1
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Li Y, Zhu T, Yang J, Zhang Q, Xu S, Ge S, Jia R, Zhang J, Fan X. EHMT2 promotes tumorigenesis in GNAQ/11-mutant uveal melanoma via ARHGAP29-mediated RhoA pathway. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:1187-1203. [PMID: 38486999 PMCID: PMC10935147 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.12.002] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Constitutive activation of GNAQ/11 is the initiative oncogenic event in uveal melanoma (UM). Direct targeting GNAQ/11 has yet to be proven feasible as they are vital for a plethora of cellular functions. In search of genetic vulnerability for UM, we found that inhibition of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) expression or activity significantly reduced the proliferation and migration capacity of cancer cells. Notably, elevated expression of EHMT2 had been validated in UM samples. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated high EHMT2 protein level was related to poor recurrence-free survival and a more advanced T stage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing analysis and the following mechanistic investigation showed that ARHGAP29 was a downstream target of EHMT2. Its transcription was suppressed by EHMT2 in a methyltransferase-dependent pattern in GNAQ/11-mutant UM cells, leading to elevated RhoA activity. Rescuing constitutively active RhoA in UM cells lacking EHMT2 restored oncogenic phenotypes. Simultaneously blocking EHMT2 and GNAQ/11 signaling in vitro and in vivo showed a synergistic effect on UM growth, suggesting the driver role of these two key molecules. In summary, our study shows evidence for an epigenetic program of EHMT2 regulation that influences UM progression and indicates inhibiting EHMT2 and MEK/ERK simultaneously as a therapeutic strategy in GNAQ/11-mutant UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Tianyu Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Qianqian Zhang
- National Research Center for Translational Medicine (Shanghai), State Key Laboratory of Medical Genomics, Shanghai Institute of Hematology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Shiqiong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Renbing Jia
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Jianming Zhang
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhangjiang Institute for Advanced Study, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xianqun Fan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai 200001, China
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2
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van den Bosch QCC, de Klein A, Verdijk RM, Kiliç E, Brosens E. Uveal melanoma modeling in mice and zebrafish. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189055. [PMID: 38104908 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive research and refined therapeutic options, the survival for metastasized uveal melanoma (UM) patients has not improved significantly. UM, a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in the uveal tract, can be asymptomatic and small tumors may be detected only during routine ophthalmic exams; making early detection and treatment difficult. UM is the result of a number of characteristic somatic alterations which are associated with prognosis. Although UM morphology and biology have been extensively studied, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the early stages of UM tumor evolution and effective treatment to prevent metastatic disease remain elusive. A better understanding of the mechanisms that enable UM cells to thrive and successfully metastasize is crucial to improve treatment efficacy and survival rates. For more than forty years, animal models have been used to investigate the biology of UM. This has led to a number of essential mechanisms and pathways involved in UM aetiology. These models have also been used to evaluate the effectiveness of various drugs and treatment protocols. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological studies using mouse and zebrafish UM models. Finally, we highlight promising therapeutics and discuss future considerations using UM models such as optimal inoculation sites, use of BAP1mut-cell lines and the rise of zebrafish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quincy C C van den Bosch
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section of Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emine Kiliç
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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3
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Wang W, Li F, Wang J, Liu Z, Tian M, Wang Z, Li H, Qu J, Chen Y, Hou L. Disrupting Hedgehog signaling in melanocytes by SUFU knockout leads to ocular melanocytosis and anterior segment malformation. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050210. [PMID: 37577930 PMCID: PMC10481947 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050210] [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: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling is well known for its crucial role during development, but its specific role in individual cell lineages is less well characterized. Here, we disrupted Hh signaling specifically in melanocytes by using Cre-mediated cell-type-specific knockout of the Hh regulator suppressor of fused (Sufu). Interestingly, corresponding mice were fully pigmented and showed no developmental alterations in melanocyte numbers or distribution in skin and hair follicles. However, there were ectopic melanoblasts visible in the anterior chamber of the eye that eventually displayed severe malformation. Choroidal melanocytes remained unaltered. Surprisingly, the abnormal accumulation of anterior uveal melanoblasts was not the result of increased cell proliferation but of increased migration to ectopic locations such as the cornea. In melanoblasts in vitro, Sufu knockdown replicated the increase in cell migration without affecting proliferation and was mediated by an increased level of phosphorylated-ERK brought about by a reduction in the levels of the repressor form of GLI3. These results highlight the developmental divergence of distinct melanocyte subpopulations and may shed light on the pathogenesis of human ocular melanocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weizhuo Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Feiyang Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zuimeng Liu
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Meiyu Tian
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zhenhang Wang
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Huirong Li
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Jia Qu
- National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Diseases, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Ling Hou
- Laboratory of Developmental Cell Biology and Disease, State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
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4
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Han A, Mukha D, Chua V, Purwin TJ, Tiago M, Modasia B, Baqai U, Aumiller JL, Bechtel N, Hunter E, Danielson M, Terai M, Wedegaertner PB, Sato T, Landreville S, Davies MA, Kurtenbach S, Harbour JW, Schug ZT, Aplin AE. Co-Targeting FASN and mTOR Suppresses Uveal Melanoma Growth. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3451. [PMID: 37444561 PMCID: PMC10341317 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) displays a high frequency of metastasis; however, effective therapies for metastatic UM are limited. Identifying unique metabolic features of UM may provide a potential targeting strategy. A lipid metabolism protein expression signature was induced in a normal choroidal melanocyte (NCM) line transduced with GNAQ (Q209L), a driver in UM growth and development. Consistently, UM cells expressed elevated levels of fatty acid synthase (FASN) compared to NCMs. FASN upregulation was associated with increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) levels. FASN and mTOR inhibitors alone significantly reduced UM cell growth. Concurrent inhibition of FASN and mTOR further reduced UM cell growth by promoting cell cycle arrest and inhibiting glucose utilization, TCA cycle metabolism, and de novo fatty acid biosynthesis. Our findings indicate that FASN is important for UM cell growth and co-inhibition of FASN and mTOR signaling may be considered for treatment of UM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju 54896, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dzmitry Mukha
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (D.M.); (Z.T.S.)
| | - Vivian Chua
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Timothy J. Purwin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Manoela Tiago
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Bhavik Modasia
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Usman Baqai
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Jenna L. Aumiller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (J.L.A.); (P.B.W.)
| | - Nelisa Bechtel
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Emily Hunter
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
| | - Meggie Danielson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (M.D.); (M.T.); (T.S.)
| | - Mizue Terai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (M.D.); (M.T.); (T.S.)
| | - Philip B. Wedegaertner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (J.L.A.); (P.B.W.)
| | - Takami Sato
- Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (M.D.); (M.T.); (T.S.)
| | - Solange Landreville
- Department of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology-Cervical-Facial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada;
| | - Michael A. Davies
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Stefan Kurtenbach
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA; (S.K.); (J.W.H.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
| | - J. William Harbour
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA; (S.K.); (J.W.H.)
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Zachary T. Schug
- Molecular and Cellular Oncogenesis Program, The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (D.M.); (Z.T.S.)
| | - Andrew E. Aplin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.H.); (V.C.); (T.J.P.); (M.T.); (U.B.); (E.H.)
- Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
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5
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Gelmi MC, Verdijk RM, Houtzagers LE, van der Velden PA, Kroes WGM, Luyten GPM, Vu THK, Jager MJ. Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor: A Differentiation Marker in Uveal Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108861. [PMID: 37240204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is an important regulator of melanogenesis and melanocyte development. In cutaneous melanoma, MITF loss has been linked to an increased expression of stem cell markers, a shift in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factors, and increased inflammation. We explored the role of MITF in Uveal Melanoma (UM) using a cohort of 64 patients enucleated at the Leiden University Medical Center. We analysed the relation between MITF expression and clinical, histopathological and genetic features of UM, as well as survival. We performed differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analysis using mRNA microarray data, comparing MITF-low with MITF-high UM. MITF expression was lower in heavily pigmented UM than in lightly pigmented UM (p = 0.003), which we confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, MITF was significantly lower in UM with monosomy 3/BAP1 loss than in those with disomy 3/no BAP1 loss (p < 0.001) and with 8q gain/amplification 8q (p = 0.02). Spearman correlation analysis showed that a low MITF expression was associated with an increase in inflammatory markers, hallmark pathways involved in inflammation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Similar to the situation in cutaneous melanoma, we propose that MITF loss in UM is related to de-differentiation to a less favourable EMT profile and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chiara Gelmi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laurien E Houtzagers
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter A van der Velden
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wilma G M Kroes
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gregorius P M Luyten
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - T H Khanh Vu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of Ophthalmology, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
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6
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Garcia-Elfring A, Sabin CE, Iouchmanov AL, Roffey HL, Samudra SP, Alcala AJ, Osman RS, Lauderdale JD, Hendry AP, Menke DB, Barrett RDH. Piebaldism and chromatophore development in reptiles are linked to the tfec gene. Curr Biol 2023; 33:755-763.e3. [PMID: 36702128 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Reptiles display great diversity in color and pattern, yet much of what we know about vertebrate coloration comes from classic model species such as the mouse and zebrafish.1,2,3,4 Captive-bred ball pythons (Python regius) exhibit a remarkable degree of color and pattern variation. Despite the wide range of Mendelian color phenotypes available in the pet trade, ball pythons remain an overlooked species in pigmentation research. Here, we investigate the genetic basis of the recessive piebald phenotype, a pattern defect characterized by patches of unpigmented skin (leucoderma). We performed whole-genome sequencing and used a case-control approach to discover a nonsense mutation in the gene encoding the transcription factor tfec, implicating this gene in the leucodermic patches in ball pythons. We functionally validated tfec in a lizard model (Anolis sagrei) using the gene editing CRISPR/Cas9 system and TEM imaging of skin. Our findings show that reading frame mutations in tfec affect coloration and lead to a loss of iridophores in Anolis, indicating that tfec is required for chromatophore development. This study highlights the value of captive-bred ball pythons as a model species for accelerating discoveries on the genetic basis of vertebrate coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Garcia-Elfring
- Department of Biology, Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada.
| | - Christina E Sabin
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Anna L Iouchmanov
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Heather L Roffey
- Biology Department, Vanier College, Montreal, QC H4L 3X9, Canada
| | - Sukhada P Samudra
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Aaron J Alcala
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rida S Osman
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - James D Lauderdale
- Neuroscience Division of the Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrew P Hendry
- Department of Biology, Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Douglas B Menke
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Rowan D H Barrett
- Department of Biology, Redpath Museum, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 0G4, Canada.
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7
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Sundaramurthi H, Giricz Z, Kennedy BN. Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential of Histone Deacetylase 6 Inhibitors for Primary and Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169378. [PMID: 36012642 PMCID: PMC9409113 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM) have a poor survival prognosis. Unfortunately for this rare disease, there is no known cure and suitable therapeutic options are limited. HDAC6 inhibitors (HDAC6i) are currently in clinical trials for other cancers and show potential beneficial effects against tumor cell survival in vitro and in vivo. In MUM cells, HDAC6i show an anti-proliferative effect in vitro and in preclinical xenograft models. The use of HDAC6 inhibitors as a treatment option for MUM should be explored further. Therefore, this review discusses (1) what is known about HDAC6i in MUM and (2) whether HDAC6 inhibitors offer a potential therapeutic option for MUM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Husvinee Sundaramurthi
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zoltán Giricz
- Pharmahungary Group, 6720 Szeged, Hungary
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Semmelweis University, 1085 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Breandán N. Kennedy
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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8
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Phelps GB, Amsterdam A, Hagen HR, García NZ, Lees JA. MITF
deficiency and oncogenic
GNAQ
each promote proliferation programs in zebrafish melanocyte lineage cells. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2022; 35:539-547. [PMID: 35869673 PMCID: PMC9541221 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.13057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary malignancy of the adult eye but lacks any FDA‐approved therapy for the deadly metastatic disease. Thus, there is a great need to dissect the driving mechanisms for UM and develop strategies to evaluate potential therapeutics. Using an autochthonous zebrafish model, we previously identified MITF, the master melanocyte transcription factor, as a tumor suppressor in GNAQQ209L‐driven UM. Here, we show that zebrafish mitfa‐deficient GNAQQ209L‐driven tumors significantly up‐regulate neural crest markers, and that higher expression of a melanoma‐associated neural crest signature correlates with poor UM patient survival. We further determined how the mitfa‐null state, as well as expression of GNAQQ209L, YAPS127A;S381A, or BRAFV600E oncogenes, impacts melanocyte lineage cells before they acquire the transformed state. Specifically, examination 5 days post‐fertilization showed that mitfa‐deficiency is sufficient to up‐regulate pigment progenitor and neural crest markers, while GNAQQ209L expression promotes a proliferative phenotype that is further enhanced by YAPS127A;S381A co‐expression. Finally, we show that this oncogene‐induced proliferative phenotype can be used to screen chemical inhibitors for their efficacy against the UM pathway. Overall, this study establishes that a neural crest signature correlates with poor UM survival, and describes an in vivo assay for preclinical trials of potential UM therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace B. Phelps
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Adam Amsterdam
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Hannah R. Hagen
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Nicole Zambrana García
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
| | - Jacqueline A. Lees
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Department of Biology Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge MA USA
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