have revolutionized our understanding of the cell compositions of esophageal cancer and allowed us to determine novel cell types. We focus on the latest advances in artificial intelligence in integrating multi-omics data of esophageal cancer. Artificial intelligence-based multi-omics data integration computational tools exert a key role in tumor heterogeneity assessment, which will potentially boost the development of precision oncology in esophageal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, China; Jiangxi Health Committee Key (JHCK) Laboratory of Tumor Metastasis, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, China
| | - Peimeng You
- Nanchang University, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yiping Wei
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Bin Xu
- Jiangxi Health Committee Key (JHCK) Laboratory of Tumor Metastasis, Jiangxi Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, Jiangxi, China.
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18
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Kilgas S, Ramadan K. Inhibitors of the ATPase p97/VCP: From basic research to clinical applications. Cell Chem Biol 2023; 30:3-21. [PMID: 36640759 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Protein homeostasis deficiencies underlie various cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy are responsible for most of the protein degradation in mammalian cells and, therefore, represent attractive targets for cancer therapy and that of neurodegenerative diseases. The ATPase p97, also known as VCP, is a central component of the UPS that extracts and disassembles its substrates from various cellular locations and also regulates different steps in autophagy. Several UPS- and autophagy-targeting drugs are in clinical trials. In this review, we focus on the development of various p97 inhibitors, including the ATPase inhibitors CB-5083 and CB-5339, which reached clinical trials by demonstrating effective anti-tumor activity across various tumor models, providing an effective alternative to targeting protein degradation for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of how different p97 inhibitors have evolved over time both as basic research tools and effective UPS-targeting cancer therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Kilgas
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Kristijan Ramadan
- Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
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19
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Shu Y, Hai Y, Cao L, Wu J. Deep-learning based approach to identify substrates of human E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2023; 21:1014-1021. [PMID: 36733699 PMCID: PMC9883182 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2023.01.021] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) play key roles in protein degradation. However, a large number of E3 substrate interactions (ESIs) and DUB substrate interactions (DSIs) remain elusive. Here, we present DeepUSI, a deep learning-based framework to identify ESIs and DSIs using the rich information present in protein sequences. Utilizing the collected golden standard dataset, key hyperparameters in the process of model training, including the ones relevant to data sampling and number of epochs, have been systematically assessed. The performance of DeepUSI was thoroughly evaluated by multiple metrics, based on internal and external validation. Application of DeepUSI to cancer-associated E3 and DUB genes identified a list of druggable substrates with functional implications, warranting further investigation. Together, DeepUSI presents a new framework for predicting substrates of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinates.
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Key Words
- AUPRC, area under the PR curve
- AUROC, area under the ROC curve
- CNN, convolutional neutral network
- DSI, DUB-substrate interaction
- DUB, deubiquitinating enzymes
- DUB-substrate interactions
- Deep learning
- E1, ubiquitin-activating enzymes
- E2, ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes
- E3, ubiquitin ligases
- E3-substrate interactions
- ESI, E3-substrate interaction
- GSP, gold standard positive dataset
- PR, precision recall
- Pan-cancer analysis
- ROC, receiver operating characteristic
- TCGA, The Cancer Genome Atlas
- UPS, ubiquitin-proteasome system
- Ubiquitin proteasome system
- Ubiquitination
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Shu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Yanru Hai
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Lihua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China
| | - Jianmin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100142, China,Peking University International Cancer Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China,Correspondence to: Center for Cancer Bioinformatics, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, 52 Fu-Cheng Road, Hai-Dian District, Beijing 100142, China.
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20
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Chen Z, Ioris RM, Richardson S, Van Ess AN, Vendrell I, Kessler BM, Buffa FM, Busino L, Clifford SC, Bullock AN, D'Angiolella V. Disease-associated KBTBD4 mutations in medulloblastoma elicit neomorphic ubiquitylation activity to promote CoREST degradation. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1955-1969. [PMID: 35379950 PMCID: PMC9525703 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00983-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumour in children. Genomic studies have identified distinct disease subgroups: wnt/wingless (WNT), sonic hedgehog (SHH), and non-WNT/non-SHH, comprising group 3 and group 4. Alterations in WNT and SHH signalling form the pathogenetic basis for their subgroups, whereas those for non-WNT/non-SHH tumours remain largely elusive. Recent analyses have revealed recurrent in-frame insertions in the E3 ubiquitin ligase adaptor Kelch Repeat and BTB Domain Containing 4 (KBTBD4) in cases of group 3/4 medulloblastoma. Critically, group 3/4 tumours with KBTBD4 mutations typically lack other gene-specific alterations, such as MYC amplification, indicating KBTBD4 insertion mutations as the primary genetic driver. Delineating the role of KBTBD4 mutations thus offers significant opportunities to understand tumour pathogenesis and to exploit the underpinning mechanisms therapeutically. Here, we show a novel mechanism in cancer pathogenesis whereby indel mutations in KBTBD4 drive its recognition of neo-substrates for degradation. We observe that KBTBD4 mutants promote the recruitment and ubiquitylation of the REST Corepressor (CoREST), which forms a complex to modulate chromatin accessibility and transcriptional programmes. The degradation of CoREST promoted by KBTBD4 mutation diverts epigenetic programmes inducing significant alterations in transcription to promote increased stemness of cancer cells. Transcriptional analysis of >200 human group 3 and 4 medulloblastomas by RNA-seq, highlights the presence of CoREST and stem-like signatures in tumours with KBTBD4 mutations, which extend to a further sub-set of non-mutant tumours, suggesting CoREST alterations as a novel pathogenetic mechanism of wide relevance in groups 3 and 4. Our findings uncover KBTBD4 mutation as a novel driver of epigenetic reprogramming in non-WNT/non-SHH medulloblastoma, establish a novel mode of tumorigenesis through gain-of-function mutations in ubiquitin ligases (neo-substrate recruitment) and identify both mutant KBTBD4 and CoREST complexes as new druggable targets for improved tumour-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyao Chen
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Rafael M Ioris
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Stacey Richardson
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Ava N Van Ess
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Iolanda Vendrell
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Benedikt M Kessler
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
- Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Francesca M Buffa
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Luca Busino
- Department of Cancer Biology and Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven C Clifford
- Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Alex N Bullock
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Vincenzo D'Angiolella
- Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK.
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21
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Inhibition of UBA6 by inosine augments tumour immunogenicity and responses. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5413. [PMID: 36109526 PMCID: PMC9478149 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33116-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-cancer immunity and response to immune therapy is influenced by the metabolic states of the tumours. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy (ICB) is known to involve metabolic adaptation, however, the mechanism is not fully known. Here we show, by metabolic profiling of plasma samples from melanoma-bearing mice undergoing anti-PD1 and anti-CTLA4 combination therapy, that higher levels of purine metabolites, including inosine, mark ICB sensitivity. Metabolic profiles of ICB-treated human cancers confirm the association between inosine levels and ICB sensitivity. In mouse models, inosine supplementation sensitizes tumours to ICB, even if they are intrinsically ICB resistant, by enhancing T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and hence generating an immunologically hotter microenvironment. We find that inosine directly inhibits UBA6 in tumour cells, and lower level of UBA6 makes the tumour more immunogenic and this is reflected in favourable outcome following ICB therapy in human melanomas. Transplanted mouse melanoma and breast cancer cells with genetic ablation of Uba6 show higher sensitivity to ICB than wild type tumours. Thus, we provide evidence of an inosine-regulated UBA6-dependent pathway governing tumour-intrinsic immunogenicity and hence sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibition, which might provide targets to overcome ICB resistance. The metabolic environment of tumours has wide-ranging effects on the anti-tumour immune response and the outcome of immune therapy. Authors show here that the purine metabolite inosine enhances tumour immunogenicity and thus immune checkpoint blockade therapy response by inhibiting the ubiquitin-activating enzyme UBA6 in tumour cells.
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22
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Zhang L, Hsu JI, Goodell MA. PPM1D in Solid and Hematologic Malignancies: Friend and Foe? Mol Cancer Res 2022; 20:1365-1378. [PMID: 35657598 PMCID: PMC9437564 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-21-1018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In the face of constant genomic insults, the DNA damage response (DDR) is initiated to preserve genome integrity; its disruption is a classic hallmark of cancer. Protein phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1D (PPM1D) is a central negative regulator of the DDR that is mutated or amplified in many solid cancers. PPM1D overexpression is associated with increased proliferative and metastatic behavior in multiple solid tumor types and patients with PPM1D-mutated malignancies have poorer prognoses. Recent findings have sparked an interest in the role of PPM1D in hematologic malignancies. Acquired somatic mutations may provide hematopoietic stem cells with a competitive advantage, leading to a substantial proportion of mutant progeny in the peripheral blood, an age-associated phenomenon termed "clonal hematopoiesis" (CH). Recent large-scale genomic studies have identified PPM1D to be among the most frequently mutated genes found in individuals with CH. While PPM1D mutations are particularly enriched in patients with therapy-related myeloid neoplasms, their role in driving leukemic transformation remains uncertain. Here, we examine the mechanisms through which PPM1D overexpression or mutation may drive malignancy by suppression of DNA repair, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. We also discuss the divergent roles of PPM1D in the oncogenesis of solid versus hematologic cancers with a view to clinical implications and new therapeutic avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Zhang
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Joanne I. Hsu
- Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Margaret A. Goodell
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
- Corresponding Author: Margaret A. Goodell, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail:
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23
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Sun R, Lim SO. FBXL20-mediated ubiquitination triggers the proteasomal degradation of 4-1BB. FEBS J 2022; 289:4549-4563. [PMID: 35112462 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
4-1BB [tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (TNFRSF9), CD137) is a critical immune stimulator that sustains T cell activity and antitumor immune response. The strategy to eliminate cancers by agonistically targeting 4-1BB is under clinical investigation. As a protein expressed in an inducible manner, 4-1BB is under tight control on both transcription and translation levels to maintain its homeostasis. So far, the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional activation of 4-1BB have been well-interpreted; however, it remains inexplicit how 4-1BB is regulated on the protein level. In this study, we presented experimental evidence supporting that 4-1BB, especially the heavily N-glycosylated (mature) form, is polyubiquitinated and subjected to the ubiquitin-proteasomal system for degradation. By performing proximity-dependent biotin identification screening coupled with biochemical assays, we identified that F-box/LRR-repeat protein 20 acts as the E3 ligase that promotes the polyubiquitination of 4-1BB at the intracellular domain. Our data provided mechanistic insight into 4-1BB regulation on the protein level by unmasking, for the first time, a posttranslational mechanism governing 4-1BB abundance in cells. The findings of this study could potentially guide the development of 4-1BB-targeted therapy for cancers as well as other immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxuan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Seung-Oe Lim
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Institute of Drug Discovery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.,Purdue Center for Cancer Research, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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24
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Hou C, Li Y, Wang M, Wu H, Li T. Systematic prediction of degrons and E3 ubiquitin ligase binding via deep learning. BMC Biol 2022; 20:162. [PMID: 35836176 PMCID: PMC9281121 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01364-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Degrons are short linear motifs, bound by E3 ubiquitin ligase to target protein substrates to be degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Mutations leading to deregulation of degron functionality disrupt control of protein abundance due to mistargeting of proteins destined for degradation and often result in pathologies. Targeting degrons by small molecules also emerges as an exciting drug design strategy to upregulate the expression of specific proteins. Despite their essential function and disease targetability, reliable identification of degrons remains a conundrum. Here, we developed a deep learning-based model named Degpred that predicts general degrons directly from protein sequences. RESULTS We showed that the BERT-based model performed well in predicting degrons singly from protein sequences. Then, we used the deep learning model Degpred to predict degrons proteome-widely. Degpred successfully captured typical degron-related sequence properties and predicted degrons beyond those from motif-based methods which use a handful of E3 motifs to match possible degrons. Furthermore, we calculated E3 motifs using predicted degrons on the substrates in our collected E3-substrate interaction dataset and constructed a regulatory network of protein degradation by assigning predicted degrons to specific E3s with calculated motifs. Critically, we experimentally verified that a predicted SPOP binding degron on CBX6 prompts CBX6 degradation and mediates the interaction with SPOP. We also showed that the protein degradation regulatory system is important in tumorigenesis by surveying degron-related mutations in TCGA. CONCLUSIONS Degpred provides an efficient tool to proteome-wide prediction of degrons and binding E3s singly from protein sequences. Degpred successfully captures typical degron-related sequence properties and predicts degrons beyond those from previously used motif-based methods, thus greatly expanding the degron landscape, which should advance the understanding of protein degradation, and allow exploration of uncharacterized alterations of proteins in diseases. To make it easier for readers to access collected and predicted datasets, we integrated these data into the website http://degron.phasep.pro/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Hou
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Yuxuan Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
| | - Mengyao Wang
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wu
- The MOE Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871 China
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Cancer Research, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191 China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission of China, Peking University, Beijing, 100191 China
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25
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Xiao S, Yang C, Zhang Y, Lai C. Downregulation of B3GNT6 is a predictor of poor outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:110. [PMID: 35387659 PMCID: PMC8988341 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02561-x] [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: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The B3GNT6 protein is a member of the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) family and is responsible for the production of the core 3 structure of O-glycans. It is generally expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract; however, its clinical significance in colorectal cancer remains largely unexplored. Methods We obtained mRNA transcriptomic sequencing data from 3 gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE37182, GSE39582, GSE103512) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to compare the B3GNT6 mRNA levels between colorectal cancer and normal tissues and further evaluate its value as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer. We further validated this at the protein level in our cohort using immunohistochemical staining of B3GNT6 as well as the Human Protein Atlas online database. Results B3GNT6 expression was downregulated in colorectal cancer tissues as compared to that in the normal tissues at both mRNA and protein levels. Downregulation of B3GNT6 expression was found to be associated with poor overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer as per the data in GSE39582 and TCGA databases. Low B3GNT6 mRNA levels were significantly associated with chromosome instability (CIN) and KRAS mutations in patients with colorectal cancer. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that low B3GNT6 expression levels in colorectal cancer were associated with increased proteasome activity. Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that low expression of B3GNT6 is a potential biomarker for poor outcomes in patients with CRC. Moreover, the low expression of B3GNT6 may indicate more frequent activation of the KRAS/ERK signaling pathway, high CIN, and increased proteasomal activity. These novel findings may prove helpful for molecular diagnosis and provide a new therapeutic target for colorectal cancer. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02561-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihan Xiao
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Department of Colorectal Surgery, 1st Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310000, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chen Lai
- Department of General Surgery, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China. .,Hunan Key Laboratory of Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China. .,International Joint Research Center of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Technology Equipment & Standardization, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan Province, China.
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26
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Akopian D, McGourty CA, Rapé M. Co-adaptor driven assembly of a CUL3 E3 ligase complex. Mol Cell 2022; 82:585-597.e11. [PMID: 35120648 PMCID: PMC8884472 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Cullin-RING E3 ligases (CRLs) are essential ubiquitylation enzymes that combine a catalytic core built around cullin scaffolds with ∼300 exchangeable substrate adaptors. To ensure robust signal transduction, cells must constantly form new CRLs by pairing substrate-bound adaptors with their cullins, but how this occurs at the right time and place is still poorly understood. Here, we show that formation of individual CRL complexes is a tightly regulated process. Using CUL3KLHL12 as a model, we found that its co-adaptor PEF1-ALG2 initiates CRL3 formation by releasing KLHL12 from an assembly inhibitor at the endoplasmic reticulum, before co-adaptor monoubiquitylation stabilizes the enzyme for substrate modification. As the co-adaptor also helps recruit substrates, its role in CRL assembly couples target recognition to ubiquitylation. We propose that regulators dedicated to specific CRLs, such as assembly inhibitors or co-adaptors, cooperate with target-agnostic adaptor exchange mechanisms to establish E3 ligase complexes that control metazoan development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Akopian
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720
| | - Colleen A. McGourty
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720
| | - Michael Rapé
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720,Quantitative Biosciences Institute, QB3, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley CA 94720,lead contact,to whom correspondence should be addressed:
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27
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Gao F, Wang Z, Gu J, Zhang X, Wang H. A Hypoxia-Associated Prognostic Gene Signature Risk Model and Prognosis Predictors in Gliomas. Front Oncol 2021; 11:726794. [PMID: 34868920 PMCID: PMC8632947 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.726794] [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] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Most solid tumours are hypoxic. Tumour cell proliferation and metabolism accelerate oxygen consumption. The low oxygen supply due to vascular abnormalisation and the high oxygen demand of tumour cells give rise to an imbalance, resulting in tumour hypoxia. Hypoxia alters cellular behaviour and is associated with extracellular matrix remodelling, enhanced tumour migration, and metastatic behaviour. In light of the foregoing, more research on the progressive and prognostic impacts of hypoxia on gliomas are crucial. In this study, we analysed the expression levels of 75 hypoxia-related genes in gliomas and found that a total of 26 genes were differentially expressed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database samples. We also constructed protein–protein interaction networks using the STRING database and Cytoscape. We obtained a total of 10 Hub genes using the MCC algorithm screening in the cytoHubba plugin. A prognostic risk model with seven gene signatures (PSMB6, PSMD9, UBB, PSMD12, PSMB10, PSMA5, and PSMD14) was constructed based on the 10 Hub genes using LASSO–Cox regression analysis. The model was verified to be highly accurate using subject work characteristic curves. The seven-gene signatures were then analysed by univariate and multivariate Cox. Notably, PSMB10, PSMD12, UBB, PSMA5, and PSMB6 were found to be independent prognostic predictive markers for glioma. In addition, PSMB6, PSMA5, UBB, and PSMD12 were lowly expressed, while PSMB10 was highly expressed, in the TCGA and GTEx integrated glioma samples and normal samples, which were verified through protein expression levels in the Human Protein Atlas database. This study found the prognostic predictive values of the hypoxia-related genes PSMB10, PSMD12, UBB, PSMA5, and PSMB6 for glioma and provided ideas and entry points for the progress of hypoxia-related glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo City, China
| | - Zhengzheng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo City, China
| | - Jiajie Gu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo City, China
| | - Xiaojia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo City, China
| | - Huixiao Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Ningbo University, Ningbo City, China
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28
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Foster B, Attwood M, Gibbs-Seymour I. Tools for Decoding Ubiquitin Signaling in DNA Repair. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:760226. [PMID: 34950659 PMCID: PMC8690248 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.760226] [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: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of genome stability requires dedicated DNA repair processes and pathways that are essential for the faithful duplication and propagation of chromosomes. These DNA repair mechanisms counteract the potentially deleterious impact of the frequent genotoxic challenges faced by cells from both exogenous and endogenous agents. Intrinsic to these mechanisms, cells have an arsenal of protein factors that can be utilised to promote repair processes in response to DNA lesions. Orchestration of the protein factors within the various cellular DNA repair pathways is performed, in part, by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitin, SUMO and other ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs). In this review, we firstly explore recent advances in the tools for identifying factors involved in both DNA repair and ubiquitin signaling pathways. We then expand on this by evaluating the growing repertoire of proteomic, biochemical and structural techniques available to further understand the mechanistic basis by which these complex modifications regulate DNA repair. Together, we provide a snapshot of the range of methods now available to investigate and decode how ubiquitin signaling can promote DNA repair and maintain genome stability in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Gibbs-Seymour
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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29
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EMSY inhibits homologous recombination repair and the interferon response, promoting lung cancer immune evasion. Cell 2021; 185:169-183.e19. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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30
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Liu J, Tokheim C, Lee JD, Gan W, North BJ, Liu XS, Pandolfi PP, Wei W. Genetic fusions favor tumorigenesis through degron loss in oncogenes. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6704. [PMID: 34795215 PMCID: PMC8602260 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26871-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosomal rearrangements can generate genetic fusions composed of two distinct gene sequences, many of which have been implicated in tumorigenesis and progression. Our study proposes a model whereby oncogenic gene fusions frequently alter the protein stability of the resulting fusion products, via exchanging protein degradation signal (degron) between gene sequences. Computational analyses of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) identify 2,406 cases of degron exchange events and reveal an enrichment of oncogene stabilization due to loss of degrons from fusion. Furthermore, we identify and experimentally validate that some recurrent fusions, such as BCR-ABL, CCDC6-RET and PML-RARA fusions, perturb protein stability by exchanging internal degrons. Likewise, we also validate that EGFR or RAF1 fusions can be stabilized by losing a computationally-predicted C-terminal degron. Thus, complementary to enhanced oncogene transcription via promoter swapping, our model of degron loss illustrates another general mechanism for recurrent fusion proteins in driving tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Collin Tokheim
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan D Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Wenjian Gan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Brian J North
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - X Shirley Liu
- Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Cancer Research Institute, Beth Israel Deaconess Cancer Center, Department of Medicine and Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, 10124, Italy.
- Renown Institute for Cancer, Nevada System of Higher Education, Reno, NV, 89502, USA.
| | - Wenyi Wei
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
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31
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Abu Ahmad Y, Oknin-Vaisman A, Bitman-Lotan E, Orian A. From the Evasion of Degradation to Ubiquitin-Dependent Protein Stabilization. Cells 2021; 10:2374. [PMID: 34572023 PMCID: PMC8469536 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092374] [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: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of cancer is dysregulated protein turnover (proteostasis), which involves pathologic ubiquitin-dependent degradation of tumor suppressor proteins, as well as increased oncoprotein stabilization. The latter is due, in part, to mutation within sequences, termed degrons, which are required for oncoprotein recognition by the substrate-recognition enzyme, E3 ubiquitin ligase. Stabilization may also result from the inactivation of the enzymatic machinery that mediates the degradation of oncoproteins. Importantly, inactivation in cancer of E3 enzymes that regulates the physiological degradation of oncoproteins, results in tumor cells that accumulate multiple active oncoproteins with prolonged half-lives, leading to the development of "degradation-resistant" cancer cells. In addition, specific sequences may enable ubiquitinated proteins to evade degradation at the 26S proteasome. While the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway was originally discovered as central for protein degradation, in cancer cells a ubiquitin-dependent protein stabilization pathway actively translates transient mitogenic signals into long-lasting protein stabilization and enhances the activity of key oncoproteins. A central enzyme in this pathway is the ubiquitin ligase RNF4. An intimate link connects protein stabilization with tumorigenesis in experimental models as well as in the clinic, suggesting that pharmacological inhibition of protein stabilization has potential for personalized medicine in cancer. In this review, we highlight old observations and recent advances in our knowledge regarding protein stabilization.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Amir Orian
- Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, R-TICC, Technion-IIT, Efron St. Bat-Galim, Haifa 3109610, Israel; (Y.A.A.); (A.O.-V.); (E.B.-L.)
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32
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Signaling Pathways Regulated by UBR Box-Containing E3 Ligases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158323. [PMID: 34361089 PMCID: PMC8346999 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
UBR box E3 ligases, also called N-recognins, are integral components of the N-degron pathway. Representative N-recognins include UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5, and they bind destabilizing N-terminal residues, termed N-degrons. Understanding the molecular bases of their substrate recognition and the biological impact of the clearance of their substrates on cellular signaling pathways can provide valuable insights into the regulation of these pathways. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of the binding mechanism of UBR box N-recognin/N-degron interactions and their roles in signaling pathways linked to G-protein-coupled receptors, apoptosis, mitochondrial quality control, inflammation, and DNA damage. The targeting of these UBR box N-recognins can provide potential therapies to treat diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Yang Q, Zhao J, Chen D, Wang Y. E3 ubiquitin ligases: styles, structures and functions. MOLECULAR BIOMEDICINE 2021; 2:23. [PMID: 35006464 PMCID: PMC8607428 DOI: 10.1186/s43556-021-00043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
E3 ubiquitin ligases are a large family of enzymes that join in a three-enzyme ubiquitination cascade together with ubiquitin activating enzyme E1 and ubiquitin conjugating enzyme E2. E3 ubiquitin ligases play an essential role in catalyzing the ubiquitination process and transferring ubiquitin protein to attach the lysine site of targeted substrates. Importantly, ubiquitination modification is involved in almost all life activities of eukaryotes. Thus, E3 ligases might be involved in regulating various biological processes and cellular responses to stress signal associated with cancer development. Thanks to their multi-functions, E3 ligases can be a promising target of cancer therapy. A deeper understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of E3 ligases in tumorigenesis will help to find new prognostic markers and accelerate the growth of anticancer therapeutic approaches. In general, we mainly introduce the classifications of E3 ligases and their important roles in cancer progression and therapeutic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yang
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Jinyao Zhao
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
| | - Yang Wang
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116044, China.
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Davies CW, Vidal SE, Phu L, Sudhamsu J, Hinkle TB, Chan Rosenberg S, Schumacher FR, Zeng YJ, Schwerdtfeger C, Peterson AS, Lill JR, Rose CM, Shaw AS, Wertz IE, Kirkpatrick DS, Koerber JT. Antibody toolkit reveals N-terminally ubiquitinated substrates of UBE2W. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4608. [PMID: 34326324 PMCID: PMC8322077 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24669-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin conjugating enzyme UBE2W catalyzes non-canonical ubiquitination on the N-termini of proteins, although its substrate repertoire remains unclear. To identify endogenous N-terminally-ubiquitinated substrates, we discover four monoclonal antibodies that selectively recognize tryptic peptides with an N-terminal diglycine remnant, corresponding to sites of N-terminal ubiquitination. Importantly, these antibodies do not recognize isopeptide-linked diglycine (ubiquitin) modifications on lysine. We solve the structure of one such antibody bound to a Gly-Gly-Met peptide to reveal the molecular basis for its selective recognition. We use these antibodies in conjunction with mass spectrometry proteomics to map N-terminal ubiquitination sites on endogenous substrates of UBE2W. These substrates include UCHL1 and UCHL5, where N-terminal ubiquitination distinctly alters deubiquitinase (DUB) activity. This work describes an antibody toolkit for enrichment and global profiling of endogenous N-terminal ubiquitination sites, while revealing functionally relevant substrates of UBE2W.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Davies
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Simon E. Vidal
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Departments of Molecular Oncology and Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Lilian Phu
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Jawahar Sudhamsu
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Structural Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Trent B. Hinkle
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Scott Chan Rosenberg
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Departments of Molecular Oncology and Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Frances-Rose Schumacher
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Yi Jimmy Zeng
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | | | - Andrew S. Peterson
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Jennie R. Lill
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Christopher M. Rose
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Andrey S. Shaw
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Research Biology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - Ingrid E. Wertz
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Departments of Molecular Oncology and Early Discovery Biochemistry, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA ,grid.419971.3Present Address: Bristol Myers Squibb, 1000 Sierra Point Parkway, Brisbane, CA USA
| | - Donald S. Kirkpatrick
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Microchemistry, Proteomics, and Lipidomics, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA ,Present Address: Interline Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA USA
| | - James T. Koerber
- grid.418158.10000 0004 0534 4718Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA USA
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35
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Duan S, Pagano M. Ubiquitin ligases in cancer: Functions and clinical potentials. Cell Chem Biol 2021; 28:918-933. [PMID: 33974914 PMCID: PMC8286310 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ubiquitylation, a highly regulated post-translational modification, controls many cellular pathways that are critical to cell homeostasis. Ubiquitin ligases recruit substrates and promote ubiquitin transfer onto targets, inducing proteasomal degradation or non-degradative signaling. Accumulating evidence highlights the critical role of dysregulated ubiquitin ligases in processes associated with the initiation and progression of cancer. Depending on the substrate specificity and biological context, a ubiquitin ligase can act either as a tumor promoter or as a tumor suppressor. In this review, we focus on the regulatory roles of ubiquitin ligases and how perturbations of their functions contribute to cancer pathogenesis. We also briefly discuss current strategies for targeting or exploiting ubiquitin ligases for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Duan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michele Pagano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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36
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Kilgas S, Singh AN, Paillas S, Then CK, Torrecilla I, Nicholson J, Browning L, Vendrell I, Konietzny R, Kessler BM, Kiltie AE, Ramadan K. p97/VCP inhibition causes excessive MRE11-dependent DNA end resection promoting cell killing after ionizing radiation. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109153. [PMID: 34038735 PMCID: PMC8170441 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The ATPase p97 is a central component of the ubiquitin-proteasome degradation system. p97 uses its ATPase activity and co-factors to extract ubiquitinated substrates from different cellular locations, including DNA lesions, thereby regulating DNA repair pathway choice. Here, we find that p97 physically and functionally interacts with the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex on chromatin and that inactivation of p97 blocks the disassembly of the MRN complex from the sites of DNA damage upon ionizing radiation (IR). The inhibition of p97 function results in excessive 5'-DNA end resection mediated by MRE11 that leads to defective DNA repair and radiosensitivity. In addition, p97 inhibition by the specific small-molecule inhibitor CB-5083 increases tumor cell killing following IR both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, this is mediated via increased MRE11 nuclease accumulation. This suggests that p97 inhibitors might be exploited to improve outcomes for radiotherapy patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Kilgas
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Abhay Narayan Singh
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Salome Paillas
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Chee-Kin Then
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Ignacio Torrecilla
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Judith Nicholson
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Lisa Browning
- Department of Cellular Pathology, Oxford University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Iolanda Vendrell
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK; TDI Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Rebecca Konietzny
- TDI Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Benedikt M Kessler
- TDI Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Target Discovery Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
| | - Anne E Kiltie
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
| | - Kristijan Ramadan
- MRC Oxford Institute for Radiation Oncology, Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
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