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Almeida A, T'Sas S, Pagliaro L, Fijalkowski I, Sleeckx W, Van Steenberge H, Zamponi R, Lintermans B, Van Loocke W, Palhais B, Reekmans A, Bardelli V, Demoen L, Reunes L, Deforce D, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Kentsis A, Ntziachristos P, Van Roy N, De Moerloose B, Mecucci C, La Starza R, Roti G, Goossens S, Van Vlierberghe P, Pieters T. Myb overexpression synergizes with the loss of Pten and is a dependency factor and therapeutic target in T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. Hemasphere 2024; 8:e51. [PMID: 38463444 PMCID: PMC10924755 DOI: 10.1002/hem3.51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
T-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematological malignancy that accounts for 10%-15% of pediatric and 25% of adult ALL cases. Although the prognosis of T-ALL has improved over time, the outcome of T-ALL patients with primary resistant or relapsed leukemia remains poor. Therefore, further progress in the treatment of T-ALL requires a better understanding of its biology and the development of more effective precision oncologic therapies. The proto-oncogene MYB is highly expressed in diverse hematologic malignancies, including T-ALLs with genomic aberrations that further potentiate its expression and activity. Previous studies have associated MYB with a malignant role in the pathogenesis of several cancers. However, its role in the induction and maintenance of T-ALL remains relatively poorly understood. In this study, we found that an increased copy number of MYB is associated with higher MYB expression levels, and might be associated with inferior event-free survival of pediatric T-ALL patients. Using our previously described conditional Myb overexpression mice, we generated two distinct MYB-driven T-ALL mouse models. We demonstrated that the overexpression of Myb synergizes with Pten deletion but not with the overexpression of Lmo2 to accelerate the development of T-cell lymphoblastic leukemias. We also showed that MYB is a dependency factor in T-ALL since RNA interference of Myb blocked cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in both human and murine T-ALL cell lines. Finally, we provide preclinical evidence that targeting the transcriptional activity of MYB can be a useful therapeutic strategy for the treatment of T-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Almeida
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Sara T'Sas
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Luca Pagliaro
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Igor Fijalkowski
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Wouter Sleeckx
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Hannah Van Steenberge
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Béatrice Lintermans
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Wouter Van Loocke
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Bruno Palhais
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Alexandra Reekmans
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Valentina Bardelli
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Lisa Demoen
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Lindy Reunes
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Alex Kentsis
- Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Sloan Kettering Institute and Department of PediatricsMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Panagiotis Ntziachristos
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Nadine Van Roy
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Lab for Translational Oncogenomics and Bioinformatics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Pediatric Precision Oncology Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Barbara De Moerloose
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Department of Pediatric Hematology‐OncologyGhent University HospitalGhentBelgium
| | - Cristina Mecucci
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Roberta La Starza
- Institute of Hematology and Center for Hemato‐Oncology ResearchUniversity of Perugia and S.M. Misericordia HospitalPerugiaItaly
| | - Giovanni Roti
- Department of Medicine and SurgeryUniversity of ParmaParmaItaly
| | - Steven Goossens
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | - Pieter Van Vlierberghe
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
| | - Tim Pieters
- Normal and Malignant Hematopoiesis Lab, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG)GhentBelgium
- Unit for Translational Research in Oncology, Department of Diagnostic SciencesGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
- Leukemia Therapy Resistance Laboratory and Center for Medical Genetics, Department of Biomolecular MedicineGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
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2
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Rajagopalan K, Christyraj JDS, Chelladurai KS, Das P, Mahendran K, Nagarajan L, Gunalan S. Understanding the Multi-Functional Role of TCTP in the Regeneration Process of Earthworm, Perionyx excavatus. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2024; 21:353-366. [PMID: 37935935 PMCID: PMC10825100 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-023-00599-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regeneration is a highly complex process that requires the coordination of numerous molecular events, and identifying the key ruler that governs is important to investigate. While it has been shown that TCTP is a multi-functional protein that regulates cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, anti-apoptosis, stem cell maintenance, and immune responses, but only a few studies associated to regeneration have been reported. To investigate the multi-functional role of TCTP in regeneration, the earthworm Perionyx excavatus was chosen. METHODS Through pharmacological suppression of TCTP, amputation, histology, molecular docking, and western blotting, the multi-function role of TCTP involved in regeneration is revealed. RESULTS Amputational studies show that P. excavatus is a clitellum-independent regenerating earthworm resulting in two functional worms upon amputation. Arresting cell cycle at the G1/S boundary using 2 mM Thymidine confirms that P. excavatus execute both epimorphosis and morphallaxis regeneration mode. The pharmacological suppression of TCTP using buclizine results in regeneration suppression. Following the combinatorial injection of 2 mM Thymidine and buclizine, the earthworm regeneration is completely blocked, which suggests a critical functional role of TCTP in morphallaxis. The pharmacological inhibition of TCTP also suppresses the key proteins involved in regeneration: Wnt3a (stem cell marker), PCNA (cell proliferation) and YAP1 (Hippo signalling) but augments the expression of cellular stress protein p53. CONCLUSION The collective results indicate that TCTP synchronously is involved in the process of stem cell activation, cell proliferation, morphallaxis, and organ development in the regeneration event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamarajan Rajagopalan
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Jackson Durairaj Selvan Christyraj
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
| | - Karthikeyan Subbiahanadar Chelladurai
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Puja Das
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Karthikeyan Mahendran
- Department of Zoology and Microbiology, Thiyagarajar College, Madurai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Logeshwari Nagarajan
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Saritha Gunalan
- Molecular Biology and Stem Cell Research Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
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3
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Knorr K, Rahman J, Erickson C, Wang E, Monetti M, Li Z, Ortiz-Pacheco J, Jones A, Lu SX, Stanley RF, Baez M, Fox N, Castro C, Marino AE, Jiang C, Penson A, Hogg SJ, Mi X, Nakajima H, Kunimoto H, Nishimura K, Inoue D, Greenbaum B, Knorr D, Ravetch J, Abdel-Wahab O. Systematic evaluation of AML-associated antigens identifies anti-U5 SNRNP200 therapeutic antibodies for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. NATURE CANCER 2023; 4:1675-1692. [PMID: 37872381 PMCID: PMC10733148 DOI: 10.1038/s43018-023-00656-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent advances in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), there has been limited success in targeting surface antigens in AML, in part due to shared expression across malignant and normal cells. Here, high-density immunophenotyping of AML coupled with proteogenomics identified unique expression of a variety of antigens, including the RNA helicase U5 snRNP200, on the surface of AML cells but not on normal hematopoietic precursors and skewed Fc receptor distribution in the AML immune microenvironment. Cell membrane localization of U5 snRNP200 was linked to surface expression of the Fcγ receptor IIIA (FcγIIIA, also known as CD32A) and correlated with expression of interferon-regulated immune response genes. Anti-U5 snRNP200 antibodies engaging activating Fcγ receptors were efficacious across immunocompetent AML models and were augmented by combination with azacitidine. These data provide a roadmap of AML-associated antigens with Fc receptor distribution in AML and highlight the potential for targeting the AML cell surface using Fc-optimized therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Knorr
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jahan Rahman
- Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Erickson
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eric Wang
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Mara Monetti
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhuoning Li
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juliana Ortiz-Pacheco
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew Jones
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sydney X Lu
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert F Stanley
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Baez
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nina Fox
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cynthia Castro
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessandra E Marino
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline Jiang
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alex Penson
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Simon J Hogg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiaoli Mi
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hideaki Nakajima
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Kunimoto
- Department of Stem Cell and Immune Regulation, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Koutarou Nishimura
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Japan
| | - Daichi Inoue
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Institute of Biomedical Research and Innovation, Foundation for Biomedical Research and Innovation at Kobe, Kobe, Japan
| | - Benjamin Greenbaum
- Computational Oncology, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
| | - David Knorr
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Ravetch
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
- Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Negri A, Ward C, Bucci A, D'Angelo G, Cauchy P, Radesco A, Ventura AB, Walton DS, Clarke M, Mandriani B, Pappagallo SA, Mondelli P, Liao K, Gargano G, Zaccaria GM, Viggiano L, Lasorsa FM, Ahmed A, Di Molfetta D, Fiermonte G, Cives M, Guarini A, Vegliante MC, Ciavarella S, Frampton J, Volpe G. Reversal of MYB-dependent suppression of MAFB expression overrides leukaemia phenotype in MLL-rearranged AML. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:763. [PMID: 37996430 PMCID: PMC10667525 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06276-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor MYB plays a pivotal role in haematopoietic homoeostasis and its aberrant expression is involved in the genesis and maintenance of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We have previously demonstrated that not all AML subtypes display the same dependency on MYB expression and that such variability is dictated by the nature of the driver mutation. However, whether this difference in MYB dependency is a general trend in AML remains to be further elucidated. Here, we investigate the role of MYB in human leukaemia by performing siRNA-mediated knock-down in cell line models of AML with different driver lesions. We show that the characteristic reduction in proliferation and the concomitant induction of myeloid differentiation that is observed in MLL-rearranged and t(8;21) leukaemias upon MYB suppression is not seen in AML cells with a complex karyotype. Transcriptome analyses revealed that MYB ablation produces consensual increase of MAFB expression in MYB-dependent cells and, interestingly, the ectopic expression of MAFB could phenocopy the effect of MYB suppression. Accordingly, in silico stratification analyses of molecular data from AML patients revealed a reciprocal relationship between MYB and MAFB expression, highlighting a novel biological interconnection between these two factors in AML and supporting new rationales of MAFB targeting in MLL-rearranged leukaemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Negri
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - C Ward
- Edge Impulse Inc., San Jose, CA, USA
| | - A Bucci
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - G D'Angelo
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - P Cauchy
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, 79108, Freiburg, Germany
| | - A Radesco
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - A B Ventura
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - D S Walton
- Clent Life Sciences, DY84HD, Stourbridge, UK
| | - M Clarke
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK
| | - B Mandriani
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - S A Pappagallo
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - P Mondelli
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - K Liao
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - G Gargano
- Department of Mathematics, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - G M Zaccaria
- Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - L Viggiano
- Department of Biology, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - F M Lasorsa
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - A Ahmed
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - D Di Molfetta
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - G Fiermonte
- Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - M Cives
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - A Guarini
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - M C Vegliante
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - S Ciavarella
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy
| | - J Frampton
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, B152TT, Birmingham, UK.
| | - G Volpe
- Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Bari, Italy.
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5
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Fehr A, Arvidsson G, Nordlund J, Lönnerholm G, Stenman G, Andersson MK. Increased MYB alternative promoter usage is associated with relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2023; 62:597-606. [PMID: 37218648 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.23151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapy-resistant disease is a major cause of death in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Activation of the MYB oncogene is associated with ALL and leads to uncontrolled neoplastic cell proliferation and blocked differentiation. Here, we used RNA-seq to study the clinical significance of MYB expression and MYB alternative promoter (TSS2) usage in 133 pediatric ALLs. RNA-seq revealed that all cases analyzed overexpressed MYB and demonstrated MYB TSS2 activity. qPCR analyses confirmed the expression of the alternative MYB promoter also in seven ALL cell lines. Notably, high MYB TSS2 activity was significantly associated with relapse (p = 0.007). Moreover, cases with high MYB TSS2 usage showed evidence of therapy-resistant disease with increased expression of ABC multidrug resistance transporter genes (e.g., ABCA2, ABCB5, and ABCC10) and enzymes catalyzing drug degradation (e.g., CYP1A2, CYP2C9, and CYP3A5). Elevated MYB TSS2 activity was further associated with augmented KRAS signaling (p < 0.05) and decreased methylation of the conventional MYB promoter (p < 0.01). Taken together, our results suggest that MYB alternative promoter usage is a novel potential prognostic biomarker for relapse and therapy resistance in pediatric ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Fehr
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gustav Arvidsson
- Department of Medical Sciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Nordlund
- Department of Medical Sciences and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gudmar Lönnerholm
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Göran Stenman
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mattias K Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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6
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Glytsou C, Chen X, Zacharioudakis E, Al-Santli W, Zhou H, Nadorp B, Lee S, Lasry A, Sun Z, Papaioannou D, Cammer M, Wang K, Zal T, Zal MA, Carter BZ, Ishizawa J, Tibes R, Tsirigos A, Andreeff M, Gavathiotis E, Aifantis I. Mitophagy Promotes Resistance to BH3 Mimetics in Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:1656-1677. [PMID: 37088914 PMCID: PMC10330144 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
BH3 mimetics are used as an efficient strategy to induce cell death in several blood malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Venetoclax, a potent BCL-2 antagonist, is used clinically in combination with hypomethylating agents for the treatment of AML. Moreover, MCL1 or dual BCL-2/BCL-xL antagonists are under investigation. Yet, resistance to single or combinatorial BH3-mimetic therapies eventually ensues. Integration of multiple genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens revealed that loss of mitophagy modulators sensitizes AML cells to various BH3 mimetics targeting different BCL-2 family members. One such regulator is MFN2, whose protein levels positively correlate with drug resistance in patients with AML. MFN2 overexpression is sufficient to drive resistance to BH3 mimetics in AML. Insensitivity to BH3 mimetics is accompanied by enhanced mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interactions and augmented mitophagy flux, which acts as a prosurvival mechanism to eliminate mitochondrial damage. Genetic or pharmacologic MFN2 targeting synergizes with BH3 mimetics by impairing mitochondrial clearance and enhancing apoptosis in AML. SIGNIFICANCE AML remains one of the most difficult-to-treat blood cancers. BH3 mimetics represent a promising therapeutic approach to eliminate AML blasts by activating the apoptotic pathway. Enhanced mitochondrial clearance drives resistance to BH3 mimetics and predicts poor prognosis. Reverting excessive mitophagy can halt BH3-mimetic resistance in AML. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1501.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Glytsou
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Chemical Biology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, and Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers-The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Emmanouil Zacharioudakis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Wafa Al-Santli
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Hua Zhou
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Bettina Nadorp
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Soobeom Lee
- Department of Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Audrey Lasry
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Zhengxi Sun
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dimitrios Papaioannou
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Cammer
- Microscopy Core, Division of Advanced Research Technologies, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Kun Wang
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Tomasz Zal
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Malgorzata Anna Zal
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Bing Z. Carter
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jo Ishizawa
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Andreeff
- Section of Molecular Hematology and Therapy, Department of Leukemia, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Evripidis Gavathiotis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
- Montefiore Einstein Cancer Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health and NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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7
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Chetverina D, Vorobyeva NE, Gyorffy B, Shtil AA, Erokhin M. Analyses of Genes Critical to Tumor Survival Reveal Potential 'Supertargets': Focus on Transcription. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15113042. [PMID: 37297004 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15113042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The identification of mechanisms that underlie the biology of individual tumors is aimed at the development of personalized treatment strategies. Herein, we performed a comprehensive search of genes (termed Supertargets) vital for tumors of particular tissue origin. In so doing, we used the DepMap database portal that encompasses a broad panel of cell lines with individual genes knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. For each of the 27 tumor types, we revealed the top five genes whose deletion was lethal in the particular case, indicating both known and unknown Supertargets. Most importantly, the majority of Supertargets (41%) were represented by DNA-binding transcription factors. RNAseq data analysis demonstrated that a subset of Supertargets was deregulated in clinical tumor samples but not in the respective non-malignant tissues. These results point to transcriptional mechanisms as key regulators of cell survival in specific tumors. Targeted inactivation of these factors emerges as a straightforward approach to optimize therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Chetverina
- Group of Epigenetics, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Nadezhda E Vorobyeva
- Group of Dynamics of Transcriptional Complexes, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
| | - Balazs Gyorffy
- Departments of Bioinformatics and Pediatrics, Semmelweis University, H-1094 Budapest, Hungary
- Cancer Biomarker Research Group, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Institute of Enzymology, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Alexander A Shtil
- Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, 24 Kashirskoye Shosse, Moscow 115522, Russia
| | - Maksim Erokhin
- Group of Chromatin Biology, Institute of Gene Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 34/5 Vavilov Street, Moscow 119334, Russia
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8
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Harada T, Perez MW, Kalfon J, Braes FD, Batley R, Eagle K, Nabet B, Leifer B, Kruell J, Paralkar VR, Stegmaier K, Koehler AN, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. Rapid-kinetics degron benchmarking reveals off-target activities and mixed agonism-antagonism of MYB inhibitors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.07.536032. [PMID: 37066194 PMCID: PMC10104119 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.07.536032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
Attenuating aberrant transcriptional circuits holds great promise for the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer. However, development of transcriptional inhibitors is hampered by the lack of a generally accepted functional cellular readout to characterize their target specificity and on-target activity. We benchmarked the direct gene-regulatory signatures of six agents reported as inhibitors of the oncogenic transcription factor MYB against targeted MYB degradation in a nascent transcriptomics assay. The inhibitors demonstrated partial specificity for MYB target genes but displayed significant off-target activity. Unexpectedly, the inhibitors displayed bimodal on-target effects, acting as mixed agonists-antagonists. Our data uncover unforeseen agonist effects of small molecules originally developed as TF inhibitors and argue that rapid-kinetics benchmarking against degron models should be used for functional characterization of transcriptional modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Monika W. Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Flora Dievenich Braes
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Rashad Batley
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, TX, 77494, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Becky Leifer
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jasmin Kruell
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Vikram R. Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Angela N. Koehler
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Stuart H. Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
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9
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Tejera Nevado P, Tešan Tomić T, Atefyekta A, Fehr A, Stenman G, Andersson MK. Synthetic oleanane triterpenoids suppress MYB oncogene activity and sensitize T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells to chemotherapy. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1126354. [PMID: 37077825 PMCID: PMC10106619 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1126354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy with poor prognosis. The MYB oncogene encodes a master transcription factor that is activated in the majority of human T-ALLs. In the present study, we have performed a large-scale screening with small-molecule drugs to find clinically useful inhibitors of MYB gene expression in T-ALL. We identified several pharmacological agents that potentially could be used to treat MYB-driven malignancies. In particular, treatment with the synthetic oleanane triterpenoids (OTs) bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone decreased MYB gene activity and expression of MYB downstream target genes in T-ALL cells with constitutive MYB gene activation. Notably, treatment with bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone led to a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and induction of apoptosis at low nanomolar concentrations. In contrast, normal bone marrow-derived cells were unaffected at these concentrations. Bardoxolone methyl and omaveloxolone treatment downregulated the expression of DNA repair genes and sensitized T-ALL cells to doxorubicin, a drug that is part of the standard therapy of T-ALL. OT treatment may thus potentiate DNA-damaging chemotherapy through attenuation of DNA repair. Taken together, our results indicate that synthetic OTs may be useful in the treatment of T-ALL and potentially also in other MYB-driven malignancies.
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10
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Klempnauer KH. C/EBPβ cooperates with MYB to maintain the oncogenic program of AML cells. Oncotarget 2023; 14:174-177. [PMID: 36913305 PMCID: PMC10010626 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies on the role of transcription factor MYB in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have identified MYB as a key regulator of a transcriptional program for self-renewal of AML cells. Recent work summarized here has now highlighted the CCAAT-box/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) as an essential factor and potential therapeutic target that cooperates with MYB and coactivator p300 in the maintenance of the leukemic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Correspondence to:Karl-Heinz Klempnauer, Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Muenster D-48149, Germany email
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11
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Eldeeb M, Yuan O, Guzzi N, Thi Ngoc PC, Konturek-Ciesla A, Kristiansen TA, Muthukumar S, Magee J, Bellodi C, Yuan J, Bryder D. A fetal tumor suppressor axis abrogates MLL-fusion-driven acute myeloid leukemia. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112099. [PMID: 36763502 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
MLL-rearrangements (MLL-r) are recurrent genetic events in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and frequently associate with poor prognosis. In infants, MLL-r can be sufficient to drive transformation. However, despite the prenatal origin of MLL-r in these patients, congenital leukemia is very rare with transformation usually occurring postnatally. The influence of prenatal signals on leukemogenesis, such as those mediated by the fetal-specific protein LIN28B, remains controversial. Here, using a dual-transgenic mouse model that co-expresses MLL-ENL and LIN28B, we investigate the impact of LIN28B on AML. LIN28B impedes the progression of MLL-r AML through compromised leukemia-initiating cell activity and suppression of MYB signaling. Mechanistically, LIN28B directly binds to MYBBP1A mRNA, resulting in elevated protein levels of this MYB co-repressor. Functionally, overexpression of MYBBP1A phenocopies the tumor-suppressor effects of LIN28B, while its perturbation omits it. Thereby, we propose that developmentally restricted expression of LIN28B provides a layer of protection against MYB-dependent AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Eldeeb
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ouyang Yuan
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Nicola Guzzi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Phuong Cao Thi Ngoc
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Anna Konturek-Ciesla
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Trine A Kristiansen
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sowndarya Muthukumar
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeffrey Magee
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Cristian Bellodi
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Joan Yuan
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - David Bryder
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund Stem Cell Center, Faculty of Medical, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden.
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12
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Soto-Feliciano YM, Sánchez-Rivera FJ, Perner F, Barrows DW, Kastenhuber ER, Ho YJ, Carroll T, Xiong Y, Anand D, Soshnev AA, Gates L, Beytagh MC, Cheon D, Gu S, Liu XS, Krivtsov AV, Meneses M, de Stanchina E, Stone RM, Armstrong SA, Lowe SW, Allis CD. A Molecular Switch between Mammalian MLL Complexes Dictates Response to Menin-MLL Inhibition. Cancer Discov 2023; 13:146-169. [PMID: 36264143 PMCID: PMC9827117 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-22-0416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Menin interacts with oncogenic MLL1-fusion proteins, and small molecules that disrupt these associations are in clinical trials for leukemia treatment. By integrating chromatin-focused and genome-wide CRISPR screens with genetic, pharmacologic, and biochemical approaches, we discovered a conserved molecular switch between the MLL1-Menin and MLL3/4-UTX chromatin-modifying complexes that dictates response to Menin-MLL inhibitors. MLL1-Menin safeguards leukemia survival by impeding the binding of the MLL3/4-UTX complex at a subset of target gene promoters. Disrupting the Menin-MLL1 interaction triggers UTX-dependent transcriptional activation of a tumor-suppressive program that dictates therapeutic responses in murine and human leukemia. Therapeutic reactivation of this program using CDK4/6 inhibitors mitigates treatment resistance in leukemia cells that are insensitive to Menin inhibitors. These findings shed light on novel functions of evolutionarily conserved epigenetic mediators like MLL1-Menin and MLL3/4-UTX and are relevant to understand and target molecular pathways determining therapeutic responses in ongoing clinical trials. SIGNIFICANCE Menin-MLL inhibitors silence a canonical HOX- and MEIS1-dependent oncogenic gene expression program in leukemia. We discovered a parallel, noncanonical transcriptional program involving tumor suppressor genes that are repressed in Menin-MLL inhibitor-resistant leukemia cells but that can be reactivated upon combinatorial treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors to augment therapy responses. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Florian Perner
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medical Center, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Douglas W. Barrows
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.,Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Edward R. Kastenhuber
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Yu-Jui Ho
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Bioinformatics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Yijun Xiong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Disha Anand
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Internal Medicine C, Greifswald University Medical Center, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Alexey A. Soshnev
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Leah Gates
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Mary Clare Beytagh
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - David Cheon
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Shengqing Gu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - X. Shirley Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Center for Functional Cancer Epigenetics, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrei V. Krivtsov
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maximiliano Meneses
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Richard M. Stone
- Leukemia Division, Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Scott A. Armstrong
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts.,Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
| | - Scott W. Lowe
- Cancer Biology and Genetics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
| | - C. David Allis
- Laboratory of Chromatin Biology and Epigenetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York.,Corresponding Authors: C. David Allis, The Rockefeller University, Allis Lab, Box #78, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065. Phone: 212-327-7839; E-mail: ; Scott W. Lowe, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Sloan Kettering Institute, Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, New York, NY, 10065. Phone: 646-888-3342; E-mail: ; and Scott A. Armstrong, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Boston, MA, 02115. Phone: 617-632-2991; E-mail:
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13
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Wang E, Pineda JMB, Kim WJ, Chen S, Bourcier J, Stahl M, Hogg SJ, Bewersdorf JP, Han C, Singer ME, Cui D, Erickson CE, Tittley SM, Penson AV, Knorr K, Stanley RF, Rahman J, Krishnamoorthy G, Fagin JA, Creger E, McMillan E, Mak CC, Jarvis M, Bossard C, Beaupre DM, Bradley RK, Abdel-Wahab O. Modulation of RNA splicing enhances response to BCL2 inhibition in leukemia. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:164-180.e8. [PMID: 36563682 PMCID: PMC9839614 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Therapy resistance is a major challenge in the treatment of cancer. Here, we performed CRISPR-Cas9 screens across a broad range of therapies used in acute myeloid leukemia to identify genomic determinants of drug response. Our screens uncover a selective dependency on RNA splicing factors whose loss preferentially enhances response to the BCL2 inhibitor venetoclax. Loss of the splicing factor RBM10 augments response to venetoclax in leukemia yet is completely dispensable for normal hematopoiesis. Combined RBM10 and BCL2 inhibition leads to mis-splicing and inactivation of the inhibitor of apoptosis XIAP and downregulation of BCL2A1, an anti-apoptotic protein implicated in venetoclax resistance. Inhibition of splicing kinase families CLKs (CDC-like kinases) and DYRKs (dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinases) leads to aberrant splicing of key splicing and apoptotic factors that synergize with venetoclax, and overcomes resistance to BCL2 inhibition. Our findings underscore the importance of splicing in modulating response to therapies and provide a strategy to improve venetoclax-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wang
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA.
| | - Jose Mario Bello Pineda
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Won Jun Kim
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sisi Chen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jessie Bourcier
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maximilian Stahl
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Simon J Hogg
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan Phillipp Bewersdorf
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Cuijuan Han
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT 06032, USA
| | - Michael E Singer
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Cui
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Caroline E Erickson
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven M Tittley
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander V Penson
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katherine Knorr
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert F Stanley
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jahan Rahman
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gnana Krishnamoorthy
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - James A Fagin
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert K Bradley
- Public Health Sciences and Basic Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Omar Abdel-Wahab
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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Liu X, Sato N, Yabushita T, Li J, Jia Y, Tamura M, Asada S, Fujino T, Fukushima T, Yonezawa T, Tanaka Y, Fukuyama T, Tsuchiya A, Shikata S, Iwamura H, Kinouchi C, Komatsu K, Yamasaki S, Shibata T, Sasaki AT, Schibler J, Wunderlich M, O'Brien E, Mizukawa B, Mulloy JC, Sugiura Y, Takizawa H, Shibata T, Miyake K, Kitamura T, Goyama S. IMPDH inhibition activates TLR-VCAM1 pathway and suppresses the development of MLL-fusion leukemia. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 15:e15631. [PMID: 36453131 PMCID: PMC9832838 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH) is a rate-limiting enzyme in de novo guanine nucleotide synthesis pathway. Although IMPDH inhibitors are widely used as effective immunosuppressants, their antitumor effects have not been proven in the clinical setting. Here, we found that acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) with MLL-fusions are susceptible to IMPDH inhibitors in vitro. We also showed that alternate-day administration of IMPDH inhibitors suppressed the development of MLL-AF9-driven AML in vivo without having a devastating effect on immune function. Mechanistically, IMPDH inhibition induced overactivation of Toll-like receptor (TLR)-TRAF6-NF-κB signaling and upregulation of an adhesion molecule VCAM1, which contribute to the antileukemia effect of IMPDH inhibitors. Consequently, combined treatment with IMPDH inhibitors and the TLR1/2 agonist effectively inhibited the development of MLL-fusion AML. These findings provide a rational basis for clinical testing of IMPDH inhibitors against MLL-fusion AMLs and potentially other aggressive tumors with active TLR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Liu
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Naru Sato
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tomohiro Yabushita
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Jingmei Li
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yuhan Jia
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Moe Tamura
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Shuhei Asada
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan,The Institute of Laboratory Animals, Tokyo Women's Medical UniversityTokyoJapan
| | - Takeshi Fujino
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tsuyoshi Fukushima
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Taishi Yonezawa
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Yosuke Tanaka
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tomofusa Fukuyama
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Akiho Tsuchiya
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Shiori Shikata
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Hiroyuki Iwamura
- FUJIFILM Corporation: Pharmaceutical Products DivisionTokyoJapan
| | - Chieko Kinouchi
- FUJIFILM Corporation: Bio Science & Engineering LaboratoriesKanagawaJapan
| | - Kensuke Komatsu
- FUJIFILM Corporation: Bio Science & Engineering LaboratoriesKanagawaJapan
| | - Satoshi Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Tatsuhiro Shibata
- Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Human Genome Center, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Atsuo T Sasaki
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of CincinnatiCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Janet Schibler
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer BiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Mark Wunderlich
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer BiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Eric O'Brien
- Division of Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, University of CincinnatiCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Benjamin Mizukawa
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer BiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - James C Mulloy
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer BiologyCincinnati Children's Hospital Medical CenterCincinnatiOHUSA
| | - Yuki Sugiura
- Department of BiochemistryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Hitoshi Takizawa
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Stress, International Research Center for Medical SciencesKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Takuma Shibata
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Kensuke Miyake
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyThe Institute of Medical Science, The University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Toshio Kitamura
- Division of Cellular Therapy, The Institute of Medical ScienceThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
| | - Susumu Goyama
- Division of Molecular Oncology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier SciencesThe University of TokyoTokyoJapan
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15
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Zheng Y, Li X, Kuang L, Wang Y. New insights into the characteristics of DRAK2 and its role in apoptosis: From molecular mechanisms to clinically applied potential. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1014508. [PMID: 36386181 PMCID: PMC9649744 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1014508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As a member of the death-associated protein kinase (DAPK) family, DAP kinase-associated apoptosis-inducing kinase 2 (DRAK2) performs apoptosis-related functions. Compelling evidence suggests that DRAK2 is involved in regulating the activation of T lymphocytes as well as pancreatic β-cell apoptosis in type I diabetes. In addition, DRAK2 has been shown to be involved in the development of related tumor and non-tumor diseases through a variety of mechanisms, including exacerbation of alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through SRSF6-associated RNA selective splicing mechanism, regulation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia, and progression of colorectal cancer. This review focuses on the structure, function, and upstream pathways of DRAK2 and discusses the potential and challenges associated with the clinical application of DRAK2-based small-molecule inhibitors, with the aim of advancing DRAK2 research.
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16
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Pingul BY, Huang H, Chen Q, Alikarami F, Zhang Z, Qi J, Bernt KM, Berger SL, Cao Z, Shi J. Dissection of the MEF2D-IRF8 transcriptional circuit dependency in acute myeloid leukemia. iScience 2022; 25:105139. [PMID: 36193052 PMCID: PMC9526175 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptional dysregulation is a prominent feature in leukemia. Here, we systematically surveyed transcription factor (TF) vulnerabilities in leukemia and uncovered TF clusters that exhibit context-specific vulnerabilities within and between different subtypes of leukemia. Among these TF clusters, we demonstrated that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with high IRF8 expression was addicted to MEF2D. MEF2D and IRF8 form an autoregulatory loop via direct binding to mutual enhancer elements. One important function of this circuit in AML is to sustain PU.1/MEIS1 co-regulated transcriptional outputs via stabilizing PU.1’s chromatin occupancy. We illustrated that AML could acquire dependency on this circuit through various oncogenic mechanisms that results in the activation of their enhancers. In addition to forming a circuit, MEF2D and IRF8 can also separately regulate gene expression, and dual perturbation of these two TFs leads to a more robust inhibition of AML proliferation. Collectively, our results revealed a TF circuit essential for AML survival. MEF2D is a context-specific vulnerability in IRF8hi AML MEF2D and IRF8 form a transcriptional circuit via binding to each other’s enhancers MEF2D-IRF8 circuit supports PU.1’s chromatin occupancy and transcriptional output MEF2D and IRF8 can regulate separate gene expression programs alongside the circuit
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17
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Amen AM, Loughran RM, Huang CH, Lew RJ, Ravi A, Guan Y, Schatoff EM, Dow LE, Emerling BM, Fellmann C. Endogenous spacing enables co-processing of microRNAs and efficient combinatorial RNAi. CELL REPORTS METHODS 2022; 2:100239. [PMID: 35880017 PMCID: PMC9308131 DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2022.100239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We present Multi-miR, a microRNA-embedded shRNA system modeled after endogenous microRNA clusters that enables simultaneous expression of up to three or four short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) from a single promoter without loss of activity, enabling robust combinatorial RNA interference (RNAi). We further developed complementary all-in-one vectors that are over one log-scale more sensitive to doxycycline-mediated activation in vitro than previous methods and resistant to shRNA inactivation in vivo. We demonstrate the utility of this system for intracranial expression of shRNAs in a glioblastoma model. Additionally, we leverage this platform to target the redundant RAF signaling node in a mouse model of KRAS-mutant cancer and show that robust combinatorial synthetic lethality efficiently abolishes tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M. Amen
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Ryan M. Loughran
- Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Chun-Hao Huang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel J. Lew
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Archna Ravi
- Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Emma M. Schatoff
- Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lukas E. Dow
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brooke M. Emerling
- Cell and Molecular Biology of Cancer Program, Sanford Burnham Prebys, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christof Fellmann
- Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Mirimus Inc., Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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18
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Salame N, Fooks K, El-Hachem N, Bikorimana JP, Mercier FE, Rafei M. Recent Advances in Cancer Drug Discovery Through the Use of Phenotypic Reporter Systems, Connectivity Mapping, and Pooled CRISPR Screening. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:852143. [PMID: 35795568 PMCID: PMC9250974 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.852143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Multi-omic approaches offer an unprecedented overview of the development, plasticity, and resistance of cancer. However, the translation from anti-cancer compounds identified in vitro to clinically active drugs have a notoriously low success rate. Here, we review how technical advances in cell culture, robotics, computational biology, and development of reporter systems have transformed drug discovery, enabling screening approaches tailored to clinically relevant functional readouts (e.g., bypassing drug resistance). Illustrating with selected examples of “success stories,” we describe the process of phenotype-based high-throughput drug screening to target malignant cells or the immune system. Second, we describe computational approaches that link transcriptomic profiling of cancers with existing pharmaceutical compounds to accelerate drug repurposing. Finally, we review how CRISPR-based screening can be applied for the discovery of mechanisms of drug resistance and sensitization. Overall, we explore how the complementary strengths of each of these approaches allow them to transform the paradigm of pre-clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Salame
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Katharine Fooks
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nehme El-Hachem
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Bikorimana
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - François E. Mercier
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: François E. Mercier, ; Moutih Rafei,
| | - Moutih Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: François E. Mercier, ; Moutih Rafei,
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19
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Cantilena S, Gasparoli L, Pal D, Heidenreich O, Klusmann J, Martens JHA, Faille A, Warren AJ, Karsa M, Pandher R, Somers K, Williams O, de Boer J. Direct targeted therapy for MLL-fusion-driven high-risk acute leukaemias. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e933. [PMID: 35730653 PMCID: PMC9214753 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Improving the poor prognosis of infant leukaemias remains an unmet clinical need. This disease is a prototypical fusion oncoprotein-driven paediatric cancer, with MLL (KMT2A)-fusions present in most cases. Direct targeting of these driving oncoproteins represents a unique therapeutic opportunity. This rationale led us to initiate a drug screening with the aim of discovering drugs that can block MLL-fusion oncoproteins. METHODS A screen for inhibition of MLL-fusion proteins was developed that overcomes the traditional limitations of targeting transcription factors. This luciferase reporter-based screen, together with a secondary western blot screen, was used to prioritize compounds. We characterized the lead compound, disulfiram (DSF), based on its efficient ablation of MLL-fusion proteins. The consequences of drug-induced MLL-fusion inhibition were confirmed by cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis assays, RT-qPCR, in vivo assays, RNA-seq and ChIP-qPCR and ChIP-seq analysis. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Drug-induced inhibition of MLL-fusion proteins by DSF resulted in a specific block of colony formation in MLL-rearranged cells in vitro, induced differentiation and impeded leukaemia progression in vivo. Mechanistically, DSF abrogates MLL-fusion protein binding to DNA, resulting in epigenetic changes and down-regulation of leukaemic programmes setup by the MLL-fusion protein. CONCLUSION DSF can directly inhibit MLL-fusion proteins and demonstrate antitumour activity both in vitro and in vivo, providing, to our knowledge, the first evidence for a therapy that directly targets the initiating oncogenic MLL-fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Cantilena
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Luca Gasparoli
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Deepali Pal
- Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer ResearchNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | - Olaf Heidenreich
- Newcastle Cancer Centre at the Northern Institute for Cancer ResearchNewcastle UniversityNewcastle upon TyneUK
| | | | - Joost H. A. Martens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud UniversityNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Alexandre Faille
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchCambridgeUK
- Department of HaematologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Wellcome Trust–Medical Research Council Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Alan J. Warren
- Cambridge Institute for Medical ResearchCambridgeUK
- Department of HaematologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- Wellcome Trust–Medical Research Council Stem Cell InstituteUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Mawar Karsa
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Ruby Pandher
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Klaartje Somers
- Children's Cancer Institute, Lowy Cancer Research InstituteUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
- School of Women's and Children's HealthUniversity of New South WalesRandwickNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | - Jasper de Boer
- Cancer Section, Development Biology and Cancer ProgrammeUCL GOS Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
- Present address:
Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre AllianceMelbourneAustralia
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20
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Myb drives B-cell neoplasms and myeloid malignancies in vivo. Blood Adv 2022; 6:2987-2991. [PMID: 35020834 PMCID: PMC9131915 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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21
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Arkoun B, Robert E, Boudia F, Mazzi S, Dufour V, Siret A, Mammasse Y, Aid Z, Vieira M, Imanci A, Aglave M, Cambot M, Petermann R, Souquere S, Rameau P, Catelain C, Diot R, Tachdjian G, Hermine O, Droin N, Debili N, Plo I, Malinge S, Soler E, Raslova H, Mercher T, Vainchenker W. Stepwise GATA1 and SMC3 mutations alter megakaryocyte differentiation in a Down syndrome leukemia model. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:156290. [PMID: 35587378 PMCID: PMC9282925 DOI: 10.1172/jci156290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute megakaryoblastic leukemia of Down syndrome (DS-AMKL) is a model of clonal evolution from a preleukemic transient myeloproliferative disorder requiring both a trisomy 21 (T21) and a GATA1s mutation to a leukemia driven by additional driver mutations. We modeled the megakaryocyte differentiation defect through stepwise gene editing of GATA1s, SMC3+/–, and MPLW515K, providing 20 different T21 or disomy 21 (D21) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) clones. GATA1s profoundly reshaped iPSC-derived hematopoietic architecture with gradual myeloid-to-megakaryocyte shift and megakaryocyte differentiation alteration upon addition of SMC3 and MPL mutations. Transcriptional, chromatin accessibility, and GATA1-binding data showed alteration of essential megakaryocyte differentiation genes, including NFE2 downregulation that was associated with loss of GATA1s binding and functionally involved in megakaryocyte differentiation blockage. T21 enhanced the proliferative phenotype, reproducing the cellular and molecular abnormalities of DS-AMKL. Our study provides an array of human cell–based models revealing individual contributions of different mutations to DS-AMKL differentiation blockage, a major determinant of leukemic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahim Arkoun
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Elie Robert
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Fabien Boudia
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Stefania Mazzi
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Virginie Dufour
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Villejuif, France
| | - Aurelie Siret
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Yasmine Mammasse
- Département d'Immunologie Plaquettaire, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Zakia Aid
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Mathieu Vieira
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Aygun Imanci
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Marine Aglave
- Plateforme de Bioinformatique, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie Cambot
- Département d'Immunologie Plaquettaire, Institut National de la Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Rachel Petermann
- Département d'Immunologie Plaquettaire, Institut National de Transfusion Sanguine, Paris, France
| | - Sylvie Souquere
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR8122, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Philippe Rameau
- UMS AMMICA, INSERM US23, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Cyril Catelain
- UMS AMMICA, INSERM US23, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Romain Diot
- Service d'Histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | - Gerard Tachdjian
- Service d'Histologie, Embryologie et Cytogénétique, Hôpital Antoine Béclère, Clamart, France
| | | | - Nathalie Droin
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Najet Debili
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Isabelle Plo
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Sebastien Malinge
- Telethon Kids Cancer Centre, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Eric Soler
- IGMM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Hana Raslova
- INSERM, UMR1287, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Thomas Mercher
- INSERM, UMR1170, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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22
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So J, Lewis AC, Smith LK, Stanley K, Franich R, Yoannidis D, Pijpers L, Dominguez P, Hogg SJ, Vervoort SJ, Brown FC, Johnstone RW, McDonald G, Ulanet DB, Murtie J, Gruber E, Kats LM. Inhibition of pyrimidine biosynthesis targets protein translation in acute myeloid leukemia. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e15203. [PMID: 35514210 PMCID: PMC9260210 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202115203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) catalyzes one of the rate‐limiting steps in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis, a pathway that provides essential metabolic precursors for nucleic acids, glycoproteins, and phospholipids. DHODH inhibitors (DHODHi) are clinically used for autoimmune diseases and are emerging as a novel class of anticancer agents, especially in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) where pyrimidine starvation was recently shown to reverse the characteristic differentiation block in AML cells. Herein, we show that DHODH blockade rapidly shuts down protein translation in leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and has potent and selective activity against multiple AML subtypes. Moreover, we find that ablation of CDK5, a gene that is recurrently deleted in AML and related disorders, increases the sensitivity of AML cells to DHODHi. Our studies provide important molecular insights and identify a potential biomarker for an emerging strategy to target AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan So
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | | | - Lorey K Smith
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Kym Stanley
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Rheana Franich
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - David Yoannidis
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lizzy Pijpers
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Pilar Dominguez
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Simon J Hogg
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephin J Vervoort
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Fiona C Brown
- Australian Centre for Blood Diseases, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Ricky W Johnstone
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | | | | | | | - Emily Gruber
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Lev M Kats
- The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.,The Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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23
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A Six-Gene Risk Model Based on the Immune Score Reveals Prognosis in Intermediate-Risk Acute Myeloid Leukemia. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 2022:4010786. [PMID: 35528167 PMCID: PMC9076319 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4010786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment (TME) has been revealed as an important determinant of diagnosis and treatment response in AML patients. The scores of immune and stromal cell scores of AML in the intermediate-risk group from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were calculated using the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data algorithm. Differentially expressed genes were identified between high and low scores. Gene set enrichment and pathway analyses were performed. A risk score model based on TME for six immune-related genes was established and validated. Patients with a lower immune score had a longer overall survival than those with a higher score (P = 0.044). A total of 805 intersected genes as differentially expressed genes were identified and selected according to the comparison of both immune and stromal scores. The functional enrichment analysis shows that these genes are mainly associated with the immune/inflammatory response. The risk score model based on TME for six immune-related genes (including MEF2C, ENPP2, FAM107A, CD37, TNFAIP8L2, and CASS4) was established and validated in the TCGA database and well validated in the TARGET database (P = 0.005). A key microenvironment-related gene signature was identified that affects the outcomes of AML patients in the intermediate-risk group and might serve as therapeutic targets.
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24
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Src-Family Protein Kinase Inhibitors Suppress MYB Activity in a p300-Dependent Manner. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071162. [PMID: 35406726 PMCID: PMC8997952 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have disclosed transcription factor MYB as a potential drug target for malignancies that are dependent on deregulated MYB function, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Although transcription factors are often regarded as undruggable, successful targeting of MYB by low-molecular-weight compounds has recently been demonstrated. In an attempt to repurpose known drugs as novel MYB-inhibitory agents, we have screened libraries of approved drugs and drug-like compounds for molecules with MYB-inhibitory potential. Here, we present initial evidence for the MYB-inhibitory activity of the protein kinase inhibitors bosutinib, PD180970 and PD161570, that we identified in a recent screen. We show that these compounds interfere with the activity of the MYB transactivation domain, apparently by disturbing the ability of MYB to cooperate with the coactivator p300. We show that treatment of the AML cell line HL60 with these compounds triggers the up-regulation of the myeloid differentiation marker CD11b and induces cell death. Importantly, we show that these effects are significantly dampened by forced expression of an activated version of MYB, confirming that the ability to suppress MYB function is a relevant activity of these compounds. Overall, our work identifies several protein kinase inhibitors as novel MYB-inhibitory agents and suggests that the inhibition of MYB function may play a role in their pharmacological impact on leukemic cells.
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25
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Schmidt TJ, Klempnauer KH. Natural Products with Antitumor Potential Targeting the MYB-C/EBPβ-p300 Transcription Module. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27072077. [PMID: 35408476 PMCID: PMC9000602 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor MYB is expressed predominantly in hematopoietic progenitor cells, where it plays an essential role in the development of most lineages of the hematopoietic system. In the myeloid lineage, MYB is known to cooperate with members of the CCAAT box/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors. MYB and C/EBPs interact with the co-activator p300 or its paralog CREB-binding protein (CBP), to form a transcriptional module involved in myeloid-specific gene expression. Recent work has demonstrated that MYB is involved in the development of human leukemia, especially in acute T-cell leukemia (T-ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Chemical entities that inhibit the transcriptional activity of the MYB-C/EBPβ-p300 transcription module may therefore be of use as potential anti-tumour drugs. In searching for small molecule inhibitors, studies from our group over the last 10 years have identified natural products belonging to different structural classes, including various sesquiterpene lactones, a steroid lactone, quinone methide triterpenes and naphthoquinones that interfere with the activity of this transcriptional module in different ways. This review gives a comprehensive overview on the various classes of inhibitors and the inhibitory mechanisms by which they affect the MYB-C/EBPβ-p300 transcriptional module as a potential anti-tumor target. We also focus on the current knowledge on structure-activity relationships underlying these biological effects and on the potential of these compounds for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Schmidt
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry (IPBP), University of Münster, PharmaCampus-Corrensstraße 48, D-48149 Munster, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.J.S.); (K.-H.K.)
| | - Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute of Biochemistry, University of Münster, Corrensstraße 36, D-48149 Munster, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.J.S.); (K.-H.K.)
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Harada T, Heshmati Y, Kalfon J, Perez MW, Xavier Ferrucio J, Ewers J, Hubbell Engler B, Kossenkov A, Ellegast JM, Yi JS, Bowker A, Zhu Q, Eagle K, Liu T, Kai Y, Dempster JM, Kugener G, Wickramasinghe J, Herbert ZT, Li CH, Vrabič Koren J, Weinstock DM, Paralkar VR, Nabet B, Lin CY, Dharia NV, Stegmaier K, Orkin SH, Pimkin M. A distinct core regulatory module enforces oncogene expression in KMT2A-rearranged leukemia. Genes Dev 2022; 36:368-389. [PMID: 35301220 PMCID: PMC8973843 DOI: 10.1101/gad.349284.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this study, Harada et al. identified the transcription factors MEF2D and IRF8 as selective transcriptional dependencies of KMT2A-rearranged AML, where MEF2D displays partially redundant functions with its paralog, MEF2C. This study illustrates a mechanism of context-specific transcriptional addiction whereby a specific AML subclass depends on a highly specialized core regulatory module to directly enforce expression of common leukemia oncogenes. Acute myeloid leukemia with KMT2A (MLL) rearrangements is characterized by specific patterns of gene expression and enhancer architecture, implying unique core transcriptional regulatory circuitry. Here, we identified the transcription factors MEF2D and IRF8 as selective transcriptional dependencies of KMT2A-rearranged AML, where MEF2D displays partially redundant functions with its paralog, MEF2C. Rapid transcription factor degradation followed by measurements of genome-wide transcription rates and superresolution microscopy revealed that MEF2D and IRF8 form a distinct core regulatory module with a narrow direct transcriptional program that includes activation of the key oncogenes MYC, HOXA9, and BCL2. Our study illustrates a mechanism of context-specific transcriptional addiction whereby a specific AML subclass depends on a highly specialized core regulatory module to directly enforce expression of common leukemia oncogenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taku Harada
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Yaser Heshmati
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Jérémie Kalfon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Monika W Perez
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Juliana Xavier Ferrucio
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Jazmin Ewers
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Benjamin Hubbell Engler
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | | | - Jana M Ellegast
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Joanna S Yi
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Allyson Bowker
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Qian Zhu
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Kenneth Eagle
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Ken Eagle Consulting, Houston, Texas 77494, USA
| | - Tianxin Liu
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Yan Kai
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Joshua M Dempster
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Guillaume Kugener
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | - Zachary T Herbert
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Charles H Li
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA.,Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | | | - David M Weinstock
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Vikram R Paralkar
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
| | - Behnam Nabet
- Human Biology Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - Charles Y Lin
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
| | - Neekesh V Dharia
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Kimberly Stegmaier
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
| | - Stuart H Orkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
| | - Maxim Pimkin
- Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, USA
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27
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Rational design of a helical peptide inhibitor targeting c-Myb–KIX interaction. Sci Rep 2022; 12:816. [PMID: 35058484 PMCID: PMC8776815 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04497-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor c-Myb promotes the proliferation of hematopoietic cells by interacting with the KIX domain of CREB-binding protein; however, its aberrant expression causes leukemia. Therefore, inhibitors of the c-Myb–KIX interaction are potentially useful as antitumor drugs. Since the intrinsically disordered transactivation domain (TAD) of c-Myb binds KIX via a conformational selection mechanism where helix formation precedes binding, stabilizing the helical structure of c-Myb TAD is expected to increase the KIX-binding affinity. Here, to develop an inhibitor of the c-Myb–KIX interaction, we designed mutants of the c-Myb TAD peptide fragment where the helical structure is stabilized, based on theoretical predictions using AGADIR. Three of the four initially designed peptides each had a different Lys-to-Arg substitution on the helix surface opposite the KIX-binding interface. Furthermore, the triple mutant with three Lys-to-Arg substitutions, named RRR, showed a high helical propensity and achieved three-fold higher affinity to KIX than the wild-type TAD with a dissociation constant of 80 nM. Moreover, the RRR inhibitor efficiently competed out the c-Myb–KIX interaction. These results suggest that stabilizing the helical structure based on theoretical predictions, especially by conservative Lys-to-Arg substitutions, is a simple and useful strategy for designing helical peptide inhibitors of protein–protein interactions.
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Klempnauer KH. C/EBPβ sustains the oncogenic program of AML cells by cooperating with MYB and co-activator p300 in a transcriptional module. Exp Hematol 2022; 108:8-15. [PMID: 35032593 DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2022.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor MYB is a key regulator of gene expression in hematopoietic cells and has emerged as a novel drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Studies aiming to identify potential MYB inhibitors have shown that the natural compound helenalin acetate (HA) inhibits viability and induces cell death and differentiation of AML cells by disrupting the MYB-induced gene expression program. Interestingly, CCAAT-box/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), a transcription factor known to cooperate with MYB and the co-activator p300 in myeloid cells, rather than MYB itself, was identified as the primary target of HA. This supports a model in which MYB, C/EBPβ and p300 form the core of a transcriptional module that is essential for the maintenance of proliferative potential of AML cells, highlighting a novel role of C/EBPβ as a pro-leukemogenic factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, D-48149 Münster, Germany.
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29
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Chakroborty D, Ojala VK, Knittle AM, Drexler J, Tamirat MZ, Ruzicka R, Bosch K, Woertl J, Schmittner S, Elo LL, Johnson MS, Kurppa KJ, Solca F, Elenius K. An Unbiased Functional Genetics Screen Identifies Rare Activating ERBB4 Mutations. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2022; 2:10-27. [PMID: 36860695 PMCID: PMC9973412 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Despite the relatively high frequency of somatic ERBB4 mutations in various cancer types, only a few activating ERBB4 mutations have been characterized, primarily due to lack of mutational hotspots in the ERBB4 gene. Here, we utilized our previously published pipeline, an in vitro screen for activating mutations, to perform an unbiased functional screen to identify potential activating ERBB4 mutations from a randomly mutated ERBB4 expression library. Ten potentially activating ERBB4 mutations were identified and subjected to validation by functional and structural analyses. Two of the 10 ERBB4 mutants, E715K and R687K, demonstrated hyperactivity in all tested cell models and promoted cellular growth under two-dimensional and three-dimensional culture conditions. ERBB4 E715K also promoted tumor growth in in vivo Ba/F3 cell mouse allografts. Importantly, all tested ERBB4 mutants were sensitive to the pan-ERBB tyrosine kinase inhibitors afatinib, neratinib, and dacomitinib. Our data indicate that rare ERBB4 mutations are potential candidates for ERBB4-targeted therapy with pan-ERBB inhibitors. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE ERBB4 is a member of the ERBB family of oncogenes that is frequently mutated in different cancer types but the functional impact of its somatic mutations remains unknown. Here, we have analyzed the function of over 8,000 randomly mutated ERBB4 variants in an unbiased functional genetics screen. The data indicate the presence of rare activating ERBB4 mutations in cancer, with potential to be targeted with clinically approved pan-ERBB inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepankar Chakroborty
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Veera K. Ojala
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Doctoral Programme of Molecular Medicine, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Anna M. Knittle
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Mahlet Z. Tamirat
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Graduate School of Åbo Akademi University (Informational and Structural Biology Doctoral Network), Turku, Finland
| | | | - Karin Bosch
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Laura L. Elo
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Mark S. Johnson
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- InFLAMES Research Flagship Center, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Kari J. Kurppa
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Flavio Solca
- Boehringer Ingelheim RCV GmbH & Co KG, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus Elenius
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Medicity Research Laboratories, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Oncology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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30
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Ghani LA, Yusenko MV, Frank D, Moorthy R, Widen JC, Dörner W, Khandanpour C, Harki DA, Klempnauer KH. A synthetic covalent ligand of the C/EBPβ transactivation domain inhibits acute myeloid leukemia cells. Cancer Lett 2022; 530:170-180. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2022.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Yusenko MV, Klempnauer KH. Characterization of the MYB-inhibitory potential of the Pan-HDAC inhibitor LAQ824. BBA ADVANCES 2022; 2:100034. [PMID: 37082582 PMCID: PMC10074929 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadva.2021.100034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of work has shown that MYB acts as a master transcription regulator in hematopoietic cells and has pinpointed MYB as a potential drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Here, we have examined the MYB-inhibitory potential of the HDAC inhibitor LAQ824, which was identified in a screen for novel MYB inhibitors. We show that nanomolar concentrations of LAQ824 and the related HDAC inhibitors vorinostat and panobinostat interfere with MYB function in two ways, by inducing its degradation and inhibiting its activity. Reporter assays show that the inhibition of MYB activity by LAQ824 involves the MYB transactivation domain and the cooperation of MYB with co-activator p300, a key MYB interaction partner and driver of MYB activity. In AML cells, LAQ824-induced degradation of MYB is accompanied by expression of myeloid differentiation markers and apoptotic and necrotic cell death. The ability of LAQ824 to inhibit MYB activity is supported by the observation that down-regulation of direct MYB target genes MYC and GFI1 occurs without apparent decrease of MYB expression already after 2 h of treatment with LAQ824. Furthermore, ectopic expression of an activated version of MYB In HL60 cells counteracts the induction of myeloid differentiation by LAQ824. Overall, our data identify LAQ824 and related HDAC inhibitors as potent MYB-inhibitory agents that exert dual effects on MYB expression and activity in AML cells.
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Identification of a c-MYB-directed therapeutic for acute myeloid leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:1541-1549. [PMID: 35368048 PMCID: PMC9162920 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01554-9] [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: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A significant proportion of patients suffering from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cannot be cured by conventional chemotherapy, relapsed disease being a common problem. Molecular targeting of essential oncogenic mediators is an attractive approach to improving outcomes for this disease. The hematopoietic transcription factor c-MYB has been revealed as a central component of complexes maintaining aberrant gene expression programs in AML. We have previously screened the Connectivity Map database to identify mebendazole as an anti-AML therapeutic targeting c-MYB. In the present study we demonstrate that another hit from this screen, the steroidal lactone withaferin A (WFA), induces rapid ablation of c-MYB protein and consequent inhibition of c-MYB target gene expression, loss of leukemia cell viability, reduced colony formation and impaired disease progression. Although WFA has been reported to have pleiotropic anti-cancer effects, we demonstrate that its anti-AML activity depends on c-MYB modulation and can be partially reversed by a stabilized c-MYB mutant. c-MYB ablation results from disrupted HSP/HSC70 chaperone protein homeostasis in leukemia cells following induction of proteotoxicity and the unfolded protein response by WFA. The widespread use of WFA in traditional medicines throughout the world indicates that it represents a promising candidate for repurposing into AML therapy.
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33
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Yusenko MV, Biyanee A, Frank D, Köhler LHF, Andersson MK, Khandanpour C, Schobert R, Stenman G, Biersack B, Klempnauer KH. Bcr-TMP, a Novel Nanomolar-Active Compound That Exhibits Both MYB- and Microtubule-Inhibitory Activity. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 14:cancers14010043. [PMID: 35008207 PMCID: PMC8750090 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Recent work has identified the transcription regulator MYB as an interesting therapeutic target for the treatment of certain leukemias and other cancers that are dependent on deregulated MYB activity, such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Here we report the identification and characterization of 2-amino-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile (Bcr-TMP), a novel highly active MYB inhibitory compound. We show that nanomolar concentrations of Bcr-TMP are sufficient to down-regulate the expression of MYB target genes and induce both cell-death and differentiation in AML cell lines. Importantly, Bcr-TMP also and exerts stronger anti-proliferative effects on MYB-addicted primary AML cells and patient-derived ACC cells than on their non-oncogenic counterparts. Preliminary work shows that Bcr-TMP acts through p300, a protein interacting with MYB and stimulating its activity. Interestingly, Bcr-TMP has an additional activity as an anti-microtubule agent. Overall, Bcr-TMP is an interesting compound that warrants further research to understand its mechanism of action and its therapeutic potential for MYB-dependent malignancies. Abstract Studies of the role of MYB in human malignancies have highlighted MYB as a potential drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Here, we present the initial characterization of 2-amino-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4H-naphtho[1,2-b]pyran-3-carbonitrile (Bcr-TMP), a nanomolar-active MYB-inhibitory compound identified in a screen for novel MYB inhibitors. Bcr-TMP affects MYB function in a dual manner by inducing its degradation and suppressing its transactivation potential by disrupting its cooperation with co-activator p300. Bcr-TMP also interferes with the p300-dependent stimulation of C/EBPβ, a transcription factor co-operating with MYB in myeloid cells, indicating that Bcr-TMP is a p300-inhibitor. Bcr-TMP reduces the viability of AML cell lines at nanomolar concentrations and induces cell-death and expression of myeloid differentiation markers. It also down-regulates the expression of MYB target genes and exerts stronger anti-proliferative effects on MYB-addicted primary murine AML cells and patient-derived ACC cells than on their non-oncogenic counterparts. Surprisingly, we observed that Bcr-TMP also has microtubule-disrupting activity, pointing to a possible link between MYB-activity and microtubule stability. Overall, Bcr-TMP is a highly potent multifunctional MYB-inhibitory agent that warrants further investigation of its therapeutic potential and mechanism(s) of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V. Yusenko
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Munster, Germany; (M.V.Y.); (A.B.)
| | - Abhiruchi Biyanee
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Munster, Germany; (M.V.Y.); (A.B.)
| | - Daria Frank
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Munster, Germany; (D.F.); (C.K.)
| | - Leonhard H. F. Köhler
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany; (L.H.F.K.); (R.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Mattias K. Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden; (M.K.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Cyrus Khandanpour
- Department of Medicine A, Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Munster, Germany; (D.F.); (C.K.)
| | - Rainer Schobert
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany; (L.H.F.K.); (R.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Göran Stenman
- Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, 41345 Gothenburg, Sweden; (M.K.A.); (G.S.)
| | - Bernhard Biersack
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory, Universität Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany; (L.H.F.K.); (R.S.); (B.B.)
| | - Karl-Heinz Klempnauer
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, 48149 Munster, Germany; (M.V.Y.); (A.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-251-8333203; Fax: +49-251-8333206
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Hu D, Shao W, Liu L, Wang Y, Yuan S, Liu Z, Liu J, Zhang J. Intricate crosstalk between MYB and noncoding RNAs in cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:653. [PMID: 34876130 PMCID: PMC8650324 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02362-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
MYB is often overexpressed in malignant tumors and plays a carcinogenic role in the initiation and development of cancer. Deletion of the MYB regulatory C-terminal domain may be a driving mutation leading to tumorigenesis, therefore, different tumor mechanisms produce similar MYB proteins. As MYB is a transcription factor, priority has been given to identifying the genes that it regulates. All previous attention has been focused on protein-coding genes. However, an increasing number of studies have suggested that MYB can affect the complexity of cancer progression by regulating tumor-associated noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs, long-non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs. ncRNAs can regulate the expression of numerous downstream genes at the transcription, RNA processing and translation levels, thereby having various biological functions. Additionally, ncRNAs play important roles in regulating MYB expression. This review focuses on the intricate crosstalk between oncogenic MYB and ncRNAs, which play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis, including proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, senescence and drug resistance. In addition, we discuss therapeutic strategies for crosstalk between MYB and ncRNAs to prevent the occurrence and development of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingyu Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjun Shao
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Li Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Shunling Yuan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaoping Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Hematology, Molecular Biology Research Center & Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410078, Hunan, China.
| | - Ji Zhang
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Department of Rheumatology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, Hunan, China. .,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, 518033, Guangdong, China.
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35
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Quintanal-Villalonga A, Taniguchi H, Zhan YA, Hasan MM, Chavan SS, Meng F, Uddin F, Allaj V, Manoj P, Shah NS, Chan JM, Ciampricotti M, Chow A, Offin M, Ray-Kirton J, Egger JD, Bhanot UK, Linkov I, Asher M, Roehrl MH, Ventura K, Qiu J, de Stanchina E, Chang JC, Rekhtman N, Houck-Loomis B, Koche RP, Yu HA, Sen T, Rudin CM. Comprehensive molecular characterization of lung tumors implicates AKT and MYC signaling in adenocarcinoma to squamous cell transdifferentiation. J Hematol Oncol 2021; 14:170. [PMID: 34656143 PMCID: PMC8520275 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-021-01186-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lineage plasticity, the ability to transdifferentiate among distinct phenotypic identities, facilitates therapeutic resistance in cancer. In lung adenocarcinomas (LUADs), this phenomenon includes small cell and squamous cell (LUSC) histologic transformation in the context of acquired resistance to targeted inhibition of driver mutations. LUAD-to-LUSC transdifferentiation, occurring in up to 9% of EGFR-mutant patients relapsed on osimertinib, is associated with notably poor prognosis. We hypothesized that multi-parameter profiling of the components of mixed histology (LUAD/LUSC) tumors could provide insight into factors licensing lineage plasticity between these histologies. METHODS We performed genomic, epigenomics, transcriptomics and protein analyses of microdissected LUAD and LUSC components from mixed histology tumors, pre-/post-transformation tumors and reference non-transformed LUAD and LUSC samples. We validated our findings through genetic manipulation of preclinical models in vitro and in vivo and performed patient-derived xenograft (PDX) treatments to validate potential therapeutic targets in a LUAD PDX model acquiring LUSC features after osimertinib treatment. RESULTS Our data suggest that LUSC transdifferentiation is primarily driven by transcriptional reprogramming rather than mutational events. We observed consistent relative upregulation of PI3K/AKT, MYC and PRC2 pathway genes. Concurrent activation of PI3K/AKT and MYC induced squamous features in EGFR-mutant LUAD preclinical models. Pharmacologic inhibition of EZH1/2 in combination with osimertinib prevented relapse with squamous-features in an EGFR-mutant patient-derived xenograft model, and inhibition of EZH1/2 or PI3K/AKT signaling re-sensitized resistant squamous-like tumors to osimertinib. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide the first comprehensive molecular characterization of LUSC transdifferentiation, suggesting putative drivers and potential therapeutic targets to constrain or prevent lineage plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Quintanal-Villalonga
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
| | - Hirokazu Taniguchi
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Yingqian A Zhan
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Maysun M Hasan
- Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shweta S Chavan
- Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Center for Molecular Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fanli Meng
- Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fathema Uddin
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Viola Allaj
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Parvathy Manoj
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Nisargbhai S Shah
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Joseph M Chan
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Program for Computational and Systems Biology, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Metamia Ciampricotti
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Andrew Chow
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Michael Offin
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Jordana Ray-Kirton
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacklynn D Egger
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
| | - Umesh K Bhanot
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irina Linkov
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marina Asher
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael H Roehrl
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Katia Ventura
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Juan Qiu
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jason C Chang
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natasha Rekhtman
- Precision Pathology Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brian Houck-Loomis
- Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Helena A Yu
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Triparna Sen
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
| | - Charles M Rudin
- Department of Medicine, Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 408 East 69th Street, ZRC-1731, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
- Weill Cornell Medical College, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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Tsakaneli A, Williams O. Drug Repurposing for Targeting Acute Leukemia With KMT2A ( MLL)-Gene Rearrangements. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:741413. [PMID: 34594227 PMCID: PMC8478155 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.741413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The treatment failure rates of acute leukemia with rearrangements of the Mixed Lineage Leukemia (MLL) gene highlight the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Taking into consideration the limitations of the current therapies and the advantages of novel strategies for drug discovery, drug repurposing offers valuable opportunities to identify treatments and develop therapeutic approaches quickly and effectively for acute leukemia with MLL-rearrangements. These approaches are complimentary to de novo drug discovery and have taken advantage of increased knowledge of the mechanistic basis of MLL-fusion protein complex function as well as refined drug repurposing screens. Despite the vast number of different leukemia associated MLL-rearrangements, the existence of common core oncogenic pathways holds the promise that many such therapies will be broadly applicable to MLL-rearranged leukemia as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Tsakaneli
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer Section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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37
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Grandits AM, Nguyen CH, Schlerka A, Hackl H, Sill H, Etzler J, Heyes E, Stoiber D, Grebien F, Heller G, Wieser R. Downregulation of MTSS1 in acute myeloid leukemia is associated with a poor prognosis, chemotherapy resistance, and disease aggressiveness. Leukemia 2021; 35:2827-2839. [PMID: 33782537 PMCID: PMC8478650 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite recent approval of targeted drugs for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy, chemotherapy with cytosine arabinoside and anthracyclines remains an important pillar of treatment. Both primary and secondary resistance are frequent and associated with poor survival, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are incompletely understood. In previous work, we identified genes deregulated between diagnosis and relapse of AML, corresponding to therapy naïve and resistant states, respectively. Among them was MTSS1, whose downregulation is known to enhance aggressiveness of solid tumors. Here we show that low MTSS1 expression at diagnosis was associated with a poor prognosis in AML. MTSS1 expression was regulated by promoter methylation, and reduced by cytosine arabinoside and the anthracycline daunorubicin. Experimental downregulation of MTSS1 affected the expression of numerous genes. It induced the DNA damage response kinase WEE1, and rendered human AML cell lines more resistant to cytosine arabinoside, daunorubicin, and other anti-cancer drugs. Mtss1 knockdown in murine MLL-AF9-driven AML substantially decreased disease latency, and increased leukemic burden and ex vivo chemotherapy resistance. In summary, low MTSS1 expression represents a novel factor contributing to disease aggressiveness, therapy resistance, and poor outcome in AML.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Anthracyclines/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use
- Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics
- Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism
- Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics
- Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism
- Cytarabine/administration & dosage
- Daunorubicin/administration & dosage
- Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic
- Humans
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Microfilament Proteins/genetics
- Microfilament Proteins/metabolism
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasm Proteins/metabolism
- Prognosis
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/genetics
- Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/metabolism
- Survival Rate
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Michael Grandits
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Chi Huu Nguyen
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angela Schlerka
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Heinz Sill
- Division of Hematology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Julia Etzler
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elizabeth Heyes
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Dagmar Stoiber
- Division of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Microbiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Institute for Medical Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gerwin Heller
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rotraud Wieser
- Division of Oncology, Department of Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, Vienna, Austria.
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38
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Balla B, Tripon F, Banescu C. From Descriptive to Functional Genomics of Leukemias Focusing on Genome Engineering Techniques. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10065. [PMID: 34576226 PMCID: PMC8470190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome engineering makes the precise manipulation of DNA sequences possible in a cell. Therefore, it is essential for understanding gene function. Meganucleases were the start of genome engineering, and it continued with the discovery of Zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), followed by Transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs). They can generate double-strand breaks at a desired target site in the genome, and therefore can be used to knock in mutations or knock out genes in the same way. Years later, genome engineering was transformed by the discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR). Implementation of CRISPR systems involves recognition guided by RNA and the precise cleaving of DNA molecules. This property proves its utility in epigenetics and genome engineering. CRISPR has been and is being continuously successfully used to model mutations in leukemic cell lines and control gene expression. Furthermore, it is used to identify targets and discover drugs for immune therapies. The descriptive and functional genomics of leukemias is discussed in this study, with an emphasis on genome engineering methods. The CRISPR/Cas9 system's challenges, viewpoints, limits, and solutions are also explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Balla
- Genetics Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (B.B.); (C.B.)
- Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Genetics Laboratory, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Florin Tripon
- Genetics Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (B.B.); (C.B.)
- Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Genetics Laboratory, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Claudia Banescu
- Genetics Department, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania; (B.B.); (C.B.)
- Center for Advanced Medical and Pharmaceutical Research, Genetics Laboratory, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 38, 540139 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Clinical and Emergency County Hospital of Târgu Mureș, Strada Gheorghe Marinescu 50, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
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39
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Porazzi P, De Dominici M, Salvino J, Calabretta B. Targeting the CDK6 Dependence of Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091355. [PMID: 34573335 PMCID: PMC8467343 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ph+ ALL is a poor-prognosis leukemia subtype driven by the BCR-ABL1 oncogene, either the p190- or the p210-BCR/ABL isoform in a 70:30 ratio. Tyrosine Kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are the drugs of choice in the therapy of Ph+ ALL. In combination with standard chemotherapy, TKIs have markedly improved the outcome of Ph+ ALL, in particular if this treatment is followed by bone marrow transplantation. However, resistance to TKIs develops with high frequency, causing leukemia relapse that results in <5-year overall survival. Thus, new therapies are needed to address relapsed/TKI-resistant Ph+ ALL. We have shown that expression of cell cycle regulatory kinase CDK6, but not of the highly related CDK4 kinase, is required for the proliferation and survival of Ph+ ALL cells. Comparison of leukemia suppression induced by treatment with the clinically-approved dual CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib versus CDK6 silencing revealed that the latter treatment was markedly more effective, probably reflecting inhibition of CDK6 kinase-independent effects. Thus, we developed CDK4/6-targeted proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) that preferentially degrade CDK6 over CDK4. One compound termed PROTAC YX-2-107, which degrades CDK6 by recruiting the Cereblon ubiquitin ligase, markedly suppressed leukemia burden in mice injected with de novo or TKI-resistant Ph+ ALL. The effect of PROTAC YX-2-107 was comparable or superior to that of palbociclib. The development of CDK6-selective PROTACs represents an effective strategy to exploit the “CDK6 dependence” of Ph+ ALL cells while sparing a high proportion of normal hematopoietic progenitors that depend on both CDK6 and CDK6 for their survival. In combination with other agents, CDK6-selective PROTACs may be valuable components of chemotherapy-free protocols for the therapy of Ph+ ALL and other CDK6-dependent hematological malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Porazzi
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Marco De Dominici
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | | | - Bruno Calabretta
- Department of Cancer Biology, Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA;
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40
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Remsberg JR, Suciu RM, Zambetti NA, Hanigan TW, Firestone AJ, Inguva A, Long A, Ngo N, Lum KM, Henry CL, Richardson SK, Predovic M, Huang B, Dix MM, Howell AR, Niphakis MJ, Shannon K, Cravatt BF. ABHD17 regulation of plasma membrane palmitoylation and N-Ras-dependent cancer growth. Nat Chem Biol 2021; 17:856-864. [PMID: 33927411 PMCID: PMC8900659 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-021-00785-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Ras proteins, including N-Ras, depend on a palmitoylation/depalmitoylation cycle to regulate their subcellular trafficking and oncogenicity. General lipase inhibitors such as Palmostatin M (Palm M) block N-Ras depalmitoylation, but lack specificity and target several enzymes displaying depalmitoylase activity. Here, we describe ABD957, a potent and selective covalent inhibitor of the ABHD17 family of depalmitoylases, and show that this compound impairs N-Ras depalmitoylation in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. ABD957 produced partial effects on N-Ras palmitoylation compared with Palm M, but was much more selective across the proteome, reflecting a plasma membrane-delineated action on dynamically palmitoylated proteins. Finally, ABD957 impaired N-Ras signaling and the growth of NRAS-mutant AML cells in a manner that synergizes with MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibition. Our findings uncover a surprisingly restricted role for ABHD17 enzymes as regulators of the N-Ras palmitoylation cycle and suggest that ABHD17 inhibitors may have value as targeted therapies for NRAS-mutant cancers.
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MESH Headings
- Cell Membrane/metabolism
- Cell Proliferation
- Cells, Cultured
- Humans
- Hydrolases/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/pathology
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/metabolism
- Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/pathology
- Lipoylation
- Microsomes, Liver/chemistry
- Microsomes, Liver/metabolism
- Molecular Structure
- ras Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrett R Remsberg
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Radu M Suciu
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Noemi A Zambetti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Thomas W Hanigan
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ari J Firestone
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anagha Inguva
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amanda Long
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nhi Ngo
- Lundbeck La Jolla Research Center, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kenneth M Lum
- Lundbeck La Jolla Research Center, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Marina Predovic
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ben Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melissa M Dix
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amy R Howell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | | | - Kevin Shannon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Benjamin F Cravatt
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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41
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Yusenko MV, Biyanee A, Andersson MK, Radetzki S, von Kries JP, Stenman G, Klempnauer KH. Proteasome inhibitors suppress MYB oncogenic activity in a p300-dependent manner. Cancer Lett 2021; 520:132-142. [PMID: 34256093 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2021.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies of the role of MYB in human malignancies have highlighted MYB as a potential drug target for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Although transcription factors are often considered un-druggable, recent work has demonstrated successful targeting of MYB by low molecular weight compounds. This has fueled the notion that inhibition of MYB has potential as a therapeutic approach against MYB-driven malignancies. Here, we have used a MYB reporter cell line to screen a library of FDA-approved drugs for novel MYB inhibitors. We demonstrate that proteasome inhibitors have significant MYB-inhibitory activity, prompting us to characterize the proteasome inhibitor oprozomib in more detail. Oprozomib was shown to interfere with the ability of the co-activator p300 to stimulate MYB activity and to exert anti-proliferative effects on human AML and ACC cells. Overall, our work demonstrated suppression of oncogenic MYB activity as a novel result of proteasome inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria V Yusenko
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Abhiruchi Biyanee
- Institute for Biochemistry, Westfälische-Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Mattias K Andersson
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Silke Radetzki
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jens P von Kries
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin, Germany
| | - Göran Stenman
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Pathology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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42
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The Novel Oral BET-CBP/p300 Dual Inhibitor NEO2734 Is Highly Effective in Eradicating Acute Myeloid Leukemia Blasts and Stem/Progenitor Cells. Hemasphere 2021; 5:e610. [PMID: 34258514 PMCID: PMC8265862 DOI: 10.1097/hs9.0000000000000610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease characterized by transcriptional dysregulation that results in a block in differentiation and aberrant self-renewal. Inhibitors directed to epigenetic modifiers, aiming at transcriptional reprogramming of AML cells, are currently in clinical trials for AML patients. Several of these inhibitors target bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) proteins, cyclic AMP response binding protein-binding protein (CBP), and the E1A-interacting protein of 300 kDa (p300), affecting histone acetylation. Unfortunately, single epigenetic inhibitors showed limited efficacy due to appearance of resistance and lack of effective eradication of leukemic stem cells. Here, we describe the efficacy of 2 novel, orally available inhibitors targeting both the BET and CBP/p300 proteins, NEO1132 and NEO2734, in primary AML. NEO2734 and NEO1132 efficiently reduced the viability of AML cell lines and primary AML cells by inducing apoptosis. Importantly, both NEO drugs eliminated leukemic stem/progenitor cells from AML patient samples, and NEO2734 increased the effectiveness of combination chemotherapy treatment in an in vivo AML patient-derived mouse model. Thus, dual inhibition of BET and CBP/p300 using NEO2734 is a promising therapeutic strategy for AML patients, making it a focus for clinical translation.
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43
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Wang J, Wu Y, Uddin MN, Chen R, Hao JP. Identification of Potential Key Genes and Regulatory Markers in Essential Thrombocythemia Through Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis and Clinical Validation. PHARMACOGENOMICS & PERSONALIZED MEDICINE 2021; 14:767-784. [PMID: 34267539 PMCID: PMC8275175 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s309166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a group of myeloproliferative neoplasms characterized by abnormal proliferation of platelet and megakaryocytes. Research on potential key genes and novel regulatory markers in essential thrombocythemia (ET) is still limited. Methods Downloading array profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. GO, and REACTOME pathway enrichment analysis was used to predict the potential functions of DEGs. Besides, constructing a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network through the STRING database, we validated the expression level of hub genes in an independent cohort of ET, and the transcription factors (TFs) were detected in the regulatory networks of TFs and DEGs. And the candidate drugs that are targeting hub genes were identified using the DGIdb database. Results We identified 63 overlap DEGs that included 21 common up-regulated and 42 common down-regulated genes from two datasets. Functional enrichment analysis shows that the DEGs are mainly enriched in the immune system and inflammatory processes. Through PPI network analysis, ACTB, PTPRC, ACTR2, FYB, STAT1, ETS1, IL7R, IKZF1, FGL2, and CTSS were selected as hub genes. Interestingly, we found that the dysregulated hub genes are also aberrantly expressed in a bone marrow cohort of ET. Moreover, we found that the expression of CTSS, FGL2, IKZF1, STAT1, FYB, ACTR2, PTPRC, and ACTB genes were significantly under-expressed in ET (P<0.05), which is consistent with our bioinformatics analysis. The ROC curve analysis also shows that these hub genes have good diagnostic value. Besides, we identified 4 TFs (SPI1, IRF4, SRF, and AR) as master transcriptional regulators that were associated with regulating the DEGs in ET. Cyclophosphamide, prednisone, fluorouracil, ruxolitinib, and lenalidomide were predicted as potential candidate drugs for the treatment of ET. Discussion These dysregulated genes and predicted key regulators had a significant relationship with the occurrence of ET with affecting the immune system and inflammation of the processes. Some of the immunomodulatory drugs have potential value by targeting ACTB, PTPRC, IL7R, and IKZF1 genes in the treatment of ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China.,School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun Wu
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China
| | - Md Nazim Uddin
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China.,Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Rong Chen
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Ping Hao
- Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, 830011, People's Republic of China
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44
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Garnar-Wortzel L, Bishop TR, Kitamura S, Milosevich N, Asiaban JN, Zhang X, Zheng Q, Chen E, Ramos AR, Ackerman CJ, Hampton EN, Chatterjee AK, Young TS, Hull MV, Sharpless KB, Cravatt BF, Wolan DW, Erb MA. Chemical Inhibition of ENL/AF9 YEATS Domains in Acute Leukemia. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:815-830. [PMID: 34079898 PMCID: PMC8161486 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.0c01550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Transcriptional coregulators, which mediate chromatin-dependent transcriptional signaling, represent tractable targets to modulate tumorigenic gene expression programs with small molecules. Genetic loss-of-function studies have recently implicated the transcriptional coactivator, ENL, as a selective requirement for the survival of acute leukemia and highlighted an essential role for its chromatin reader YEATS domain. Motivated by these discoveries, we executed a screen of nearly 300,000 small molecules and identified an amido-imidazopyridine inhibitor of the ENL YEATS domain (IC50 = 7 μM). Improvements to the initial screening hit were enabled by adopting and expanding upon a SuFEx-based approach to high-throughput medicinal chemistry, ultimately demonstrating that it is compatible with cell-based drug discovery. Through these efforts, we discovered SR-0813, a potent and selective ENL/AF9 YEATS domain inhibitor (IC50 = 25 nM). Armed with this tool and a first-in-class ENL PROTAC, SR-1114, we detailed the biological response of AML cells to pharmacological ENL disruption for the first time. Most notably, we discovered that ENL YEATS inhibition is sufficient to selectively suppress ENL target genes, including HOXA9/10, MYB, MYC, and a number of other leukemia proto-oncogenes. Cumulatively, our study establishes YEATS domain inhibition as a viable approach to disrupt the pathogenic function of ENL in acute leukemia and provides the first thoroughly characterized chemical probe for the ENL YEATS domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leopold Garnar-Wortzel
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Timothy R. Bishop
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Seiya Kitamura
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Natalia Milosevich
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Joshua N. Asiaban
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Qinheng Zheng
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Emily Chen
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Anissa R. Ramos
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Christopher J. Ackerman
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Eric N. Hampton
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Arnab K. Chatterjee
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Travis S. Young
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Mitchell V. Hull
- California
Institute for Biomedical Research, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - K. Barry Sharpless
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Benjamin F. Cravatt
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Dennis W. Wolan
- Department
of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research
Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Michael A. Erb
- Department
of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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45
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Epigenetic Regulation in Breast Cancer. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 33983575 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9620-6_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant epigenetic alteration has been associated with development of various cancers, including breast cancer. Since epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modification are reversible, epigenetic enzymes, including histone modifying enzymes and DNA methyltransferases, emerge as attractive targets for cancer therapy. Although epi-drugs targeting histone deacetylation or DNA methylation have received FDA approval for cancer therapy, a very modest anti-tumor activity has been observed with monotherapy in clinical studies of breast cancer. To improve efficacy of epi-drugs in breast cancer, combination of epi-drugs with other therapies currently has been investigated. Additionally, basic researches to elucidate molecular causes of cancer should be extensively and intensively conducted in order to find novel epigenetic druggable targets. In this chapter, we summarize how epigenetic regulation affects the development of breast cancer and how to control cancer phenotype by modulating abnormal epigenetic modifications, and then suggest future research directions in epigenetics for breast cancer treatment.
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46
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Smeenk L, Ottema S, Mulet-Lazaro R, Ebert A, Havermans M, Arricibita Varea A, Fellner M, Pastoors D, van Herk S, Erpelinck-Verschueren C, Grob T, Hoogenboezem RM, Kavelaars FG, Matson DR, Bresnick EH, Bindels EM, Kentsis A, Zuber J, Delwel R. Selective requirement of MYB for oncogenic hyperactivation of a translocated enhancer in leukemia. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:2868-2883. [PMID: 33980539 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-20-1793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with inv(3)(q21;q26) or t(3;3)(q21;q26), a translocated GATA2 enhancer drives oncogenic expression of EVI1. We generated an EVI1-GFP AML model and applied an unbiased CRISPR/Cas9 enhancer scan to uncover sequence motifs essential for EVI1 transcription. Using this approach, we pinpointed a single regulatory element in the translocated GATA2 enhancer that is critically required for aberrant EVI1 expression. This element contained a DNA binding motif for the transcription factor MYB which specifically occupied this site at the translocated allele and was dispensable for GATA2 expression. MYB knockout as well as peptidomimetic blockade of CBP/p300-dependent MYB functions resulted in downregulation of EVI1 but not of GATA2. Targeting MYB or mutating its DNA-binding motif within the GATA2 enhancer resulted in myeloid differentiation and cell death, suggesting that interference with MYB-driven EVI1 transcription provides a potential entry point for therapy of inv(3)/t(3;3) AMLs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Smeenk
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | - Sophie Ottema
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | | | - Anja Ebert
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University
| | | | | | - Michaela Fellner
- Immunology and Cancer, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
| | - Dorien Pastoors
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
| | | | | | - Tim Grob
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute
| | | | | | - Daniel R Matson
- Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | - Emery H Bresnick
- Cell and Regenerative Biology, Paul Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
| | | | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
| | - Johannes Zuber
- Immunology and Cancer, Research Institute of Molecular Pathology
| | - Ruud Delwel
- Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute and Oncode Institute
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47
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Lemma RB, Ledsaak M, Fuglerud BM, Sandve GK, Eskeland R, Gabrielsen OS. Chromatin occupancy and target genes of the haematopoietic master transcription factor MYB. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9008. [PMID: 33903675 PMCID: PMC8076236 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88516-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor MYB is a master regulator in haematopoietic progenitor cells and a pioneer factor affecting differentiation and proliferation of these cells. Leukaemic transformation may be promoted by high MYB levels. Despite much accumulated molecular knowledge of MYB, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of its target genes and its chromatin action. In the present work, we performed a ChIP-seq analysis of MYB in K562 cells accompanied by detailed bioinformatics analyses. We found that MYB occupies both promoters and enhancers. Five clusters (C1-C5) were found when we classified MYB peaks according to epigenetic profiles. C1 was enriched for promoters and C2 dominated by enhancers. C2-linked genes were connected to hematopoietic specific functions and had GATA factor motifs as second in frequency. C1 had in addition to MYB-motifs a significant frequency of ETS-related motifs. Combining ChIP-seq data with RNA-seq data allowed us to identify direct MYB target genes. We also compared ChIP-seq data with digital genomic footprinting. MYB is occupying nearly a third of the super-enhancers in K562. Finally, we concluded that MYB cooperates with a subset of the other highly expressed TFs in this cell line, as expected for a master regulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roza B Lemma
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1066, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway (NCMM), Nordic EMBL Partnership, University of Oslo, 0318, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marit Ledsaak
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1066, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1112, 0317, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bettina M Fuglerud
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1066, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Geir Kjetil Sandve
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1080, 0371, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ragnhild Eskeland
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1066, 0316, Oslo, Norway
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1112, 0317, Oslo, Norway
- Centre for Cancer Cell Reprogramming, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Odd S Gabrielsen
- Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Blindern, PO Box 1066, 0316, Oslo, Norway.
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48
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Wang E, Zhou H, Nadorp B, Cayanan G, Chen X, Yeaton AH, Nomikou S, Witkowski MT, Narang S, Kloetgen A, Thandapani P, Ravn-Boess N, Tsirigos A, Aifantis I. Surface antigen-guided CRISPR screens identify regulators of myeloid leukemia differentiation. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:718-731.e6. [PMID: 33450187 PMCID: PMC8145876 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lack of cellular differentiation is a hallmark of many human cancers, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Strategies to overcome such a differentiation blockade are an approach for treating AML. To identify targets for differentiation-based therapies, we applied an integrated cell surface-based CRISPR platform to assess genes involved in maintaining the undifferentiated state of leukemia cells. Here we identify the RNA-binding protein ZFP36L2 as a critical regulator of AML maintenance and differentiation. Mechanistically, ZFP36L2 interacts with the 3' untranslated region of key myeloid maturation genes, including the ZFP36 paralogs, to promote their mRNA degradation and suppress terminal myeloid cell differentiation. Genetic inhibition of ZFP36L2 restores the mRNA stability of these targeted transcripts and ultimately triggers myeloid differentiation in leukemia cells. Epigenome profiling of several individuals with primary AML revealed enhancer modules near ZFP36L2 that associated with distinct AML cell states, establishing a coordinated epigenetic and post-transcriptional mechanism that shapes leukemic differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Hua Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Bettina Nadorp
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Geraldine Cayanan
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Xufeng Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Anna H Yeaton
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sofia Nomikou
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matthew T Witkowski
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sonali Narang
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Andreas Kloetgen
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Palaniraja Thandapani
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Niklas Ravn-Boess
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology and Laura & Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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49
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Mukherjee R, Vanaja KG, Boyer JA, Gadal S, Solomon H, Chandarlapaty S, Levchenko A, Rosen N. Regulation of PTEN translation by PI3K signaling maintains pathway homeostasis. Mol Cell 2021; 81:708-723.e5. [PMID: 33606974 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2021.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The PI3K pathway regulates cell metabolism, proliferation, and migration, and its dysregulation is common in cancer. We now show that both physiologic and oncogenic activation of PI3K signaling increase the expression of its negative regulator PTEN. This limits the duration of the signal and output of the pathway. Physiologic and pharmacologic inhibition of the pathway reduces PTEN and contributes to the rebound in pathway activity in tumors treated with PI3K inhibitors and limits their efficacy. Regulation of PTEN is due to mTOR/4E-BP1-dependent control of its translation and is lost when 4E-BP1 is deleted. Translational regulation of PTEN is therefore a major homeostatic regulator of physiologic PI3K signaling and plays a role in reducing the pathway activation by oncogenic PIK3CA mutants and the antitumor activity of PI3K pathway inhibitors. However, pathway output is hyperactivated in tumor cells with coexistent PI3K mutation and loss of PTEN function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radha Mukherjee
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kiran G Vanaja
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, Orange, CT 06477, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jacob A Boyer
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sunyana Gadal
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Hilla Solomon
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sarat Chandarlapaty
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Andre Levchenko
- Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University, Orange, CT 06477, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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50
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Takao S, Forbes L, Uni M, Cheng S, Pineda JMB, Tarumoto Y, Cifani P, Minuesa G, Chen C, Kharas MG, Bradley RK, Vakoc CR, Koche RP, Kentsis A. Convergent organization of aberrant MYB complex controls oncogenic gene expression in acute myeloid leukemia. eLife 2021; 10:65905. [PMID: 33527899 PMCID: PMC7886351 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated gene expression contributes to most prevalent features in human cancers. Here, we show that most subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) depend on the aberrant assembly of MYB transcriptional co-activator complex. By rapid and selective peptidomimetic interference with the binding of CBP/P300 to MYB, but not CREB or MLL1, we find that the leukemic functions of MYB are mediated by CBP/P300 co-activation of a distinct set of transcription factor complexes. These MYB complexes assemble aberrantly with LYL1, E2A, C/EBP family members, LMO2, and SATB1. They are organized convergently in genetically diverse subtypes of AML and are at least in part associated with inappropriate transcription factor co-expression. Peptidomimetic remodeling of oncogenic MYB complexes is accompanied by specific proteolysis and dynamic redistribution of CBP/P300 with alternative transcription factors such as RUNX1 to induce myeloid differentiation and apoptosis. Thus, aberrant assembly and sequestration of MYB:CBP/P300 complexes provide a unifying mechanism of oncogenic gene expression in AML. This work establishes a compelling strategy for their pharmacologic reprogramming and therapeutic targeting for diverse leukemias and possibly other human cancers caused by dysregulated gene control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumiko Takao
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Lauren Forbes
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, United States
| | - Masahiro Uni
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Shuyuan Cheng
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, United States
| | - Jose Mario Bello Pineda
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.,Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | - Yusuke Tarumoto
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, United States.,Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Paolo Cifani
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States
| | - Gerard Minuesa
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States
| | - Celine Chen
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States
| | - Michael G Kharas
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, United States
| | - Robert K Bradley
- Computational Biology Program, Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States.,Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
| | | | - Richard P Koche
- Center for Epigenetics Research, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States
| | - Alex Kentsis
- Molecular Pharmacology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, United States.,Tow Center for Developmental Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States.,Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology & Biophysics, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University, New York, United States
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