1
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Li S, Han T. Frequent loss of FAM126A expression in colorectal cancer results in selective FAM126B dependency. iScience 2024; 27:109646. [PMID: 38638566 PMCID: PMC11025007 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Most advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients cannot benefit from targeted therapy due to lack of actionable targets. By mining data from the DepMap, we identified FAM126B as a specific vulnerability in CRC cell lines exhibiting low FAM126A expression. Employing a combination of genetic perturbation and inducible protein degradation techniques, we demonstrate that FAM126A and FAM126B function in a redundant manner to facilitate the recruitment of PI4KIIIα to the plasma membrane for PI4P synthesis. Examination of data from TCGA and GTEx revealed that over 7% of CRC tumor samples exhibited loss of FAM126A expression, contrasting with uniform FAM126A expression in normal tissues. In both CRC cell lines and tumor samples, promoter hypermethylation correlated with the loss of FAM126A expression, which could be reversed by DNA methylation inhibitors. In conclusion, our study reveals that loss of FAM126A expression results in FAM126B dependency, thus proposing FAM126B as a therapeutic target for CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Li
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Ting Han
- PTN Joint Graduate Program, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing 102206, China
- Tsinghua Institute of Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research, Tsinghua University, Beijing 102206, China
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2
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Esmaeili Anvar N, Lin C, Ma X, Wilson LL, Steger R, Sangree AK, Colic M, Wang SH, Doench JG, Hart T. Efficient gene knockout and genetic interaction screening using the in4mer CRISPR/Cas12a multiplex knockout platform. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3577. [PMID: 38678031 PMCID: PMC11055879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47795-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic interactions mediate the emergence of phenotype from genotype, but technologies for combinatorial genetic perturbation in mammalian cells are challenging to scale. Here, we identify background-independent paralog synthetic lethals from previous CRISPR genetic interaction screens, and find that the Cas12a platform provides superior sensitivity and assay replicability. We develop the in4mer Cas12a platform that uses arrays of four independent guide RNAs targeting the same or different genes. We construct a genome-scale library, Inzolia, that is ~30% smaller than a typical CRISPR/Cas9 library while also targeting ~4000 paralog pairs. Screens in cancer cells demonstrate discrimination of core and context-dependent essential genes similar to that of CRISPR/Cas9 libraries, as well as detection of synthetic lethal and masking/buffering genetic interactions between paralogs of various family sizes. Importantly, the in4mer platform offers a fivefold reduction in library size compared to other genetic interaction methods, substantially reducing the cost and effort required for these assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Esmaeili Anvar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chenchu Lin
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xingdi Ma
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lori L Wilson
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan Steger
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Annabel K Sangree
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Medina Colic
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sidney H Wang
- Center for Human Genetics, The Brown foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John G Doench
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Traver Hart
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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3
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Walton RT, Qin Y, Blainey PC. CROPseq-multi: a versatile solution for multiplexed perturbation and decoding in pooled CRISPR screens. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.17.585235. [PMID: 38558968 PMCID: PMC10979941 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.17.585235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Forward genetic screens seek to dissect complex biological systems by systematically perturbing genetic elements and observing the resulting phenotypes. While standard screening methodologies introduce individual perturbations, multiplexing perturbations improves the performance of single-target screens and enables combinatorial screens for the study of genetic interactions. Current tools for multiplexing perturbations are incompatible with pooled screening methodologies that require mRNA-embedded barcodes, including some microscopy and single cell sequencing approaches. Here, we report the development of CROPseq-multi, a CROPseq1-inspired lentiviral system to multiplex Streptococcus pyogenes (Sp) Cas9-based perturbations with mRNA-embedded barcodes. CROPseq-multi has equivalent per-guide activity to CROPseq and low lentiviral recombination frequencies. CROPseq-multi is compatible with enrichment screening methodologies and optical pooled screens, and is extensible to screens with single-cell sequencing readouts. For optical pooled screens, an optimized and multiplexed in situ detection protocol improves barcode detection efficiency 10-fold, enables detection of recombination events, and increases decoding efficiency 3-fold relative to CROPseq. CROPseq-multi is a widely applicable multiplexing solution for diverse SpCas9-based genetic screening approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell T. Walton
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yue Qin
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Paul C. Blainey
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
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4
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Pacini C, Duncan E, Gonçalves E, Gilbert J, Bhosle S, Horswell S, Karakoc E, Lightfoot H, Curry E, Muyas F, Bouaboula M, Pedamallu CS, Cortes-Ciriano I, Behan FM, Zalmas LP, Barthorpe A, Francies H, Rowley S, Pollard J, Beltrao P, Parts L, Iorio F, Garnett MJ. A comprehensive clinically informed map of dependencies in cancer cells and framework for target prioritization. Cancer Cell 2024; 42:301-316.e9. [PMID: 38215750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Genetic screens in cancer cell lines inform gene function and drug discovery. More comprehensive screen datasets with multi-omics data are needed to enhance opportunities to functionally map genetic vulnerabilities. Here, we construct a second-generation map of cancer dependencies by annotating 930 cancer cell lines with multi-omic data and analyze relationships between molecular markers and cancer dependencies derived from CRISPR-Cas9 screens. We identify dependency-associated gene expression markers beyond driver genes, and observe many gene addiction relationships driven by gain of function rather than synthetic lethal effects. By combining clinically informed dependency-marker associations with protein-protein interaction networks, we identify 370 anti-cancer priority targets for 27 cancer types, many of which have network-based evidence of a functional link with a marker in a cancer type. Mapping these targets to sequenced tumor cohorts identifies tractable targets in different cancer types. This target prioritization map enhances understanding of gene dependencies and identifies candidate anti-cancer targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare Pacini
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emma Duncan
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emanuel Gonçalves
- Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal; INESC-ID, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - James Gilbert
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Shriram Bhosle
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Stuart Horswell
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Emre Karakoc
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Howard Lightfoot
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Ed Curry
- Genome Biology, Genomic Sciences, GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - Francesc Muyas
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | | | | | - Isidro Cortes-Ciriano
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Fiona M Behan
- Genome Biology, Genomic Sciences, GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - Lykourgos-Panagiotis Zalmas
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Andrew Barthorpe
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Hayley Francies
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Genome Biology, Genomic Sciences, GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - Steve Rowley
- Sanofi Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jack Pollard
- Sanofi Research and Development, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Pedro Beltrao
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SD, UK
| | - Leopold Parts
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Francesco Iorio
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Human Technopole, V.le Rita Levi-Montalcini, 1, 20157 Milano, Italy.
| | - Mathew J Garnett
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK; Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1SA, UK.
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5
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Liu X, Hu J, Zheng J. SL-Miner: a web server for mining evidence and prioritization of cancer-specific synthetic lethality. Bioinformatics 2024; 40:btae016. [PMID: 38244572 PMCID: PMC10868331 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btae016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Synthetic lethality (SL) refers to a type of genetic interaction in which the simultaneous inactivation of two genes leads to cell death, while the inactivation of a single gene does not affect cell viability. It significantly expands the range of potential therapeutic targets for anti-cancer treatments. SL interactions are primarily identified through experimental screening and computational prediction. Although various computational methods have been proposed, they tend to ignore providing evidence to support their predictions of SL. Besides, they are rarely user-friendly for biologists who likely have limited programming skills. Moreover, the genetic context specificity of SL interactions is often not taken into consideration. Here, we introduce a web server called SL-Miner, which is designed to mine the evidence of SL relationships between a primary gene and a few candidate SL partner genes in a specific type of cancer, and to prioritize these candidate genes by integrating various types of evidence. For intuitive data visualization, SL-Miner provides a range of charts (e.g. volcano plot and box plot) to help users get insights from the data. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION SL-Miner is available at https://slminer.sist.shanghaitech.edu.cn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jieni Hu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Intelligent Vision and Imaging, Shanghai 201210, China
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6
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Xiong S, Yu K, Lin H, Ye X, Xiao S, Yang Y, Stanley DW, Song Q, Fang Q, Ye G. Regulatory network in heat stress response in parasitoid wasp focusing on Xap5 heat stress regulator. iScience 2024; 27:108622. [PMID: 38205256 PMCID: PMC10777071 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Insects are susceptible to elevated temperatures, resulting in impaired fertility, and shortened lifespan. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms underlying heat stress effects. We conducted RNA sequencing on Pteromalus puparum exposed to 25°C and 35°C, revealing transcriptional signatures. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis uncovered heat stress-associated modules, forming a regulatory network of 113 genes. The network is naturally divided into two subgroups, one linked to acute heat stress, including heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the other to chronic heat stress, involving lipogenesis genes. We identified an Xap5 Heat Shock Regulator (XHSR) gene as a crucial network component, validated through RNA interference and quantitative PCR assays. XHSR knockdown reduced wasps' lifespan while directly inducing HSPs and mediating lipogenesis gene induction. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the Drosophila XHSR homolog reduced mutants' survival, highlighting its conserved role. This research sheds light on thermal tolerance mechanisms, offering potential applications in pest control amid global warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijiao Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Kaili Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Haiwei Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinhai Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - David W. Stanley
- USDA/ARS Biological Control of Insects Research Laboratory, 1503 S. Providence Road, Columbia MO, USA
| | - Qisheng Song
- Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Qi Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gongyin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Rice Biology and Breeding & Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Affairs Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Crop Pathogens and Insects, Institute of Insect Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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7
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Gökbağ B, Tang S, Fan K, Cheng L, Yu L, Zhao Y, Li L. SLKB: synthetic lethality knowledge base. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:D1418-D1428. [PMID: 37889037 PMCID: PMC10767912 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad806] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging CRISPR-Cas9 technology permits synthetic lethality (SL) screening of large number of gene pairs from gene combination double knockout (CDKO) experiments. However, the poor integration and annotation of CDKO SL data in current SL databases limit their utility, and diverse methods of calculating SL scores prohibit their comparison. To overcome these shortcomings, we have developed SL knowledge base (SLKB) that incorporates data of 11 CDKO experiments in 22 cell lines, 16,059 SL gene pairs and 264,424 non-SL gene pairs. Additionally, within SLKB, we have implemented five SL calculation methods: median score with and without background control normalization (Median-B/NB), sgRNA-derived score (sgRNA-B/NB), Horlbeck score, GEMINI score and MAGeCK score. The five scores have demonstrated a mere 1.21% overlap among their top 10% SL gene pairs, reflecting high diversity. Users can browse SL networks and assess the impact of scoring methods using Venn diagrams. The SL network generated from all data in SLKB shows a greater likelihood of SL gene pair connectivity with other SL gene pairs than non-SL pairs. Comparison of SL networks between two cell lines demonstrated greater likelihood to share SL hub genes than SL gene pairs. SLKB website and pipeline can be freely accessed at https://slkb.osubmi.org and https://slkb.docs.osubmi.org/, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birkan Gökbağ
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Shan Tang
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kunjie Fan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lijun Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lianbo Yu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, College of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
| | - Lang Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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8
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Karimpour M, Totonchi M, Behmanesh M, Montazeri H. Pathway-driven analysis of synthetic lethal interactions in cancer using perturbation screens. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302268. [PMID: 37863651 PMCID: PMC10589366 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302268] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality offers a promising approach for developing effective therapeutic interventions in cancer when direct targeting of driver genes is impractical. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed large-scale CRISPR, shRNA, and PRISM screens to identify potential synthetic lethal (SL) interactions in pan-cancer and 12 individual cancer types, using a new computational framework that leverages the biological function and signaling pathway information of key driver genes to mitigate the confounding effects of background genetic alterations in different cancer cell lines. This approach has successfully identified several putative SL interactions, including KRAS-MAP3K2 and APC-TCF7L2 in pan cancer, and CCND1-METTL1, TP53-FRS3, SMO-MDM2, and CCNE1-MTOR in liver, blood, skin, and gastric cancers, respectively. In addition, we proposed several FDA-approved cancer-targeted drugs for various cancer types through PRISM drug screens, such as cabazitaxel for VHL-mutated kidney cancer and alectinib for lung cancer with NRAS or KRAS mutations. Leveraging pathway information can enhance the concordance of shRNA and CRISPR screens and provide clinically relevant findings such as the potential efficacy of dasatinib, an inhibitor of SRC, for colorectal cancer patients with mutations in the WNT signaling pathway. These analyses revealed that taking signaling pathway information into account results in the identification of more promising SL interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Karimpour
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Totonchi
- Department of Genetics, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Behmanesh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hesam Montazeri
- https://ror.org/05vf56z40 Department of Bioinformatics, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Bao Y, Pan Q, Xu P, Liu Z, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Xu Y, Yu Y, Zhou Z, Wei W. Unbiased interrogation of functional lysine residues in human proteome. Mol Cell 2023; 83:4614-4632.e6. [PMID: 37995688 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
CRISPR screens have empowered the high-throughput dissection of gene functions; however, more explicit genetic elements, such as codons of amino acids, require thorough interrogation. Here, we establish a CRISPR strategy for unbiasedly probing functional amino acid residues at the genome scale. By coupling adenine base editors and barcoded sgRNAs, we target 215,689 out of 611,267 (35%) lysine codons, involving 85% of the total protein-coding genes. We identify 1,572 lysine codons whose mutations perturb human cell fitness, with many of them implicated in cancer. These codons are then mirrored to gene knockout screen data to provide functional insights into the role of lysine residues in cellular fitness. Mining these data, we uncover a CUL3-centric regulatory network in which lysine residues of CUL3 CRL complex proteins control cell fitness by specifying protein-protein interactions. Our study offers a general strategy for interrogating genetic elements and provides functional insights into the human proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Bao
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Qian Pan
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhiheng Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhixuan Zhang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yongshuo Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yiyuan Xu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Zhuo Zhou
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; State Key Laboratory of Common Mechanism Research for Major Diseases, Suzhou Institute of Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wensheng Wei
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University Genome Editing Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Changping Laboratory, Beijing 102206, China.
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10
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De Kegel B, Ryan CJ. Paralog dispensability shapes homozygous deletion patterns in tumor genomes. Mol Syst Biol 2023; 19:e11987. [PMID: 37963083 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202311987] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Genomic instability is a hallmark of cancer, resulting in tumor genomes having large numbers of genetic aberrations, including homozygous deletions of protein coding genes. That tumor cells remain viable in the presence of such gene loss suggests high robustness to genetic perturbation. In model organisms and cancer cell lines, paralogs have been shown to contribute substantially to genetic robustness-they are generally more dispensable for growth than singletons. Here, by analyzing copy number profiles of > 10,000 tumors, we test the hypothesis that the increased dispensability of paralogs shapes tumor genome evolution. We find that genes with paralogs are more likely to be homozygously deleted and that this cannot be explained by other factors known to influence copy number variation. Furthermore, features that influence paralog dispensability in cancer cell lines correlate with paralog deletion frequency in tumors. Finally, paralogs that are broadly essential in cancer cell lines are less frequently deleted in tumors than non-essential paralogs. Overall, our results suggest that homozygous deletions of paralogs are more frequently observed in tumor genomes because paralogs are more dispensable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara De Kegel
- School of Computer Science and Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colm J Ryan
- School of Computer Science and Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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11
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Tapescu I, Taschuk F, Pokharel SM, Zginnyk O, Ferretti M, Bailer PF, Whig K, Madden EA, Heise MT, Schultz DC, Cherry S. The RNA helicase DDX39A binds a conserved structure in chikungunya virus RNA to control infection. Mol Cell 2023; 83:4174-4189.e7. [PMID: 37949067 PMCID: PMC10722560 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.10.008] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Alphaviruses are a large group of re-emerging arthropod-borne RNA viruses. The compact viral RNA genomes harbor diverse structures that facilitate replication. These structures can be recognized by antiviral cellular RNA-binding proteins, including DExD-box (DDX) helicases, that bind viral RNAs to control infection. The full spectrum of antiviral DDXs and the structures that are recognized remain unclear. Genetic screening identified DDX39A as antiviral against the alphavirus chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and other medically relevant alphaviruses. Upon infection, the predominantly nuclear DDX39A accumulates in the cytoplasm inhibiting alphavirus replication, independent of the canonical interferon pathway. Biochemically, DDX39A binds to CHIKV genomic RNA, interacting with the 5' conserved sequence element (5'CSE), which is essential for the antiviral activity of DDX39A. Altogether, DDX39A relocalization and binding to a conserved structural element in the alphavirus genomic RNA attenuates infection, revealing a previously unknown layer to the cellular control of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iulia Tapescu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frances Taschuk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cell and Molecular Biology Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Swechha M Pokharel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Oleksandr Zginnyk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Max Ferretti
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Peter F Bailer
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kanupryia Whig
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emily A Madden
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mark T Heise
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Genetics, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David C Schultz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara Cherry
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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12
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Meyers S, Demeyer S, Cools J. CRISPR screening in hematology research: from bulk to single-cell level. J Hematol Oncol 2023; 16:107. [PMID: 37875911 PMCID: PMC10594891 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-023-01495-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The CRISPR genome editing technology has revolutionized the way gene function is studied. Genome editing can be achieved in single genes or for thousands of genes simultaneously in sensitive genetic screens. While conventional genetic screens are limited to bulk measurements of cell behavior, recent developments in single-cell technologies make it possible to combine CRISPR screening with single-cell profiling. In this way, cell behavior and gene expression can be monitored simultaneously, with the additional possibility of including data on chromatin accessibility and protein levels. Moreover, the availability of various Cas proteins leading to inactivation, activation, or other effects on gene function further broadens the scope of such screens. The integration of single-cell multi-omics approaches with CRISPR screening open the path to high-content information on the impact of genetic perturbations at single-cell resolution. Current limitations in cell throughput and data density need to be taken into consideration, but new technologies are rapidly evolving and are likely to easily overcome these limitations. In this review, we discuss the use of bulk CRISPR screening in hematology research, as well as the emergence of single-cell CRISPR screening and its added value to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Meyers
- Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI), KU Leuven - UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Demeyer
- Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI), KU Leuven - UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Cools
- Center for Human Genetics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuvens Kanker Instituut (LKI), KU Leuven - UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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13
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Ravichandran M, Maddalo D. Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 for advancing precision medicine in oncology: from target discovery to disease modeling. Front Genet 2023; 14:1273994. [PMID: 37908590 PMCID: PMC10613999 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1273994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) (CRISPR/Cas9) system is a powerful tool that enables precise and efficient gene manipulation. In a relatively short time, CRISPR has risen to become the preferred gene-editing system due to its high efficiency, simplicity, and programmability at low costs. Furthermore, in the recent years, the CRISPR toolkit has been rapidly expanding, and the emerging advancements have shown tremendous potential in uncovering molecular mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies for human diseases. In this review, we provide our perspectives on the recent advancements in CRISPR technology and its impact on precision medicine, ranging from target identification, disease modeling, and diagnostics. We also discuss the impact of novel approaches such as epigenome, base, and prime editing on preclinical cancer drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirunalini Ravichandran
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Danilo Maddalo
- Department of Translational Oncology, Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, United States
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14
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Anvar NE, Lin C, Ma X, Wilson LL, Steger R, Sangree AK, Colic M, Wang SH, Doench JG, Hart T. Efficient gene knockout and genetic interactions: the IN4MER CRISPR/Cas12a multiplex knockout platform. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522655. [PMID: 36712129 PMCID: PMC9881895 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Genetic interactions mediate the emergence of phenotype from genotype, but initial technologies for combinatorial genetic perturbation in mammalian cells suffer from inefficiency and are challenging to scale. Recent focus on paralog synthetic lethality in cancer cells offers an opportunity to evaluate different approaches and improve on the state of the art. Here we report a meta-analysis of CRISPR genetic interactions screens, identifying a candidate set of background-independent paralog synthetic lethals, and find that the Cas12a platform provides superior sensitivity and assay replicability. We demonstrate that Cas12a can independently target up to four genes from a single guide array, and we build on this knowledge by constructing a genome-scale library that expresses arrays of four guides per clone, a platform we call 'in4mer'. Our genome-scale human library, with only 49k clones, is substantially smaller than a typical CRISPR/Cas9 monogenic library while also targeting more than four thousand paralog pairs, triples, and quads. Proof of concept screens in four cell lines demonstrate discrimination of core and context-dependent essential genes similar to that of state-of-the-art CRISPR/Cas9 libraries, as well as detection of synthetic lethal and masking/buffering genetic interactions between paralogs of various family sizes, a capability not offered by any extant library. Importantly, the in4mer platform offers a fivefold reduction in the number of clones required to assay genetic interactions, dramatically improving the cost and effort required for these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Esmaeili Anvar
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chenchu Lin
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xingdi Ma
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Lori L. Wilson
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ryan Steger
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Annabel K. Sangree
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Medina Colic
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sidney H. Wang
- Center for Human Genetics, The Brown foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - John G. Doench
- Genetic Perturbation Platform, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Traver Hart
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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15
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Tang YJ, Shuldiner EG, Karmakar S, Winslow MM. High-Throughput Identification, Modeling, and Analysis of Cancer Driver Genes In Vivo. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041382. [PMID: 37277208 PMCID: PMC10317066 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041382] [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] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The vast number of genomic and molecular alterations in cancer pose a substantial challenge to uncovering the mechanisms of tumorigenesis and identifying therapeutic targets. High-throughput functional genomic methods in genetically engineered mouse models allow for rapid and systematic investigation of cancer driver genes. In this review, we discuss the basic concepts and tools for multiplexed investigation of functionally important cancer genes in vivo using autochthonous cancer models. Furthermore, we highlight emerging technical advances in the field, potential opportunities for future investigation, and outline a vision for integrating multiplexed genetic perturbations with detailed molecular analyses to advance our understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning J Tang
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Emily G Shuldiner
- Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Saswati Karmakar
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Monte M Winslow
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305, USA
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16
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Hu MZ, Dai ZZ, Ji HY, Zheng AQ, Liang H, Shen MM, Liu JN, Tang KF, Zhu SJ, Wang KJ. Upregulation of FAM50A promotes cancer development. Med Oncol 2023; 40:217. [PMID: 37393403 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02072-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
FAM50A encodes a nuclear protein involved in mRNA processing; however, its role in cancer development remains unclear. Herein, we conducted an integrative pan-cancer analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium databases. Based on the gene expression data from TCGA and GTEx databases, we compared FAM50A mRNA levels in 33 types of human cancer tissues to those in corresponding normal tissues and found that FAM50A mRNA level was upregulated in 20 of the 33 types of common cancer tissues. Then, we compared the DNA methylation status of the FAM50A promoter in tumor tissues to that in corresponding normal tissues. FAM50A upregulation was accompanied by promoter hypomethylation in 8 of the 20 types of tumor tissues, suggesting that promoter hypomethylation contributes to the upregulation of FAM50A in these cancer tissues. Elevated FAM50A expression in 10 types of cancer tissues was associated with poor prognosis in patients with cancer. FAM50A expression was positively correlated with CD4+ T-lymphocyte and dendritic cell infiltration in cancer tissues but was negatively correlated with CD8+ T-cell infiltration in cancer tissues. FAM50A knockdown caused DNA damage, induced interferon beta and interleukin-6 expression, and repressed the proliferation, invasion, and migration of cancer cells. Our findings indicate that FAM50A might be useful in cancer detection, reveal insights into its role in cancer development, and may contribute to the development of cancer diagnostics and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Zhen Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Zheng Dai
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Yu Ji
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - An-Qi Zheng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, 325015, People's Republic of China
| | - Hang Liang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Mei Shen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Choqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Nan Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai-Fu Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Juan Zhu
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ke-Jian Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
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17
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Awwad SW, Serrano-Benitez A, Thomas JC, Gupta V, Jackson SP. Revolutionizing DNA repair research and cancer therapy with CRISPR-Cas screens. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:477-494. [PMID: 36781955 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00571-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
All organisms possess molecular mechanisms that govern DNA repair and associated DNA damage response (DDR) processes. Owing to their relevance to human disease, most notably cancer, these mechanisms have been studied extensively, yet new DNA repair and/or DDR factors and functional interactions between them are still being uncovered. The emergence of CRISPR technologies and CRISPR-based genetic screens has enabled genome-scale analyses of gene-gene and gene-drug interactions, thereby providing new insights into cellular processes in distinct DDR-deficiency genetic backgrounds and conditions. In this Review, we discuss the mechanistic basis of CRISPR-Cas genetic screening approaches and describe how they have contributed to our understanding of DNA repair and DDR pathways. We discuss how DNA repair pathways are regulated, and identify and characterize crosstalk between them. We also highlight the impacts of CRISPR-based studies in identifying novel strategies for cancer therapy, and in understanding, overcoming and even exploiting cancer-drug resistance, for example in the contexts of PARP inhibition, homologous recombination deficiencies and/or replication stress. Lastly, we present the DDR CRISPR screen (DDRcs) portal , in which we have collected and reanalysed data from CRISPR screen studies and provide a tool for systematically exploring them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samah W Awwad
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Almudena Serrano-Benitez
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - John C Thomas
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Vipul Gupta
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephen P Jackson
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Gurdon Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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18
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Xu AF, Molinuevo R, Fazzari E, Tom H, Zhang Z, Menendez J, Casey KM, Ruggero D, Hinck L, Pritchard JK, Barna M. Subfunctionalized expression drives evolutionary retention of ribosomal protein paralogs Rps27 and Rps27l in vertebrates. eLife 2023; 12:e78695. [PMID: 37306301 PMCID: PMC10313321 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78695] [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: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of paralogs through gene duplication is a core evolutionary process. For paralogs that encode components of protein complexes such as the ribosome, a central question is whether they encode functionally distinct proteins or whether they exist to maintain appropriate total expression of equivalent proteins. Here, we systematically tested evolutionary models of paralog function using the ribosomal protein paralogs Rps27 (eS27) and Rps27l (eS27L) as a case study. Evolutionary analysis suggests that Rps27 and Rps27l likely arose during whole-genome duplication(s) in a common vertebrate ancestor. We show that Rps27 and Rps27l have inversely correlated mRNA abundance across mouse cell types, with the highest Rps27 in lymphocytes and the highest Rps27l in mammary alveolar cells and hepatocytes. By endogenously tagging the Rps27 and Rps27l proteins, we demonstrate that Rps27- and Rps27l-ribosomes associate preferentially with different transcripts. Furthermore, murine Rps27 and Rps27l loss-of-function alleles are homozygous lethal at different developmental stages. However, strikingly, expressing Rps27 protein from the endogenous Rps27l locus or vice versa completely rescues loss-of-function lethality and yields mice with no detectable deficits. Together, these findings suggest that Rps27 and Rps27l are evolutionarily retained because their subfunctionalized expression patterns render both genes necessary to achieve the requisite total expression of two equivalent proteins across cell types. Our work represents the most in-depth characterization of a mammalian ribosomal protein paralog to date and highlights the importance of considering both protein function and expression when investigating paralogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adele Francis Xu
- Department of Genetics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Stanford School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Rut Molinuevo
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa CruzSanta CruzUnited States
| | - Elisa Fazzari
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Harrison Tom
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesUnited States
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Zijian Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
| | - Julien Menendez
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa CruzSanta CruzUnited States
| | - Kerriann M Casey
- Department of Biology, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Stanford School of MedicineStanfordUnited States
| | - Davide Ruggero
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Lindsay Hinck
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa CruzSanta CruzUnited States
| | | | - Maria Barna
- Department of Genetics, Stanford UniversityStanfordUnited States
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19
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Xin Y, Zhang Y. Paralog-based synthetic lethality: rationales and applications. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1168143. [PMID: 37350942 PMCID: PMC10282757 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor cells can result from gene mutations and over-expression. Synthetic lethality (SL) offers a desirable setting where cancer cells bearing one mutated gene of an SL gene pair can be specifically targeted by disrupting the function of the other genes, while leaving wide-type normal cells unharmed. Paralogs, a set of homologous genes that have diverged from each other as a consequence of gene duplication, make the concept of SL feasible as the loss of one gene does not affect the cell's survival. Furthermore, homozygous loss of paralogs in tumor cells is more frequent than singletons, making them ideal SL targets. Although high-throughput CRISPR-Cas9 screenings have uncovered numerous paralog-based SL pairs, the unclear mechanisms of targeting these gene pairs and the difficulty in finding specific inhibitors that exclusively target a single but not both paralogs hinder further clinical development. Here, we review the potential mechanisms of paralog-based SL given their function and genetic combination, and discuss the challenge and application prospects of paralog-based SL in cancer therapeutic discovery.
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20
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Cetin R, Wegner M, Luwisch L, Saud S, Achmedov T, Süsser S, Vera-Guapi A, Müller K, Matthess Y, Quandt E, Schaubeck S, Beisel CL, Kaulich M. Optimized metrics for orthogonal combinatorial CRISPR screens. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7405. [PMID: 37149686 PMCID: PMC10164157 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-34597-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-based gene perturbation enables unbiased investigations of single and combinatorial genotype-to-phenotype associations. In light of efforts to map combinatorial gene dependencies at scale, choosing an efficient and robust CRISPR-associated (Cas) nuclease is of utmost importance. Even though SpCas9 and AsCas12a are widely used for single, combinatorial, and orthogonal screenings, side-by-side comparisons remain sparse. Here, we systematically compared combinatorial SpCas9, AsCas12a, and CHyMErA in hTERT-immortalized retinal pigment epithelial cells and extracted performance-critical parameters for combinatorial and orthogonal CRISPR screens. Our analyses identified SpCas9 to be superior to enhanced and optimized AsCas12a, with CHyMErA being largely inactive in the tested conditions. Since AsCas12a contains RNA processing activity, we used arrayed dual-gRNAs to improve AsCas12a and CHyMErA applications. While this negatively influenced the effect size range of combinatorial AsCas12a applications, it enhanced the performance of CHyMErA. This improved performance, however, was limited to AsCas12a dual-gRNAs, as SpCas9 gRNAs remained largely inactive. To avoid the use of hybrid gRNAs for orthogonal applications, we engineered the multiplex SpCas9-enAsCas12a approach (multiSPAS) that avoids RNA processing for efficient orthogonal gene editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronay Cetin
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Martin Wegner
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Leah Luwisch
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sarada Saud
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tatjana Achmedov
- Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Süsser
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Antonella Vera-Guapi
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Konstantin Müller
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Yves Matthess
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Eva Quandt
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, 08195, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Simone Schaubeck
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Chase L Beisel
- Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Helmholtz Institute for RNA-Based Infection Research (HIRI), 97080, Würzburg, Germany
- Medical Faculty, University of Würzburg, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Manuel Kaulich
- Institute of Biochemistry II, Faculty of Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, 60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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21
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Ryan CJ, Mehta I, Kebabci N, Adams DJ. Targeting synthetic lethal paralogs in cancer. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:397-409. [PMID: 36890003 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2023.02.002] [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: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic lethal interactions, where mutation of one gene renders cells sensitive to inhibition of another gene, can be exploited for the development of targeted therapeutics in cancer. Pairs of duplicate genes (paralogs) often share common functionality and hence are a potentially rich source of synthetic lethal interactions. Because the majority of human genes have paralogs, exploiting such interactions could be a widely applicable approach for targeting gene loss in cancer. Moreover, existing small-molecule drugs may exploit synthetic lethal interactions by inhibiting multiple paralogs simultaneously. Consequently, the identification of synthetic lethal interactions between paralogs could be extremely informative for drug development. Here we review approaches to identify such interactions and discuss some of the challenges of exploiting them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm J Ryan
- Conway Institute and School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Ishan Mehta
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Narod Kebabci
- Conway Institute and School of Computer Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research Training in Genomics Data Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David J Adams
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Cambridge, UK
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22
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Kwanten B, Deconick T, Walker C, Wang F, Landesman Y, Daelemans D. E3 ubiquitin ligase ASB8 promotes selinexor-induced proteasomal degradation of XPO1. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 160:114305. [PMID: 36731340 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Selinexor (KPT-330), a small-molecule inhibitor of exportin-1 (XPO1, CRM1) with potent anticancer activity, has recently been granted FDA approval for treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), with a number of additional indications currently under clinical investigation. Since selinexor has often demonstrated synergy when used in combination with other drugs, notably bortezomib and dexamethasone, a more comprehensive approach to uncover new beneficial interactions would be of great value. Moreover, stratifying patients, personalizing therapeutics and improving clinical outcomes requires a better understanding of the genetic vulnerabilities and resistance mechanisms underlying drug response. Here, we used CRISPR-Cas9 loss-of-function chemogenetic screening to identify drug-gene interactions with selinexor in chronic myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma and DLBCL cell lines. We identified the TGFβ-SMAD4 pathway as an important mediator of resistance to selinexor in multiple myeloma cells. Moreover, higher activity of this pathway correlated with prolonged progression-free survival in multiple myeloma patients treated with selinexor, indicating that the TGFβ-SMAD4 pathway is a potential biomarker predictive of therapeutic outcome. In addition, we identified ASB8 (ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 8) as a shared modulator of selinexor sensitivity across all tested cancer types, with both ASB8 knockout and overexpression resulting in selinexor hypersensitivity. Mechanistically, we showed that ASB8 promotes selinexor-induced proteasomal degradation of XPO1. This study provides insight into the genetic factors that influence response to selinexor treatment and could support both the development of predictive biomarkers as well as new drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Kwanten
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tine Deconick
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Feng Wang
- Karyopharm Therapeutics, Newton, MA 02459, USA
| | | | - Dirk Daelemans
- KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy (Rega Institute), Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Blanco-Fernandez J, Jourdain AA. Dead-Seq: Discovering Synthetic Lethal Interactions from Dead Cells Genomics. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2661:329-342. [PMID: 37166646 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3171-3_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Pooled genetic screens have revolutionized the field of functional genomics, yet perturbations that decrease fitness, such as those leading to synthetic lethality, have remained difficult to quantify at the genomic level. We and colleagues previously developed "death screening," a protocol based on the purification of dead cells in genetic screens, and used it to identify a set of genes necessary for mitochondrial gene expression, translation, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), thus offering new possibilities for the diagnosis of mitochondrial disorders. Here, we describe Dead-Seq, a refined protocol for death screening that is compatible with most pooled screening protocols, including genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screening. Dead-Seq converts negative-selection screens into positive-selection screens and generates high-quality data directly from dead cells, at limited sequencing costs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alexis A Jourdain
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland.
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24
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Bonamino MH, Correia EM. The CRISPR/Cas System in Human Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1429:59-71. [PMID: 37486516 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-33325-5_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
The use of CRISPR as a genetic editing tool modified the oncology field from its basic to applied research for opening a simple, fast, and cheaper way to manipulate the genome. This chapter reviews some of the major uses of this technique for in vitro- and in vivo-based biological screenings, for cellular and animal model generation, and new derivative tools applied to cancer research. CRISPR has opened new frontiers increasing the knowledge about cancer, pointing to new solutions to overcome several challenges to better understand the disease and design better treatments.
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25
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Shen M, Kang Y. Cancer fitness genes: emerging therapeutic targets for metastasis. Trends Cancer 2023; 9:69-82. [PMID: 36184492 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Development of cancer therapeutics has traditionally focused on targeting driver oncogenes. Such an approach is limited by toxicity to normal tissues and treatment resistance. A class of 'cancer fitness genes' with crucial roles in metastasis have been identified. Elevated or altered activities of these genes do not directly cause cancer; instead, they relieve the stresses that tumor cells encounter and help them adapt to a changing microenvironment, thus facilitating tumor progression and metastasis. Importantly, as normal cells do not experience high levels of stress under physiological conditions, targeting cancer fitness genes is less likely to cause toxicity to noncancerous tissues. Here, we summarize the key features and function of cancer fitness genes and discuss their therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minhong Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Michigan, MI, USA; Department of Oncology, Wayne State University School of Medicine and Tumor Biology and Microenvironment Research Program, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Michigan, MI, USA.
| | - Yibin Kang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA; Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research Princeton Branch, Princeton, NJ, USA.
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26
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Discovery of synthetic lethal interactions from large-scale pan-cancer perturbation screens. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7748. [PMID: 36517508 PMCID: PMC9751287 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35378-z] [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: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of cancer therapies is limited by the availability of suitable drug targets. Potential candidate drug targets can be identified based on the concept of synthetic lethality (SL), which refers to pairs of genes for which an aberration in either gene alone is non-lethal, but co-occurrence of the aberrations is lethal to the cell. Here, we present SLIdR (Synthetic Lethal Identification in R), a statistical framework for identifying SL pairs from large-scale perturbation screens. SLIdR successfully predicts SL pairs even with small sample sizes while minimizing the number of false positive targets. We apply SLIdR to Project DRIVE data and find both established and potential pan-cancer and cancer type-specific SL pairs consistent with findings from literature and drug response screening data. We experimentally validate two predicted SL interactions (ARID1A-TEAD1 and AXIN1-URI1) in hepatocellular carcinoma, thus corroborating the ability of SLIdR to identify potential drug targets.
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27
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Tang S, Gökbağ B, Fan K, Shao S, Huo Y, Wu X, Cheng L, Li L. Synthetic lethal gene pairs: Experimental approaches and predictive models. Front Genet 2022; 13:961611. [PMID: 36531238 PMCID: PMC9751344 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.961611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Synthetic lethality (SL) refers to a genetic interaction in which the simultaneous perturbation of two genes leads to cell or organism death, whereas viability is maintained when only one of the pair is altered. The experimental exploration of these pairs and predictive modeling in computational biology contribute to our understanding of cancer biology and the development of cancer therapies. We extensively reviewed experimental technologies, public data sources, and predictive models in the study of synthetic lethal gene pairs and herein detail biological assumptions, experimental data, statistical models, and computational schemes of various predictive models, speculate regarding their influence on individual sample- and population-based synthetic lethal interactions, discuss the pros and cons of existing SL data and models, and highlight potential research directions in SL discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Tang
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Birkan Gökbağ
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Kunjie Fan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Shuai Shao
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yang Huo
- Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Xue Wu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lijun Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Lang Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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28
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Hu Y, Ewen-Campen B, Comjean A, Rodiger J, Mohr SE, Perrimon N. Paralog Explorer: A resource for mining information about paralogs in common research organisms. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:6570-6577. [PMID: 36467589 PMCID: PMC9712503 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Paralogs are genes which arose via gene duplication, and when such paralogs retain overlapping or redundant function, this poses a challenge to functional genetics research. Recent technological advancements have made it possible to systematically probe gene function for redundant genes using dual or multiplex gene perturbation, and there is a need for a simple bioinformatic tool to identify putative paralogs of a gene(s) of interest. We have developed Paralog Explorer (https://www.flyrnai.org/tools/paralogs/), an online resource that allows researchers to quickly and accurately identify candidate paralogous genes in the genomes of the model organisms D. melanogaster, C. elegans, D. rerio, M. musculus, and H. sapiens. Paralog Explorer deploys an effective between-species ortholog prediction software, DIOPT, to analyze within-species paralogs. Paralog Explorer allows users to identify candidate paralogs, and to navigate relevant databases regarding gene co-expression, protein-protein and genetic interaction, as well as gene ontology and phenotype annotations. Altogether, this tool extends the value of current ortholog prediction resources by providing sophisticated features useful for identification and study of paralogous genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Hu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Drosophila RNAi Screening Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Corresponding authors at: Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Ben Ewen-Campen
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Aram Comjean
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Drosophila RNAi Screening Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jonathan Rodiger
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Drosophila RNAi Screening Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie E. Mohr
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Drosophila RNAi Screening Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Norbert Perrimon
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Drosophila RNAi Screening Center, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02138, USA,Corresponding authors at: Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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29
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Novak LC, Chou J, Colic M, Bristow CA, Hart T. PICKLES v3: the updated database of pooled in vitro CRISPR knockout library essentiality screens. Nucleic Acids Res 2022; 51:D1117-D1121. [PMID: 36350677 PMCID: PMC9825567 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PICKLES (https://pickles.hart-lab.org) is an updated web interface to a freely available database of genome-scale CRISPR knockout fitness screens in human cell lines. Using a completely rewritten interface, researchers can explore gene knockout fitness phenotypes across cell lines and tissue types and compare fitness profiles with fitness, expression, or mutation profiles of other genes. The database has been updated to include data from three CRISPR libraries (Avana, Score, and TKOv3), and includes information from 1162 whole-genome screens probing the knockout fitness phenotype of 18 959 genes. Source code for the interface and the integrated database are available for download.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance C Novak
- TRACTION, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Juihsuan Chou
- UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA,Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Medina Colic
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Traver Hart
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel: +1 713 794 4946;
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30
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Tang S, Wu X, Liu J, Zhang Q, Wang X, Shao S, Gokbag B, Fan K, Liu X, Li F, Cheng L, Li L. Generation of dual-gRNA library for combinatorial CRISPR screening of synthetic lethal gene pairs. STAR Protoc 2022; 3:101556. [PMID: 36060092 PMCID: PMC9428847 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Combinatorial CRISPR screening is useful for investigating synthetic lethality (SL) gene pairs. Here, we detail the steps for dual-gRNA library construction, with the introduction of two backbones, LentiGuide_DKO and LentiCRISPR_DKO. We describe steps for in vitro screening with 22Rv1-Cas9 and SaOS2-Cas9 cells followed by sequencing and data analysis. By introducing two backbones, we optimized the library construction process, facilitated standard pair-end sequencing, and provided options of screening on cells with or without modification of Cas9 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Tang
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Xue Wu
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jinghui Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Qiongsi Zhang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Shuai Shao
- College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Birkan Gokbag
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Kunjie Fan
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoqi Liu
- Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Fuhai Li
- Institute for Informatics and Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Lijun Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Lang Li
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
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31
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Ding Q, Hou Z, Zhao Z, Chen Y, Zhao L, Xiang Y. Identification of the prognostic signature based on genomic instability-related alternative splicing in colorectal cancer and its regulatory network. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:841034. [PMID: 35923577 PMCID: PMC9340224 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.841034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with many somatic mutations defining its genomic instability. Alternative Splicing (AS) events, are essential for maintaining genomic instability. However, the role of genomic instability-related AS events in CRC has not been investigated. Methods: From The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) program, we obtained the splicing profiles, the single nucleotide polymorphism, transcriptomics, and clinical information of CRC. Combining somatic mutation and AS events data, a genomic instability-related AS signature was constructed for CRC. Mutations analyses, clinical stratification analyses, and multivariate Cox regression analyses evaluated this signature in training set. Subsequently, we validated the sensitivity and specificity of this prognostic signature using a test set and the entire TCGA dataset. We constructed a nomogram for the prognosis prediction of CRC patients. Differentially infiltrating immune cells were screened by using CIBERSORT. Inmmunophenoscore (IPS) analysis was used to evaluate the response of immunotherapy. The AS events-related splicing factors (SF) were analyzed by Pearson’s correlation. The effects of SF regulating the prognostic AS events in proliferation and migration were validated in Caco2 cells. Results: A prognostic signature consisting of seven AS events (PDHA1-88633-ES, KIAA1522-1632-AP, TATDN1-85088-ES, PRMT1-51042-ES, VEZT-23786-ES, AIG1-77972-AT, and PHF11-25891-AP) was constructed. Patients in the high-risk score group showed a higher somatic mutation. The genomic instability risk score was an independent variable associated with overall survival (OS), with a hazard ratio of a risk score of 1.537. The area under the curve of receiver operator characteristic curve of the genomic instability risk score in predicting the OS of CRC patients was 0.733. Furthermore, a nomogram was established and could be used clinically to stratify patients to predict prognosis. Patients defined as high-risk by this signature showed a lower proportion of eosinophils than the low-risk group. Patients with low risk were more sensitive to anti-CTLA4 immunotherapy. Additionally, HSPA1A and FAM50B were two SF regulating the OS-related AS. Downregulation of HSPA1A and FAM50B inhibited the proliferation and migration of Caco2 cells. Conclusion: We constructed an ideal prognostic signature reflecting the genomic instability and OS of CRC patients. HSPA1A and FAM50B were verified as two important SF regulating the OS-related AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuying Ding
- Centre for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengping Hou
- Centre for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhibo Zhao
- The Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yao Chen
- Centre for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yao Chen, ; Lei Zhao, ; Yue Xiang,
| | - Lei Zhao
- Centre for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yao Chen, ; Lei Zhao, ; Yue Xiang,
| | - Yue Xiang
- Centre for Lipid Research, Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Yao Chen, ; Lei Zhao, ; Yue Xiang,
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32
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Trastulla L, Noorbakhsh J, Vazquez F, McFarland J, Iorio F. Computational estimation of quality and clinical relevance of cancer cell lines. Mol Syst Biol 2022; 18:e11017. [PMID: 35822563 PMCID: PMC9277610 DOI: 10.15252/msb.202211017] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Immortal cancer cell lines (CCLs) are the most widely used system for investigating cancer biology and for the preclinical development of oncology therapies. Pharmacogenomic and genome‐wide editing screenings have facilitated the discovery of clinically relevant gene–drug interactions and novel therapeutic targets via large panels of extensively characterised CCLs. However, tailoring pharmacological strategies in a precision medicine context requires bridging the existing gaps between tumours and in vitro models. Indeed, intrinsic limitations of CCLs such as misidentification, the absence of tumour microenvironment and genetic drift have highlighted the need to identify the most faithful CCLs for each primary tumour while addressing their heterogeneity, with the development of new models where necessary. Here, we discuss the most significant limitations of CCLs in representing patient features, and we review computational methods aiming at systematically evaluating the suitability of CCLs as tumour proxies and identifying the best patient representative in vitro models. Additionally, we provide an overview of the applications of these methods to more complex models and discuss future machine‐learning‐based directions that could resolve some of the arising discrepancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Trastulla
- Human Technopole, Milano, Italy.,Open Targets, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Francisca Vazquez
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Francesco Iorio
- Human Technopole, Milano, Italy.,Open Targets, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Feng X, Tang M, Dede M, Su D, Pei G, Jiang D, Wang C, Chen Z, Li M, Nie L, Xiong Y, Li S, Park JM, Zhang H, Huang M, Szymonowicz K, Zhao Z, Hart T, Chen J. Genome-wide CRISPR screens using isogenic cells reveal vulnerabilities conferred by loss of tumor suppressors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm6638. [PMID: 35559673 PMCID: PMC9106303 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm6638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Exploiting cancer vulnerabilities is critical for the discovery of anticancer drugs. However, tumor suppressors cannot be directly targeted because of their loss of function. To uncover specific vulnerabilities for cells with deficiency in any given tumor suppressor(s), we performed genome-scale CRISPR loss-of-function screens using a panel of isogenic knockout cells we generated for 12 common tumor suppressors. Here, we provide a comprehensive and comparative dataset for genetic interactions between the whole-genome protein-coding genes and a panel of tumor suppressor genes, which allows us to uncover known and new high-confidence synthetic lethal interactions. Mining this dataset, we uncover essential paralog gene pairs, which could be a common mechanism for interpreting synthetic lethality. Moreover, we propose that some tumor suppressors could be targeted to suppress proliferation of cells with deficiency in other tumor suppressors. This dataset provides valuable information that can be further exploited for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Feng
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mengfan Tang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Merve Dede
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dan Su
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Guangsheng Pei
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dadi Jiang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhen Chen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Mi Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Litong Nie
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yun Xiong
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Siting Li
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jeong-Min Park
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Klaudia Szymonowicz
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Traver Hart
- Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Junjie Chen
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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34
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Abstract
Over the past decade, CRISPR has become as much a verb as it is an acronym, transforming biomedical research and providing entirely new approaches for dissecting all facets of cell biology. In cancer research, CRISPR and related tools have offered a window into previously intractable problems in our understanding of cancer genetics, the noncoding genome and tumour heterogeneity, and provided new insights into therapeutic vulnerabilities. Here, we review the progress made in the development of CRISPR systems as a tool to study cancer, and the emerging adaptation of these technologies to improve diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyna Katti
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bianca J Diaz
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Science, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christina M Caragine
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Neville E Sanjana
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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35
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Köferle A, Schlattl A, Hörmann A, Thatikonda V, Popa A, Spreitzer F, Ravichandran MC, Supper V, Oberndorfer S, Puchner T, Wieshofer C, Corcokovic M, Reiser C, Wöhrle S, Popow J, Pearson M, Martinez J, Weitzer S, Mair B, Neumüller RA. Interrogation of cancer gene dependencies reveals paralog interactions of autosome and sex chromosome-encoded genes. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110636. [PMID: 35417719 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic networks are characterized by extensive buffering. During tumor evolution, disruption of functional redundancies can create de novo vulnerabilities that are specific to cancer cells. Here, we systematically search for cancer-relevant paralog interactions using CRISPR screens and publicly available loss-of-function datasets. Our analysis reveals >2,000 candidate dependencies, several of which we validate experimentally, including CSTF2-CSTF2T, DNAJC15-DNAJC19, FAM50A-FAM50B, and RPP25-RPP25L. We provide evidence that RPP25L can physically and functionally compensate for the absence of RPP25 as a member of the RNase P/MRP complexes in tRNA processing. Our analysis also reveals unexpected redundancies between sex chromosome genes. We show that chrX- and chrY-encoded paralogs, such as ZFX-ZFY, DDX3X-DDX3Y, and EIF1AX-EIF1AY, are functionally linked. Tumor cell lines from male patients with loss of chromosome Y become dependent on the chrX-encoded gene. We propose targeting of chrX-encoded paralogs as a general therapeutic strategy for human tumors that have lost the Y chromosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Köferle
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Schlattl
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Hörmann
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Venu Thatikonda
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexandra Popa
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Fiona Spreitzer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Verena Supper
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Oberndorfer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Teresa Puchner
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Corinna Wieshofer
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Maja Corcokovic
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Christoph Reiser
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Simon Wöhrle
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johannes Popow
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Mark Pearson
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria
| | - Javier Martinez
- Max Perutz Labs, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Stefan Weitzer
- Max Perutz Labs, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna BioCenter (VBC), Dr. Bohr-Gasse 9/2, 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Mair
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ralph A Neumüller
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Doktor-Boehringer-Gasse 5-11, 1120 Vienna, Austria.
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36
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Pei H, Guo W, Peng Y, Xiong H, Chen Y. Targeting key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation for cancer therapy: Current strategies and future prospective. Med Res Rev 2022; 42:1607-1660. [PMID: 35312190 DOI: 10.1002/med.21886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation play convergent roles in cellular homeostasis, and their dysfunction mediates aberrant gene expressions that underline the hallmarks of tumorigenesis. As tumor progression is dependent on such abnormal regulation of transcription, it is important to discover novel chemical entities as antitumor drugs that target key tumor-associated proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. Despite most key proteins (especially transcription factors) involved in transcriptional regulation are historically recognized as undruggable targets, multiple targeting approaches at diverse levels of transcriptional regulation, such as epigenetic intervention, inhibition of DNA-binding of transcriptional factors, and inhibition of the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), have been established in preclinically or clinically studies. In addition, several new approaches have recently been described, such as targeting proteasomal degradation and eliciting synthetic lethality. This review will emphasize on accentuating these developing therapeutic approaches and provide a thorough conspectus of the drug development to target key proteins involved in transcriptional regulation and their impact on future oncotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiang Pei
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weikai Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, School of Basic Medical Science, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yangrui Peng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xiong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Shenzhen University and Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihua Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, The Institute of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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37
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Di Fraia D, Anitei M, Mackmull MT, Parca L, Behrendt L, Andres-Pons A, Gilmour D, Helmer Citterich M, Kaether C, Beck M, Ori A. Conserved exchange of paralog proteins during neuronal differentiation. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/6/e202201397. [PMID: 35273078 PMCID: PMC8917807 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Paralog proteins promote fine tuning of protein complexes. The author identified a specific paralog signature conserved across vertebrate neuronal differentiation. Altering the ratio of SEC23 paralogs in the COPII complex influences neuronal differentiation in a opposite way. Gene duplication enables the emergence of new functions by lowering the evolutionary pressure that is posed on the ancestral genes. Previous studies have highlighted the role of specific paralog genes during cell differentiation, for example, in chromatin remodeling complexes. It remains unexplored whether similar mechanisms extend to other biological functions and whether the regulation of paralog genes is conserved across species. Here, we analyze the expression of paralogs across human tissues, during development and neuronal differentiation in fish, rodents and humans. Whereas ∼80% of paralog genes are co-regulated, a subset of paralogs shows divergent expression profiles, contributing to variability of protein complexes. We identify 78 substitutions of paralog pairs that occur during neuronal differentiation and are conserved across species. Among these, we highlight a substitution between the paralogs SEC23A and SEC23B members of the COPII complex. Altering the ratio between these two genes via RNAi-mediated knockdown is sufficient to influence neuron differentiation. We propose that remodeling of the vesicular transport system via paralog substitutions is an evolutionary conserved mechanism enabling neuronal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mihaela Anitei
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Marie-Therese Mackmull
- Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zürich Inst. f. Molekulare Systembiologie, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luca Parca
- Department of Biology, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Behrendt
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Darren Gilmour
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Martin Beck
- Department of Molecular Sociology, Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alessandro Ori
- Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
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38
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Functional buffering via cell-specific gene expression promotes tissue homeostasis and cancer robustness. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2974. [PMID: 35194081 PMCID: PMC8863889 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06813-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional buffering that ensures biological robustness is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis, organismal survival, and evolution of novelty. However, the mechanism underlying functional buffering, particularly in multicellular organisms, remains largely elusive. Here, we proposed that functional buffering can be mediated via expression of buffering genes in specific cells and tissues, by which we named Cell-specific Expression-BUffering (CEBU). We developed an inference index (C-score) for CEBU by computing C-scores across 684 human cell lines using genome-wide CRISPR screens and transcriptomic RNA-seq. We report that C-score-identified putative buffering gene pairs are enriched for members of the same duplicated gene family, pathway, and protein complex. Furthermore, CEBU is especially prevalent in tissues of low regenerative capacity (e.g., bone and neuronal tissues) and is weakest in highly regenerative blood cells, linking functional buffering to tissue regeneration. Clinically, the buffering capacity enabled by CEBU can help predict patient survival for multiple cancers. Our results suggest CEBU as a potential buffering mechanism contributing to tissue homeostasis and cancer robustness in humans.
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39
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Kuzmin E, Taylor JS, Boone C. Retention of duplicated genes in evolution. Trends Genet 2022; 38:59-72. [PMID: 34294428 PMCID: PMC8678172 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Gene duplication is a prevalent phenomenon across the tree of life. The processes that lead to the retention of duplicated genes are not well understood. Functional genomics approaches in model organisms, such as yeast, provide useful tools to test the mechanisms underlying retention with functional redundancy and divergence of duplicated genes, including fates associated with neofunctionalization, subfunctionalization, back-up compensation, and dosage amplification. Duplicated genes may also be retained as a consequence of structural and functional entanglement. Advances in human gene editing have enabled the interrogation of duplicated genes in the human genome, providing new tools to evaluate the relative contributions of each of these factors to duplicate gene retention and the evolution of genome structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Kuzmin
- Department of Biochemistry, Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Research Centre, McGill University, 1160 Ave des Pins Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1A3, Canada.,Correspondence to: (E.K.)
| | - John S. Taylor
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, PO Box 1700, Station CSC, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Charles Boone
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, 160 College Street, Toronto ON, M5S 3E1, Canada.,RIKEN Centre for Sustainable Resource Science, Waiko, Saitama, Japan
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40
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Common computational tools for analyzing CRISPR screens. Emerg Top Life Sci 2021; 5:779-788. [PMID: 34881774 PMCID: PMC8786280 DOI: 10.1042/etls20210222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR–Cas technology offers a versatile toolbox for genome editing, with applications in various cancer-related fields such as functional genomics, immunotherapy, synthetic lethality and drug resistance, metastasis, genome regulation, chromatic accessibility and RNA-targeting. The variety of screening platforms and questions in which they are used have caused the development of a wide array of analytical methods for CRISPR analysis. In this review, we focus on the algorithms and frameworks used in the computational analysis of pooled CRISPR knockout (KO) screens and highlight some of the most significant target discoveries made using these methods. Lastly, we offer perspectives on the design and analysis of state-of-art multiplex screening for genetic interactions.
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41
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Dandage R, Landry CR. Identifying features of genome evolution to exploit cancer vulnerabilities. Cell Syst 2021; 12:1127-1130. [PMID: 34914903 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cancer treatment strategies include exploiting genetic vulnerabilities offered by synthetic lethal (SL) interactions between paralogs. In this issue of Cell Systems, De Kegel et al. (2021) apply a machine learning approach to predict robust SL paralogs in the human genome, highlighting genome evolutionary features as key predictors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Dandage
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Département de biochimie, microbiologie et bio-informatique, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; The Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications (PROTEO), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche en données massive (CRDM), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Christian R Landry
- Département de biologie, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Département de biochimie, microbiologie et bio-informatique, Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; The Quebec Network for Research on Protein Function, Engineering, and Applications (PROTEO), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada; Centre de recherche en données massive (CRDM), Université Laval, 1030 Avenue de la médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada.
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42
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Foster B, Attwood M, Gibbs-Seymour I. Tools for Decoding Ubiquitin Signaling in DNA Repair. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:760226. [PMID: 34950659 PMCID: PMC8690248 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.760226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The maintenance of genome stability requires dedicated DNA repair processes and pathways that are essential for the faithful duplication and propagation of chromosomes. These DNA repair mechanisms counteract the potentially deleterious impact of the frequent genotoxic challenges faced by cells from both exogenous and endogenous agents. Intrinsic to these mechanisms, cells have an arsenal of protein factors that can be utilised to promote repair processes in response to DNA lesions. Orchestration of the protein factors within the various cellular DNA repair pathways is performed, in part, by post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitin, SUMO and other ubiquitin-like modifiers (UBLs). In this review, we firstly explore recent advances in the tools for identifying factors involved in both DNA repair and ubiquitin signaling pathways. We then expand on this by evaluating the growing repertoire of proteomic, biochemical and structural techniques available to further understand the mechanistic basis by which these complex modifications regulate DNA repair. Together, we provide a snapshot of the range of methods now available to investigate and decode how ubiquitin signaling can promote DNA repair and maintain genome stability in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Gibbs-Seymour
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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43
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Chu HY, Wong ASL. Facilitating Machine Learning-Guided Protein Engineering with Smart Library Design and Massively Parallel Assays. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2021; 2:2100038. [PMID: 36619853 PMCID: PMC9744531 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202100038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Protein design plays an important role in recent medical advances from antibody therapy to vaccine design. Typically, exhaustive mutational screens or directed evolution experiments are used for the identification of the best design or for improvements to the wild-type variant. Even with a high-throughput screening on pooled libraries and Next-Generation Sequencing to boost the scale of read-outs, surveying all the variants with combinatorial mutations for their empirical fitness scores is still of magnitudes beyond the capacity of existing experimental settings. To tackle this challenge, in-silico approaches using machine learning to predict the fitness of novel variants based on a subset of empirical measurements are now employed. These machine learning models turn out to be useful in many cases, with the premise that the experimentally determined fitness scores and the amino-acid descriptors of the models are informative. The machine learning models can guide the search for the highest fitness variants, resolve complex epistatic relationships, and highlight bio-physical rules for protein folding. Using machine learning-guided approaches, researchers can build more focused libraries, thus relieving themselves from labor-intensive screens and fast-tracking the optimization process. Here, we describe the current advances in massive-scale variant screens, and how machine learning and mutagenesis strategies can be integrated to accelerate protein engineering. More specifically, we examine strategies to make screens more economical, informative, and effective in discovery of useful variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Yee Chu
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic BiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesThe University of Hong KongHong Kong852China
| | - Alan S. L. Wong
- Laboratory of Combinatorial Genetics and Synthetic BiologySchool of Biomedical SciencesThe University of Hong KongHong Kong852China,Electrical and Electronic EngineeringThe University of Hong KongPokfulamHong Kong852China
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44
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Comprehensive prediction of robust synthetic lethality between paralog pairs in cancer cell lines. Cell Syst 2021; 12:1144-1159.e6. [PMID: 34529928 DOI: 10.1016/j.cels.2021.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pairs of paralogs may share common functionality and, hence, display synthetic lethal interactions. As the majority of human genes have an identifiable paralog, exploiting synthetic lethality between paralogs may be a broadly applicable approach for targeting gene loss in cancer. However, only a biased subset of human paralog pairs has been tested for synthetic lethality to date. Here, by analyzing genome-wide CRISPR screens and molecular profiles of over 700 cancer cell lines, we identify features predictive of synthetic lethality between paralogs, including shared protein-protein interactions and evolutionary conservation. We develop a machine-learning classifier based on these features to predict which paralog pairs are most likely to be synthetic lethal and to explain why. We show that our classifier accurately predicts the results of combinatorial CRISPR screens in cancer cell lines and furthermore can distinguish pairs that are synthetic lethal in multiple cell lines from those that are cell-line specific. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information.
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45
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Nguyen LV, Caldas C. Functional genomics approaches to improve pre-clinical drug screening and biomarker discovery. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13189. [PMID: 34254730 PMCID: PMC8422077 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013189] [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: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in sequencing technology have enabled the genomic and transcriptomic characterization of human malignancies with unprecedented detail. However, this wealth of information has been slow to translate into clinically meaningful outcomes. Different models to study human cancers have been established and extensively characterized. Using these models, functional genomic screens and pre-clinical drug screening platforms have identified genetic dependencies that can be exploited with drug therapy. These genetic dependencies can also be used as biomarkers to predict response to treatment. For many cancers, the identification of such biomarkers remains elusive. In this review, we discuss the development and characterization of models used to study human cancers, RNA interference and CRISPR screens to identify genetic dependencies, large-scale pharmacogenomics studies and drug screening approaches to improve pre-clinical drug screening and biomarker discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long V Nguyen
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge InstituteLi Ka Shing CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Cancer CentreCambridgeUK
| | - Carlos Caldas
- Department of Oncology and Cancer Research UK Cambridge InstituteLi Ka Shing CentreUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Cancer CentreCambridgeUK
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46
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Parrish PCR, Thomas JD, Gabel AM, Kamlapurkar S, Bradley RK, Berger AH. Discovery of synthetic lethal and tumor suppressor paralog pairs in the human genome. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109597. [PMID: 34469736 PMCID: PMC8534300 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CRISPR screens have accelerated the discovery of important cancer vulnerabilities. However, single-gene knockout phenotypes can be masked by redundancy among related genes. Paralogs constitute two-thirds of the human protein-coding genome, so existing methods are likely inadequate for assaying a large portion of gene function. Here, we develop paired guide RNAs for paralog genetic interaction mapping (pgPEN), a pooled CRISPR-Cas9 single- and double-knockout approach targeting more than 2,000 human paralogs. We apply pgPEN to two cell types and discover that 12% of human paralogs exhibit synthetic lethality in at least one context. We recover known synthetic lethal paralogs MEK1/MEK2, important drug targets CDK4/CDK6, and other synthetic lethal pairs including CCNL1/CCNL2. Additionally, we identify ten tumor suppressor paralog pairs whose compound loss promotes cell proliferation. These findings nominate drug targets and suggest that paralog genetic interactions could shape the landscape of positive and negative selection in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phoebe C R Parrish
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - James D Thomas
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Austin M Gabel
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Shriya Kamlapurkar
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Alice H Berger
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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47
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Wappett M, Harris A, Lubbock ALR, Lobb I, McDade S, Overton IM. SynLeGG: analysis and visualization of multiomics data for discovery of cancer 'Achilles Heels' and gene function relationships. Nucleic Acids Res 2021; 49:W613-W618. [PMID: 33997893 PMCID: PMC8265155 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkab338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Achilles’ heel relationships arise when the status of one gene exposes a cell's vulnerability to perturbation of a second gene, such as chemical inhibition, providing therapeutic opportunities for precision oncology. SynLeGG (www.overton-lab.uk/synlegg) identifies and visualizes mutually exclusive loss signatures in ‘omics data to enable discovery of genetic dependency relationships (GDRs) across 783 cancer cell lines and 30 tissues. While there is significant focus on genetic approaches, transcriptome data has advantages for investigation of GDRs and remains relatively underexplored. SynLeGG depends upon the MultiSEp algorithm for unsupervised assignment of cell lines into gene expression clusters, which provide the basis for analysis of CRISPR scores and mutational status in order to propose candidate GDRs. Benchmarking against SynLethDB demonstrates favourable performance for MultiSEp against competing approaches, finding significantly higher area under the Receiver Operator Characteristic curve and between 2.8-fold to 8.5-fold greater coverage. In addition to pan-cancer analysis, SynLeGG offers investigation of tissue-specific GDRs and recovers established relationships, including synthetic lethality for SMARCA2 with SMARCA4. Proteomics, Gene Ontology, protein-protein interactions and paralogue information are provided to assist interpretation and candidate drug target prioritization. SynLeGG predictions are significantly enriched in dependencies validated by a recently published CRISPR screen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Wappett
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK.,Drug Discovery, Almac Discovery Ltd, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Adam Harris
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | | | - Ian Lobb
- Drug Discovery, Almac Discovery Ltd, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Simon McDade
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Ian M Overton
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK
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Ortmann BM, Nathan JA. Genetic approaches to understand cellular responses to oxygen availability. FEBS J 2021; 289:5396-5412. [PMID: 34125486 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen-sensing mechanisms have evolved to allow organisms to respond and adapt to oxygen availability. In metazoans, oxygen-sensing is predominantly mediated by the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs). These transcription factors are stabilised when oxygen is limiting, activating genes involved in angiogenesis, cell growth, pH regulation and metabolism to reset cell function and adapt to the cellular environment. However, the recognition that other cellular pathways and enzymes can also respond to changes in oxygen abundance provides further complexity. Dissecting this interplay of oxygen-sensing mechanisms has been a key research goal. Here, we review how genetic approaches have contributed to our knowledge of oxygen-sensing pathways which to date have been predominantly focused on the HIF pathway. We discuss how genetic studies have advanced the field and outline the implications and limitations of such approaches for the development of therapies targeting oxygen-sensing mechanisms in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian M Ortmann
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, UK
| | - James A Nathan
- Department of Medicine, Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, UK
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