1
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Regina C, Compagnone M, Peschiaroli A, Lena A, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Piro MC, Melino G, Candi E. Setdb1, a novel interactor of ΔNp63, is involved in breast tumorigenesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:28836-48. [PMID: 26840455 PMCID: PMC5045360 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ΔNp63 has been recently involved in self-renewal potential of breast cancer stem cells. Although the p63 transcriptional profile has been extensively characterized, our knowledge of the p63-binding partners potentially involved in the regulation of breast tumour progression is limited. Here, we performed the yeast two hybrid approach to identify p63α interactors involved in breast tumorigenesis and we found that SETDB1, a histone lysine methyl transferases, interacts with ΔNp63α and that this interaction contributes to p63 protein stability. SETDB1 is often amplified in primary breast tumours, and its depletion confers to breast cancer cells growth disadvantage. We identified a list of thirty genes repressed by ΔNp63 in a SETDB1-dependent manner, whose expression is positively correlated to survival of breast cancer patients. These results suggest that p63 and SETDB1 expression, together with the repressed genes, may have diagnostic and prognostic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Regina
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - AnnaMaria Lena
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Maria Cristina Piro
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.,IDI-IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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2
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Agostini M, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Melino G, Rufini A. Metabolic pathways regulated by TAp73 in response to oxidative stress. Oncotarget 2017; 7:29881-900. [PMID: 27119504 PMCID: PMC5058650 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/16/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species are involved in both physiological and pathological processes including neurodegeneration and cancer. Therefore, cells have developed scavenging mechanisms to maintain redox homeostasis under control. Tumor suppressor genes play a critical role in the regulation of antioxidant genes. Here, we investigated whether the tumor suppressor gene TAp73 is involved in the regulation of metabolic adaptations triggered in response to oxidative stress. H2O2 treatment resulted in numerous biochemical changes in both control and TAp73 knockout (TAp73−/−) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, however the extent of these changes was more pronounced in TAp73−/− cells when compared to control cells. In particular, loss of TAp73 led to alterations in glucose, nucleotide and amino acid metabolism. In addition, H2O2 treatment resulted in increased pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) activity in null mouse embryonic fibroblasts. Overall, our results suggest that in the absence of TAp73, H2O2 treatment results in an enhanced oxidative environment, and at the same time in an increased pro-anabolic phenotype. In conclusion, the metabolic profile observed reinforces the role of TAp73 as tumor suppressor and indicates that TAp73 exerts this function, at least partially, by regulation of cellular metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Agostini
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, UK.,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester, UK.,Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Rufini
- Department of Cancer Studies, CRUK Leicester Cancer Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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3
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p73 promotes glioblastoma cell invasion by directly activating POSTN (periostin) expression. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11785-802. [PMID: 26930720 PMCID: PMC4914248 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma Multiforme is one of the most highly metastatic cancers and constitutes 70% of all gliomas. Despite aggressive treatments these tumours have an exceptionally bad prognosis, mainly due to therapy resistance and tumour recurrence. Here we show that the transcription factor p73 confers an invasive phenotype by directly activating expression of POSTN (periostin, HGNC:16953) in glioblastoma cells. Knock down of endogenous p73 reduces invasiveness and chemo-resistance, and promotes differentiation in vitro. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation and reporter assays we demonstrate that POSTN, an integrin binding protein that has recently been shown to play a major role in metastasis, is a transcriptional target of TAp73. We further show that POSTN overexpression is sufficient to rescue the invasive phenotype of glioblastoma cells after p73 knock down. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis revealed that an intact p73/POSTN axis, where POSTN and p73 expression is correlated, predicts bad prognosis in several cancer types. Taken together, our results support a novel role of TAp73 in controlling glioblastoma cell invasion by regulating the expression of the matricellular protein POSTN.
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4
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Marini A, Lena AM, Panatta E, Ivan C, Han L, Liang H, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Di Daniele N, Calin GA, Candi E, Melino G. Ultraconserved long non-coding RNA uc.63 in breast cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 8:35669-35680. [PMID: 27447964 PMCID: PMC5482607 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) are long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) encoded by a subset of long ultraconserved stretches in the human genome. Recent studies revealed that the expression of several T-UCRs is altered in cancer and growing evidences underline the importance of T-UCRs in oncogenesis, offering also potential new strategies for diagnosis and prognosis. We found that overexpression of one specific T-UCRs named uc.63 is associated with bad outcome in luminal A subtype of breast cancer patients. uc.63 is localized in the third intron of exportin-1 gene (XPO1) and is transcribed in the same orientation of its host gene. Interestingly, silencing of uc.63 induces apoptosis in vitro. However, silencing of host gene XPO1 does not cause the same effect suggesting that the transcription of uc.63 is independent of XPO1. Our results reveal an important role of uc.63 in promoting breast cancer cells survival and offer the prospect to identify a signature associated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Marini
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Anna Maria Lena
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Panatta
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Ivan
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics and The Center for RNA interference and non-coding RNA, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Leng Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Han Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Nicola Di Daniele
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - George A. Calin
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics and The Center for RNA interference and non-coding RNA, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Eleonora Candi
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- IDI-IRCCS, Biochemistry Laboratory, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
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5
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Soriano J, Mora-Espí I, Alea-Reyes ME, Pérez-García L, Barrios L, Ibáñez E, Nogués C. Cell Death Mechanisms in Tumoral and Non-Tumoral Human Cell Lines Triggered by Photodynamic Treatments: Apoptosis, Necrosis and Parthanatos. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41340. [PMID: 28112275 PMCID: PMC5256096 DOI: 10.1038/srep41340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell death triggered by photodynamic therapy can occur through different mechanisms: apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy. However, recent studies have demonstrated the existence of other mechanisms with characteristics of both necrosis and apoptosis. These new cell death pathways, collectively termed regulated necrosis, include a variety of processes triggered by different stimuli. In this study, we evaluated the cell death mechanism induced by photodynamic treatments with two photosensitizers, meso-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin sodium salt (Na-H2TCPP) and its zinc derivative Na-ZnTCPP, in two human breast epithelial cell lines, a non-tumoral (MCF-10A) and a tumoral one (SKBR-3). Viability assays showed that photodynamic treatments with both photosensitizers induced a reduction in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and no dark toxicity was observed. The cell death mechanisms triggered were evaluated by several assays and cell line-dependent results were found. Most SKBR-3 cells died by either necrosis or apoptosis. By contrast, in MCF-10A cells, necrotic cells and another cell population with characteristics of both necrosis and apoptosis were predominant. In this latter population, cell death was PARP-dependent and translocation of AIF to the nucleus was observed in some cells. These characteristics are related with parthanatos, being the first evidence of this type of regulated necrosis in the field of photodynamic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Soriano
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - I Mora-Espí
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - M E Alea-Reyes
- Departament de Farmacologia, toxicologia i Química Terapèutica and Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Pérez-García
- Departament de Farmacologia, toxicologia i Química Terapèutica and Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (IN2UB), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Barrios
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - E Ibáñez
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Nogués
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
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6
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Bongiorno-Borbone L, Giacobbe A, Compagnone M, Eramo A, De Maria R, Peschiaroli A, Melino G. Anti-tumoral effect of desmethylclomipramine in lung cancer stem cells. Oncotarget 2016. [PMID: 26219257 PMCID: PMC4627282 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is the most feared of all cancers because of its heterogeneity and resistance to available treatments. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the cell population responsible for lung cancer chemoresistance and are a very good model for testing new targeted therapies. Clomipramine is an FDA-approved antidepressant drug, able to inhibit in vitro the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch and potentiate the pro-apoptotic effects of DNA damaging induced agents in several cancer cell lines. Here, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of desmethylclomipramine (DCMI), the active metabolite of Clomipramine, on the CSCs homeostasis. We show that DCMI inhibits lung CSCs growth, decreases their stemness potential and increases the cytotoxic effect of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Being DCMI an inhibitor of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch, we also verified the effect of Itch deregulation on CSCs survival. We found that the siRNA-mediated depletion of Itch induces similar anti-proliferative effects on lung CSCs, suggesting that DCMI might exert its effect, at least in part, by inhibiting Itch. Notably, Itch expression is a negative prognostic factor in two primary lung tumors datasets, supporting the potential clinical relevance of Itch inhibition to circumvent drug resistance in the treatment of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucilla Bongiorno-Borbone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Arianna Giacobbe
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirco Compagnone
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy
| | - Adriana Eramo
- Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Gerry Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Leicester University, Leicester, United Kingdom
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7
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ΔNp63α modulates histone methyl transferase SETDB1 to transcriptionally repress target genes in cancers. Cell Death Discov 2016; 2:16015. [PMID: 27551509 PMCID: PMC4979509 DOI: 10.1038/cddiscovery.2016.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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8
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Velletri T, Xie N, Wang Y, Huang Y, Yang Q, Chen X, Chen Q, Shou P, Gan Y, Cao G, Melino G, Shi Y. P53 functional abnormality in mesenchymal stem cells promotes osteosarcoma development. Cell Death Dis 2016; 7:e2015. [PMID: 26775693 PMCID: PMC4816167 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
It has been shown that p53 has a critical role in the differentiation and functionality of various multipotent progenitor cells. P53 mutations can lead to genome instability and subsequent functional alterations and aberrant transformation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The significance of p53 in safeguarding our body from developing osteosarcoma (OS) is well recognized. During bone remodeling, p53 has a key role in negatively regulating key factors orchestrating the early stages of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Interestingly, changes in the p53 status can compromise bone homeostasis and affect the tumor microenvironment. This review aims to provide a unique opportunity to study the p53 function in MSCs and OS. In the context of loss of function of p53, we provide a model for two sources of OS: MSCs as progenitor cells of osteoblasts and bone tumor microenvironment components. Standing at the bone remodeling point of view, in this review we will first explain the determinant function of p53 in OS development. We will then summarize the role of p53 in monitoring MSC fidelity and in regulating MSC differentiation programs during osteogenesis. Finally, we will discuss the importance of loss of p53 function in tissue microenvironment. We expect that the information provided herein could lead to better understanding and treatment of OS.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Velletri
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - N Xie
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.,Biochemistry Laboratory IDI-IRCC, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Torvergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Y Wang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Y Huang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Q Yang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - X Chen
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Q Chen
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - P Shou
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Y Gan
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - G Cao
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - G Melino
- Biochemistry Laboratory IDI-IRCC, Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Torvergata, Rome 00133, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester University, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - Y Shi
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences/Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, 320 Yueyang Road, Shanghai 200031, China.,Soochow Institutes for Translational Medicine, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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9
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Nicolai S, Pieraccioli M, Peschiaroli A, Melino G, Raschellà G. Neuroblastoma: oncogenic mechanisms and therapeutic exploitation of necroptosis. Cell Death Dis 2015; 6:e2010. [PMID: 26633716 PMCID: PMC4720889 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2015.354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extracranial childhood tumor classified in five stages (1, 2, 3, 4 and 4S), two of which (3 and 4) identify chemotherapy-resistant, highly aggressive disease. High-risk NB frequently displays MYCN amplification, mutations in ALK and ATRX, and genomic rearrangements in TERT genes. These NB subtypes are also characterized by reduced susceptibility to programmed cell death induced by chemotherapeutic drugs. The latter feature is a major cause of failure in the treatment of advanced NB patients. Thus, proper reactivation of apoptosis or of other types of programmed cell death pathways in response to treatment is relevant for the clinical management of aggressive forms of NB. In this short review, we will discuss the most relevant genomic rearrangements that define high-risk NB and the role that destabilization of p53 and p73 can have in NB aggressiveness. In addition, we will propose a strategy to stabilize p53 and p73 by using specific inhibitors of their ubiquitin-dependent degradation. Finally, we will introduce necroptosis as an alternative strategy to kill NB cells and increase tumor immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Nicolai
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - M Pieraccioli
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - A Peschiaroli
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN), CNR, Via E. Ramarini 32, Rome 00015, Italy
| | - G Melino
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, Rome 00133, Italy.,Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Leicester University, Lancaster Road, PO Box 138, Leicester LE1 9HN, UK
| | - G Raschellà
- ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Laboratory of Biosafety and Risk Assessment, Via Anguillarese, 301, Rome 00123, Italy
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10
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The p53 tetramer shows an induced-fit interaction of the C-terminal domain with the DNA-binding domain. Oncogene 2015; 35:3272-81. [PMID: 26477317 PMCID: PMC4929483 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2015.388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Revised: 08/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The Trp53 gene is the most frequently mutated gene in all human cancers. Its protein product p53 is a very powerful transcription factor that can activate different biochemical pathways and affect the regulation of metabolism, senescence, DNA damage response, cell cycle and cell death. The understanding of its function at the molecular level could be of pivotal relevance for therapy. Investigation of long-range intra- and interdomain communications in the p53 tetramer–DNA complex was performed by means of an atomistic model that included the tetramerization helices in the C-terminal domain, the DNA-binding domains and a consensus DNA-binding site of 18 base pairs. Nonsymmetric dynamics are illustrated in the four DNA-binding domains, with loop L1 switching from inward to outward conformations with respect to the DNA major groove. Direct intra- and intermonomeric long-range communications between the tetramerization and DNA-binding domains are noted. These long-distance conformational changes link the C terminus with the DNA-binding domain and provide a biophysical rationale for the reported functional regulation of the p53 C-terminal region. A fine characterization of the DNA deformation caused by p53 binding is obtained, with ‘static' deformations always present and measured by the slide parameter in the central thymine–adenine base pairs; we also detect ‘dynamic' deformations switched on and off by particular p53 tetrameric conformations and measured by the roll and twist parameters in the same base pairs. These different conformations can indeed modulate the electrostatic potential isosurfaces of the whole p53–DNA complex. These results provide a molecular/biophysical understanding of the evident role of the C terminus in post-translational modification that regulates the transcriptional function of p53. Furthermore, the unstructured C terminus is able to facilitate contacts between the core DNA-binding domains of the tetramer.
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11
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Amino-terminal residues of ΔNp63, mutated in ectodermal dysplasia, are required for its transcriptional activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2015; 467:434-40. [PMID: 26408908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2015.09.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
p63, a member of the p53 family, is a crucial transcription factor for epithelial development and skin homeostasis. Heterozygous mutations in TP63 gene have been associated with human ectodermal dysplasia disorders. Most of these TP63 mutations are missense mutations causing amino acidic substitutions at p63 DNA binding or SAM domains that reduce or abolish the transcriptional activity of mutants p63. A significant number of mutants, however, resides in part of the p63 protein that apparently do not affect DNA binding and/or transcriptional activity, such as the N-terminal domain. Here, we characterize five p63 mutations at the 5' end of TP63 gene aiming to understand the pathogenesis of the diseases and to uncover the role of ΔNp63α N-terminus residues in determining its transactivation potential.
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12
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Melino S, Bellomaria A, Nepravishta R, Paci M, Melino G. p63 threonine phosphorylation signals the interaction with the WW domain of the E3 ligase Itch. Cell Cycle 2015; 13:3207-17. [PMID: 25485500 DOI: 10.4161/15384101.2014.951285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Both in epithelial development as well as in epithelial cancers, the p53 family member p63 plays a crucial role acting as a master transcriptional regulator. P63 steady state protein levels are regulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch, via a physical interaction between the PPxY consensus sequence (PY motif) of p63 and one of the 4 WW domains of Itch; this substrate recognition process leads to protein-ubiquitylation and p63 proteasomal degradation. The interaction of the WW domains, a highly compact protein-protein binding module, with the short proline-rich sequences is therefore a crucial regulatory event that may offer innovative potential therapeutic opportunity. Previous molecular studies on the Itch-p63 recognition have been performed in vitro using the Itch-WW2 domain and the peptide interacting fragment of p63 (pep63), which includes the PY motif. Itch-WW2-pep63 interaction is also stabilized in vitro by the conformational constriction of the S-S cyclization in the p63 peptide. The PY motif of p63, as also for other proteins, is characterized by the nearby presence of a (T/S)P motif, which is a potential recognition site of the WW domain of the IV group present in the prolyl-isomerase Pin1. In this study, we demonstrate, by in silico and spectroscopical studies using both the linear pep63 and its cyclic form, that the threonine phosphorylation of the (T/S)PPPxY motif may represent a crucial regulatory event of the Itch-mediated p63 ubiquitylation, increasing the Itch-WW domains-p63 recognition event and stabilizing in vivo the Itch-WW-p63 complex. Moreover, our studies confirm that the subsequently trans/cis proline isomerization of (T/S)P motif by the Pin1 prolyl-isomerase, could modulate the E3-ligase interaction, and that the (T/S)pPtransPPxY motif represent the best conformer for the ItchWW-(T/S)PPPxY motif recognition.
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Key Words
- CXCR4, chemokine receptor
- E3 ubiquitin ligases
- HECT, Homologous E6-AP Carboxyl Terminus
- IPTG, isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside
- Itch
- Pin1
- Ppep63, phosphorylated pep63
- RHS, Rapp-Hodgkin syndrome
- RP-HPLC, reverse phase high performance chromatography
- TFE, 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethanol
- TNF, tumor necrosis factor
- TRAF6, TNF receptor-associated factor 6
- cPpep63, cyclic phosphorylated pep63
- p53 family
- p63
- pep63, p63(534–551) peptide
- proline isomerization
- ubiquitynation
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Melino
- a Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche ; University of Rome "Tor Vergata" ; Rome , Italy
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13
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Petrova V, Mancini M, Agostini M, Knight RA, Annicchiarico-Petruzzelli M, Barlev NA, Melino G, Amelio I. TAp73 transcriptionally represses BNIP3 expression. Cell Cycle 2015; 14:2484-93. [PMID: 25950386 PMCID: PMC4612661 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2015.1044178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 03/26/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
TAp73 is a tumor suppressor transcriptional factor, belonging to p53 family. Alteration of TAp73 in tumors might lead to reduced DNA damage response, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Carcinogen-induced TAp73(-/-) tumors display also increased angiogenesis, associated to hyperactivition of hypoxia inducible factor signaling. Here, we show that TAp73 suppresses BNIP3 expression, directly binding its gene promoter. BNIP3 is a hypoxia responsive protein, involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as autophagy, mitophagy, apoptosis and necrotic-like cell death. Therefore, through different cellular process altered expression of BNIP3 may differently contribute to cancer development and progression. We found a significant upregulation of BNIP3 in human lung cancer datasets, and we identified a direct association between BNIP3 expression and survival rate of lung cancer patients. Our data therefore provide a novel transcriptional target of TAp73, associated to its antagonistic role on HIF signaling in cancer, which might play a role in tumor suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varvara Petrova
- Medical Research Council; Toxicology Unit; Leicester University; Leicester, UK
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory; Saint-Petersburg Institute of Technology; Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Mara Mancini
- Medical Research Council; Toxicology Unit; Leicester University; Leicester, UK
| | - Massimiliano Agostini
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Rome, Italy
| | - Richard A Knight
- Medical Research Council; Toxicology Unit; Leicester University; Leicester, UK
| | | | - Nikolai A Barlev
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory; Saint-Petersburg Institute of Technology; Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Gene Expression Laboratory; Institute of Cytology; Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council; Toxicology Unit; Leicester University; Leicester, UK
- Molecular Pharmacology Laboratory; Saint-Petersburg Institute of Technology; Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery; University of Rome “Tor Vergata”; Rome, Italy
- Biochemistry Laboratory IDI-IRCC; Rome, Italy
| | - Ivano Amelio
- Medical Research Council; Toxicology Unit; Leicester University; Leicester, UK
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Landré V, Rotblat B, Melino S, Bernassola F, Melino G. Screening for E3-ubiquitin ligase inhibitors: challenges and opportunities. Oncotarget 2015; 5:7988-8013. [PMID: 25237759 PMCID: PMC4226663 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays a role in the regulation of most cellular pathways, and its deregulation has been implicated in a wide range of human pathologies that include cancer, neurodegenerative and immunological disorders and viral infections. Targeting the UPS by small molecular regulators thus provides an opportunity for the development of therapeutics for the treatment of several diseases. The proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib was approved for treatment of hematologic malignancies by the FDA in 2003, becoming the first drug targeting the ubiquitin proteasome system in the clinic. Development of drugs targeting specific components of the ubiquitin proteasome system, however, has lagged behind, mainly due to the complexity of the ubiquitination reaction and its outcomes. However, significant advances have been made in recent years in understanding the molecular nature of the ubiquitination system and the vast variety of cellular signals that it produces. Additionally, improvement of screening methods, both in vitro and in silico, have led to the discovery of a number of compounds targeting components of the ubiquitin proteasome system, and some of these have now entered clinical trials. Here, we discuss the current state of drug discovery targeting E3 ligases and the opportunities and challenges that it provides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Landré
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK
| | - Barak Rotblat
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK
| | - Sonia Melino
- Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS, c/o Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bernassola
- Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS, c/o Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
| | - Gerry Melino
- Medical Research Council, Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK. Biochemistry Laboratory, IDI-IRCCS, c/o Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy
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