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Wu L, Chen X, Zeng Q, Lai Z, Fan Z, Ruan X, Li X, Yan J. NR5A2 gene affects the overall survival of LUAD patients by regulating the activity of CSCs through SNP pathway by OCLR algorithm and immune score. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28282. [PMID: 38601554 PMCID: PMC11004709 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28282] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tumor stem cells were screened, and the biological characteristics of NR5A2 gene were investigated. Methods The expression and prognosis of NR5A2 in human LUAD were predicted and analyzed through bioinformatics analysis from a human cancer database. Gene expression and clinical data of LUAD tumor and normal lung tissues were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and DEGs associated with lung cancer tumor stem cells (CSCs) were screened. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to screen and establish prognostic risk prediction models. The immune function of the patients was scored according to the model, and the relative immune functions of the high- and low-risk groups were compared to determine the difference in survival prognosis between the two groups. In addition, we calculated the index of stemness based on the transcriptome of the samples using one-class linear regression (OCLR). Results Bioinformatics analysis of a clinical cancer database showed that NR5A2 was significantly decreased in human LUAD tissues than in normal lung tissues, and the decrease in NR5A2 gene expression shortened the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with LUAD. Conclusion The NR5A2 gene may regulate LUAD tumor stem cells through selective splicing mutations, thereby affecting the survival and prognosis of patients with lung cancer, and the NR5A2 gene may regulate CSCs through single nucleotide polymorphism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liusheng Wu
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119077, Singapore
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
| | - Xiaofan Chen
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Sanming First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Sanming, 365000, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Department of Information Technology, Union College of Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, 350116, China
| | - Zelin Lai
- Department of Information and Computational Sciences, School of Mathematics, Liaoning Normal University, Liaoning, 116029, China
| | - Zhengyang Fan
- Department of Graduate School, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, 830011, China
| | - Xin Ruan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
| | - Jun Yan
- School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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Lv J, He Y, Li L, Wang Z. Alternative Splicing Events and Splicing Factors Are Prognostic in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Front Genet 2020; 11:918. [PMID: 33101358 PMCID: PMC7494975 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.00918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing is involved in the pathogenesis of human diseases, including cancer. Here, we investigated the potential application of alternative splicing events (ASEs) and splicing factors (SFs) in the prognosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Transcriptome data from 79 ACC cases were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, and percent spliced-in values of seven splicing types were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas SpliceSeq database. By the univariate Cox regression analysis, 1,839 survival-related ASEs were identified. Prognostic indices based on seven types of survival-related ASEs were calculated by multivariate Cox regression analysis. Survival curves and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess the diagnostic value of the prognostic model. Independent prognosis analysis identified several ASEs (e.g., THNSL2| 54469| ME) that could be used as biomarkers to predict the prognosis of patients with ACC accurately. By analyzing the co-expression correlation between SFs and ASEs, 188 highly correlated interactions were established. From the protein interaction network, we finally screened six hub SFs, including YBX1, SART1, PRCC, SNRPG, SNRPE, and SF3B4, whose expression levels were significantly related to the overall survival and prognosis of ACC. Our findings provide a reliable model for predicting the prognosis of ACC patients based on aberrant alternative splicing patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lv
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan He
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lili Li
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhihua Wang
- Central Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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Hoff AM, Kraggerud SM, Alagaratnam S, Berg KCG, Johannessen B, Høland M, Nilsen G, Lingjærde OC, Andrews PW, Lothe RA, Skotheim RI. Frequent copy number gains of SLC2A3 and ETV1 in testicular embryonal carcinomas. Endocr Relat Cancer 2020; 27:457-468. [PMID: 32580154 PMCID: PMC7424350 DOI: 10.1530/erc-20-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) appear as different histological subtypes or mixtures of these. They show similar, multiple DNA copy number changes, where gain of 12p is pathognomonic. However, few high-resolution analyses have been performed and focal DNA copy number changes with corresponding candidate target genes remain poorly described for individual subtypes. We present the first high-resolution DNA copy number aberration (CNA) analysis on the subtype embryonal carcinomas (ECs), including 13 primary ECs and 5 EC cell lines. We identified recurrent gains and losses and allele-specific CNAs. Within these regions, we nominate 30 genes that may be of interest to the EC subtype. By in silico analysis of data from 150 TGCTs from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we further investigated CNAs, RNA expression, somatic mutations and fusion transcripts of these genes. Among primary ECs, ploidy ranged between 2.3 and 5.0, and the most common aberrations were DNA copy number gains at chromosome (arm) 7, 8, 12p, and 17, losses at 4, 10, 11, and 18, replicating known TGCT genome characteristics. Gain of whole or parts of 12p was found in all samples, including a highly amplified 100 kbp segment at 12p13.31, containing SLC2A3. Gain at 7p21, encompassing ETV1, was the second most frequent aberration. In conclusion, we present novel CNAs and the genes located within these regions, where the copy number gain of SLC2A3 and ETV1 are of interest, and which copy number levels also correlate with expression in TGCTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M Hoff
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigrid M Kraggerud
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sharmini Alagaratnam
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kaja C G Berg
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjarne Johannessen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Maren Høland
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro Nilsen
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole C Lingjærde
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter W Andrews
- The Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Ragnhild A Lothe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Institute for Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence should be addressed to R A Lothe or R I Skotheim: or
| | - Rolf I Skotheim
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Correspondence should be addressed to R A Lothe or R I Skotheim: or
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Hoff AM, Alagaratnam S, Zhao S, Bruun J, Andrews PW, Lothe RA, Skotheim RI. Identification of Novel Fusion Genes in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancer Res 2015; 76:108-16. [PMID: 26659575 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-15-1790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most frequently diagnosed solid tumors in young men ages 15 to 44 years. Embryonal carcinomas (EC) comprise a subset of TGCTs that exhibit pluripotent characteristics similar to embryonic stem (ES) cells, but the genetic drivers underlying malignant transformation of ECs are unknown. To elucidate the abnormal genetic events potentially contributing to TGCT malignancy, such as the existence of fusion genes or aberrant fusion transcript expression, we performed RNA sequencing of EC cell lines and their nonmalignant ES cell line counterparts. We identified eight novel fusion transcripts and one gene with alternative promoter usage, ETV6. Four out of nine transcripts were found recurrently expressed in an extended panel of primary TGCTs and additional EC cell lines, but not in normal parenchyma of the testis, implying tumor-specific expression. Two of the recurrent transcripts involved an intrachromosomal fusion between RCC1 and HENMT1 located 80 Mbp apart and an interchromosomal fusion between RCC1 and ABHD12B. RCC1-ABHD12B and the ETV6 transcript variant were found to be preferentially expressed in the more undifferentiated TGCT subtypes. In vitro differentiation of the NTERA2 EC cell line resulted in significantly reduced expression of both fusion transcripts involving RCC1 and the ETV6 transcript variant, indicating that they are markers of pluripotency in a malignant setting. In conclusion, we identified eight novel fusion transcripts that, to our knowledge, are the first fusion genes described in TGCT and may therefore potentially serve as genomic biomarkers of malignant progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas M Hoff
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sharmini Alagaratnam
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sen Zhao
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jarle Bruun
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter W Andrews
- Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom. Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ragnhild A Lothe
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rolf I Skotheim
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Centre for Cancer Biomedicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
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5
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Molecular biology of testicular germ cell tumors. Clin Transl Oncol 2015; 18:550-6. [PMID: 26482724 DOI: 10.1007/s12094-015-1423-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common solid tumors in young adult men. They constitute a unique pathology because of their embryonic and germ origin and their special behavior. Genetic predisposition, environmental factors involved in their development and genetic aberrations have been under study in many works throughout the last years trying to explain the susceptibility and the transformation mechanism of TGCTs. Despite the high rate of cure in this type of tumors because its particular sensitivity to cisplatin, there are tumors resistant to chemotherapy for which it is needed to find new therapies. In the present work, it has been carried out a literature review on the most important molecular aspects involved in the onset and development of such tumors, as well as a review of the major developments regarding prognostic factors, new prognostic biomarkers and the possibility of new targeted therapies.
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Vencken SF, Sethupathy P, Blackshields G, Spillane C, Elbaruni S, Sheils O, Gallagher MF, O'Leary JJ. An integrated analysis of the SOX2 microRNA response program in human pluripotent and nullipotent stem cell lines. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:711. [PMID: 25156079 PMCID: PMC4162954 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SOX2 is a core component of the transcriptional network responsible for maintaining embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state of self-renewal. As such, SOX2 is an oncogenic transcription factor and crucial cancer stem cell (CSC) biomarker in embryonal carcinoma and, as more recently found, in the stem-like cancer cell component of many other malignancies. SOX2 is furthermore a crucial factor in the maintenance of adult stem cell phenotypes and has additional roles in cell fate determination. The SOX2-linked microRNA (miRNA) transcriptome and regulome has not yet been fully defined in human pluripotent cells or CSCs. To improve our understanding of the SOX2-linked miRNA regulatory network as a contribution to the phenotype of these cell types, we used high-throughput differential miRNA and gene expression analysis combined with existing genome-wide SOX2 chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) data to map the SOX2 miRNA transcriptome in two human embryonal carcinoma cell (hECC) lines. Results Whole-microRNAome and genome analysis of SOX2-silenced hECCs revealed many miRNAs regulated by SOX2, including several with highly characterised functions in both cancer and embryonic stem cell (ESC) biology. We subsequently performed genome-wide differential expression analysis and applied a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm and target prediction to identify a SOX2-linked miRNA regulome, which was strongly enriched with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Additionally, several deregulated miRNAs important to EMT processes had SOX2 binding sites in their promoter regions. Conclusion In ESC-like CSCs, SOX2 regulates a large miRNA network that regulates and interlinks the expression of crucial genes involved in EMT. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-711) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian F Vencken
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin, Sir Patrick Dun Research Laboratory, St, James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
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Rijlaarsdam MA, Looijenga LHJ. An oncofetal and developmental perspective on testicular germ cell cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2014; 29:59-74. [PMID: 25066859 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2014.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Germ cell tumors (GCTs) represent a diverse group of tumors presumably originating from (early fetal) developing germ cells. Most frequent are the testicular germ cell cancers (TGCC). Overall, TGCC is the most frequent malignancy in Caucasian males (20-40 years) and remains an important cause of (treatment related) mortality in these young men. The strong association between the phenotype of TGCC stem cell components and their totipotent ancestor (fetal primordial germ cell or gonocyte) makes these tumors highly relevant from an onco-fetal point of view. This review subsequently discusses the evidence for the early embryonic origin of TGCCs, followed by an overview of the crucial association between TGCC pathogenesis, genetics, environmental exposure and the (fetal) testicular micro-environment (genvironment). This culminates in an evaluation of three genvironmentally modulated hallmarks of TGCC directly related to the oncofetal pathogenesis of TGCC: (1) maintenance of pluripotency, (2) cell cycle control/cisplatin sensitivity and (3) regulation of proliferation/migration/apoptosis by KIT-KITL mediated receptor tyrosine kinase signaling. Briefly, TGCC exhibit identifiable stem cell components (seminoma and embryonal carcinoma) and progenitors that show large and consistent similarities to primordial/embryonic germ cells, their presumed totipotent cells of origin. TGCC pathogenesis depends crucially on a complex interaction of genetic and (micro-)environmental, i.e. genvironmental risk factors that have only been partly elucidated despite significant effort. TGCC stem cell components also show a high degree of similarity with embryonic stem/germ cells (ES) in the regulation of pluripotency and cell cycle control, directly related to their exquisite sensitivity to DNA damaging agents (e.g. cisplatin). Of note, (ES specific) micro-RNAs play a pivotal role in the crossover between cell cycle control, pluripotency and chemosensitivity. Moreover, multiple consistent observations reported TGCC to be associated with KIT-KITL mediated receptor tyrosine kinase signaling, a pathway crucially implicated in proliferation, migration and survival during embryogenesis including germ cell development. In conclusion, TGCCs are a fascinating model for onco-fetal developmental processes especially with regard to studying cell cycle control, pluripotency maintenance and KIT-KITL signaling. The knowledge presented here contributes to better understanding of the molecular characteristics of TGCC pathogenesis, translating to identification of at risk individuals and enhanced quality of care for TGCC patients (diagnosis, treatment and follow-up).
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin A Rijlaarsdam
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC - University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Gokhale PJ. A recipe for pluripotency: the correct sp(l)ices make all the difference. Focus on “Induced overexpression of OCT4A in human embryonic stem cells increases cloning efficiency”. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2014; 306:C1106-7. [DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00116.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul J. Gokhale
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Wongtrakoongate P, Li J, Andrews PW. Aza-deoxycytidine induces apoptosis or differentiation via DNMT3B and targets embryonal carcinoma cells but not their differentiated derivatives. Br J Cancer 2014; 110:2131-8. [PMID: 24603304 PMCID: PMC3992495 DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2014.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Revised: 02/13/2014] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teratocarcinoma is a malignant male germ cell tumour, which contains stem cells and differentiated cancer tissues. DNMT3B has been shown to be highly expressed in human teratocarcinoma stem cells, and to mediate cytotoxicity of Aza-deoxycytidine (Aza-dC) in a pluripotent stem cell line NTERA2. METHODS We have established DNMT3B or POU5F1 (hereafter referred to as OCT4) knockdown in teratocarcinoma stem cells N2102Ep and TERA1 and in the pluripotent NTERA2 by a doxycycline-inducible system, and tested the cytotoxicity induced by Aza-dC. RESULTS Silencing of DNMT3B led to apoptosis of human teratocarcinoma stem cells N2102Ep and TERA1. Further, we found that induction of apoptosis or differentiation in NTERA2 and human embryonic stem cells by Aza-dC requires DNMT3B. To test whether Aza-dC inhibits proliferation of differentiated teratocarcinoma cells, we depleted OCT4 expression in N2102Ep and TERA1 cells treated with Aza-dC. Treatment with Aza-dC reduced cell number of differentiated cells to a lesser extent than their undifferentiated parental stem cells. Moreover, in contrast to the stem cells, Aza-dC failed to induce apoptosis of differentiated cells. CONCLUSIONS Our finding suggests that DNMT3B acts as an antiapoptotic gene in teratocarcinoma stem cells, and mediates apoptosis and differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells induced by Aza-dC, and that Aza-dC specifically induces apoptosis of teratocarcinoma stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Wongtrakoongate
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - J Li
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - P W Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
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Wongtrakoongate P, Jones M, Gokhale PJ, Andrews PW. STELLA facilitates differentiation of germ cell and endodermal lineages of human embryonic stem cells. PLoS One 2013; 8:e56893. [PMID: 23457636 PMCID: PMC3573007 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0056893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stella is a developmentally regulated gene highly expressed in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and in primordial germ cells (PGCs). In human, the gene encoding the STELLA homologue lies on chromosome 12p, which is frequently amplified in long-term cultured human ES cells. However, the role played by STELLA in human ES cells has not been reported. In the present study, we show that during retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation of human ES cells, expression of STELLA follows that of VASA, a marker of germline differentiation. By contrast, human embryonal carcinoma cells express STELLA at a higher level compared with both karyotypically normal and abnormal human ES cell lines. We found that over-expression of STELLA does not interfere with maintenance of the stem cell state of human ES cells, but following retinoic acid induction it leads to up-regulation of germline- and endodermal-associated genes, whereas neural markers PAX6 and NEUROD1 are down-regulated. Further, STELLA over-expression facilitates the differentiation of human ES cells into BE12-positive cells, in which the expression of germline- and endodermal-associated genes is enriched, and suppresses differentiation of the neural lineage. Taken together, this finding suggests a role for STELLA in facilitating germline and endodermal differentiation of human ES cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patompon Wongtrakoongate
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (PW); (PWA)
| | - Mark Jones
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Paul J. Gokhale
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Peter W. Andrews
- Centre for Stem Cell Biology, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: (PW); (PWA)
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