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Hawkins MR, Wingert RA. Zebrafish as a Model to Study Retinoic Acid Signaling in Development and Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041180. [PMID: 37189798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041180] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is a metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) that plays various roles in development to influence differentiation, patterning, and organogenesis. RA also serves as a crucial homeostatic regulator in adult tissues. The role of RA and its associated pathways are well conserved from zebrafish to humans in both development and disease. This makes the zebrafish a natural model for further interrogation into the functions of RA and RA-associated maladies for the sake of basic research, as well as human health. In this review, we explore both foundational and recent studies using zebrafish as a translational model for investigating RA from the molecular to the organismal scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hawkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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2
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Ivanovics B, Gazsi G, Reining M, Berta I, Poliska S, Toth M, Domokos A, Nagy B, Staszny A, Cserhati M, Csosz E, Bacsi A, Csenki-Bakos Z, Acs A, Urbanyi B, Czimmerer Z. Embryonic exposure to low concentrations of aflatoxin B1 triggers global transcriptomic changes, defective yolk lipid mobilization, abnormal gastrointestinal tract development and inflammation in zebrafish. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:125788. [PMID: 33838512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Aflatoxin B1-contaminated feeds and foods induce various health problems in domesticated animals and humans, including tumor development and hepatotoxicity. Aflatoxin B1 also has embryotoxic effects in different livestock species and humans. However, it is difficult to distinguish between the indirect, maternally-mediated toxic effects and the direct embryotoxicity of aflatoxin B1 in mammals. In the present study, we investigated the aflatoxin B1-induced direct embryotoxic effects in a zebrafish embryo model system combining toxicological, transcriptomic, immunological, and biochemical approaches. Embryonic exposure to aflatoxin B1 induced significant changes at the transcriptome level resulting in elevated expression of inflammatory gene network and repression of lipid metabolism and gastrointestinal tract development-related gene sets. According to the gene expression changes, massive neutrophil granulocyte influx, elevated nitric oxide production, and yolk lipid accumulation were observed in the abdominal region of aflatoxin B1-exposed larvae. In parallel, aflatoxin B1-induced defective gastrointestinal tract development and reduced L-arginine level were found in our model system. Our results revealed the complex direct embryotoxic effects of aflatoxin B1, including inhibited lipid utilization, defective intestinal development, and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bence Ivanovics
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Gyongyi Gazsi
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Marta Reining
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Izabella Berta
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Szilard Poliska
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Marta Toth
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Apolka Domokos
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary; Molecular Cell and Immunobiology Doctoral School, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Bela Nagy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Adam Staszny
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Matyas Cserhati
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Eva Csosz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Attila Bacsi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Csenki-Bakos
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Andras Acs
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary
| | - Bela Urbanyi
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Godollo, Hungary.
| | - Zsolt Czimmerer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
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3
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Kobar K, Collett K, Prykhozhij SV, Berman JN. Zebrafish Cancer Predisposition Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660069. [PMID: 33987182 PMCID: PMC8112447 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer predisposition syndromes are rare, typically monogenic disorders that result from germline mutations that increase the likelihood of developing cancer. Although these disorders are individually rare, resulting cancers collectively represent 5-10% of all malignancies. In addition to a greater incidence of cancer, affected individuals have an earlier tumor onset and are frequently subjected to long-term multi-modal cancer screening protocols for earlier detection and initiation of treatment. In vivo models are needed to better understand tumor-driving mechanisms, tailor patient screening approaches and develop targeted therapies to improve patient care and disease prognosis. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a robust model for cancer research due to its high fecundity, time- and cost-efficient genetic manipulation and real-time high-resolution imaging. Tumors developing in zebrafish cancer models are histologically and molecularly similar to their human counterparts, confirming the validity of these models. The zebrafish platform supports both large-scale random mutagenesis screens to identify potential candidate/modifier genes and recently optimized genome editing strategies. These techniques have greatly increased our ability to investigate the impact of certain mutations and how these lesions impact tumorigenesis and disease phenotype. These unique characteristics position the zebrafish as a powerful in vivo tool to model cancer predisposition syndromes and as such, several have already been created, including those recapitulating Li-Fraumeni syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, RASopathies, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, and several other pathogenic mutations in cancer predisposition genes. In addition, the zebrafish platform supports medium- to high-throughput preclinical drug screening to identify compounds that may represent novel treatment paradigms or even prevent cancer evolution. This review will highlight and synthesize the findings from zebrafish cancer predisposition models created to date. We will discuss emerging trends in how these zebrafish cancer models can improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms driving cancer predisposition and their potential to discover therapeutic and/or preventative compounds that change the natural history of disease for these vulnerable children, youth and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Kobar
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Keon Collett
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jason N. Berman
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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4
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Suo L, VanBuren C, Hovland ED, Kedishvili NY, Sundberg JP, Everts HB. Dietary Vitamin A Impacts Refractory Telogen. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:571474. [PMID: 33614636 PMCID: PMC7892905 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.571474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hair follicles cycle through periods of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), rest (telogen), and release (exogen). Telogen is further divided into refractory and competent telogen based on expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and wingless-related MMTV integration site 7A (WNT7A). During refractory telogen hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) are inhibited. Retinoic acid synthesis proteins localized to the hair follicle and this localization pattern changed throughout the hair cycle. In addition, excess retinyl esters arrested hair follicles in telogen. The purpose of this study was to further define these hair cycle changes. BMP4 and WNT7A expression was also used to distinguish refractory from competent telogen in C57BL/6J mice fed different levels of retinyl esters from two previous studies. These two studies produced opposite results; and differed in the amount of retinyl esters the dams consumed and the age of the mice when the different diet began. There were a greater percentage of hair follicles in refractory telogen both when mice were bred on an unpurified diet containing copious levels of retinyl esters (study 1) and consumed excess levels of retinyl esters starting at 12 weeks of age, as well as when mice were bred on a purified diet containing adequate levels of retinyl esters (study 2) and remained on this diet at 6 weeks of age. WNT7A expression was consistent with these results. Next, the localization of vitamin A metabolism proteins in the two stages of telogen was examined. Keratin 6 (KRT6) and cellular retinoic acid binding protein 2 (CRABP2) localized almost exclusively to refractory telogen hair follicles in study 1. However, KRT6 and CRABP2 localized to both competent and refractory telogen hair follicles in mice fed adequate and high levels of retinyl esters in study 2. In mice bred and fed an unpurified diet retinol dehydrogenase SDR16C5, retinal dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH1A2), and cytochrome p450 26B1 (CYP26B1), enzymes and proteins involved in RA metabolism, localized to BMP4 positive refractory telogen hair follicles. This suggests that vitamin A may contribute to the inhibition of HFSC during refractory telogen in a dose dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liye Suo
- Department of Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Christine VanBuren
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Eylul Damla Hovland
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, United States
| | - Natalia Y Kedishvili
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | | | - Helen B Everts
- Department of Human Nutrition, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States.,Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, United States
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5
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Everts HB, Akuailou EN. Retinoids in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13010153. [PMID: 33466372 PMCID: PMC7824907 DOI: 10.3390/nu13010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal studies as early as the 1920s suggested that vitamin A deficiency leads to squamous cell metaplasia in numerous epithelial tissues including the skin. However, humans usually die from vitamin A deficiency before cancers have time to develop. A recent long-term cohort study found that high dietary vitamin A reduced the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). cSCC is a form of nonmelanoma skin cancer that primarily occurs from excess exposure to ultraviolet light B (UVB). These cancers are expensive to treat and can lead to metastasis and death. Oral synthetic retinoids prevent the reoccurrence of cSCC, but side effects limit their use in chemoprevention. Several proteins involved in vitamin A metabolism and signaling are altered in cSCC, which may lead to retinoid resistance. The expression of vitamin A metabolism proteins may also have prognostic value. This article reviews what is known about natural and synthetic retinoids and their metabolism in cSCC.
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Functional characterization of CNOT3 variants identified in familial adenomatous polyposis adenomas. Oncotarget 2019; 10:3939-3951. [PMID: 31231471 PMCID: PMC6570471 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Germline mutations in the tumor suppressor Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) define Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), the genetic predisposition to developing adenomatous polyps. Recent sequencing of FAP adenomas have challenged established dogma that APC mutations alone represent the adenoma mutational landscape because recurrent somatic mutations in non-WNT pathway genes were also discovered. In particular, one of these novel genes, CNOT3, presented E20K and E70K mutations that are predicted to be deleterious in silico. We utilized zebrafish embryos to determine if these mutations affect CNOT3 function and perform novel biology in an APC-dependent pathway in vivo. Human CNOT3 (hCNOT3) and E20K mRNA injection rescued zebrafish cnot3a knockdown lordosis phenotype while E70K did not. In the FAP apcmcr zebrafish model, we show that ctbp1, but not retinoic acid, regulates cnot3a expression. Injection of hCNOT3 and E20K, but not E70K, to homozygous apcmcr zebrafish initiated gut differentiation while cnot3a knockdown in wildtype embryos led to decreased intestinal development and differentiation. Finally, targeted sequencing of 37 additional FAP adenomas revealed CNOT3 mutations in 20% of these samples. Overall, our work supports a mechanism where CTBP1 regulates CNOT3 and that overall CNOT3 perturbation could work in concert with germline APC mutations in advancing adenomas to a more transformed state prior to progression to adenocarcinoma.
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Functions of the APC tumor suppressor protein dependent and independent of canonical WNT signaling: implications for therapeutic targeting. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2019; 37:159-172. [PMID: 29318445 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-017-9725-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The acquisition of biallelic mutations in the APC gene is a rate-limiting step in the development of most colorectal cancers and occurs in the earliest lesions. APC encodes a 312-kDa protein that localizes to multiple subcellular compartments and performs diverse functions. APC participates in a cytoplasmic complex that promotes the destruction of the transcriptional licensing factor β-catenin; APC mutations that abolish this function trigger constitutive activation of the canonical WNT signaling pathway, a characteristic found in almost all colorectal cancers. By negatively regulating canonical WNT signaling, APC counteracts proliferation, promotes differentiation, facilitates apoptosis, and suppresses invasion and tumor progression. APC further antagonizes canonical WNT signaling by interacting with and counteracting β-catenin in the nucleus. APC also suppresses tumor initiation and progression in the colorectal epithelium through functions that are independent of canonical WNT signaling. APC regulates the mitotic spindle to facilitate proper chromosome segregation, localizes to the cell periphery and cell protrusions to establish cell polarity and appropriate directional migration, and inhibits DNA replication by interacting directly with DNA. Mutations in APC are often frameshifts, insertions, or deletions that introduce premature stop codons and lead to the production of truncated APC proteins that lack its normal functions and possess tumorigenic properties. Therapeutic approaches in development for the treatment of APC-deficient tumors are focused on the inhibition of canonical WNT signaling, especially through targets downstream of APC in the pathway, or on the restoration of wild-type APC expression.
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Abstract
Multiple binding and transport proteins facilitate many aspects of retinoid biology through effects on retinoid transport, cellular uptake, metabolism, and nuclear delivery. These include the serum retinol binding protein sRBP (aka Rbp4), the plasma membrane sRBP receptor Stra6, and the intracellular retinoid binding-proteins such as cellular retinol-binding proteins (CRBP) and cellular retinoic acid binding-proteins (CRABP). sRBP transports the highly lipophilic retinol through an aqueous medium. The major intracellular retinol-binding protein, CRBP1, likely enhances efficient retinoid use by providing a sink to facilitate retinol uptake from sRBP through the plasma membrane or via Stra6, delivering retinol or retinal to select enzymes that generate retinyl esters or retinoic acid, and protecting retinol/retinal from excess catabolism or opportunistic metabolism. Intracellular retinoic acid binding-proteins (CRABP1 and 2, and FABP5) seem to have more diverse functions distinctive to each, such as directing retinoic acid to catabolism, delivering retinoic acid to specific nuclear receptors, and generating non-canonical actions. Gene ablation of intracellular retinoid binding-proteins does not cause embryonic lethality or gross morphological defects. Metabolic and functional defects manifested in knockouts of CRBP1, CRBP2 and CRBP3, however, illustrate their essentiality to health, and in the case of CRBP2, to survival during limited dietary vitamin A. Future studies should continue to address the specific molecular interactions that occur between retinoid binding-proteins and their targets and their precise physiologic contributions to retinoid homeostasis and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph L Napoli
- Graduate Program in Metabolic Biology, Department of Nutritional Sciences and Toxicology, University of California, 119 Morgan Hall, 94720, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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Cai J, Yang W, Chen D, Zhang Y, He Z, Zhang W, Zhang L. Transcriptomic analysis of the differentiating ovary of the protogynous ricefield eel Monopterus albus. BMC Genomics 2017; 18:573. [PMID: 28768496 PMCID: PMC5541746 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-017-3953-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ricefield eel is a protogynous hermaphroditic Synbranchiform species that changes sex naturally from female to male, which offers an interesting model for studying gonadal (particularly ovarian) differentiation in vertebrates. In the present study, transcriptome sequencing of the gonad of ricefield eel larvae was performed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the ovarian differentiation and development. RESULTS A total of 301,267,988 clean reads were generated from cDNA libraries of gonadal tissues of ricefield eel larvae at 6, 9, 12, and 20 days post hatching (dph), which contained undifferentiated gonads, differentiating ovaries, ovaries with oogonia, and ovaries with meiotic oocytes, respectively. De-novo assembly of all the clean reads generated a total of 265,896 unigenes with a mean size of 720 bp and a N50 of 1107 bp. RT-qPCR analysis of the developmental expression of 13 gonadal development-related functional genes indicated that RNA-seq data are reliable. Transcriptome data suggest that high expression of female development-related genes and low expression of male development-related genes in the early gonads of ricefield eel larvae participate in the cascade of sex differentiation leading to the final female phenotype. The contrasting expression patterns of genes involved in retinoid acid (RA) synthesis and degradation might result in peak production of RA at 12 dph in the gonad of ricefield eel larvae, and induce molecular events responsible for the initiation of meiosis before the meiotic signs could be observed at 20 dph. In addition, only stra6 but not stra8 could be identified in gonadal transcriptome data of ricefield eel larvae, and the expression pattern of stra6 paralleled those of genes involved in RA synthesis, suggesting that stra6 may be a downstream target of RA and play a role in RA metabolism and/or meiotic initiation in the gonad of ricefield eel larvae. CONCLUSIONS The present study depicted the first large-scale RNA sequencing of the gonad of ricefield eel larvae, and identified many important functional genes, GO terms and KEGG pathways involved in gonadal development and germ cell meiosis. Results of the present study will facilitate future study on the ovarian differentiation of ricefield eels and other teleosts as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Cai
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Yang
- Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Dong Chen
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China
| | - Yize Zhang
- Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China
| | - Zhi He
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, 625014, P. R. China
| | - Weimin Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Aquatic Economic Animals and Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Aquatic Economic Animals, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, P. R. China.
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Biology, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, People's Republic of China.
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Sandoval IT, Delacruz RGC, Miller BN, Hill S, Olson KA, Gabriel AE, Boyd K, Satterfield C, Van Remmen H, Rutter J, Jones DA. A metabolic switch controls intestinal differentiation downstream of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28397687 PMCID: PMC5388534 DOI: 10.7554/elife.22706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Elucidating signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism is essential for a better understanding of normal development and tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1), a crucial player in pyruvate metabolism, is downregulated in colon adenocarcinomas. Utilizing zebrafish to examine the genetic relationship between MPC1 and Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a key tumor suppressor in colorectal cancer, we found that apc controls the levels of mpc1 and that knock down of mpc1 recapitulates phenotypes of impaired apc function including failed intestinal differentiation. Exogenous human MPC1 RNA rescued failed intestinal differentiation in zebrafish models of apc deficiency. Our data demonstrate a novel role for apc in pyruvate metabolism and that pyruvate metabolism dictates intestinal cell fate and differentiation decisions downstream of apc. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22706.001 Colon cancer remains an important problem in healthcare. Cancer researchers are looking for new ways to detect the disease earlier and treat it more effectively. This is challenging because many of the genetic and molecular causes of colon cancer are still poorly understood. Mutations in the gene that encodes a protein called APC are one of the major causes of the disease. The APC protein normally keeps cells from growing and dividing too fast or in an uncontrolled way and is hence referred to as a tumor suppressor. For example, APC induces stem cells in the intestine to develop into specialized cells that keep the gut working normally. Mutations in tumor suppressor genes are common in many cancers. Other research has shown that cancer cells must reprogram their own metabolism – in other words, all the chemical processes that keep the cell alive – to meet the demands of proliferating rapidly. In particular, recent studies reveal that colon cancer cells produce less of a protein called mpc1, which is involved in metabolism. These discoveries raised the following questions: does APC have an additional role in maintaining normal metabolism in cells by controlling how much mpc1 is produced? Do mutations in the gene for APC lead to colon cancer because they alter the cell’s metabolism? Sandoval et al. have now discovered a connection between APC and changes in cancer cells that help them to adapt to a new metabolic program. Experiments with zebrafish – a model animal that is now commonly used in the field of cancer biology – showed that APC acts via mpc1 to regulate how the cell uses energy. This regulation goes awry in colon cells that have abnormal APC activity; however, restoring the cell’s metabolism back to normal was enough to induce cells in the intestine to develop properly. Together, these findings suggest that restoring the normal balance of energy production in colon cancer cells may be an effective way to make the cells behave normally. This hypothesis remains to be tested and, if confirmed, further studies will be needed to determine whether it will lead to new treatments for colon cancer in humans. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22706.002
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Affiliation(s)
- Imelda T Sandoval
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Richard Glenn C Delacruz
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Braden N Miller
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Shauna Hill
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States.,Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, United States
| | - Kristofor A Olson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - Ana E Gabriel
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Kevin Boyd
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Christeena Satterfield
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Holly Van Remmen
- Aging and Metabolism Research Program, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
| | - Jared Rutter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, United States
| | - David A Jones
- Functional and Chemical Genomics, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, United States
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11
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The Vital Dye CDr10b Labels the Zebrafish Mid-Intestine and Lumen. Molecules 2017; 22:molecules22030454. [PMID: 28335401 PMCID: PMC6155399 DOI: 10.3390/molecules22030454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe the use of the fluorescent reporter compound CDr10b to label mid-intestinal structures in zebrafish larvae after simple immersion. CDr10b is deposited into the gut where it initially fills the lumen and is excreted. Using laser-mediated injury of the intestine, we show that CDr10b provides a useful readout of the integrity and repair of the epithelial cell barrier. In addition, CDr10b specifically labels the absorptive mid-intestine segment that is analogous to the mammalian small intestine. By perturbing retinoic acid signaling, which regulates the size of the mid-intestine segment, we show that CDr10b is a valuable tool to rapidly assess developmental malformations of the intestine in live animals.
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13
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Cunningham TJ, Duester G. Mechanisms of retinoic acid signalling and its roles in organ and limb development. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2015; 16:110-23. [PMID: 25560970 PMCID: PMC4636111 DOI: 10.1038/nrm3932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) signalling has a central role during vertebrate development. RA synthesized in specific locations regulates transcription by interacting with nuclear RA receptors (RARs) bound to RA response elements (RAREs) near target genes. RA was first implicated in signalling on the basis of its teratogenic effects on limb development. Genetic studies later revealed that endogenous RA promotes forelimb initiation by repressing fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8). Insights into RA function in the limb serve as a paradigm for understanding how RA regulates other developmental processes. In vivo studies have identified RAREs that control repression of Fgf8 during body axis extension or activation of homeobox (Hox) genes and other key regulators during neuronal differentiation and organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J Cunningham
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Gregg Duester
- Development, Aging, and Regeneration Program, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, 10901 N. Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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14
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Kropotova ES, Zinovieva OL, Zyryanova AF, Dybovaya VI, Prasolov VS, Beresten SF, Oparina NY, Mashkova TD. Altered expression of multiple genes involved in retinoic acid biosynthesis in human colorectal cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2014; 20:707-17. [PMID: 24599561 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-014-9751-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA), the oxidized form of vitamin A (retinol), regulates a wide variety of biological processes, such as cell proliferation and differentiation. Multiple alcohol, retinol and retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (ADHs, RDHs, RALDHs) as well as aldo-keto reductases (AKRs) catalyze atRA production. The reduced atRA biosynthesis has been observed in several human tumors, including colorectal cancer. However, subsets of atRA-synthesizing enzymes have not been determined in colorectal tumors. We investigated the expression patterns of genes involved in atRA biosynthesis in normal human colorectal tissues, primary carcinomas and cancer cell lines by RT-PCR. These genes were identified using transcriptomic data analysis (expressed sequence tags, RNA-sequencing, microarrays). Our results indicate that each step of the atRA biosynthesis pathway is dysregulated in colorectal cancer. Frequent and significant decreases in the mRNA levels of the ADH1B, ADH1C, RDHL, RDH5 and AKR1B10 genes were observed in a majority of colorectal carcinomas. The expression levels of the RALDH1 gene were reduced, and the expression levels of the cytochrome CYP26A1 gene increased. The human colon cancer cell lines showed a similar pattern of changes in the mRNA levels of these genes. A dramatic reduction in the expression of genes encoding the predominant retinol-oxidizing enzymes could impair atRA production. The most abundant of these genes, ADH1B and ADH1C, display decreased expression during progression from adenoma to early and more advanced stage of colorectal carcinomas. The diminished atRA biosynthesis may lead to alteration of cell growth and differentiation in the colon and rectum, thus contributing to the progression of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekaterina S Kropotova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991, Moscow, Russian Federation
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15
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Brown AC, Leonard HM, McGraw KJ, Clotfelter ED. Maternal effects of carotenoid supplementation in an ornamented cichlid fish. Funct Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandria C. Brown
- Graduate Program in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology University of Massachusetts Amherst Massachusetts 01003, USA
- Department of Biology Amherst College Amherst Massachusetts 01002, USA
| | | | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences Arizona State University Tempe Arizona 85287, USA
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16
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Watts SA, Powell M, D'Abramo LR. Fundamental approaches to the study of zebrafish nutrition. ILAR J 2013; 53:144-60. [PMID: 23382346 DOI: 10.1093/ilar.53.2.144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The value of the zebrafish model has been well established. However, culture variability within and among laboratories remains a concern, particularly as it relates to nutrition. Investigators using rodent models addressed this concern several decades ago and have developed strict nutritional regimes to which their models adhere. These investigators decreased the variability associated with nutrition in most studies by developing standardized reference and open formulation diets. Zebrafish investigators have not embraced this approach. In this article, we address the problems associated with the lack of nutritional information and standardization in the zebrafish research community. Based on the knowledge gained from studies of other animals, including traditional research models, other fish species, domesticated and companion animals, and humans, we have proposed an approach that seeks to standardize nutrition research in zebrafish. We have identified a number of factors for consideration in zebrafish nutrition studies and have suggested a number of proposed outcomes. The long term-goal of nutrition research will be to identify the daily nutritional requirements of the zebrafish and to develop appropriate standardized reference and open formulation diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Watts
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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17
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Andersen A, Jones DA. APC and DNA demethylation in cell fate specification and intestinal cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2013; 754:167-77. [PMID: 22956501 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4419-9967-2_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Most cases of colon cancer are initiated by mutation or loss of the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). APC controls many cellular functions including intestinal cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and polarity. This chapter focuses on the role of APC in regulating a recently identified DNA demethylase system, consisting of a cytidine deaminase and a DNA glycosylase. A global decrease in DNA methylation is known to occur soon after loss of APC; however, how this occurs and its contribution to tumorigenesis has been unclear. In the absence of wild-type APC, ectopic expression of the DNA demethylase system leads to the hypomethylation of specific loci, including intestinal cell fating genes, and stabilizes intestinal cells in an undifferentiated state. Further, misregulation of this system may influence the acquisition of subsequent genetic mutations that drive tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Andersen
- Departments of Oncological Sciences and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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18
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Pittlik S, Begemann G. New sources of retinoic acid synthesis revealed by live imaging of an Aldh1a2-GFP reporter fusion protein throughout zebrafish development. Dev Dyn 2012; 241:1205-16. [DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.23805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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19
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Visualization of retinoic acid signaling in transgenic axolotls during limb development and regeneration. Dev Biol 2012; 368:63-75. [PMID: 22627291 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2012.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Revised: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) plays a necessary role in limb development and regeneration, but the precise mechanism by which it acts during these processes is unclear. The role of RA in limb regeneration was first highlighted by the remarkable effect that it has on respecifying the proximodistal axis of the regenerating limb so that serially repeated limbs are produced. To facilitate the study of RA signaling during development and then during regeneration of the same structure we have turned to the axolotl, the master of vertebrate regeneration, and generated transgenic animals that fluorescently report RA signaling in vivo. Characterization of these animals identified an anterior segment of the developing embryo where RA signaling occurs revealing conserved features of the early vertebrate embryo. During limb development RA signaling was present in the developing forelimb bud mesenchyme, but was not detected during hindlimb development. During limb regeneration, RA signaling was surprisingly almost exclusively observed in the apical epithelium suggesting a different role of RA during limb regeneration. After the addition of supplemental RA to regenerating limbs that leads to pattern duplications, the fibroblast stem cells of the blastema responded showing that they are capable of transcriptionally responding to RA. These findings are significant because it means that RA signaling may play a multifunctional role during forelimb development and regeneration and that the fibroblast stem cells that regulate proximodistal limb patterning during regeneration are targets of RA signaling.
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20
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Napoli JL. Physiological insights into all-trans-retinoic acid biosynthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2011; 1821:152-67. [PMID: 21621639 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2011.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 241] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2011] [Revised: 05/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
All-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) provides essential support to diverse biological systems and physiological processes. Epithelial differentiation and its relationship to cancer, and embryogenesis have typified intense areas of interest into atRA function. Recently, however, interest in atRA action in the nervous system, the immune system, energy balance and obesity has increased considerably, especially concerning postnatal function. atRA action depends on atRA biosynthesis: defects in retinoid-dependent processes increasingly relate to defects in atRA biogenesis. Considerable evidence indicates that physiological atRA biosynthesis occurs via a regulated process, consisting of a complex interaction of retinoid binding-proteins and retinoid recognizing enzymes. An accrual of biochemical, physiological and genetic data have identified specific functional outcomes for the retinol dehydrogenases, RDH1, RDH10, and DHRS9, as physiological catalysts of the first step in atRA biosynthesis, and for the retinal dehydrogenases RALDH1, RALDH2, and RALDH3, as catalysts of the second and irreversible step. Each of these enzymes associates with explicit biological processes mediated by atRA. Redundancy occurs, but seems limited. Cumulative data support a model of interactions among these enzymes with retinoid binding-proteins, with feedback regulation and/or control by atRA via modulating gene expression of multiple participants. The ratio apo-CRBP1/holo-CRBP1 participates by influencing retinol flux into and out of storage as retinyl esters, thereby modulating substrate to support atRA biosynthesis. atRA biosynthesis requires the presence of both an RDH and an RALDH: conversely, absence of one isozyme of either step does not indicate lack of atRA biosynthesis at the site. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Retinoid and Lipid Metabolism.
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21
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Rai K, Sarkar S, Broadbent TJ, Voas M, Grossmann KF, Nadauld LD, Dehghanizadeh S, Hagos FT, Li Y, Toth RK, Chidester S, Bahr TM, Johnson WE, Sklow B, Burt R, Cairns BR, Jones DA. DNA demethylase activity maintains intestinal cells in an undifferentiated state following loss of APC. Cell 2010; 142:930-42. [PMID: 20850014 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2010.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2009] [Revised: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Although genome-wide hypomethylation is a hallmark of many cancers, roles for active DNA demethylation during tumorigenesis are unknown. Here, loss of the APC tumor suppressor gene causes upregulation of a DNA demethylase system and the concomitant hypomethylation of key intestinal cell fating genes. Notably, this hypomethylation maintained zebrafish intestinal cells in an undifferentiated state that was released upon knockdown of demethylase components. Mechanistically, the demethylase genes are directly activated by Pou5f1 and Cebpβ and are indirectly repressed by retinoic acid, which antagonizes Pou5f1 and Cebpβ. Apc mutants lack retinoic acid as a result of the transcriptional repression of retinol dehydrogenase l1 via a complex that includes Lef1, Groucho2, Ctbp1, Lsd1, and Corest. Our findings imply a model wherein APC controls intestinal cell fating through a switch in DNA methylation dynamics. Wild-type APC and retinoic acid downregulate demethylase components, thereby promoting DNA methylation of key genes and helping progenitors commit to differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunal Rai
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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22
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Faro A, Boj SF, Clevers H. Fishing for intestinal cancer models: unraveling gastrointestinal homeostasis and tumorigenesis in zebrafish. Zebrafish 2010; 6:361-76. [PMID: 19929219 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish has proven to be a highly versatile model for comprehensive studies of gene function in development. Given that the molecular pathways involved in epithelial carcinogenesis appear to be conserved across vertebrates, zebrafish is now considered as a valid model to study tumor biology. Development and homeostasis in multicellular organisms are dependent on a complex interplay between cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, and cell death. The Wnt signaling pathway is a major signaling pathway during embryonic development and is the key regulator of self-renewal homeostasis in several adult tissues. A large body of knowledge on adult stem-cell biology has arisen from the study of the intestinal epithelium over the past 20 years. The Wnt pathway has appeared as its principal regulator of homeostatic self-renewal. Moreover, most cancers of the intestine are caused by activating mutations in the Wnt pathway. Recently, zebrafish models have been developed to study Wnt pathway-induced cancer. An appealing avenue for cancer research in zebrafish is large-scale screens to identify chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive agents in conjunction with the in vivo imaging approaches that zebrafish affords.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Faro
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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23
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Lu J, Xu Q, Zheng J, Liu H, Li J, Chen K. Comparative proteomics analysis of cardiac muscle samples from pufferfishTakifugu rubripesexposed to excessive fluoride: Initial molecular response to fluorosis. Toxicol Mech Methods 2009; 19:468-75. [DOI: 10.1080/15376510903170969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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24
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Faro A, Boj SF, Ambrósio R, van den Broek O, Korving J, Clevers H. T-cell factor 4 (tcf7l2) is the main effector of Wnt signaling during zebrafish intestine organogenesis. Zebrafish 2009; 6:59-68. [PMID: 19374549 DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2009.0580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt pathway orchestrates cell fate decisions during embryonic development, organogenesis, and adult tissues homeostasis. T-cell factor (Tcf )/lymphoid enhancer-binding factor (Lef) transcription factors are the downstream effectors of canonical Wnt signaling. Upon Wnt signal activation, beta-catenin stabilizes and translocates to the nucleus, where it interacts with Tcfs activating the transcription of Wnt target genes. In the absence of Wnt, levels of stable beta-catenin are reduced by the action of adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) and other cytoplasmic proteins. Mutations in Apc cause constitutive accumulation of beta-catenin and inappropriate activation of the Wnt pathway. apc(mcr/mcr) fish embryos show absence of expression of tissue-specific differentiation markers in the intestine, suggesting that inappropriate activation of Wnt signaling abrogates gut organogenesis. Which Tcf transcription factor mediates Wnt signaling during zebrafish gut organogenesis remains unclear. We studied the combined effect of loss of Tcf family members and Apc in the developing embryo. Tcf4 (tcf7l2) loss rescues the apc(mcr/mcr) phenotype in the intestine. Single depletion of Tcf1 (tcf7) and Tcf3 (tcf7l1a) function in an Apc mutant background had no effect on endoderm development. This study reveals that Tcf4 (tcf7l2) is the major effector of Wnt signaling in the intestine during zebrafish organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Faro
- Hubrecht Institute for Developmental Biology and Stem Cell Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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25
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Phelps RA, Chidester S, Dehghanizadeh S, Phelps J, Sandoval IT, Rai K, Broadbent T, Sarkar S, Burt RW, Jones DA. A two-step model for colon adenoma initiation and progression caused by APC loss. Cell 2009; 137:623-34. [PMID: 19450512 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2008] [Revised: 12/16/2008] [Accepted: 02/13/2009] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant Wnt/beta-catenin signaling following loss of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is thought to initiate colon adenoma formation. Using zebrafish and human cells, we show that homozygous loss of APC causes failed intestinal cell differentiation but that this occurs in the absence of nuclear beta-catenin and increased intestinal cell proliferation. Therefore, loss of APC is insufficient for causing beta-catenin nuclear localization. APC mutation-induced intestinal differentiation defects instead depend on the transcriptional corepressor C-terminal binding protein-1 (CtBP1), whereas proliferation defects and nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin require the additional activation of KRAS. These findings suggest that, following APC loss, CtBP1 contributes to adenoma initiation as a first step, whereas KRAS activation and beta-catenin nuclear localization promote adenoma progression to carcinomas as a second step. Consistent with this model, human FAP adenomas showed robust upregulation of CtBP1 in the absence of detectable nuclear beta-catenin, whereas nuclear beta-catenin was detected in carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reid A Phelps
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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26
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Verkade H, Heath JK. Wnt signaling mediates diverse developmental processes in zebrafish. Methods Mol Biol 2008; 469:225-51. [PMID: 19109714 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60327-469-2_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A combination of forward and reverse genetic approaches in zebrafish has revealed novel roles for canonical Wnt and Wnt/PCP signaling during vertebrate development. Forward genetics in zebrafish provides an exceptionally powerful tool to assign roles in vertebrate developmental processes to novel genes, as well as elucidating novel roles played by known genes. This has indeed turned out to be the case for components of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Non-canonical Wnt signaling in the zebrafish is also currently a topic of great interest, due to the identified roles of this pathway in processes requiring the integration of cell polarity and cell movement, such as the directed migration movements that drive the narrowing and lengthening (convergence and extension) of the embryo during early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Verkade
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Eisinger AL, Nadauld LD, Shelton DN, Prescott SM, Stafforini DM, Jones DA. Retinoic acid inhibits beta-catenin through suppression of Cox-2: a role for truncated adenomatous polyposis coli. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:29394-400. [PMID: 17673467 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m609768200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) underlie the earliest stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. Consequences of APC mutation include stabilization of beta-catenin, dysregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and loss of retinoic acid production, events with poorly defined interactions. Here we showed that treatment of zebrafish expressing a truncated form of Apc with either retinoic acid or a selective COX-2 inhibitor decreased beta-catenin protein levels and downstream signaling events. Interestingly, the destruction of beta-catenin in apc mutant embryos following Cox-2 inhibition required the presence of truncated Apc. These findings support roles for retinoic acid and Cox-2 in regulating the stability of beta-catenin following Apc loss. Furthermore, truncated Apc appears to retain the ability to target beta-catenin for destruction, but only in the absence of Cox-2 activity. This novel function of truncated Apc may provide a molecular basis for the efficacy of COX-2 inhibitors in the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie L Eisinger
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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28
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Abstract
Retinoids (retinol [vitamin A] and its biologically active metabolites) are essential signaling molecules that control various developmental pathways and influence the proliferation and differentiation of a variety of cell types. The physiological actions of retinoids are mediated primarily by the retinoic acid receptors alpha, beta, and gamma (RARs) and rexinoid receptors alpha, beta, and gamma. Although mutations in RARalpha, via the PML-RARalpha fusion proteins, result in acute promyelocytic leukemia, RARs have generally not been reported to be mutated or part of fusion proteins in carcinomas. However, the retinoid signaling pathway is often compromised in carcinomas. Altered retinol metabolism, including low levels of lecithin:retinol acyl trasferase and retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 2, and higher levels of CYP26A1, has been observed in various tumors. RARbeta(2) expression is also reduced or is absent in many types of cancer. A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which retinoids induce cell differentiation, and in particular stem cell differentiation, is required in order to solve the issue of retinoid resistance in tumors, and thereby to utilize RA and synthetic retinoids more effectively in combination therapies for human cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel P Mongan
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021, USA
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29
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfram Goessling
- Stem Cell Program and Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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30
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Wang L, Tang Y, Rubin DC, Levin MS. Chronically administered retinoic acid has trophic effects in the rat small intestine and promotes adaptation in a resection model of short bowel syndrome. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2007; 292:G1559-69. [PMID: 17307727 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00567.2006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Following the loss of functional small bowel surface area, the intestine undergoes a compensatory adaptive response. The observation that adaptation is inhibited in vitamin A-deficient rats following submassive intestinal resection suggested that vitamin A is required for this response and raised the possibility that exogenous vitamin A could augment adaptation. Therefore, to directly assess whether chronically administered retinoic acid could stimulate gut adaptation in a model of short bowel syndrome and to address the mechanisms of any such effects, Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with controlled release retinoic acid or control pellets and then subjected to mid-small bowel or sham resections. At 2 wk postoperation, changes in gut morphology, crypt cell proliferation and apoptosis, enterocyte migration, the extracellular matrix, and gene expression were assessed. Retinoic acid had significant trophic effects in resected and sham-resected rats. Retinoic acid markedly inhibited apoptosis and stimulated crypt cell proliferation and enterocyte migration postresection. Data presented indicate that these proadaptive effects of retinoic acid may be mediated via changes in the extracellular matrix (e.g., by increasing collagen IV synthesis, decreasing E-cadherin expression, and reducing integrin beta(3) levels), via affects on Hedgehog signaling (e.g., by reducing expression of the Hedgehog receptors Ptch and Ptch2 and the Gli1 transcription factor), by increasing expression of Reg1 and Pap1, and by modulation of retinoid and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathways. These studies are the first to demonstrate that retinoic acid can significantly enhance intestinal adaptation and suggest it may be beneficial in patients with short bowel syndrome.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptation, Physiological/drug effects
- Adaptation, Physiological/genetics
- Animals
- Apoptosis/drug effects
- Cell Movement/drug effects
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Implants
- Enterocytes/drug effects
- Enterocytes/pathology
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism
- Intestine, Small/drug effects
- Intestine, Small/metabolism
- Intestine, Small/pathology
- Intestine, Small/physiopathology
- Intestine, Small/surgery
- Male
- Pancreatitis-Associated Proteins
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/drug effects
- Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/metabolism
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/agonists
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/genetics
- Receptors, Retinoic Acid/metabolism
- Short Bowel Syndrome/drug therapy
- Short Bowel Syndrome/genetics
- Short Bowel Syndrome/metabolism
- Short Bowel Syndrome/pathology
- Short Bowel Syndrome/physiopathology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Time Factors
- Tretinoin/administration & dosage
- Tretinoin/pharmacology
- Tretinoin/therapeutic use
- Wnt Proteins/metabolism
- beta Catenin/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihua Wang
- Washington Univ. School of Medicine, Campus Box 8124, 660 South Euclid Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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31
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Shelton DN, Sandoval IT, Eisinger A, Chidester S, Ratnayake A, Ireland CM, Jones DA. Up-regulation of CYP26A1 in adenomatous polyposis coli-deficient vertebrates via a WNT-dependent mechanism: implications for intestinal cell differentiation and colon tumor development. Cancer Res 2006; 66:7571-7. [PMID: 16885356 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-06-1067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene seem to underlie the initiation of many colorectal carcinomas. Loss of APC function results in accumulation of beta-catenin and activation of beta-catenin/TCF-dependent transcription. Recent studies have implicated APC in controlling retinoic acid biosynthesis during normal intestinal development through a WNT-independent mechanism. Paradoxically, however, previous studies found that dietary supplementation of Apc(MIN) mice with retinoic acid failed to abrogate adenoma formation. While investigating the above finding, we found that expression of CYP26A1, a major retinoic acid catabolic enzyme, was up-regulated in Apc(MIN) mouse adenomas, human FAP adenomas, human sporadic colon carcinomas, and in the intestine of apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish embryos. Mechanistically, cyp26a1 induction following apc mutation is dependent on WNT signaling as antisense morpholino knockdown of tcf4 or injection of a dnLEF construct into apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish suppressed expression of cyp26a1 along with known WNT target genes. In addition, injection of stabilized beta-catenin or dnGSK3beta into wild-type embryos induced cyp26a1 expression. Genetic knockdown or pharmacologic inhibition of cyp26a1 in apc(mcr) mutant zebrafish embryos rescued gut differentiation defects such as expression of intestinal fatty acid-binding protein and pancreatic trypsin. These findings support a novel role for APC in balancing retinoic acid biosynthesis and catabolism through WNT-independent and WNT-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawne N Shelton
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
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32
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Nadauld LD, Chidester S, Shelton DN, Rai K, Broadbent T, Sandoval IT, Peterson PW, Manos EJ, Ireland CM, Yost HJ, Jones DA. Dual roles for adenomatous polyposis coli in regulating retinoic acid biosynthesis and Wnt during ocular development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:13409-14. [PMID: 16938888 PMCID: PMC1569177 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0601634103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the retinal pigmented epithelium is an ocular lesion found in patients harboring mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene. We report that Apc-deficient zebrafish display developmental abnormalities of both the lens and retina. Injection of dominant-negative Lef reduced Wnt signaling in the lens but did not rescue retinal differentiation defects. In contrast, treatment of apc mutants with all-trans retinoic acid rescued retinal differentiation defects but had no apparent effect on the lens. We identified Rdh5 as a retina-specific retinol dehydrogenase controlled by APC. Morpholino knockdown of Rdh5 phenocopied the apc mutant retinal differentiation defects and was rescued by treatment with exogenous all-trans retinoic acid. Microarray analyses of apc mutants and Rdh5 morphants revealed a profound overlap in the transcriptional profile of these embryos. These findings support a model wherein Apc serves a dual role in regulating Wnt and retinoic acid signaling within the eye and suggest retinoic acid deficiency as an explanation for APC mutation-associated retinal defects such as congenital hypertrophy/hyperplasia of the retinal pigmented epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lincoln D. Nadauld
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | | | - Dawne N. Shelton
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Kunal Rai
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Talmage Broadbent
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Imelda T. Sandoval
- Medicinal Chemistry and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Peter W. Peterson
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | | | | | - H. Joseph Yost
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - David A. Jones
- Departments of *Oncological Sciences and
- Medicinal Chemistry and
- Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at:
Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, 2000 Circle of Hope, Salt Lake City, UT 84112. E-mail:
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33
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Abstract
The Keystone Symposium on `Wnt and β-catenin signaling in development and disease' was held recently in Snowbird, UT, USA. Organized by Mariann Bienz and Hans Clevers, this meeting covered a wide range of topics, including Wnt protein biogenesis, Wnt receptors and signaling pathways,β-catenin/Tcf complexes and gene expression, Wnt signaling in development, cancer, stem cell biology and regeneration, and therapeutics that target the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi He
- Neurobiology Program, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115-5724, USA.
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Eisinger AL, Nadauld LD, Shelton DN, Peterson PW, Phelps RA, Chidester S, Stafforini DM, Prescott SM, Jones DA. The adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor gene regulates expression of cyclooxygenase-2 by a mechanism that involves retinoic acid. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:20474-82. [PMID: 16699180 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m602859200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene result in uncontrolled proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells and are associated with the earliest stages of colorectal carcinogenesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is elevated in human colorectal cancers and plays an important role in colorectal tumorigenesis; however, the mechanisms by which APC mutations result in increased COX-2 expression remain unclear. We utilized APC mutant zebrafish and human cancer cells to investigate how APC modulates COX-2 expression. We report that COX-2 is up-regulated in APC mutant zebrafish because of a deficiency in retinoic acid biosynthesis. Treatment of both APC mutant zebrafish and human carcinoma cell lines with retinoic acid significantly reduces COX-2 expression. Retinoic acid regulates COX-2 levels by a mechanism that involves participation of the transcription factor C/EBP-beta. APC mutant zebrafish express higher levels of C/EBP-beta than wild-type animals, and retinoic acid supplementation reduces C/EBP-beta expression to basal levels. Both morpholino knockdown of C/EBP-beta in APC mutant zebrafish and silencing of C/EBP-beta using small interfering RNA in HT29 colon cancer cells robustly decrease COX-2 expression. Our findings support a sequence of events in which mutations in APC result in impaired retinoic acid biosynthesis, elevated levels of C/EBP-beta, up-regulation of COX-2, increased prostaglandin E(2) accumulation, and activation of Wnt target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie L Eisinger
- Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, USA
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35
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Lidén M, Eriksson U. Understanding Retinol Metabolism: Structure and Function of Retinol Dehydrogenases. J Biol Chem 2006; 281:13001-13004. [PMID: 16428379 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.r500027200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lidén
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stockholm Branch, Box 240, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulf Eriksson
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Stockholm Branch, Box 240, S-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
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