1
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Nadri P, Zahmatkesh A, Bakhtari A. The potential effect of melatonin on in vitro oocyte maturation and embryo development in animals. Biol Reprod 2024; 111:529-542. [PMID: 38753882 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae077] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Melatonin is a hormone mainly secreted by the pineal gland during the circadian cycle, with low levels during the daytime and prominent levels during the night. It is involved in numerous physiological functions including the immune system, circadian rhythm, reproduction, fertilization, and embryo development. In addition, melatonin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects inside the body by scavenging reactive oxygen and reactive nitrogen species, increasing antioxidant defenses, and blocking the transcription factors of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Its protective activity has been reported to be effective in various reproductive biotechnological processes, including in vitro maturation (IVM), embryo development, and survival rates. In this comprehensive review, our objective is to summarize and debate the potential mechanism and impact of melatonin on oocyte maturation and embryo development through various developmental routes in different mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Nadri
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Azadeh Zahmatkesh
- Department of Anaerobic Bacterial Vaccines Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Azizollah Bakhtari
- Department of Animal Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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2
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Izadi M, Sadri N, Abdi A, Serajian S, Jalalei D, Tahmasebi S. Epigenetic biomarkers in aging and longevity: Current and future application. Life Sci 2024; 351:122842. [PMID: 38879158 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The aging process has been one of the most necessary research fields in the current century, and knowing different theories of aging and the role of different genetic, epigenetic, molecular, and environmental modulating factors in increasing the knowledge of aging mechanisms and developing appropriate diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive ways would be helpful. One of the most conserved signs of aging is epigenetic changes, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, noncoding RNAs, and extracellular RNAs. Numerous biological processes and hallmarks are vital in aging development, but epigenomic alterations are especially notable because of their importance in gene regulation and cellular identity. The mounting evidence points to a possible interaction between age-related epigenomic alterations and other aging hallmarks, like genome instability. To extend a healthy lifespan and possibly reverse some facets of aging and aging-related diseases, it will be crucial to comprehend global and locus-specific epigenomic modifications and recognize corresponding regulators of health and longevity. In the current study, we will aim to discuss the role of epigenomic mechanisms in aging and the most recent developments in epigenetic diagnostic biomarkers, which have the potential to focus efforts on reversing the destructive signs of aging and extending the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehran Izadi
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nariman Sadri
- Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran; School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Abdi
- Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran; Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sahar Serajian
- Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran; Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Dorsa Jalalei
- Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran; School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Safa Tahmasebi
- Synapse Laboratory Diagnostic Technologies Accelerator, Tehran, Iran; Department of Research & Technology, Zeenome Longevity Research Institute, Tehran, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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3
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You J, Xue H, Chao C, Zhang Z, Tan X, Wang X, Li H. Histone Methyltransferase SUV39H2 Supports Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cell Metastasis by Regulation of SIRT1. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38994737 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor with high metastatic features originating from the nasopharynx. However, the underlying mechanism of Suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 2 (SUV39H2) in NPC remains poorly understood. RT-qPCR was carried out to examine SUV39H2 and SIRT1 expression in NPC tissues and cells. Kaplan-Meier method was utilized to evaluate the association between SUV39H2 level and overall survival. The function of SUV39H2 and SIRT1 in NPC cell viability, metastasis, and apoptosis was tested through CCK-8, transwell, and flow cytometry experiments. Here, it was uncovered that SUV39H2 level was augmented in NPC tissues and cells. Moreover, SUV39H2 expedited NPC cell viability, metastasis, and inhibited apoptosis, while SIRT1 addition reversed these impacts. Besides, SUV39H2 induced H3K9me3 enhancement to repress SIRT1 transcription via binding to SIRT1 promoter. Collectively, our results demonstrated upregulated SUV39H2 aggravated NPC tumorigenesis through SIRT1, which may offer a potential therapeutic target for NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianqiang You
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Haixiang Xue
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Changjiang Chao
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhixuan Zhang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoye Tan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoye Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Li
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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4
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Lim GM, Maharajan N, Cho GW. How calorie restriction slows aging: an epigenetic perspective. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:629-640. [PMID: 38456926 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02430-y] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Genomic instability and epigenetic alterations are some of the prominent factors affecting aging. Age-related heterochromatin loss and decreased whole-genome DNA methylation are associated with abnormal gene expression, leading to diseases and genomic instability. Modulation of these epigenetic changes is crucial for preserving genomic integrity and controlling cellular identity is important for slowing the aging process. Numerous studies have shown that caloric restriction is the gold standard for promoting longevity and healthy aging in various species ranging from rodents to primates. It can be inferred that delaying of aging through the main effector such as calorie restriction is involved in cellular identity and epigenetic modification. Thus, an understanding of aging through calorie restriction may seek a more in-depth understanding. In this review, we discuss how caloric restriction promotes longevity and healthy aging through genomic stability and epigenetic alterations. We have also highlighted how the effectors of caloric restriction are involved in modulating the chromatin-based barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyeong Min Lim
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR Education Research Group for Age-Associated Disorder Control Technology, Department of Integrative Biological Science, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Nagarajan Maharajan
- The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Gwang-Won Cho
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Science, Chosun University, 309 Pilmun-Daero, Dong-Gu, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR Education Research Group for Age-Associated Disorder Control Technology, Department of Integrative Biological Science, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
- The Basic Science Institute of Chosun University, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Das A, Giri AK, Bhattacharjee P. Targeting 'histone mark': Advanced approaches in epigenetic regulation of telomere dynamics in cancer. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2024; 1867:195007. [PMID: 38237857 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Telomere integrity is required for the maintenance of genome stability and prevention of oncogenic transformation of cells. Recent evidence suggests the presence of epigenetic modifications as an important regulator of mammalian telomeres. Telomeric and subtelomeric regions are rich in epigenetic marks that regulate telomere length majorly through DNA methylation and post-translational histone modifications. Specific histone modifying enzymes play an integral role in establishing telomeric histone codes necessary for the maintenance of structural integrity. Alterations of crucial histone moieties and histone modifiers cause deregulations in the telomeric chromatin leading to carcinogenic manifestations. This review delves into the significance of histone modifications and their influence on telomere dynamics concerning cancer. Additionally, it highlights the existing research gaps that hold the potential to drive the development of therapeutic interventions targeting the telomere epigenome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Das
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India; Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Ashok K Giri
- Molecular Genetics Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Pritha Bhattacharjee
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India.
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6
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Sun D, Guo J, Liang W, Chen Y, Wei S, Li A, Wang L, Chen X. Histone methyltransferase SUV39H2 regulates apoptosis and chemosensitivity in prostate cancer through AKT/FOXO signaling pathway. Med Oncol 2024; 41:44. [PMID: 38170382 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02252-x] [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: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors that exhibit both chemoresistance and recurrence. SUV39H2 is highly expressed in many types of human tumors, but its role in the development and progression of PCa has never been clarified. The aim of this study is to elucidate the role of SUV39H2 in the development and progression of PCa, its association with the AKT/FOXO signaling pathway, and its potential implications for PCa diagnosis and treatment. SUV39H2 expression was analyzed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and genotype tissue expression pan-cancer data. The TCGA database was evaluated for SUV39H2 enrichment and its correlation to immune cell infiltration. SUV39H2 levels in PCa tissues and control tissues were determined in 30 patients using qPCR and IHC. Clinical relevance was assessed via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). In vitro assessments including colony formation assays, Western Blot analysis, CCK-8 assays, and flow cytometry were utilized to establish SUV39H2's contribution to PCa cell growth. The influence of SUV39H2 on PC3 and DU145 cell proliferation was assessed through a cell line-derived xenograft model. Sphere formation assays and qPCR were employed to delineate SUV39H2's role in PCa stemness and chemosensitivity. In vitro macrophage polarization assays provided insights into SUV39H2's association with M2 macrophages, while enrichment analysis shed light on its role in FOXO signaling. PCa tissues expressed higher levels of SUV39H2 than normal tissues. By knocking down SUV39H2, PCa cells were made more chemosensitive to docetaxel and cell proliferation and stemness were inhibited. Additionally, SUV39H2 knockdown significantly inhibited in vivo PCa cell growth and inhibited the polarization of macrophages. Furthermore, SUV39H2 was found to regulate AKT/FOXO signaling by increasing Akt and FOXO3a phosphorylation. Our findings highlight SUV39H2's role in PCa cell apoptosis and chemosensitivity mainly by regulating the AKT/FOXO signaling pathway and suggest that SUV39H2 could be a potential target for PCa diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglin Sun
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518100, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Weifei Liang
- Qingyuan People's Hospital, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan, 511500, Guangdong, China
| | - Yangxiao Chen
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Shuqi Wei
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Ai Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Second Clinical School of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Wang
- Nephrology Department, Southern Medical University Affiliated Longhua People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xiangqiu Chen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, 518100, China.
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7
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Ma B, Martínez P, Sánchez-Vázquez R, Blasco MA. Telomere dynamics in human pluripotent stem cells. Cell Cycle 2023; 22:2505-2521. [PMID: 38219218 PMCID: PMC10936660 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2023.2285551] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) are a promising source of stem cells for regenerative therapies. Stem cell function depends on telomere maintenance mechanisms that provide them with the proliferative capacity and genome stability necessary to multiply and regenerate tissues. We show here that established human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have stable telomere length that is dependent on telomerase but not on alternative mechanisms based on homologous recombination pathways. Here, we show that human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) reprogrammed from somatic cells show progressive telomere lengthening until reaching a length similar to ESCs. hiPSCs also acquire telomeric chromatin marks of ESCs including decreased abundance of tri-methylated histone H3K9 and H4K20 and HP1 heterochromatic marks, as well as of the shelterin component TRF2. These chromatin features are accompanied with increased abundance of telomere transcripts or TERRAs. We also found that telomeres of both hESCs and hiPSCs are well protected from DNA damage during telomere elongation and once full telomere length is achieved, and exhibit stable genomes. Collectively, this study highlights that hiPSCs acquire ESC features during reprogramming and reveals the telomere biology in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Buyun Ma
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Martínez
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Sánchez-Vázquez
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria A. Blasco
- Telomeres and Telomerase Group, Molecular Oncology Program, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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Stylianakis E, Chan JPK, Law PP, Jiang Y, Khadayate S, Karimi MM, Festenstein R, Vannier JB. Mouse HP1γ regulates TRF1 expression and telomere stability. Life Sci 2023; 331:122030. [PMID: 37598977 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122030] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Telomeric repeat-containing RNAs are long non-coding RNAs generated from the telomeres. TERRAs are essential for the establishment of heterochromatin marks at telomeres, which serve for the binding of members of the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) protein family of epigenetic modifiers involved with chromatin compaction and gene silencing. While HP1γ is enriched on gene bodies of actively transcribed human and mouse genes, it is unclear if its transcriptional role is important for HP1γ function in telomere cohesion and telomere maintenance. We aimed to study the effect of mouse HP1γ on the transcription of telomere factors and molecules that can affect telomere maintenance. MAIN METHODS We investigated the telomere function of HP1γ by using HP1γ deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). We used gene expression analysis of HP1γ deficient MEFs and validated the molecular and mechanistic consequences of HP1γ loss by telomere FISH, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR and DNA-RNA immunoprecipitation (DRIP). KEY FINDINGS Loss of HP1γ in primary MEFs led to a downregulation of various telomere and telomere-accessory transcripts, including the shelterin protein TRF1. Its downregulation is associated with increased telomere replication stress and DNA damage (γH2AX), effects more profound in females. We suggest that the source for the impaired telomere maintenance is a consequence of increased telomeric DNA-RNA hybrids and TERRAs arising at and from mouse chromosomes 18 and X. SIGNIFICANCE Our results suggest an important transcriptional control by mouse HP1γ of various telomere factors including TRF1 protein and TERRAs that has profound consequences on telomere stability, with a potential sexually dimorphic nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanouil Stylianakis
- Telomere Replication & Stability group, Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jackson Ping Kei Chan
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pui Pik Law
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Jiang
- Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanjay Khadayate
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Karimi
- Comprehensive Cancer Centre, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Festenstein
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Gene Control Mechanisms and Disease Group, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jean-Baptiste Vannier
- Telomere Replication & Stability group, Medical Research Council London Institute of Medical Sciences, London, United Kingdom; Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.
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9
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Sung S, Kim E, Niida H, Kim C, Lee J. Distinct characteristics of two types of alternative lengthening of telomeres in mouse embryonic stem cells. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:9122-9143. [PMID: 37496110 PMCID: PMC10516625 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad617] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomere length must be maintained in actively dividing cells to avoid cellular arrest or death. In the absence of telomerase activity, activation of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) allows the maintenance of telomeric length and prolongs the cellular lifespan. Our previous studies have established two types of ALT survivors from mouse embryonic stem cells. The key differences between these ALT survivors are telomere-constituting sequences: non-telomeric sequences and canonical telomeric repeats, with each type of ALT survivors being referred to as type I and type II, respectively. We explored how the characteristics of the two types of ALT lines reflect their fates using multi-omics approaches. The most notable gene expression signatures of type I and type II ALT cell lines were chromatin remodelling and DNA repair, respectively. Compared with type II cells, type I ALT cells accumulated more mutations and demonstrated persistent telomere instability. These findings indicate that cells of the same origin have separate routes for survival, thus providing insights into the plasticity of crisis-suffering cells and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanghyun Sung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Eunkyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hiroyuki Niida
- Department of Molecular Biology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan
| | - Chuna Kim
- Aging Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Gwahak-ro 125, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Department of Bioinformatics, KRIBB School of Bioscience, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Junho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Seoul National University, Gwanak-ro 1, Seoul 08826, Korea
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10
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Schvartzman JM, Forsyth G, Walch H, Chatila W, Taglialatela A, Lee BJ, Zhu X, Gershik S, Cimino FV, Santella A, Menghrajani K, Ciccia A, Koche R, Sánchez-Vega F, Zha S, Thompson CB. Oncogenic IDH mutations increase heterochromatin-related replication stress without impacting homologous recombination. Mol Cell 2023; 83:2347-2356.e8. [PMID: 37311462 PMCID: PMC10845120 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.05.026] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Oncogenic mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenases 1 and 2 (IDH1/2) produce 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which inhibits dioxygenases that modulate chromatin dynamics. The effects of 2HG have been reported to sensitize IDH tumors to poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. However, unlike PARP-inhibitor-sensitive BRCA1/2 tumors, which exhibit impaired homologous recombination, IDH-mutant tumors have a silent mutational profile and lack signatures associated with impaired homologous recombination. Instead, 2HG-producing IDH mutations lead to a heterochromatin-dependent slowing of DNA replication accompanied by increased replication stress and DNA double-strand breaks. This replicative stress manifests as replication fork slowing, but the breaks are repaired without a significant increase in mutation burden. Faithful resolution of replicative stress in IDH-mutant cells is dependent on poly-(ADP-ribosylation). Treatment with PARP inhibitors increases DNA replication but results in incomplete DNA repair. These findings demonstrate a role for PARP in the replication of heterochromatin and further validate PARP as a therapeutic target in IDH-mutant tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan-Manuel Schvartzman
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Grace Forsyth
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Henry Walch
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Walid Chatila
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Angelo Taglialatela
- Department of Genetics and Development, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian J Lee
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Xiaolu Zhu
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Steven Gershik
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Francesco V Cimino
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Anthony Santella
- Molecular Cytology Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 417 E 68th St, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kamal Menghrajani
- Department of Medicine, Leukemia Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Alberto Ciccia
- Department of Genetics and Development, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Institute for Cancer Genetics, Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Richard Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francisco Sánchez-Vega
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shan Zha
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Craig B Thompson
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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11
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Yang J, Xu P, Chen Z, Zhang X, Xia Y, Fang L, Xie L, Li B, Xu Z. N6-methyadenosine modified SUV39H2 regulates homologous recombination through epigenetic repression of DUSP6 in gastric cancer. Cancer Lett 2023; 558:216092. [PMID: 36806557 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2023.216092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Despite many advances in treatment over the past few years, the poor 5-year survival rate and high recurrence rate of gastric cancer (GC) remain unsatisfactory. As the most abundant epigenetic modification in the eukaryotic mRNA, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation participates in tumor progression and tissue development. During tumor progression, DNA damage repair mechanisms can be reprogrammed to give new growth advantages on tumor clones whose genomic integrity is disturbed. Here we detected the elevated SUV39H2 expression in GC tissues and cell lines. Functionally, SUV39H2 promoted GC proliferation and inhibited apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, METTL3-mediated m6A modification promotes mRNA stability of SUV39H2 in an IGF2BP2 dependent manner, resulting in upregulated mRNA expression of SUV39H2. As a histone methyltransferase, SUV39H2 was verified to increase the phosphorylation level of ATM through transcriptional repression of DUSP6, thereby promoting HRR and ultimately inhibiting GC chemosensitivity to cisplatin. Collectively, these results indicate the specific mechanism of m6A-modified SUV39H2 as a histone methyltransferase promoting HRR to inhibit the chemosensitivity of GC. SUV39H2 is expected to become a key target in the precision targeted therapy of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Penghui Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zetian Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yiwen Xia
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lang Fang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Xie
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, Jiangsu Province, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Personalized Cancer Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, China.
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12
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Fukushima HS, Takeda H, Nakamura R. Incomplete erasure of histone marks during epigenetic reprogramming in medaka early development. Genome Res 2023; 33:572-586. [PMID: 37117034 PMCID: PMC10234297 DOI: 10.1101/gr.277577.122] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications undergo drastic erasure and reestablishment after fertilization. This reprogramming is required for proper embryonic development and cell differentiation. In mammals, some histone modifications are not completely reprogrammed and play critical roles in later development. In contrast, in nonmammalian vertebrates, most histone modifications are thought to be more intensively erased and reestablished by the stage of zygotic genome activation (ZGA). However, histone modifications that escape reprogramming in nonmammalian vertebrates and their potential functional roles remain unknown. Here, we quantitatively and comprehensively analyzed histone modification dynamics during epigenetic reprogramming in Japanese killifish, medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos. Our data revealed that H3K27ac, H3K27me3, and H3K9me3 escape complete reprogramming, whereas H3K4 methylation is completely erased during cleavage stage. Furthermore, we experimentally showed the functional roles of such retained modifications at early stages: (i) H3K27ac premarks promoters during the cleavage stage, and inhibition of histone acetyltransferases disrupts proper patterning of H3K4 and H3K27 methylation at CpG-dense promoters, but does not affect chromatin accessibility after ZGA; (ii) H3K9me3 is globally erased but specifically retained at telomeric regions, which is required for maintenance of genomic stability during the cleavage stage. These results expand the understanding of diversity and conservation of reprogramming in vertebrates, and unveil previously uncharacterized functions of histone modifications retained during epigenetic reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroto S Fukushima
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Takeda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Ryohei Nakamura
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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13
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Morgado-Palacin L, Brown JA, Martinez TF, Garcia-Pedrero JM, Forouhar F, Quinn SA, Reglero C, Vaughan J, Heydary YH, Donaldson C, Rodriguez-Perales S, Allonca E, Granda-Diaz R, Fernandez AF, Fraga MF, Kim AL, Santos-Juanes J, Owens DM, Rodrigo JP, Saghatelian A, Ferrando AA. The TINCR ubiquitin-like microprotein is a tumor suppressor in squamous cell carcinoma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1328. [PMID: 36899004 PMCID: PMC10006087 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36713-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The TINCR (Terminal differentiation-Induced Non-Coding RNA) gene is selectively expressed in epithelium tissues and is involved in the control of human epidermal differentiation and wound healing. Despite its initial report as a long non-coding RNA, the TINCR locus codes for a highly conserved ubiquitin-like microprotein associated with keratinocyte differentiation. Here we report the identification of TINCR as a tumor suppressor in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). TINCR is upregulated by UV-induced DNA damage in a TP53-dependent manner in human keratinocytes. Decreased TINCR protein expression is prevalently found in skin and head and neck squamous cell tumors and TINCR expression suppresses the growth of SCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Consistently, Tincr knockout mice show accelerated tumor development following UVB skin carcinogenesis and increased penetrance of invasive SCCs. Finally, genetic analyses identify loss-of-function mutations and deletions encompassing the TINCR gene in SCC clinical samples supporting a tumor suppressor role in human cancer. Altogether, these results demonstrate a role for TINCR as protein coding tumor suppressor gene recurrently lost in squamous cell carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessie A Brown
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas F Martinez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Juana M Garcia-Pedrero
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Farhad Forouhar
- Proteomics and Macromolecular Crystallography Shared Resource, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - S Aidan Quinn
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Clara Reglero
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joan Vaughan
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yasamin Hajy Heydary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Cynthia Donaldson
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sandra Rodriguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics Group, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Allonca
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Rocio Granda-Diaz
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Agustin F Fernandez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), El Entrego, Spain
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (B.O.S.), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Rare Diseases CIBER (ciberer) of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Cancer Epigenetics and Nanomedicine Laboratory, Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), El Entrego, Spain
- Department of Organisms and Systems Biology (B.O.S.), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Rare Diseases CIBER (ciberer) of the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Arianna L Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Santos-Juanes
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Dermatology Area, University of Oviedo Medical School, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - David M Owens
- Department of Dermatology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan P Rodrigo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Ciber de Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alan Saghatelian
- Clayton Foundation Laboratories for Peptide Biology, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Adolfo A Ferrando
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
- Dermatology Area, University of Oviedo Medical School, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Pauleck S, Sinnott JA, Zheng YL, Gadalla SM, Viskochil R, Haaland B, Cawthon RM, Hoffmeister A, Hardikar S. Association of Telomere Length with Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prognosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:1159. [PMID: 36831502 PMCID: PMC9954736 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15041159] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Colorectal cancer risk and survival have previously been associated with telomere length in peripheral blood leukocytes and tumor tissue. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted. The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched through March 2022. (2) Methods: Relevant studies were identified through database searching following PRISMA guidelines. Risk estimates were extracted from identified studies; meta-analyses were conducted using random effects models. (3) Results: Fourteen studies were identified (eight on risk; six on survival) through systematic review. While no association was observed between circulating leukocyte telomere length and the risk of colorectal cancer [overall OR (95% CI) = 1.01 (0.82-1.24)], a worse survival for those with shorter telomeres in leukocytes and longer telomeres in tumor tissues was observed [Quartile1/Quartile2-4 overall HR (95% CI) = 1.41 (0.26-7.59) and 0.82 (0.69-0.98), respectively]. (4) Conclusions: Although there was no association with colorectal cancer risk, a poorer survival was observed among those with shorter leukocyte telomere length. Future larger studies evaluating a potentially non-linear relationship between telomeres and colorectal cancer are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svenja Pauleck
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Medical Department II, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jennifer A. Sinnott
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Department of Statistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yun-Ling Zheng
- Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Shahinaz M. Gadalla
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Richard Viskochil
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Benjamin Haaland
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Richard M. Cawthon
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
| | - Albrecht Hoffmeister
- Medical Department II, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sheetal Hardikar
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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15
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Mangiavacchi A, Morelli G, Orlando V. Behind the scenes: How RNA orchestrates the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1123975. [PMID: 36760365 PMCID: PMC9905133 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1123975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-coding DNA accounts for approximately 98.5% of the human genome. Once labeled as "junk DNA", this portion of the genome has undergone a progressive re-evaluation and it is now clear that some of its transcriptional products, belonging to the non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), are key players in cell regulatory networks. A growing body of evidence demonstrates the crucial impact of regulatory ncRNAs on mammalian gene expression. Here, we focus on the defined relationship between chromatin-interacting RNAs, particularly long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), enhancer RNA (eRNA), non-coding natural antisense transcript (ncNAT), and circular RNA (circRNA) and epigenome, a common ground where both protein and RNA species converge to regulate cellular functions. Through several examples, this review provides an overview of the variety of targets, interactors, and mechanisms involved in the RNA-mediated modulation of loci-specific epigenetic states, a fundamental evolutive strategy to orchestrate mammalian gene expression in a timely and reversible manner. We will discuss how RNA-mediated epigenetic regulation impacts development and tissue homeostasis and how its alteration contributes to the onset and progression of many different human diseases, particularly cancer.
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16
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Levinsky AJ, McEdwards G, Sethna N, Currie MA. Targets of histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1026406. [PMID: 36568972 PMCID: PMC9768651 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1026406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone H3 lysine 9 di- and trimethylation are well-established marks of constitutively silenced heterochromatin domains found at repetitive DNA elements including pericentromeres, telomeres, and transposons. Loss of heterochromatin at these sites causes genomic instability in the form of aberrant DNA repair, chromosome segregation defects, replication stress, and transposition. H3K9 di- and trimethylation also regulate cell type-specific gene expression during development and form a barrier to cellular reprogramming. However, the role of H3K9 methyltransferases extends beyond histone methylation. There is a growing list of non-histone targets of H3K9 methyltransferases including transcription factors, steroid hormone receptors, histone modifying enzymes, and other chromatin regulatory proteins. Additionally, two classes of H3K9 methyltransferases modulate their own function through automethylation. Here we summarize the structure and function of mammalian H3K9 methyltransferases, their roles in genome regulation and constitutive heterochromatin, as well as the current repertoire of non-histone methylation targets including cases of automethylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan J. Levinsky
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregor McEdwards
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nasha Sethna
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mark A. Currie
- Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada,Department of Cell and Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Mark A. Currie,
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17
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Zhao Y, Huang S, Tan X, Long L, He Q, Liang X, Bai J, Li Q, Lin J, Li Y, Liu N, Ma J, Chen Y. N 6 -Methyladenosine-Modified CBX1 Regulates Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression Through Heterochromatin Formation and STAT1 Activation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2205091. [PMID: 36310139 PMCID: PMC9798977 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202205091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Epitranscriptomic remodeling such as N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) modification plays a critical role in tumor development. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms connecting m6 A modification and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression. Here, CBX1 is identified, a histone methylation regulator, to be significantly upregulated with m6 A hypomethylation in metastatic NPC tissues. The m6 A-modified CBX1 mRNA transcript is recognized and destabilized by the m6 A reader YTHDF3. Furthermore, it is revealed that CBX1 promotes NPC cell migration, invasion, and proliferation through transcriptional repression of MAP7 via H3K9me3-mediated heterochromatin formation. In addition to its oncogenic effect, CBX1 can facilitate immune evasion through IFN-γ-STAT1 signaling-mediated PD-L1 upregulation. Clinically, CBX1 serves as an independent predictor for unfavorable prognosis in NPC patients. The results reveal a crosstalk between epitranscriptomic and epigenetic regulation in NPC progression, and shed light on the functions of CBX1 in tumorigenesis and immunomodulation, which may provide an appealing therapeutic target in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Zhao
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Shengyan Huang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Xirong Tan
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Liufen Long
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Qingmei He
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Xiaoyu Liang
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jiewen Bai
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Qingjie Li
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jiayi Lin
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yingqin Li
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Na Liu
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Jun Ma
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
| | - Yupei Chen
- Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterState Key Laboratory of Oncology in South ChinaCollaborative Innovation Center of Cancer MedicineGuangdong Key Laboratory of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Diagnosis and Therapy651 Dongfeng Road EastGuangzhouGuangdong510060China
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18
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Urlacher SS, Kim EY, Luan T, Young LJ, Adjetey B. Minimally invasive biomarkers in human and non-human primate evolutionary biology: Tools for understanding variation and adaptation. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23811. [PMID: 36205445 PMCID: PMC9787651 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of minimally invasive biomarkers (MIBs - physiological biomarkers obtained from minimally invasive sample types) has expanded rapidly in science and medicine over the past several decades. The MIB approach is a methodological strength in the field of human and non-human primate evolutionary biology (HEB). Among humans and our closest relatives, MIBs provide unique opportunities to document phenotypic variation and to operationalize evolutionary hypotheses. AIMS This paper overviews the use of MIBs in HEB. Our objectives are to (1) highlight key research topics which successfully implement MIBs, (2) identify promising yet under-investigated areas of MIB application, and (3) discuss current challenges in MIB research, with suggestions for advancing the field. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS A range of MIBs are used to investigate focal topics in HEB, including energetics and life history variation/evolution, developmental plasticity, and social status and dominance relationships. Nonetheless, we identify gaps in existing MIB research on traits such as physical growth and gut function that are central to the field. Several challenges remain for HEB research using MIBs, including the need for additional biomarkers and methods of assessment, robust validations, and approaches that are standardized across labs and research groups. Importantly, researchers must provide better support for adaptation and fitness effects in hypothesis testing (e.g., by obtaining complementary measures of energy expenditure, demonstrating redundancy of function, and performing lifetime/longitudinal analyses). We point to continued progress in the use of MIBs in HEB to better understand the past, present, and future of humans and our closest primate relatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S. Urlacher
- Department of AnthropologyBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
- Human Evolutionary Biology and Health LabBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
- Child and Brain Development ProgramCIFARTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Elizabeth Y. Kim
- Human Evolutionary Biology and Health LabBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
- Department of BiologyBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | - Tiffany Luan
- Human Evolutionary Biology and Health LabBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | - Lauren J. Young
- Human Evolutionary Biology and Health LabBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
| | - Brian Adjetey
- Human Evolutionary Biology and Health LabBaylor UniversityWacoTexasUSA
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19
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Mishra R, Haldar S, Biondi S, Bhari VK, Singh G, Bhowmick NA. TGF-β controls stromal telomere length through epigenetic modifications. 3 Biotech 2022; 12:290. [PMID: 36276465 PMCID: PMC9512944 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-022-03346-5] [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: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomere length is primarily controlled by the enzyme telomerase, but being chromatin structures, telomeres undergo epigenetic regulation for their maintenance and function. Altered telomere length among cancer cells combined with shorter telomere length in cancer-associated stromal cells, strongly implicated with progression to prostate cancer metastasis and cancer death and providing a novel target for therapeutics. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways are well-recognized for their role in stromal-epithelial interactions responsible for prostate androgen responsiveness, promoting tumorigenesis. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. We sought to establish a role for TGF-β in the regulation of telomere length in mouse and human prostate fibroblast. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based telomere length measuring methods are widely used due to their repeatability and reproducibility. Using real-time RT-PCR-based telomere length measuring method, we identified that TGF-beta regulates telomere length via increased expression of histone methyltransferase, Suv39h1, which in turn affected histone methylation levels at the telomeric ends. Moreover, treatment of DAPT and non-steroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide demonstrated that notch and androgen signaling co-operated with TGF-ß in regulating stromal telomere length. Telomere variation in tumor cells and non-tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment greatly facilitates the clinical assessment of prostate cancer; therefore, understanding stromal telomere length regulation mechanism will hold significant prospects for cancer treatment, diagnosis, and prognosis. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-022-03346-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeev Mishra
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kalyanpur, Kanpur, UP 208024 India
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
| | - Subhash Haldar
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Gour Banga, Mokdumpur, West Bengal 732101 India
| | - Shea Biondi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
| | - Vikash Kumar Bhari
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007 India
| | - Gyanendra Singh
- Toxicology Department, ICMR-National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, 380016 India
| | - Neil A Bhowmick
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048 USA
- Department of Research, Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, Los Angeles, CA 90073 USA
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20
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Magnano San Lio R, Maugeri A, La Rosa MC, Giunta G, Panella M, Cianci A, Caruso MAT, Agodi A, Barchitta M. Nutrient intakes and telomere length of cell-free circulating DNA from amniotic fluid: findings from the Mamma & Bambino cohort. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11671. [PMID: 35804173 PMCID: PMC9270384 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15370-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a crucial period in which several exposures—and especially maternal diet—might shape children’s health. Thus, identifying how maternal dietary intakes early affect biological aging in children represents a public health mission. We aimed to assess the relationship between maternal intake of nutrients in early pregnancy and telomere length of cell-free circulating DNA (cfDNA) from amniotic fluid. We used data and samples from the ongoing prospective “Mamma & Bambino” study, which recruits mother–child pairs from Catania at the first prenatal visit. Maternal nutrient intakes were assessed using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, while relative telomere length of cfDNA was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Our analysis included 174 mother–child pairs. The intakes of iron, vitamin B1, and magnesium were positively correlated with relative telomere length (p-values < 0.05). However, only the intake of magnesium was positively associated with relative telomere length, after applying a linear regression model (β = 0.002; SE = 0.001; p = 0.024). Magnesium deficiency was negatively associated with relative telomere length after adjusting for the same covariates (β = −0.467; SE = 0.176; p = 0.009). To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a positive relationship between maternal nutrient intake and telomere length of cfDNA. Further efforts are needed for deeply investigating the effect of maternal dietary intakes on telomere length, in order to develop effective public health strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Magnano San Lio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Andrea Maugeri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Clara La Rosa
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Giuliana Giunta
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Panella
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Cianci
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of General Surgery and Medical Surgical Specialties, University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Anna Teresa Caruso
- Cytogenetic Laboratory, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico "G.Rodolico - San Marco", Via S.Sofia, 78, 95123, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonella Agodi
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy.
| | - Martina Barchitta
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies "GF Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via S.Sofia, 87, 95123, Catania, Italy
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21
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Liquid-liquid phase separation in tumor biology. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:221. [PMID: 35803926 PMCID: PMC9270353 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01076-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is a novel principle for explaining the precise spatial and temporal regulation in living cells. LLPS compartmentalizes proteins and nucleic acids into micron-scale, liquid-like, membraneless bodies with specific functions, which were recently termed biomolecular condensates. Biomolecular condensates are executors underlying the intracellular spatiotemporal coordination of various biological activities, including chromatin organization, genomic stability, DNA damage response and repair, transcription, and signal transduction. Dysregulation of these cellular processes is a key event in the initiation and/or evolution of cancer, and emerging evidence has linked the formation and regulation of LLPS to malignant transformations in tumor biology. In this review, we comprehensively summarize the detailed mechanisms of biomolecular condensate formation and biophysical function and review the recent major advances toward elucidating the multiple mechanisms involved in cancer cell pathology driven by aberrant LLPS. In addition, we discuss the therapeutic perspectives of LLPS in cancer research and the most recently developed drug candidates targeting LLPS modulation that can be used to combat tumorigenesis.
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22
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Haws SA, Simandi Z, Barnett RJ, Phillips-Cremins JE. 3D genome, on repeat: Higher-order folding principles of the heterochromatinized repetitive genome. Cell 2022; 185:2690-2707. [PMID: 35868274 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Nearly half of the human genome is comprised of diverse repetitive sequences ranging from satellite repeats to retrotransposable elements. Such sequences are susceptible to stepwise expansions, duplications, inversions, and recombination events which can compromise genome function. In this review, we discuss the higher-order folding mechanisms of compartmentalization and loop extrusion and how they shape, and are shaped by, heterochromatin. Using primarily mammalian model systems, we contrast mechanisms governing H3K9me3-mediated heterochromatinization of the repetitive genome and highlight emerging links between repetitive elements and chromatin folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer A Haws
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Zoltan Simandi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - R Jordan Barnett
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Phillips-Cremins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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23
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Gulla S, Reddy MC, Reddy VC, Chitta S, Bhanoori M, Lomada D. Role of thymus in health and disease. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 42:347-363. [PMID: 35593192 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2064461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ, essential for the development of T-cells that will protect from invading pathogens, immune disorders, and cancer. The thymus decreases in size and cellularity with age referred to as thymus involution or atrophy. This involution causes decreased T-cell development and decreased naive T-cell emigration to the periphery, increased proportion of memory T cells, and a restricted, altered T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. The changes in composition and function of the circulating T cell pool as a result of thymic involution led to increased susceptibility to infectious diseases including the recent COVID and a higher risk for autoimmune disorders and cancers. Thymic involution consisting of both structural and functional loss of the thymus has a deleterious effect on T cell development, T cell selection, and tolerance. The mechanisms which act on the structural (cortex and medulla) matrix of the thymus, the gradual accumulation of genetic mutations, and altered gene expressions may lead to immunosenescence as a result of thymus involution. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind thymic involution is critical for identifying diagnostic biomarkers and targets for treatment help to develop strategies to mitigate thymic involution-associated complications. This review is focused on the consequences of thymic involution in infections, immune disorders, and diseases, identifying potential checkpoints and potential approaches to sustain or restore the function of the thymus particularly in elderly and immune-compromised individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surendra Gulla
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Madhava C Reddy
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Vajra C Reddy
- Katuri Medical College and Hospital, Chinnakondrupadu, Guntur, India
| | | | - Manjula Bhanoori
- Department of Biochemistry, Osmania University, Hyderabad, Telangana State, India
| | - Dakshayani Lomada
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India
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24
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Establishment of H3K9-methylated heterochromatin and its functions in tissue differentiation and maintenance. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:623-640. [PMID: 35562425 PMCID: PMC9099300 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00483-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Heterochromatin is characterized by dimethylated or trimethylated histone H3 Lys9 (H3K9me2 or H3K9me3, respectively) and is found at transposable elements, satellite repeats and genes, where it ensures their transcriptional silencing. The histone methyltransferases (HMTs) that methylate H3K9 — in mammals Suppressor of variegation 3–9 homologue 1 (SUV39H1), SUV39H2, SET domain bifurcated 1 (SETDB1), SETDB2, G9A and G9A-like protein (GLP) — and the ‘readers’ of H3K9me2 or H3K9me3 are highly conserved and show considerable redundancy. Despite their redundancy, genetic ablation or mistargeting of an individual H3K9 methyltransferase can correlate with impaired cell differentiation, loss of tissue identity, premature aging and/or cancer. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the roles of the known H3K9-specific HMTs in ensuring transcriptional homeostasis during tissue differentiation in mammals. We examine the effects of H3K9-methylation-dependent gene repression in haematopoiesis, muscle differentiation and neurogenesis in mammals, and compare them with mechanistic insights obtained from the study of model organisms, notably Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. In all these organisms, H3K9-specific HMTs have both unique and redundant roles that ensure the maintenance of tissue integrity by restricting the binding of transcription factors to lineage-specific promoters and enhancer elements. Histone H3 Lys9 (H3K9)-methylated heterochromatin ensures transcriptional silencing of repetitive elements and genes, and its deregulation leads to impaired cell and tissue identity, premature aging and cancer. Recent studies in mammals clarified the roles H3K9-specific histone methyltransferases in ensuring transcriptional homeostasis during tissue differentiation.
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25
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Buemi V, Schillaci O, Santorsola M, Bonazza D, Broccia PV, Zappone A, Bottin C, Dell'Omo G, Kengne S, Cacchione S, Raffa GD, Piazza S, di Fagagna FD, Benetti R, Cortale M, Zanconati F, Del Sal G, Schoeftner S. TGS1 mediates 2,2,7-trimethyl guanosine capping of the human telomerase RNA to direct telomerase dependent telomere maintenance. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2302. [PMID: 35484160 PMCID: PMC9050681 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29907-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathways that direct the selection of the telomerase-dependent or recombination-based, alternative lengthening of telomere (ALT) maintenance pathway in cancer cells are poorly understood. Using human lung cancer cells and tumor organoids we show that formation of the 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine (TMG) cap structure at the human telomerase RNA 5′ end by the Trimethylguanosine Synthase 1 (TGS1) is central for recruiting telomerase to telomeres and engaging Cajal bodies in telomere maintenance. TGS1 depletion or inhibition by the natural nucleoside sinefungin impairs telomerase recruitment to telomeres leading to Exonuclease 1 mediated generation of telomere 3′ end protrusions that engage in RAD51-dependent, homology directed recombination and the activation of key features of the ALT pathway. This indicates a critical role for 2,2,7-TMG capping of the RNA component of human telomerase (hTR) in enforcing telomerase-dependent telomere maintenance to restrict the formation of telomeric substrates conductive to ALT. Our work introduces a targetable pathway of telomere maintenance that holds relevance for telomere-related diseases such as cancer and aging. Telomerase protects chromosome ends in stem cells and cancer cells. Here the authors show that Trimethylguaonsine Synthase 1 (TGS-1) – dependent trimethylguanosine capping of the RNA component of the human telomerase complex has an important role in directing telomere dependent telomere maintenance and suppressing the ALT pathway in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Buemi
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, SM2 5NG, United Kingdom
| | - Odessa Schillaci
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Mariangela Santorsola
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Deborah Bonazza
- Struttura Complessa di Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Pamela Veneziano Broccia
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Annie Zappone
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Cristina Bottin
- Dipartimento Universitario Clinico di Scienze Mediche Chirurgiche e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara - Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giulia Dell'Omo
- IFOM Foundation-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | - Sylvie Kengne
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefano Cacchione
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Grazia Daniela Raffa
- Dipartimento di Biologia e Biotecnologie, Sapienza Università di Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Silvano Piazza
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park - Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna
- IFOM Foundation-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan, 20139, Italy.,Istituto di Genetica Molecolare, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), Pavia, 27100, Italy
| | - Roberta Benetti
- Dipartimento di Area Medica (Dame), Università degli Studi di Udine, p.le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cortale
- Struttura Complessa di Chirurgia Toracica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Zanconati
- Struttura Complessa di Anatomia ed Istologia Patologica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI) Trieste, Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy.,Dipartimento Universitario Clinico di Scienze Mediche Chirurgiche e della Salute, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Ospedale di Cattinara - Strada di Fiume 447, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Giannino Del Sal
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.,IFOM Foundation-FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology Foundation, Milan, 20139, Italy.,International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Area Science Park - Padriciano, 34149, Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefan Schoeftner
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita, Università degli Studi di Trieste, Via E. Weiss 2, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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26
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Su R, Wu X, Tao L, Wang C. The role of epigenetic modifications in Colorectal Cancer Metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2022; 39:521-539. [PMID: 35429301 PMCID: PMC9338907 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-022-10163-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Distant metastasis is the major contributor to the high mortality rate of colorectal cancer (CRC). To overcome the poor prognosis caused by distant metastasis, the mechanisms of CRC metastasis should be further explored. Epigenetic events are the main mediators of gene regulation and further affect tumor progression. Recent studies have found that some epigenetic enzymes are often dysregulated or mutated in multiple tumor types, which prompted us to study the roles of these enzymes in CRC metastasis. In this review, we summarized the alteration of enzymes related to various modifications, including histone modification, nonhistone modification, DNA methylation, and RNA methylation, and their epigenetic mechanisms during the progression of CRC metastasis. Existing data suggest that targeting epigenetic enzymes is a promising strategy for the treatment of CRC metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Su
- Department of pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinlin Wu
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Huhhot, China
| | - Liang Tao
- Department of pharmacology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Changshan Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, China.
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27
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Feoli A, Viviano M, Cipriano A, Milite C, Castellano S, Sbardella G. Lysine methyltransferase inhibitors: where we are now. RSC Chem Biol 2022; 3:359-406. [PMID: 35441141 PMCID: PMC8985178 DOI: 10.1039/d1cb00196e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases constitute a large family of epigenetic writers that catalyse the transfer of a methyl group from the cofactor S-adenosyl-l-methionine to histone- and non-histone-specific substrates. Alterations in the expression and activity of these proteins have been linked to the genesis and progress of several diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, and growing defects, hence they represent interesting targets for new therapeutic approaches. Over the past two decades, the identification of modulators of lysine methyltransferases has increased tremendously, clarifying the role of these proteins in different physio-pathological states. The aim of this review is to furnish an updated outlook about the protein lysine methyltransferases disclosed modulators, reporting their potency, their mechanism of action and their eventual use in clinical and preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Feoli
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Monica Viviano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Alessandra Cipriano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Ciro Milite
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
| | - Gianluca Sbardella
- Department of Pharmacy, Epigenetic Med Chem Lab, University of Salerno via Giovanni Paolo II 132 I-84084 Fisciano SA Italy +39-089-96-9602 +39-089-96-9770
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28
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Hansen AM, Ge Y, Schuster MB, Pundhir S, Jakobsen JS, Kalvisa A, Tapia MC, Gordon S, Ambri F, Bagger FO, Pandey D, Helin K, Porse BT. H3K9 dimethylation safeguards cancer cells against activation of the interferon pathway. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabf8627. [PMID: 35302840 PMCID: PMC8932663 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf8627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Activation of interferon genes constitutes an important anticancer pathway able to restrict proliferation of cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that the H3K9me3 histone methyltransferase (HMT) suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 1 (SUV39H1) is required for the proliferation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and find that its loss leads to activation of the interferon pathway. Mechanistically, we show that this occurs via destabilization of a complex composed of SUV39H1 and the two H3K9me2 HMTs, G9A and GLP. Indeed, loss of H3K9me2 correlated with the activation of key interferon pathway genes, and interference with the activities of G9A/GLP largely phenocopied loss of SUV39H1. Last, we demonstrate that inhibition of G9A/GLP synergized with DNA demethylating agents and that SUV39H1 constitutes a potential biomarker for the response to hypomethylation treatment. Collectively, we uncovered a clinically relevant role for H3K9me2 in safeguarding cancer cells against activation of the interferon pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Meldgaard Hansen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ying Ge
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Bruhn Schuster
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sachin Pundhir
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Janus Schou Jakobsen
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adrija Kalvisa
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marta Cecylia Tapia
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sandra Gordon
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesca Ambri
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Frederik Otzen Bagger
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Deo Pandey
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, NO-0373 Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristian Helin
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Cell Biology Program and Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London SW3 6JB, United Kingdom
| | - Bo Torben Porse
- The Finsen Laboratory, Rigshospitalet, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Center (BRIC), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology, DanStem, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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29
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Lister-Shimauchi EH, McCarthy B, Lippincott M, Ahmed S. Genetic and Epigenetic Inheritance at Telomeres. EPIGENOMES 2022; 6:9. [PMID: 35323213 PMCID: PMC8947350 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes6010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transgenerational inheritance can occur at telomeres in distinct contexts. Deficiency for telomerase or telomere-binding proteins in germ cells can result in shortened or lengthened chromosome termini that are transmitted to progeny. In human families, altered telomere lengths can result in stem cell dysfunction or tumor development. Genetic inheritance of altered telomeres as well as mutations that alter telomeres can result in progressive telomere length changes over multiple generations. Telomeres of yeast can modulate the epigenetic state of subtelomeric genes in a manner that is mitotically heritable, and the effects of telomeres on subtelomeric gene expression may be relevant to senescence or other human adult-onset disorders. Recently, two novel epigenetic states were shown to occur at C. elegans telomeres, where very low or high levels of telomeric protein foci can be inherited for multiple generations through a process that is regulated by histone methylation.Together, these observations illustrate that information relevant to telomere biology can be inherited via genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, although the broad impact of epigenetic inheritance to human biology remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan H. Lister-Shimauchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Benjamin McCarthy
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Michael Lippincott
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
| | - Shawn Ahmed
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA; (E.H.L.-S.); (B.M.); (M.L.)
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280, USA
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Toscani MA, Pigozzi MI, Papeschi AG, Bressa MJ. Histone H3 Methylation and Autosomal vs. Sex Chromosome Segregation During Male Meiosis in Heteroptera. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.836786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heteropteran insects exhibit a remarkable diversity of meiotic processes, including coexistence of different chromosomes types with different behavior during the first meiotic division, non-chiasmatic segregation, and inverted meiosis. Because of this diversity they represent suitable models to study fundamental questions about the mechanisms of chromosome behavior during cell division. All heteropteran species possess holokinetic chromosomes and in most of them the autosomal chromosomes synapse, recombine, and undergoe pre-reductional meiosis. In contrast, the sex chromosomes are achiasmatic, behave as univalents at metaphase I and present an inverted or post-reductional meiosis. An exception to this typical behavior is found in Pachylis argentinus, where both the autosomes and the X-chromosome divide reductionally at anaphase I and then divide equationally at anaphase II. In the present report, we analyzed the distribution of histones H3K9me2 and H3K9me3 in P. argentinus and in five species that have simple and multiple sex chromosome systems with typical chromosome segregation, Belostoma elegans, B. oxyurum, Holhymenia rubiginosa, Phthia picta, and Oncopeltus unifasciatellus. We found that H3K9me3 is a marker for sex-chromosomes from early prophase I to the end of the first division in all the species. H3K9me2 also marks the sex chromosomes since early prophase but shows different dynamics at metaphase I depending on the sex-chromosome segregation: it is lost in species with equationally dividing sex chromosomes but remains on one end of the X chromosome of P. argentinus, where chromatids migrate together at anaphase I. It is proposed that the loss of H3K9me2 from the sex chromosomes observed at metaphase I may be part of a set of epigenetic signals that lead to the reductional or equational division of autosomes and sex chromosomes observed in most Heteroptera. The present observations suggest that the histone modifications analyzed here evolved in Heteroptera as markers for asynaptic and achiasmatic sex chromosomes during meiosis to allow the distinction from the chiasmatic autosomal chromosomes.
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Dinami R, Petti E, Porru M, Rizzo A, Ganci F, Sacconi A, Ostano P, Chiorino G, Trusolino L, Blandino G, Ciliberto G, Zizza P, Biroccio A. TRF2 cooperates with CTCF for controlling the oncomiR-193b-3p in colorectal cancer. Cancer Lett 2022; 533:215607. [PMID: 35240232 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.215607] [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: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Telomeric Repeat binding Factor 2 (TRF2), a key protein involved in telomere integrity, is over-expressed in several human cancers and promotes tumor formation and progression. Recently, TRF2 has been also found outside telomeres where it can affect gene expression. Here we provide evidence that TRF2 is able to modulate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs altered in human tumors. Among the miRNAs regulated by TRF2, we focused on miR-193b-3p, an oncomiRNA that positively correlates with TRF2 expression in human colorectal cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset. At the mechanistic level, the control of miR-193b-3p expression requires the cooperative activity between TRF2 and the chromatin organization factor CTCF. We found that CTCF physically interacts with TRF2, thus driving the proper positioning of TRF2 on a binding site located upstream the miR-193b-3p host-gene. The binding of TRF2 on the identified region is necessary for promoting the expression of miR-193b3p which, in turn, inhibits the translation of the onco-suppressive methyltransferase SUV39H1 and promotes tumor cell proliferation. The translational relevance of the oncogenic properties of miR-193b-3p was confirmed in patients, in whom the association between TRF2 and miR-193b-3p has a prognostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Dinami
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Eleonora Petti
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Manuela Porru
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Angela Rizzo
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Federica Ganci
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Paola Ostano
- Cancer Genomics Lab, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, via Malta 3, Biella, 13900, Italy
| | - Giovanna Chiorino
- Cancer Genomics Lab, Fondazione Edo ed Elvo Tempia, via Malta 3, Biella, 13900, Italy
| | - Livio Trusolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, Strada Provinciale 142, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy; Laboratory of Translational Cancer Medicine, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO - IRCCS, Strada Provinciale 142, Candiolo, TO, 10060, Italy
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Gennaro Ciliberto
- Scientific Direction, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy
| | - Pasquale Zizza
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy.
| | - Annamaria Biroccio
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS - Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, Rome, 00144, Italy.
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Telomerase in Cancer: Function, Regulation, and Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030808. [PMID: 35159075 PMCID: PMC8834434 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cells undergoing malignant transformation must circumvent replicative senescence and eventual cell death associated with progressive telomere shortening that occurs through successive cell division. To do so, malignant cells reactivate telomerase to extend their telomeres and achieve cellular immortality, which is a “Hallmark of Cancer”. Here we review the telomere-dependent and -independent functions of telomerase in cancer, as well as its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target to diagnose and treat cancer patients. Abstract During the process of malignant transformation, cells undergo a series of genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic alterations, including the acquisition and propagation of genomic aberrations that impart survival and proliferative advantages. These changes are mediated in part by the induction of replicative immortality that is accompanied by active telomere elongation. Indeed, telomeres undergo dynamic changes to their lengths and higher-order structures throughout tumor formation and progression, processes overseen in most cancers by telomerase. Telomerase is a multimeric enzyme whose function is exquisitely regulated through diverse transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational mechanisms to facilitate telomere extension. In turn, telomerase function depends not only on its core components, but also on a suite of binding partners, transcription factors, and intra- and extracellular signaling effectors. Additionally, telomerase exhibits telomere-independent regulation of cancer cell growth by participating directly in cellular metabolism, signal transduction, and the regulation of gene expression in ways that are critical for tumorigenesis. In this review, we summarize the complex mechanisms underlying telomere maintenance, with a particular focus on both the telomeric and extratelomeric functions of telomerase. We also explore the clinical utility of telomeres and telomerase in the diagnosis, prognosis, and development of targeted therapies for primary, metastatic, and recurrent cancers.
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Andrade da Mota TH, Reis Guimarães AF, Silva de Carvalho AÉ, Saldanha- de Araujo F, Pinto de Faria Lopes G, Pittella-Silva F, do Amaral Rabello D, Madureira de Oliveira D. Effects of in vitro short- and long-term treatment with telomerase inhibitor in U-251 glioma cells. Tumour Biol 2021; 43:327-340. [DOI: 10.3233/tub-211515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The inhibition of the enzyme telomerase (TERT) has been widely investigated as a new pharmacological approach for cancer treatment, but its real potential and the biochemical consequences are not totally understood. OBJECTIVE: Here, we investigated the effects of the telomerase inhibitor MST-312 on a human glioma cell line after both short- and long-term (290 days) treatments. METHODS: Effects on cell growth, viability, cell cycle, morphology, cell death and genes expression were assessed. RESULTS: We found that short-term treatment promoted cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Importantly, cells with telomerase knock-down revealed that the toxic effects of MST-312 are partially TERT dependent. In contrast, although the long-term treatment decreased cell proliferation at first, it also caused adaptations potentially related to treatment resistance and tumor aggressiveness after long time of exposition. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the short-term effects of telomerase inhibition not being due to telomere erosion, they are at least partially related to the enzyme inhibition, which may represent an important strategy to pave the way for tumor growth control, especially through modulation of the non-canonical functions of telomerase. On the other hand, long-term exposure to the inhibitor had the potential to induce cell adaptations with possible negative clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tales Henrique Andrade da Mota
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Ana Flávia Reis Guimarães
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Amandda Évelin Silva de Carvalho
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Felipe Saldanha- de Araujo
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Hematology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | - Giselle Pinto de Faria Lopes
- Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Hemato-oncology, National Institute of Cancer (INCA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Marine Biotechnology Department, Admiral Paulo Moreira Sea Studies Institute, IEAPM, Arraial do Cabo, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fábio Pittella-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
| | | | - Diêgo Madureira de Oliveira
- Multidisciplinary Laboratory of Human Health, University of Brasilia, Ceilândia, DF, Brazil
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology of Cancer, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, DF, Brazil
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Ortega P, Gómez-González B, Aguilera A. Heterogeneity of DNA damage incidence and repair in different chromatin contexts. DNA Repair (Amst) 2021; 107:103210. [PMID: 34416542 DOI: 10.1016/j.dnarep.2021.103210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
It has been long known that some regions of the genome are more susceptible to damage and mutagenicity than others. Recent advances have determined a critical role of chromatin both in the incidence of damage and in its repair. Thus, chromatin arises as a guardian of the stability of the genome, which is altered in cancer cells. In this review, we focus into the mechanisms by which chromatin influences the occurrence and repair of the most cytotoxic DNA lesions, double-strand breaks, in particular at actively transcribed chromatin or related to DNA replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Ortega
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Belén Gómez-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain.
| | - Andrés Aguilera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa CABIMER, Universidad de Sevilla-CSIC-Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain; Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
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Epigenetic features in regulation of telomeres and telomerase in stem cells. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:497-505. [PMID: 34486664 DOI: 10.1042/etls20200344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The epigenetic nature of telomeres is still controversial and different human cell lines might show diverse histone marks at telomeres. Epigenetic modifications regulate telomere length and telomerase activity that influence telomere structure and maintenance. Telomerase is responsible for telomere elongation and maintenance and is minimally composed of the catalytic protein component, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and template forming RNA component, telomerase RNA (TERC). TERT promoter mutations may underpin some telomerase activation but regulation of the gene is not completely understood due to the complex interplay of epigenetic, transcriptional, and posttranscriptional modifications. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can maintain an indefinite, immortal, proliferation potential through their endogenous telomerase activity, maintenance of telomere length, and a bypass of replicative senescence in vitro. Differentiation of PSCs results in silencing of the TERT gene and an overall reversion to a mortal, somatic cell phenotype. The precise mechanisms for this controlled transcriptional silencing are complex. Promoter methylation has been suggested to be associated with epigenetic control of telomerase regulation which presents an important prospect for understanding cancer and stem cell biology. Control of down-regulation of telomerase during differentiation of PSCs provides a convenient model for the study of its endogenous regulation. Telomerase reactivation has the potential to reverse tissue degeneration, drive repair, and form a component of future tissue engineering strategies. Taken together it becomes clear that PSCs provide a unique system to understand telomerase regulation fully and drive this knowledge forward into aging and therapeutic application.
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Forsyth RG, Krenács T, Athanasou N, Hogendoorn PCW. Cell Biology of Giant Cell Tumour of Bone: Crosstalk between m/wt Nucleosome H3.3, Telomeres and Osteoclastogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:5119. [PMID: 34680268 PMCID: PMC8534144 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13205119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB) is a rare and intriguing primary bone neoplasm. Worrisome clinical features are its local destructive behaviour, its high tendency to recur after surgical therapy and its ability to create so-called benign lung metastases (lung 'plugs'). GCTB displays a complex and difficult-to-understand cell biological behaviour because of its heterogenous morphology. Recently, a driver mutation in histone H3.3 was found. This mutation is highly conserved in GCTB but can also be detected in glioblastoma. Denosumab was recently introduced as an extra option of medical treatment next to traditional surgical and in rare cases, radiotherapy. Despite these new insights, many 'old' questions about the key features of GCTB remain unanswered, such as the presence of telomeric associations (TAs), the reactivation of hTERT, and its slight genomic instability. This review summarises the recent relevant literature of histone H3.3 in relation to the GCTB-specific G34W mutation and pays specific attention to the G34W mutation in relation to the development of TAs, genomic instability, and the characteristic morphology of GCTB. As pieces of an etiogenetic puzzle, this review tries fitting all these molecular features and the unique H3.3 G34W mutation together in GCTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramses G. Forsyth
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brussels (UZB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Labaratorium for Experimental Pathology (EXPA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tibor Krenács
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllöi ut 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
| | - Nicholas Athanasou
- Department of Histopathology, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK;
| | - Pancras C. W. Hogendoorn
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Brussels (UZB), Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium;
- Labaratorium for Experimental Pathology (EXPA), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- 1st Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Üllöi ut 26, 1085 Budapest, Hungary;
- Department of Histopathology, Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Oxford OX3 7HE, UK;
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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Wang K, Zhu QZ, Ma XT, Cheng C. SUV39H2/KMT1B Inhibits the cardiomyocyte senescence phenotype by down-regulating BTG2/PC3. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:22444-22458. [PMID: 34559682 PMCID: PMC8507256 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Suppressor of variegation 3-9 homolog 2 (SUV39H2/KMT1B), a member of the SUV39 subfamily of lysine methyltransferases (KMTs), functions as an oncogene in various types of cancers. Here, we demonstrate a novel function of SUV39H2 that drives the cardiomyocyte aging process through BTG2. In our study, cardiomyocyte aging was induced by H2O2 and aging cells exhibited increases in SUV39H2. Knockdown of SUV39H2 accelerated cardiomyocyte senescence, while overexpression of SUV39H2 inhibited the cardiomyocyte senescence phenotype. These effects of SUV39H2 on cardiomyocytes were independent of DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses identified a strong correlation between SUV39H2 and BTG2. In addition to this, BTG2 protein levels were significantly increased in SUV39H2-deficient cardiomyocytes, and BTG2 knockdown virtually rescued the cardiomyocyte senescence phenotype induced by SUV39H2 knockdown. Taken together, these results indicate that SUV39H2 protects cardiomyocytes from H2O2 exposure-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the p53-BTG2 pathway. Our findings provide evidence that the activation of SUV39H2 has therapeutic or preventive potential against cardiac aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Wang
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, China
| | - Qiang Zhang Zhu
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Xian Tao Ma
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
| | - Cai Cheng
- Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China
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Wang C, Songyang Z, Huang Y. TRIM28 inhibits alternative lengthening of telomere phenotypes by protecting SETDB1 from degradation. Cell Biosci 2021; 11:149. [PMID: 34330324 PMCID: PMC8325274 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-021-00660-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background About 10–15% of tumor cells extend telomeres through the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism, which is a recombination-dependent replication pathway. It is generally believed that ALT cells are related to the chromatin modification of telomeres. However, the mechanism of ALT needs to be further explored. Results Here we found that TRIM28/KAP1 is preferentially located on the telomeres of ALT cells and interacts with telomeric shelterin/telosome complex. Knocking down TRIM28 in ALT cells delayed cell growth, decreased the level of C-circle which is one kind of extrachromosomal circular telomeric DNA, increased the frequency of ALT-associated promyelocytic leukemia bodies (APBs), led to telomere prolongation and increased the telomere sister chromatid exchange in ALT cells. Mechanistically, TRIM28 protects telomere histone methyltransferase SETDB1 from degradation, thus maintaining the H3K9me3 heterochromatin state of telomere DNA. Conclusions Our work provides a model that TRIM28 inhibits alternative lengthening of telomere phenotypes by protecting SETDB1 from degradation. In general, our results reveal the mechanism of telomere heterochromatin maintenance and its effect on ALT, and TRIM28 may serve as a target for the treatment of ALT tumor cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-021-00660-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanle Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research and SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China
| | - Zhou Songyang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research and SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.,Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.,Verna and Marrs Mclean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Yan Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Gene Function and Regulation, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Healthy Aging Research and SYSU-BCM Joint Research Center, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, China.
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Weirich S, Khella MS, Jeltsch A. Structure, Activity and Function of the Suv39h1 and Suv39h2 Protein Lysine Methyltransferases. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11070703. [PMID: 34357075 PMCID: PMC8303541 DOI: 10.3390/life11070703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 were the first protein lysine methyltransferases that were identified more than 20 years ago. Both enzymes introduce di- and trimethylation at histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) and have important roles in the maintenance of heterochromatin and gene repression. They consist of a catalytically active SET domain and a chromodomain, which binds H3K9me2/3 and has roles in enzyme targeting and regulation. The heterochromatic targeting of SUV39H enzymes is further enhanced by the interaction with HP1 proteins and repeat-associated RNA. SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 recognize an RKST motif with additional residues on both sides, mainly K4 in the case of SUV39H1 and G12 in the case of SUV39H2. Both SUV39H enzymes methylate different non-histone proteins including RAG2, DOT1L, SET8 and HupB in the case of SUV39H1 and LSD1 in the case of SUV39H2. Both enzymes are expressed in embryonic cells and have broad expression profiles in the adult body. SUV39H1 shows little tissue preference except thymus, while SUV39H2 is more highly expressed in the brain, testis and thymus. Both enzymes are connected to cancer, having oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles depending on the tumor type. In addition, SUV39H2 has roles in the brain during early neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Weirich
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany; (S.W.); (M.S.K.)
| | - Mina S. Khella
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany; (S.W.); (M.S.K.)
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, African Union Organization Street, Abbassia, Cairo 11566, Egypt
| | - Albert Jeltsch
- Institute of Biochemistry and Technical Biochemistry, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 31, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany; (S.W.); (M.S.K.)
- Correspondence:
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Novo CL. A Tale of Two States: Pluripotency Regulation of Telomeres. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:703466. [PMID: 34307383 PMCID: PMC8300013 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.703466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Inside the nucleus, chromatin is functionally organized and maintained as a complex three-dimensional network of structures with different accessibility such as compartments, lamina associated domains, and membraneless bodies. Chromatin is epigenetically and transcriptionally regulated by an intricate and dynamic interplay of molecular processes to ensure genome stability. Phase separation, a process that involves the spontaneous organization of a solution into separate phases, has been proposed as a mechanism for the timely coordination of several cellular processes, including replication, transcription and DNA repair. Telomeres, the repetitive structures at the end of chromosomes, are epigenetically maintained in a repressed heterochromatic state that prevents their recognition as double-strand breaks (DSB), avoiding DNA damage repair and ensuring cell proliferation. In pluripotent embryonic stem cells, telomeres adopt a non-canonical, relaxed epigenetic state, which is characterized by a low density of histone methylation and expression of telomere non-coding transcripts (TERRA). Intriguingly, this telomere non-canonical conformation is usually associated with chromosome instability and aneuploidy in somatic cells, raising the question of how genome stability is maintained in a pluripotent background. In this review, we will explore how emerging technological and conceptual developments in 3D genome architecture can provide novel mechanistic perspectives for the pluripotent epigenetic paradox at telomeres. In particular, as RNA drives the formation of LLPS, we will consider how pluripotency-associated high levels of TERRA could drive and coordinate phase separation of several nuclear processes to ensure genome stability. These conceptual advances will provide a better understanding of telomere regulation and genome stability within the highly dynamic pluripotent background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Lopes Novo
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
- Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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41
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Yang J, Gong C, Ke Q, Fang Z, Chen X, Ye M, Xu X. Insights Into the Function and Clinical Application of HDAC5 in Cancer Management. Front Oncol 2021; 11:661620. [PMID: 34178647 PMCID: PMC8222663 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.661620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone deacetylase 5 (HDAC5) is a class II HDAC. Aberrant expression of HDAC5 has been observed in multiple cancer types, and its functions in cell proliferation and invasion, the immune response, and maintenance of stemness have been widely studied. HDAC5 is considered as a reliable therapeutic target for anticancer drugs. In light of recent findings regarding the role of epigenetic reprogramming in tumorigenesis, in this review, we provide an overview of the expression, biological functions, regulatory mechanisms, and clinical significance of HDAC5 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sanmen People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Sanmenwan Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Sanmen, China
| | - Chaoju Gong
- Central Laboratory, The Municipal Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qinjian Ke
- Central Laboratory, Sanmen People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Sanmenwan Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Sanmen, China
| | - Zejun Fang
- Central Laboratory, Sanmen People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Sanmenwan Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Sanmen, China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Ming Ye
- Department of General Surgery, Sanmen People's Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Sanmenwan Branch of the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Sanmen, China
| | - Xi Xu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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42
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The Multiple Facets of ATRX Protein. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13092211. [PMID: 34062956 PMCID: PMC8124985 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13092211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The gene encoding for the epigenetic regulator ATRX is gaining a prominent position among the most important oncosuppressive genes of the human genome. ATRX gene somatic mutations are found across a number of diverse cancer types, suggesting its relevance in tumor induction and progression. In the present review, the multiple activities of ATRX protein are described in the light of the most recent literature available highlighting its multifaceted role in the caretaking of the human genome. Abstract ATRX gene codifies for a protein member of the SWI-SNF family and was cloned for the first time over 25 years ago as the gene responsible for a rare developmental disorder characterized by α-thalassemia and intellectual disability called Alpha Thalassemia/mental Retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) syndrome. Since its discovery as a helicase involved in alpha-globin gene transcriptional regulation, our understanding of the multiple roles played by the ATRX protein increased continuously, leading to the recognition of this multifaceted protein as a central “caretaker” of the human genome involved in cancer suppression. In this review, we report recent advances in the comprehension of the ATRX manifold functions that encompass heterochromatin epigenetic regulation and maintenance, telomere function, replicative stress response, genome stability, and the suppression of endogenous transposable elements and exogenous viral genomes.
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43
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Legoff L, D'Cruz SC, Bouchekhchoukha K, Monfort C, Jaulin C, Multigner L, Smagulova F. In utero exposure to chlordecone affects histone modifications and activates LINE-1 in cord blood. Life Sci Alliance 2021; 4:4/6/e202000944. [PMID: 33837044 PMCID: PMC8091598 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202000944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In utero exposure to chlordecone affects chromatin and leads to activation of retroelements. This study shows the changes induced by chlordecone in human umbilical cord blood and blood-derived cell line. Environmental factors can induce detrimental consequences into adulthood life. In this study, we examined the epigenetic effects induced by in utero chlordecone (CD) exposure on human male cord blood as well as in blood-derived Ke-37 cell line. Genome-wide analysis of histone H3K4me3 distribution revealed that genes related to chromosome segregation, chromatin organization, and cell cycle have altered occupancy in their promoters. The affected regions were enriched in ESR1, SP family, and IKZF1 binding motifs. We also observed a global reduction in H3K9me3, markedly in repeated sequences of the genome. Decrease in H3K9me3 after CD exposure correlates with decreased methylation in LINE-1 promoters and telomere length extension. These observations on human cord blood were assessed in the Ke-37 human cell line. H3K4me3 and the expression of genes related to immune response, DNA repair, and chromatin organization, which were affected in human cord blood were also altered in CD-exposed Ke-37 cells. Our data suggest that developmental exposure to CD leads to profound changes in histone modification patterns and affects the processes controlled by them in human cord blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Legoff
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Shereen Cynthia D'Cruz
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Katia Bouchekhchoukha
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Christine Monfort
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Christian Jaulin
- Institut de Génétique et Développement de Rennes, Epigenetics and Cancer Group, UMR 6290 CNRS, Université Rennes 1, Rennes Cedex, France
| | - Luc Multigner
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
| | - Fatima Smagulova
- University of Rennes, EHESP, Inserm, Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail (Irset)-UMR_S 1085, Rennes, France
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44
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Li J, Zhang Y, Chen X, Ma L, Li P, Yu H. Protein phase separation and its role in chromatin organization and diseases. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111520. [PMID: 33765580 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the physical sciences, solid, liquid, and gas are the most familiar phase states, whose essence is their existence reflecting the different spatial distribution of molecular components. The biological molecules in the living cell also have differences in spatial distribution. The molecules organized in the form of membrane-bound organelles are well recognized. However, the biomolecules organized in membraneless compartments called biomolecular condensates remain elusive. The liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), as a new emerging scientific breakthrough, describes the biomolecules assembled in special distribution and appeared as membraneless condensates in the form of a new "phase" compared with the surrounding liquid milieu. LLPS provides an important theoretical basis for explaining the composition of biological molecules and related biological reactions. Mounting evidence has emerged recently that phase-separated condensates participate in various biological activities. This article reviews the occurrence of LLPS and underlying regulatory mechanisms for understanding how multivalent molecules drive phase transitions to form the biomolecular condensates. And, it also summarizes recent major progress in elucidating the roles of LLPS in chromatin organization and provides clues for the development of new innovative therapeutic strategies for related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Li
- Dr. Neher's Laboratory for innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- Dr. Neher's Laboratory for innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Dr. Neher's Laboratory for innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China
| | - Lijuan Ma
- Dr. Neher's Laboratory for innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China
| | - Pilong Li
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Haijie Yu
- Dr. Neher's Laboratory for innovative Drug Discovery, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China; State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao, China.
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45
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Balmer P, Hariton WVJ, Sayar BS, Jagannathan V, Galichet A, Leeb T, Roosje P, Müller EJ. SUV39H2 epigenetic silencing controls fate conversion of epidermal stem and progenitor cells. J Cell Biol 2021; 220:211810. [PMID: 33604655 PMCID: PMC7898489 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201908178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic histone trimethylation on lysine 9 (H3K9me3) represents a major molecular signal for genome stability and gene silencing conserved from worms to man. However, the functional role of the H3K9 trimethylases SUV39H1/2 in mammalian tissue homeostasis remains largely unknown. Here, we use a spontaneous dog model with monogenic inheritance of a recessive SUV39H2 loss-of-function variant and impaired differentiation in the epidermis, a self-renewing tissue fueled by stem and progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation. Our results demonstrate that SUV39H2 maintains the stem and progenitor cell pool by restricting fate conversion through H3K9me3 repressive marks on gene promoters encoding components of the Wnt/p63/adhesion axis. When SUV39H2 function is lost, repression is relieved, and enhanced Wnt activity causes progenitor cells to prematurely exit the cell cycle, a process mimicked by pharmacological Wnt activation in primary canine, human, and mouse keratinocytes. As a consequence, the stem cell growth potential of cultured SUV39H2-deficient canine keratinocytes is exhausted while epidermal differentiation and genome stability are compromised. Collectively, our data identify SUV39H2 and potentially also SUV39H1 as major gatekeepers in the delicate balance of progenitor fate conversion through H3K9me3 rate-limiting road blocks in basal layer keratinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Balmer
- Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - William V J Hariton
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Beyza S Sayar
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Arnaud Galichet
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Petra Roosje
- Division of Clinical Dermatology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eliane J Müller
- Dermfocus, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department for BioMedical Research, Molecular Dermatology and Stem Cell Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute of Animal Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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46
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Lim CJ, Cech TR. Shaping human telomeres: from shelterin and CST complexes to telomeric chromatin organization. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2021; 22:283-298. [PMID: 33564154 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-021-00328-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The regulation of telomere length in mammals is crucial for chromosome end-capping and thus for maintaining genome stability and cellular lifespan. This process requires coordination between telomeric protein complexes and the ribonucleoprotein telomerase, which extends the telomeric DNA. Telomeric proteins modulate telomere architecture, recruit telomerase to accessible telomeres and orchestrate the conversion of the newly synthesized telomeric single-stranded DNA tail into double-stranded DNA. Dysfunctional telomere maintenance leads to telomere shortening, which causes human diseases including bone marrow failure, premature ageing and cancer. Recent studies provide new insights into telomerase-related interactions (the 'telomere replisome') and reveal new challenges for future telomere structural biology endeavours owing to the dynamic nature of telomere architecture and the great number of structures that telomeres form. In this Review, we discuss recently determined structures of the shelterin and CTC1-STN1-TEN1 (CST) complexes, how they may participate in the regulation of telomere replication and chromosome end-capping, and how disease-causing mutations in their encoding genes may affect specific functions. Major outstanding questions in the field include how all of the telomere components assemble relative to each other and how the switching between different telomere structures is achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ci Ji Lim
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. .,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - Thomas R Cech
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. .,BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. .,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA.
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47
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Lister-Shimauchi EH, Dinh M, Maddox P, Ahmed S. Gametes deficient for Pot1 telomere binding proteins alter levels of telomeric foci for multiple generations. Commun Biol 2021; 4:158. [PMID: 33542458 PMCID: PMC7862594 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01624-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Deficiency for telomerase results in transgenerational shortening of telomeres. However, telomeres have no known role in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. C. elegans Protection Of Telomeres 1 (Pot1) proteins form foci at the telomeres of germ cells that disappear at fertilization and gradually accumulate during development. We find that gametes from mutants deficient for Pot1 proteins alter levels of telomeric foci for multiple generations. Gametes from pot-2 mutants give rise to progeny with abundant POT-1::mCherry and mNeonGreen::POT-2 foci throughout development, which persists for six generations. In contrast, gametes from pot-1 mutants or pot-1; pot-2 double mutants induce diminished Pot1 foci for several generations. Deficiency for MET-2, SET-25, or SET-32 methyltransferases, which promote heterochromatin formation, results in gametes that induce diminished Pot1 foci for several generations. We propose that C. elegans POT-1 may interact with H3K9 methyltransferases during pot-2 mutant gametogenesis to induce a persistent form of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance that causes constitutively high levels of heterochromatic Pot1 foci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan H Lister-Shimauchi
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Michael Dinh
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Paul Maddox
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Shawn Ahmed
- Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
- Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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48
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Kartavtseva IV, Sheremetyeva IN, Pavlenko MV. Multiple Chromosomal Polymorphism of “Evoron” Chromosomal Race of the Evoron Vole (Rodentia, Arvicolinae). RUSS J GENET+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795421010087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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49
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Gala K, Khattar E. Long non-coding RNAs at work on telomeres: Functions and implications in cancer therapy. Cancer Lett 2021; 502:120-132. [PMID: 33450357 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2020.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Revised: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate various biological processes including cancer. Cancer cells possess limitless replicative potential which is attained by telomere length maintenance while normal somatic cells have a limited lifespan because their telomeres shorten with every cell division ultimately triggering replicative senescence. Two lncRNAs have been observed to play a key role in telomere length maintenance. First is the lncRNA TERC (telomerase RNA component) which functions as a template for telomeric DNA synthesis in association with telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) which serves as the catalytic component. Together they constitute the telomerase complex which functions as a reverse transcriptase to elongate telomeres. Second lncRNA that helps in regulating telomere length is the telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) which is transcribed from the subtelomeric region and extends to the telomeric region. TERC and TERRA exhibit important functions in cancer with implications in precision oncology. In this review, we discuss various aspects of these important lncRNAs in humans and their role in cancer along with recent advancements in their anticancer therapeutic application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Gala
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's NMIMS (Deemed to be) University, Mumbai, 400056, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ekta Khattar
- Sunandan Divatia School of Science, SVKM's NMIMS (Deemed to be) University, Mumbai, 400056, Maharashtra, India.
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50
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Bruggeman JW, Irie N, Lodder P, van Pelt AMM, Koster J, Hamer G. Tumors Widely Express Hundreds of Embryonic Germline Genes. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3812. [PMID: 33348709 PMCID: PMC7766889 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We have recently described a class of 756 genes that are widely expressed in cancers, but are normally restricted to adult germ cells, referred to as germ cell cancer genes (GC genes). We hypothesized that carcinogenesis involves the reactivation of biomolecular processes and regulatory mechanisms that, under normal circumstances, are restricted to germline development. This would imply that cancer cells share gene expression profiles with primordial germ cells (PGCs). We therefore compared the transcriptomes of human PGCs (hPGCs) and PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) with 17,382 samples from 54 healthy somatic tissues (GTEx) and 11,003 samples from 33 tumor types (TCGA), and identified 672 GC genes, expanding the known GC gene pool by 387 genes (51%). We found that GC genes are expressed in clusters that are often expressed in multiple tumor types. Moreover, the amount of GC gene expression correlates with poor survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. As GC genes specific to the embryonic germline are not expressed in any adult tissue, targeting these in cancer treatment may result in fewer side effects than targeting conventional cancer/testis (CT) or GC genes and may preserve fertility. We anticipate that our extended GC dataset enables improved understanding of tumor development and may provide multiple novel targets for cancer treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Willem Bruggeman
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Naoko Irie
- Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK;
| | - Paul Lodder
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
| | - Jan Koster
- Department of Oncogenomics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Geert Hamer
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.W.B.); (P.L.); (A.M.M.v.P.)
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