1
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Angelakakis G, Varkhedi M, Dabkowski TR, Diaz MJ, Yeagley M, Blanck G. B-cell ALL with SOX11 gene amplification associates with a worse outcome. Cell Cycle 2024; 23:36-42. [PMID: 38350028 PMCID: PMC11005798 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2024.2306756] [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: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Copy number variation (CNV) of certain genes in pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) impacts gene expression levels. Here, we aimed to investigate the potential prognostic utility of CNVs in pediatric B-ALL and T-ALL. Using genomics files representing cases from the TARGET-ALL-P2 dataset, genes commonly involved in ALL development were analyzed for CNVs. Case IDs representing increased copy numbers for SOX11, PDGFRB, and MDK represented a worse overall survival probability specifically for B-ALL (logrank p=0.021, p=0.0052, p=0.019, respectively). These data support the continued investigation of using CNVs for clinical prognostic biomarkers for pediatric B-ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Angelakakis
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mallika Varkhedi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Toriana R. Dabkowski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Michael J. Diaz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | | | - George Blanck
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- Department of Immunology, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA
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2
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Wray JP, Deltcheva EM, Boiers C, Richardson SЕ, Chhetri JB, Brown J, Gagrica S, Guo Y, Illendula A, Martens JHA, Stunnenberg HG, Bushweller JH, Nimmo R, Enver T. Regulome analysis in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia exposes Core Binding Factor addiction as a therapeutic vulnerability. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7124. [PMID: 36411286 PMCID: PMC9678885 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34653-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ETV6-RUNX1 onco-fusion arises in utero, initiating a clinically silent pre-leukemic state associated with the development of pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). We characterize the ETV6-RUNX1 regulome by integrating chromatin immunoprecipitation- and RNA-sequencing and show that ETV6-RUNX1 functions primarily through competition for RUNX1 binding sites and transcriptional repression. In pre-leukemia, this results in ETV6-RUNX1 antagonization of cell cycle regulation by RUNX1 as evidenced by mass cytometry analysis of B-lineage cells derived from ETV6-RUNX1 knock-in human pluripotent stem cells. In frank leukemia, knockdown of RUNX1 or its co-factor CBFβ results in cell death suggesting sustained requirement for RUNX1 activity which is recapitulated by chemical perturbation using an allosteric CBFβ-inhibitor. Strikingly, we show that RUNX1 addiction extends to other genetic subtypes of pediatric B-ALL and also adult disease. Importantly, inhibition of RUNX1 activity spares normal hematopoiesis. Our results suggest that chemical intervention in the RUNX1 program may provide a therapeutic opportunity in ALL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason P Wray
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Elitza M Deltcheva
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Charlotta Boiers
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Simon Е Richardson
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK
| | | | - John Brown
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Sladjana Gagrica
- IMED Oncology, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yanping Guo
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Anuradha Illendula
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Joost H A Martens
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Hendrik G Stunnenberg
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John H Bushweller
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA
| | - Rachael Nimmo
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Oxford Biomedica (UK) Ltd, Windrush Court, Transport Way, Oxford, OX4 6LT, UK
| | - Tariq Enver
- Department of Cancer Biology UCL Cancer Institute, UCL, London, WC1E 6DD, UK.
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden.
- Molecular Medicine and Gene Therapy, Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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3
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Aivalioti MM, Bartholdy BA, Pradhan K, Bhagat TD, Zintiridou A, Jeong JJ, Thiruthuvanathan VJ, Pujato M, Paranjpe A, Zhang C, Levine RL, Viny AD, Wickrema A, Verma A, Will B. PU.1-Dependent Enhancer Inhibition Separates Tet2-Deficient Hematopoiesis from Malignant Transformation. Blood Cancer Discov 2022; 3:444-467. [PMID: 35820129 PMCID: PMC9894728 DOI: 10.1158/2643-3230.bcd-21-0226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosine hypermethylation in and around DNA-binding sites of master transcription factors, including PU.1, occurs in aging hematopoietic stem cells following acquired loss-of-function mutations of DNA methyl-cytosine dioxygenase ten-eleven translocation-2 (TET2), albeit functional relevance has been unclear. We show that Tet2-deficient mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells undergo malignant transformation upon compromised gene regulation through heterozygous deletion of an upstream regulatory region (UREΔ/WT) of the PU.1 gene. Although compatible with multilineage blood formation at young age, Tet2-deficient PU.1 UREΔ/WT mice develop highly penetrant, transplantable acute myeloid leukemia (AML) during aging. Leukemic stem and progenitor cells show hypermethylation at putative PU.1-binding sites, fail to activate myeloid enhancers, and are hallmarked by a signature of genes with impaired expression shared with human AML. Our study demonstrates that Tet2 and PU.1 jointly suppress leukemogenesis and uncovers a methylation-sensitive PU.1-dependent gene network as a unifying molecular vulnerability associated with AML. SIGNIFICANCE We identify moderately impaired PU.1 mRNA expression as a biological modality predisposing Tet2-deficient hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells to malignant transformation. Our study furthermore uncovers a methylation-sensitive PU.1 gene network as a common feature of myeloid leukemia potentially allowing for the identification of patients at risk for malignant transformation. See related commentary by Schleicher and Pietras, p. 378. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 369.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M Aivalioti
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Graduate Programs in the Biomedical Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Boris A Bartholdy
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Kith Pradhan
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Tushar D Bhagat
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Aliona Zintiridou
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Jong Jin Jeong
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Victor J Thiruthuvanathan
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Mario Pujato
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Aditi Paranjpe
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Ross L Levine
- Center for Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Aaron D Viny
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Amittha Wickrema
- Section of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Amit Verma
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
| | - Britta Will
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
- Department of Medicine (Oncology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York
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4
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Requirement for TP73 and genetic alterations originating from its intragenic super-enhancer in adult T-cell leukemia. Leukemia 2022; 36:2293-2305. [PMID: 35908104 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-022-01655-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) is a genetically complex hematological malignancy derived from mature T cells. Using an integrative approach, we previously identified genes recurrently associated with super-enhancers in ATL. One of those genes was TP73, a TP53 family gene; however, the roles and function of TP73 and its super-enhancer in ATL pathogenesis are poorly understood. Our study demonstrates that TP73 is highly activated under the control of a super-enhancer in ATL cells but not in normal T cells or other hematological malignancies examined. Full-length TP73 is required for ATL cell maintenance in vitro and in vivo via the regulation of cell proliferation and DNA damage response pathways. Notably, recurrent deletions of TP73 exons 2-3 were observed in a fraction of primary ATL cases that harbored the super-enhancer, while induction of this deletion in cell lines further increased proliferation and mutational burden. Our study suggests that formation of the TP73 intragenic super-enhancer and genetic deletion are likely sequentially acquired in relation to intracellular state of ATL cells, which leads to functional alteration of TP73 that confers additional clonal advantage.
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5
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Jakobczyk H, Jiang Y, Debaize L, Soubise B, Avner S, Sérandour AA, Rouger-Gaudichon J, Rio AG, Carroll JS, Raslova H, Gilot D, Liu Z, Demengeot J, Salbert G, Douet-Guilbert N, Corcos L, Galibert MD, Gandemer V, Troadec MB. ETV6-RUNX1 and RUNX1 directly regulate RAG1 expression: one more step in the understanding of childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia leukemogenesis. Leukemia 2021; 36:549-554. [PMID: 34535762 PMCID: PMC8807389 DOI: 10.1038/s41375-021-01409-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
ETV6-RUNX1 and RUNX1 directly promote RAG1 expression. ETV6-RUNX1 and RUNX1 preferentially bind to the −1200 bp enhancer of RAG1 and the −80 bp promoter of RAG1 gene respectively, and compete for these bindings. ETV6-RUNX1 and RUNX1 induce an excessive RAG recombinase activity. ETV6-RUNX1 participates directly in two events of the multi-hit ALL leukemogenesis: as an initiating event and as an activator of RAG1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Jakobczyk
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Yan Jiang
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, Brest, France.,Department of Hematology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lydie Debaize
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | | | - Stéphane Avner
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | | | | | - Anne-Gaëlle Rio
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Jason S Carroll
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hana Raslova
- INSERM, UMR 1287, Gustave Roussy, Université Paris Saclay, Villejuif, France.,Equipe labellisée Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Villejuif, France
| | - David Gilot
- INSERM, Université Rennes, CLCC Eugène Marquis, UMR_S 1242, Rennes, France
| | - Ziling Liu
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jocelyne Demengeot
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Gilles Salbert
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Douet-Guilbert
- Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, Brest, France.,CHRU Brest, Service de génétique, laboratoire de génétique chromosomique, Brest, France
| | | | - Marie-Dominique Galibert
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (CHU-Rennes), Service de Génétique et Génomique Moléculaire, Rennes, France
| | - Virginie Gandemer
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France.,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rennes (CHU-Rennes), Department of pediatric hemato-oncology, Rennes, France
| | - Marie-Bérengère Troadec
- Univ Rennes 1, CNRS, IGDR (Institut de génétique et développement de Rennes) - UMR 6290, Rennes, France. .,Univ Brest, Inserm, EFS, UMR 1078, GGB, Brest, France. .,CHRU Brest, Service de génétique, laboratoire de génétique chromosomique, Brest, France.
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6
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Identification of functional cooperative mutations of GNAO1 in human acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Blood 2021; 137:1181-1191. [PMID: 32898863 DOI: 10.1182/blood.2020005622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemogenesis is characterized by chromosomal rearrangements with additional molecular disruptions, yet the cooperative mechanisms are still unclear. Using whole-exome sequencing of a pair of monozygotic twins who were discordant for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with ETV6-RUNX1 (E/R) gene fusion successively after birth, we identified the R209C mutation of G protein subunit α o1 (GNAO1) as a new ALL risk loci. Moreover, GNAO1 missense mutations are recurrent in ALL patients and are associated with E/R fusion. Ectopic expression of the GNAO1 R209C mutant increased its GTPase activity and promoted cell proliferation and cell neoplastic transformation. Combined with the E/R fusion, the GNAO1 R209C mutation promoted leukemogenesis through activating PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Reciprocally, activated mTORC1 phosphorylated p300 acetyltransferase, which acetylated E/R and thereby enhanced the E/R transcriptional activity of GNAO1 R209C. Thus, our study provides clinical evidence of the functional cooperation of GNAO1 mutations and E/R fusion, suggesting GNAO1 as a therapeutic target in human leukemia.
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7
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Seitz V, Kleo K, Dröge A, Schaper S, Elezkurtaj S, Bedjaoui N, Dimitrova L, Sommerfeld A, Berg E, von der Wall E, Müller U, Joosten M, Lenze D, Heimesaat MM, Baldus C, Zinser C, Cieslak A, Macintyre E, Stocking C, Hennig S, Hummel M. Evidence for a role of RUNX1 as recombinase cofactor for TCRβ rearrangements and pathological deletions in ETV6-RUNX1 ALL. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10024. [PMID: 32572036 PMCID: PMC7308335 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-65744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
T-cell receptor gene beta (TCRβ) gene rearrangement represents a complex, tightly regulated molecular mechanism involving excision, deletion and recombination of DNA during T-cell development. RUNX1, a well-known transcription factor for T-cell differentiation, has recently been described to act in addition as a recombinase cofactor for TCRδ gene rearrangements. In this work we employed a RUNX1 knock-out mouse model and demonstrate by deep TCRβ sequencing, immunostaining and chromatin immunoprecipitation that RUNX1 binds to the initiation site of TCRβ rearrangement and its homozygous inactivation induces severe structural changes of the rearranged TCRβ gene, whereas heterozygous inactivation has almost no impact. To compare the mouse model results to the situation in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) we analyzed TCRβ gene rearrangements in T-ALL samples harboring heterozygous Runx1 mutations. Comparable to the Runx1+/- mouse model, heterozygous Runx1 mutations in T-ALL patients displayed no detectable impact on TCRβ rearrangements. Furthermore, we reanalyzed published sequence data from recurrent deletion borders of ALL patients carrying an ETV6-RUNX1 translocation. RUNX1 motifs were significantly overrepresented at the deletion ends arguing for a role of RUNX1 in the deletion mechanism. Collectively, our data imply a role of RUNX1 as recombinase cofactor for both physiological and aberrant deletions.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Seitz
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
- HS Diagnomics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - K Kleo
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Dröge
- HS Diagnomics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - S Elezkurtaj
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - N Bedjaoui
- University of Paris, Institute Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), INSERM U1151, Laboratoire d'Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - L Dimitrova
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Sommerfeld
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - E Berg
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - E von der Wall
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - U Müller
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz-Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M Joosten
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - D Lenze
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany
| | - M M Heimesaat
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Berlin, Germany
| | - C Baldus
- University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Department of Internal Medicine II, Kiel, Germany
| | - C Zinser
- Precigen Bioinformatics Germany GmbH, Munich, Germany
| | - A Cieslak
- University of Paris, Institute Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), INSERM U1151, Laboratoire d'Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - E Macintyre
- University of Paris, Institute Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), INSERM U1151, Laboratoire d'Onco-Hematology, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Necker Enfants-Malades, Paris, France
| | - C Stocking
- University Medical Center Eppendorf, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Hennig
- HS Diagnomics GmbH, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Hummel
- Charité University Medicine Berlin, Institute of Pathology, Berlin, Germany.
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8
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Montaño A, Ordoñez JL, Alonso-Pérez V, Hernández-Sánchez J, Santos S, González T, Benito R, García-Tuñón I, Hernández-Rivas JM. ETV6/ RUNX1 Fusion Gene Abrogation Decreases the Oncogenicity of Tumour Cells in a Preclinical Model of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. Cells 2020; 9:E215. [PMID: 31952221 PMCID: PMC7017301 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The t(12;21)(p13;q22), which fuses ETV6 and RUNX1 genes, is the most common genetic abnormality in children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The implication of the fusion protein in leukemogenesis seems to be clear. However, its role in the maintenance of the disease continues to be controversial. METHODS Generation of an in vitroETV6/RUNX1 knock out model using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system. Functional characterization by RNA sequencing, proliferation assays, apoptosis and pharmacologic studies, and generation of edited-cell xenograft model. RESULTS The expression of ETV6/RUNX1 fusion gene was completely eliminated, thus generating a powerful model on which to study the role of the fusion gene in leukemic cells. The loss of fusion gene expression led to the deregulation of biological processes affecting survival such as apoptosis resistance and cell proliferation capacity. Tumour cells showed higher levels of apoptosis, lower proliferation rate and a greater sensitivity to PI3K inhibitors in vitro along as a decrease in tumour growth in xenografts models after ETV6/RUNX1 fusion gene abrogation. CONCLUSIONS ETV6/RUNX1 fusion protein seems to play an important role in the maintenance of the leukemic phenotype and could thus become a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrián Montaño
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Jose Luis Ordoñez
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca, Campus Unamuno s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Verónica Alonso-Pérez
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Jesús Hernández-Sánchez
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Sandra Santos
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Teresa González
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rocío Benito
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Ignacio García-Tuñón
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
| | - Jesús María Hernández-Rivas
- IBSAL, IBMCC, Cancer Research Center, Universidad de Salamanca-CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain; (A.M.); (J.L.O.); (V.A.-P.); (J.H.-S.); (S.S.); (T.G.); (R.B.)
- Department of Hematology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Medicine, Universidad de Salamanca and CIBERONC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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9
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Okuyama K, Strid T, Kuruvilla J, Somasundaram R, Cristobal S, Smith E, Prasad M, Fioretos T, Lilljebjörn H, Soneji S, Lang S, Ungerbäck J, Sigvardsson M. PAX5 is part of a functional transcription factor network targeted in lymphoid leukemia. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1008280. [PMID: 31381561 PMCID: PMC6695195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most frequently mutated proteins in human B-lineage leukemia is the transcription factor PAX5. These mutations often result in partial rather than complete loss of function of the transcription factor. While the functional dose of PAX5 has a clear connection to human malignancy, there is limited evidence for that heterozygote loss of PAX5 have a dramatic effect on the development and function of B-cell progenitors. One possible explanation comes from the finding that PAX5 mutated B-ALL often display complex karyotypes and additional mutations. Thus, PAX5 might be one component of a larger transcription factor network targeted in B-ALL. To investigate the functional network associated with PAX5 we used BioID technology to isolate proteins associated with this transcription factor in the living cell. This identified 239 proteins out of which several could be found mutated in human B-ALL. Most prominently we identified the commonly mutated IKZF1 and RUNX1, involved in the formation of ETV6-AML1 fusion protein, among the interaction partners. ChIP- as well as PLAC-seq analysis supported the idea that these factors share a multitude of target genes in human B-ALL cells. Gene expression analysis of mouse models and primary human leukemia suggested that reduced function of PAX5 increased the ability of an oncogenic form of IKZF1 or ETV6-AML to modulate gene expression. Our data reveals that PAX5 belong to a regulatory network frequently targeted by multiple mutations in B-ALL shedding light on the molecular interplay in leukemia cells. The use of modern high throughput DNA-sequencing has dramatically increased our ability to identify genetic alterations associated with cancer. However, while the mutations per se are rather easily identified, our understanding of how these mutations impact cellular functions and drive malignant transformation is more limited. We have explored the function of the transcription factor PAX5, commonly mutated in human B-lymphocyte leukemia, to identify a regulatory network of transcription factors often targeted in human disease. Hence, we propose that malignant conversion of B-lymphocyte progenitors involves multiple targeting of a central transcription factor network aggravating the impact of the individual mutations. These data increase our understanding for how individual mutations collaborate to drive the formation of B—lineage leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuki Okuyama
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Tobias Strid
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jacob Kuruvilla
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rajesh Somasundaram
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Susana Cristobal
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Emma Smith
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mahadesh Prasad
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Thoas Fioretos
- Division of Clinical Genetics Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Shamit Soneji
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Division of Clinical Genetics Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Stefan Lang
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Ungerbäck
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stemcell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Mikael Sigvardsson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Division of Molecular Hematology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stemcell Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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10
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Churpek JE, Bresnick EH. Transcription factor mutations as a cause of familial myeloid neoplasms. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:476-488. [PMID: 30707109 DOI: 10.1172/jci120854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The initiation and evolution of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are driven by genomic events that disrupt multiple genes controlling hematopoiesis. Human genetic studies have discovered germline mutations in single genes that instigate familial MDS/AML. The best understood of these genes encode transcription factors, such as GATA-2, RUNX1, ETV6, and C/EBPα, which establish and maintain genetic networks governing the genesis and function of blood stem and progenitor cells. Many questions remain unanswered regarding how genes and circuits within these networks function in physiology and disease and whether network integrity is exquisitely sensitive to or efficiently buffered from perturbations. In familial MDS/AML, mutations change the coding sequence of a gene to generate a mutant protein with altered activity or introduce frameshifts or stop codons or disrupt regulatory elements to alter protein expression. Each mutation has the potential to exert quantitatively and qualitatively distinct influences on networks. Consistent with this mechanistic diversity, disease onset is unpredictable and phenotypic variability can be considerable. Efforts to elucidate mechanisms and forge prognostic and therapeutic strategies must therefore contend with a spectrum of patient-specific leukemogenic scenarios. Here we illustrate mechanistic advances in our understanding of familial MDS/AML syndromes caused by germline mutations of hematopoietic transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane E Churpek
- Section of Hematology/Oncology and Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Emery H Bresnick
- UW-Madison Blood Research Program, Department of Cell and Regenerative Biology, Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research, UW Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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11
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Rasighaemi P, Ward AC. ETV6 and ETV7: Siblings in hematopoiesis and its disruption in disease. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2017; 116:106-115. [PMID: 28693791 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2017.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ETV6 (TEL1) and ETV7 (TEL2) are closely-related members of the ETS family of transcriptional regulators. Both ETV6 and ETV7 have been demonstrated to play key roles in hematopoiesis, particularly with regard to maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells and control of lineage-specific differentiation, with evidence of functional interactions between both proteins. ETV6 has been strongly implicated in the molecular etiology of a number of hematopoietic diseases, including as a tumor suppressor, an oncogenic fusion partner, and an important regulator of thrombopoiesis, but recent evidence has also identified ETV7 as a potential oncogene in certain malignancies. This review provides an overview of ETV6 and ETV7 and their contribution to both normal and disrupted hematopoiesis. It also highlights the key clinical implications of the growing knowledge base regarding ETV6 abnormalities with respect to prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Rasighaemi
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
| | - Alister C Ward
- School of Medicine and Centre for Molecular and Medical Research, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, 3216, Australia.
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12
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Sundaresh A, Williams O. Mechanism of ETV6-RUNX1 Leukemia. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 962:201-216. [PMID: 28299659 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3233-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) translocation is the most frequently occurring single genetic abnormality in pediatric leukemia. This translocation results in the fusion of the ETV6 and RUNX1 genes. Since its discovery in the 1990s, the function of the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion gene has attracted intense interest. In this chapter, we will summarize current knowledge on the clinical significance of ETV6-RUNX1, the experimental models used to unravel its function in leukemogenesis, the identification of co-operating mutations and the mechanisms responsible for their acquisition, the function of the encoded transcription factor and finally, the future therapeutic approaches available to mitigate the associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya Sundaresh
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Owen Williams
- Cancer section, Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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13
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Teppo S, Laukkanen S, Liuksiala T, Nordlund J, Oittinen M, Teittinen K, Grönroos T, St-Onge P, Sinnett D, Syvänen AC, Nykter M, Viiri K, Heinäniemi M, Lohi O. Genome-wide repression of eRNA and target gene loci by the ETV6-RUNX1 fusion in acute leukemia. Genome Res 2016; 26:1468-1477. [PMID: 27620872 PMCID: PMC5088590 DOI: 10.1101/gr.193649.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 20%–25% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemias carry the ETV6-RUNX1 (E/R) fusion gene, a fusion of two central hematopoietic transcription factors, ETV6 (TEL) and RUNX1 (AML1). Despite its prevalence, the exact genomic targets of E/R have remained elusive. We evaluated gene loci and enhancers targeted by E/R genome-wide in precursor B acute leukemia cells using global run-on sequencing (GRO-seq). We show that expression of the E/R fusion leads to widespread repression of RUNX1 motif–containing enhancers at its target gene loci. Moreover, multiple super-enhancers from the CD19+/CD20+-lineage were repressed, implicating a role in impediment of lineage commitment. In effect, the expression of several genes involved in B cell signaling and adhesion was down-regulated, and the repression depended on the wild-type DNA-binding Runt domain of RUNX1. We also identified a number of E/R-regulated annotated and de novo noncoding genes. The results provide a comprehensive genome-wide mapping between E/R-regulated key regulatory elements and genes in precursor B cell leukemia that disrupt normal B lymphopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Teppo
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Saara Laukkanen
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Thomas Liuksiala
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland.,Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Jessica Nordlund
- Department of Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75105, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mikko Oittinen
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Kaisa Teittinen
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Toni Grönroos
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Pascal St-Onge
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Daniel Sinnett
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Ann-Christine Syvänen
- Department of Medical Sciences, Molecular Medicine and Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, 75105, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matti Nykter
- Institute of Biosciences and Medical Technology, University of Tampere, 33520 Tampere, Finland.,Department of Signal Processing, Tampere University of Technology, 33720 Tampere, Finland
| | - Keijo Viiri
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Merja Heinäniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Lohi
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, University of Tampere and Tampere University Hospital, 33520 Tampere, Finland
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14
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Advances in B-lymphoblastic leukemia: cytogenetic and genomic lesions. Ann Diagn Pathol 2016; 23:43-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2016.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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15
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Jin Y, Wang X, Hu S, Tang J, Li B, Chai Y. Determination of ETV6-RUNX1 genomic breakpoint by next-generation sequencing. Cancer Med 2015; 5:337-51. [PMID: 26711002 PMCID: PMC4735785 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 09/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The t(12;21)(p13;q22) ETV6-RUNX1 gene fusion is one of the most common chromosomal translocation in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It is associated with favorable prognosis. The identification of the genomic sequence of the breakpoint flanking regions of the ETV6-RUNX1 translocation should be the best strategy to monitor minimal residual disease (MRD) in patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL. In this study, the ETV6-RUNX1 translocation was sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS) in 26 patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL and re-sequenced by using the Sanger method. Interestingly, the three-way translocation, including ETV6-RUNX1, was detected in five patients. Four of them relapsed during or after therapy, while 21 patients without the three-way translocation were still in remission (P < 0.0001). The three-way translocation pattern was identical between the diagnosis and relapse samples in three patients, excluding one patient (SCMC-001245). The relapse samples retained the translocation of ETV6-RUNX1 relative to the three-way translocation t(8;12;21) at diagnosis, suggesting that the three-way translocation might be an important risk factor for relapse in patients with ETV6-RUNX1-positive ALL and should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanliang Jin
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
| | - Xingwei Wang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shaoyan Hu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
| | - Jingyan Tang
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Benshang Li
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Key laboratory of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Ministry of Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yihuan Chai
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated to Children's Hospital, Jiangsu, 215003, China
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16
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Ghazavi F, Lammens T, Van Roy N, Poppe B, Speleman F, Benoit Y, Van Vlierberghe P, De Moerloose B. Molecular basis and clinical significance of genetic aberrations in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exp Hematol 2015; 43:640-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exphem.2015.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2015] [Revised: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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17
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Chiaretti S, Gianfelici V, Ceglie G, Foà R. Genomic characterization of acute leukemias. Med Princ Pract 2014; 23:487-506. [PMID: 24968698 PMCID: PMC5586934 DOI: 10.1159/000362793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past two decades, hematologic malignancies have been extensively evaluated due to the introduction of powerful technologies, such as conventional karyotyping, FISH analysis, gene and microRNA expression profiling, array comparative genomic hybridization and SNP arrays, and next-generation sequencing (including whole-exome sequencing and RNA-seq). These analyses have allowed for the refinement of the mechanisms underlying the leukemic transformation in several oncohematologic disorders and, more importantly, they have permitted the definition of novel prognostic algorithms aimed at stratifying patients at the onset of disease and, consequently, treating them in the most appropriate manner. Furthermore, the identification of specific molecular markers is opening the door to targeted and personalized medicine. The most important findings on novel acquisitions in the context of acute lymphoblastic leukemia of both B and T lineage and de novo acute myeloid leukemia are described in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Chiaretti
- Division of Hematology, Department of Cellular Biotechnologies and Hematology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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18
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Woo JS, Alberti MO, Tirado CA. Childhood B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a genetic update. Exp Hematol Oncol 2014; 3:16. [PMID: 24949228 PMCID: PMC4063430 DOI: 10.1186/2162-3619-3-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the pediatric population, B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most prevalent childhood hematological malignancy, as well as the leading cause of childhood cancer-related mortality. Advances in cytogenetics utilizing array-based technologies and next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques have revealed exciting insights into the genetic basis of this disease, with the hopes of developing individualized treatment plans for affected children. In this comprehensive review, we discuss our current understanding of childhood (pediatric) B-ALL and highlight the most recent genetic advances and their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer S Woo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 1010 Veteran Ave, 2nd Floor, room 2212 F, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Michael O Alberti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 1010 Veteran Ave, 2nd Floor, room 2212 F, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
| | - Carlos A Tirado
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 1010 Veteran Ave, 2nd Floor, room 2212 F, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
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19
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Greer AH, Yong T, Fennell K, Moustafa YW, Fowler M, Galiano F, Ng SW, Berkowitz RS, Cardelli J, Meyers S, Davis JN. Knockdown of core binding factorβ alters sphingolipid metabolism. J Cell Physiol 2014; 228:2350-64. [PMID: 23813439 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.24406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Core binding factor (CBF) is a heterodimeric transcription factor containing one of three DNA-binding proteins of the Runt-related transcription factor family (RUNX1-3) and the non-DNA-binding protein, CBFβ. RUNX1 and CBFβ are the most common targets of chromosomal rearrangements in leukemia. CBF has been implicated in other cancer types; for example RUNX1 and RUNX2 are implicated in cancers of epithelial origin, including prostate, breast, and ovarian cancers. In these tumors, CBF is involved in maintaining the malignant phenotype and, when highly over-expressed, contributes to metastatic growth in bone. Herein, lentiviral delivery of CBFβ-specific shRNAs was used to achieve a 95% reduction of CBFβ in an ovarian cancer cell line. This drastic reduction in CBFβ expression resulted in growth inhibition that was not associated with a cell cycle block or an increase in apoptosis. However, CBFβ silencing resulted in increased autophagy and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Since sphingolipid and ceramide metabolism regulates non-apoptotic cell death, autophagy, and ROS production, fumonsin B1 (FB1), an inhibitor of ceramide synthase, was used to alter ceramide production in the CBFβ-silenced cells. FB1 treatment inhibited the CBFβ-dependent increase in autophagy and provided a modest increase in cell survival. To document alterations to sphingolipids in the CBFβ-silenced cells, ceramide, and lactosylceramide levels were directly examined by mass spectrometry. Substantial increases in ceramide species and decreases in lactosylceramides were identified. Altogether, this report provides evidence that CBF transcriptional pathways control cellular survival, at least in part, through sphingolipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam H Greer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, LSUHSC School of Medicine in Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
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20
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Kaindl U, Morak M, Portsmouth C, Mecklenbräuker A, Kauer M, Zeginigg M, Attarbaschi A, Haas OA, Panzer-Grümayer R. Blocking ETV6/RUNX1-induced MDM2 overexpression by Nutlin-3 reactivates p53 signaling in childhood leukemia. Leukemia 2014; 28:600-8. [PMID: 24240203 PMCID: PMC3948158 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R) is the most common fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is responsible for the initiation of leukemia but also indispensable for disease maintenance and propagation, although its function in these latter processes is less clear. We therefore investigated the effects of the perceived p53 pathway alterations in model cell lines and primary leukemias and, in particular, how E/R upregulates MDM2, the predominant negative regulator of p53. We found that E/R transactivates MDM2 in both p53(+/+) and p53(-/-) HCT116 cells by binding to promoter-inherent RUNX1 motifs, which indicates that this activation occurs in a direct and p53-independent manner. Treatment of E/R-positive leukemic cell lines with Nutlin-3, a small molecule that inhibits the MDM2/p53 interaction, arrests their cell cycle and induces apoptosis. These phenomena concur with a p53-induced expression of p21, pro-apoptotic BAX and PUMA, as well as caspase 3 activation and poly ADP-ribose polymerase cleavage. The addition of DNA-damaging and p53-activating chemotherapeutic drugs intensifies apoptosis. Moreover, Nutlin-3 exposure leads to an analogous p53 accumulation and apoptotic surge in E/R-positive primary leukemic cells. Our findings clarify the role of p53 signaling in E/R-positive leukemias and outline the potential basis for its therapeutic exploitation in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- U Kaindl
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Morak
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - C Portsmouth
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Mecklenbräuker
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Kauer
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - M Zeginigg
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
| | - A Attarbaschi
- St Anna Kinderspital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - O A Haas
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
- St Anna Kinderspital, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - R Panzer-Grümayer
- St Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Children's Cancer Research Institute, Vienna, Austria
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21
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Linka Y, Ginzel S, Krüger M, Novosel A, Gombert M, Kremmer E, Harbott J, Thiele R, Borkhardt A, Landgraf P. The impact of TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1) expression in precursor B cells and implications for leukaemia using three different genome-wide screening methods. Blood Cancer J 2013; 3:e151. [PMID: 24121163 PMCID: PMC3816209 DOI: 10.1038/bcj.2013.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 08/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/04/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The reciprocal translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22), the most common structural genomic alteration in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children, results in a chimeric transcription factor TEL-AML1 (ETV6-RUNX1). We identified directly and indirectly regulated target genes utilizing an inducible TEL-AML1 system derived from the murine pro B-cell line BA/F3 and a monoclonal antibody directed against TEL-AML1. By integration of promoter binding identified with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-on-chip, gene expression and protein output through microarray technology and stable labelling of amino acids in cell culture, we identified 217 directly and 118 indirectly regulated targets of the TEL-AML1 fusion protein. Directly, but not indirectly, regulated promoters were enriched in AML1-binding sites. The majority of promoter regions were specific for the fusion protein and not bound by native AML1 or TEL. Comparison with gene expression profiles from TEL-AML1-positive patients identified 56 concordantly misregulated genes with negative effects on proliferation and cellular transport mechanisms and positive effects on cellular migration, and stress responses including immunological responses. In summary, this work for the first time gives a comprehensive insight into how TEL-AML1 expression may directly and indirectly contribute to alter cells to become prone for leukemic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Linka
- Heinrich-Heine University of Dusseldorf, Medical Faculty, Clinic for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, Dusseldorf, Germany
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22
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Kar A, Gutierrez-Hartmann A. Molecular mechanisms of ETS transcription factor-mediated tumorigenesis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2013; 48:522-43. [PMID: 24066765 DOI: 10.3109/10409238.2013.838202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The E26 transformation-specific (ETS) family of transcription factors is critical for development, differentiation, proliferation and also has a role in apoptosis and tissue remodeling. Changes in expression of ETS proteins therefore have a significant impact on normal physiology of the cell. Transcriptional consequences of ETS protein deregulation by overexpression, gene fusion, and modulation by RAS/MAPK signaling are linked to alterations in normal cell functions, and lead to unlimited increased proliferation, sustained angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis. Existing data show that ETS proteins control pathways in epithelial cells as well as stromal compartments, and the crosstalk between the two is essential for normal development and cancer. In this review, we have focused on ETS factors with a known contribution in cancer development. Instead of focusing on a prototype, we address cancer associated ETS proteins and have highlighted the diverse mechanisms by which they affect carcinogenesis. Finally, we discuss strategies for ETS factor targeting as a potential means for cancer therapeutics.
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Jacobs PT, Cao L, Samon JB, Kane CA, Hedblom EE, Bowcock A, Telfer JC. Runx transcription factors repress human and murine c-Myc expression in a DNA-binding and C-terminally dependent manner. PLoS One 2013; 8:e69083. [PMID: 23874874 PMCID: PMC3715461 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0069083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factors Runx1 and c-Myc have individually been shown to regulate important gene targets as well as to collaborate in oncogenesis. However, it is unknown whether there is a regulatory relationship between the two genes. In this study, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of endogenous c-Myc by Runx1 in the human T cell line Jurkat and murine primary hematopoietic cells. Endogenous Runx1 binds to multiple sites in the c-Myc locus upstream of the c-Myc transcriptional start site. Cells transduced with a C-terminally truncated Runx1 (Runx1.d190), which lacks important cofactor interaction sites and can block C-terminal-dependent functions of all Runx transcription factors, showed increased transcription of c-Myc. In order to monitor c-Myc expression in response to early and transiently-acting Runx1.d190, we generated a cell membrane-permeable TAT-Runx1.d190 fusion protein. Murine splenocytes treated with TAT-Runx1.d190 showed an increase in the transcription of c-Myc within 2 hours, peaking at 4 hours post-treatment and declining thereafter. This effect is dependent on the ability of Runx1.d190 to bind to DNA. The increase in c-Myc transcripts is correlated with increased c-Myc protein levels. Collectively, these data show that Runx1 directly regulates c-Myc transcription in a C-terminal- and DNA-binding-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paejonette T. Jacobs
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Li Cao
- Department of Genetics, Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jeremy B. Samon
- Quntiles, Medical Education Department, Hawthorne, New York, United States of America
| | - Christyne A. Kane
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Emmett E. Hedblom
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anne Bowcock
- Department of Genetics, Pediatrics and Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Janice C. Telfer
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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24
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Chimge NO, Frenkel B. The RUNX family in breast cancer: relationships with estrogen signaling. Oncogene 2013; 32:2121-30. [PMID: 23045283 PMCID: PMC5770236 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2012.328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Revised: 06/20/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The three RUNX family members are lineage specific master regulators, which also have important, context-dependent roles in carcinogenesis as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Here we review evidence for such roles in breast cancer (BCa). RUNX1, the predominant RUNX family member in breast epithelial cells, has a tumor suppressor role reflected by many somatic mutations found in primary tumor biopsies. The classical tumor suppressor gene RUNX3 does not consist of such a mutation hot spot, but it too seems to inhibit BCa; it is often inactivated in human BCa tumors and its haploinsufficiency in mice leads to spontaneous BCa development. The tumor suppressor activities of RUNX1 and RUNX3 are mediated in part by antagonism of estrogen signaling, a feature recently attributed to RUNX2 as well. Paradoxically, however RUNX2, a master osteoblast regulator, has been implicated in various aspects of metastasis in general and bone metastasis in particular. Reciprocating the anti-estrogenic tumor suppressor activity of RUNX proteins, inhibition of RUNX2 by estrogens may help explain their context-dependent anti-metastatic roles. Such roles are reserved to non-osseous metastasis, because ERα is associated with increased, not decreased skeletal dissemination of BCa cells. Finally, based on diverse expression patterns in BCa subtypes, the successful use of future RUNX-based therapies will most likely require careful patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- N-O Chimge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - B Frenkel
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Mullighan CG. Molecular genetics of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:3407-15. [PMID: 23023711 DOI: 10.1172/jci61203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood tumor and the leading cause of cancer-related death in children and young adults. The majority of B-ALL cases are aneuploid or harbor recurring structural chromosomal rearrangements that are important initiating events in leukemogenesis but are insufficient to explain the biology and heterogeneity of disease. Recent studies have used microarrays and sequencing to comprehensively identify all somatic genetic alterations in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). These studies have identified cryptic or submicroscopic genetic alterations that define new ALL subtypes, cooperate with known chromosomal rearrangements, and influence prognosis. This article reviews these advances, discusses results from ongoing second-generation sequencing studies of ALL, and highlights challenges and opportunities for future genetic profiling approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles G Mullighan
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA.
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26
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Zhou Y, You MJ, Young KH, Lin P, Lu G, Medeiros LJ, Bueso-Ramos CE. Advances in the molecular pathobiology of B-lymphoblastic leukemia. Hum Pathol 2012; 43:1347-62. [PMID: 22575265 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2012.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 01/26/2012] [Accepted: 02/02/2012] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, also known as B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is derived from B-cell progenitors. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia occurs predominantly in children, but can occur at any age. Risk-adapted intensive chemotherapy is effective in treating most children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, but this approach is less successful in adults. Recent developments in genome-wide genetic analysis in B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia have provided insights into disease pathogenesis and prognosis. B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia cases usually carry a primary genetic event, often a chromosome translocation, and a constellation of secondary genetic alterations that are acquired and selected dynamically in a nonlinear fashion. These genetic changes commonly affect cellular mechanisms that control B-cell differentiation and proliferation. The cooperative interaction between inactivation of hematopoietic transcription factors involved in differentiation (class II mutation) and activating mutations involved in cell proliferation (class I mutation) is reminiscent of the pathogenic model of acute myeloid leukemia. The resulting improved molecular understanding of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia is helping to refine disease risk stratification and discover new therapeutic approaches for patients with refractory disease. In this review, we first summarize the clinicopathologic and immunophenotypic features of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and introduce current understanding of B-cell development and B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia leukemogenesis. We then focus on recent advances in genetic analysis and gene expression profiling of B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia and discuss the implications of these findings for disease evolution, risk prediction, and possible novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Hematopathology, The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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27
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Childhood B-cell progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting a three-way t(11;12;21)(q14;p13;q22) with a RUNX1 gene signal on chromosome 11. Int J Hematol 2012; 95:112-4. [PMID: 22215484 DOI: 10.1007/s12185-011-0981-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 11/22/2011] [Accepted: 11/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Fuka G, Kauer M, Kofler R, Haas OA, Panzer-Grümayer R. The leukemia-specific fusion gene ETV6/RUNX1 perturbs distinct key biological functions primarily by gene repression. PLoS One 2011; 6:e26348. [PMID: 22028862 PMCID: PMC3197637 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0026348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 09/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R) (also known as TEL/AML1) is the most frequent gene fusion in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and also most likely the crucial factor for disease initiation; its role in leukemia propagation and maintenance, however, remains largely elusive. To address this issue we performed a shRNA-mediated knock-down (KD) of the E/R fusion gene and investigated the ensuing consequences on genome-wide gene expression patterns and deducible regulatory functions in two E/R-positive leukemic cell lines. FINDINGS Microarray analyses identified 777 genes whose expression was substantially altered. Although approximately equal proportions were either up- (KD-UP) or down-regulated (KD-DOWN), the effects on biological processes and pathways differed considerably. The E/R KD-UP set was significantly enriched for genes included in the "cell activation", "immune response", "apoptosis", "signal transduction" and "development and differentiation" categories, whereas in the E/R KD-DOWN set only the "PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling" and "hematopoietic stem cells" categories became evident. Comparable expression signatures obtained from primary E/R-positive ALL samples underline the relevance of these pathways and molecular functions. We also validated six differentially expressed genes representing the categories "stem cell properties", "B-cell differentiation", "immune response", "cell adhesion" and "DNA damage" with RT-qPCR. CONCLUSION Our analyses provide the first preliminary evidence that the continuous expression of the E/R fusion gene interferes with key regulatory functions that shape the biology of this leukemia subtype. E/R may thus indeed constitute the essential driving force for the propagation and maintenance of the leukemic process irrespective of potential consequences of associated secondary changes. Finally, these findings may also provide a valuable source of potentially attractive therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Fuka
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Kauer
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Reinhard Kofler
- Division of Molecular Pathophysiology, Tyrolean Cancer Research Institute and Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Renate Panzer-Grümayer
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
- St. Anna Kinderspital, Vienna, Austria
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29
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Campos-Sanchez E, Toboso-Navasa A, Romero-Camarero I, Barajas-Diego M, Sanchez-García I, Cobaleda C. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and developmental biology: a crucial interrelationship. Cell Cycle 2011; 10:3473-86. [PMID: 22031225 DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.20.17779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest scientific findings in the field of cancer research are redefining our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of the disease, moving the emphasis toward the study of the mechanisms underlying the alteration of the normal processes of cellular differentiation. The concepts best exemplifying this new vision are those of cancer stem cells and tumoral reprogramming. The study of the biology of acute lymphoblastic leukemias (ALLs) has provided seminal experimental evidence supporting these new points of view. Furthermore, in the case of B cells, it has been shown that all the stages of their normal development show a tremendous degree of plasticity, allowing them to be reprogrammed to other cellular types, either normal or leukemic. Here we revise the most recent discoveries in the fields of B-cell developmental plasticity and B-ALL research and discuss their interrelationships and their implications for our understanding of the biology of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Campos-Sanchez
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, CSIC/Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Zaliova M, Meyer C, Cario G, Vaskova M, Marschalek R, Stary J, Zuna J, Trka J. TEL/AML1-positive patients lacking TEL exon 5 resemble canonical TEL/AML1 cases. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 56:217-25. [PMID: 21157892 DOI: 10.1002/pbc.22686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Accepted: 05/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TEL/AML1 fusion gene which represents the most frequent genetic abnormality in childhood ALL, usually results from genomic breakpoints in TEL intron 5 and AML1 intron 1 or 2. At the protein level, the helix-loop-helix domain and exon 5-coded central region of TEL are typically fused to almost entire AML1 including DNA-binding domain. PROCEDURE We identified two ALL patients with genomic breakpoints within TEL intron 4 resulting in variant TEL/AML1 fusion lacking the TEL exon 5-coded central region. This region was supposed to play an important role in TEL/AML1 function, particularly in TEL/AML1-mediated transcriptional repression of AML1 targets. We aimed at investigating the impact of the loss of this region on disease behavior and TEL/AML1 function. We compared clinical and biological characteristics, treatment response, and outcome of the variant versus classical TEL/AML1 cases, analyzed genome wide gene expression profiles and performed reporter gene assay. RESULTS No distinct differences between variant and classical TEL/AML1 cases were observed including gene expression profiling and detailed immunophenotyping. By using reporter gene assay, we showed that the loss of the central region does not influence the TEL/AML1-mediated transcriptional repression. CONCLUSIONS The deletion of the central region did not affect the TEL/AML1-specific phenotype; we did not find any relevant differences in clinical and biological features when variant versus classical TEL/AML1-positive cases were compared. Thus, our data does not support hypothesis that the central region of TEL is indispensable for TEL/AML1 driven leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marketa Zaliova
- CLIP, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University Prague and University Hospital Motol, Prague, Czech Republic.
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31
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Collins-Underwood JR, Mullighan CG. Genetic Alterations Targeting Lymphoid Development in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Curr Top Dev Biol 2011; 94:171-96. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-380916-2.00006-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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32
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Davis JN, Rogers D, Adams L, Yong T, Jung JS, Cheng B, Fennell K, Borazanci E, Moustafa YW, Sun A, Shi R, Glass J, Mathis JM, Williams BJ, Meyers S. Association of core-binding factor β with the malignant phenotype of prostate and ovarian cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2010; 225:875-87. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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33
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Abstract
Translocation (12;21), the most frequent chromosomal aberration in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia, creates TEL/AML1 fusion gene. Resulting hybrid protein was shown to have a role in pre-leukemia establishment. To address its role for leukemic cell survival, we applied RNA interference to silence TEL/AML1 in leukemic cells. We designed and tested 11 different oligonucleotides targeting the TEL/AML1 fusion site. Using most efficient siRNAs, we achieved an average of 74-86% TEL/AML1 protein knockdown in REH and UOC-B6 leukemic cells, respectively. TEL/AML1 silencing neither decreased cell viability, nor induced apoptosis. On the contrary, it resulted in the modest but significant increase in the S phase fraction and in higher proliferation rate. Opposite effects on cell cycle distribution and proliferation were induced by AML1 silencing, thus, supporting our hypothesis that TEL/AML1 may block AML1-mediated promotion of G1/S progression through the cell cycle. In line with the lack of major effect on phenotype, we found no significant changes in clonogenic potential and global gene expression pattern upon TEL/AML1 depletion. Our data suggest that though TEL/AML1 is important for the (pre)leukemic clone development, it may be dispensable for leukemic cell survival and would not be a suitable target for gene-specific therapy.
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Bakshi R, Hassan MQ, Pratap J, Lian JB, Montecino MA, van Wijnen AJ, Stein JL, Imbalzano AN, Stein GS. The human SWI/SNF complex associates with RUNX1 to control transcription of hematopoietic target genes. J Cell Physiol 2010; 225:569-76. [PMID: 20506188 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.22240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The acute myeloid leukemia 1 (AML1, RUNX1) transcription factor is a key regulator of hematopoietic differentiation that forms multi-protein complexes with co-regulatory proteins. These complexes are assembled at target gene promoters in nuclear microenvironments to mediate phenotypic gene expression and chromatin-related epigenetic modifications. Here, immunofluorescence microscopy and biochemical assays are used to show that RUNX1 associates with the human ATP-dependent SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complex. The SWI/SNF subunits BRG1 and INI1 bind in vivo to RUNX1 target gene promoters (e.g., GMCSF, IL3, MCSF-R, MIP, and p21). These interactions correlate with histone modifications characteristic of active chromatin, including acetylated H4 and dimethylated H3 lysine 4. Downregulation of RUNX1 by RNA interference diminishes the binding of BRG1 and INI1 at selected target genes. Taken together, our findings indicate that RUNX1 interacts with the human SWI/SNF complex to control hematopoietic-specific gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachit Bakshi
- Department of Cell Biology and Cancer Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA
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35
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Cytogenetic instability in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2011. [PMID: 20871850 PMCID: PMC2943089 DOI: 10.1155/2011/230481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary anticancer therapies have largely improved the outcome for children with cancer, especially for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). Actually, between 78% and 85% of patients achieve complete remission and are alive after 5 years of therapy completion. However, as cure rates increase, new concerns about the late effects of genotoxic treatment emerge, being the risk of developing secondary neoplasias, the most serious life-threatening rising problem. In the present paper, we describe and review the cytogenetic findings in peripheral lymphocytes from ALL survivors, and discuss aspects associated to the occurrence of increased chromosome rearrangements in this growing cohort.
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36
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Green SM, Coyne HJ, McIntosh LP, Graves BJ. DNA binding by the ETS protein TEL (ETV6) is regulated by autoinhibition and self-association. J Biol Chem 2010; 285:18496-504. [PMID: 20400516 PMCID: PMC2881775 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.096958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2009] [Revised: 04/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The ETS protein TEL, a transcriptional repressor, contains a PNT domain that, as an isolated fragment in vitro, self-associates to form a head-to-tail polymer. How such polymerization might affect the DNA-binding properties of full-length TEL is unclear. Here we report that monomeric TEL binds to a consensus ETS site with unusually low affinity (K(d) = 2.8 x 10(-8) M). A deletion analysis demonstrated that the low affinity was caused by a C-terminal inhibitory domain (CID) that attenuates DNA binding by approximately 10-fold. An NMR spectroscopically derived structure of a TEL fragment, deposited in the Protein Data Bank, revealed that the CID consists of two alpha-helices, one of which appears to block the DNA binding surface of the TEL ETS domain. Based on this structure, we substituted two conserved glutamic acids (Glu-431 and Glu-434) with alanines and found that this activated DNA binding and enhanced trypsin sensitivity in the CID. We propose that TEL displays a conformational equilibrium between inhibited and activated states and that electrostatic interactions involving these negatively charged residues play a role in stabilizing the inhibited conformation. Using a TEL dimer as a model polymer, we show that self-association facilitates cooperative binding to DNA. Cooperativity was observed on DNA duplexes containing tandem consensus ETS sites at variable spacing and orientations, suggesting flexibility in the region of TEL linking its self-associating PNT domain and DNA-binding ETS domain. We speculate that TEL compensates for the low affinity, which is caused by autoinhibition, by binding to DNA as a cooperative polymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Green
- From the
Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5550 and
| | - H. Jerome Coyne
- the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, and Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lawrence P. McIntosh
- the
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Chemistry, and Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Barbara J. Graves
- From the
Department of Oncological Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112-5550 and
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Abstract
Approximately 25% of childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia have an ETV6/RUNX1 (E/R) gene fusion that results from a t(12;21). This genetic subgroup of leukemia is associated with near-triploidy, near-tetraploidy, and trisomy 21 as rather specific types of secondary changes. Here, we show that, unlike various controls, E/R-expressing Ba/F3 clones acquire a tetraploid karyotype on prolonged culture, corroborating the assumption that E/R may attenuate the mitotic checkpoint (MC). Consistent with this notion, E/R-expressing diploid murine and human cell lines have decreased proportions of cells with 4N DNA content and a lower mitotic index when treated with spindle toxins. Moreover, both RUNX1 and E/R regulate mitotic arrest-deficient 2 L1 (MAD2L1), an essential MC component, by binding to promoter-inherent RUNX1 sites, which results in down-regulation of MAD2L1 mRNA and protein in E/R-expressing cells. Forced expression of E/R also abolishes RUNX1-induced reporter activation, whereas E/R with a mutant DNA-binding site leads to only minor effects. Our data link for the first time E/R, MC, and MAD2L1 and provide new insights into the function of the E/R fusion gene product. Although tetraploidy is an almost exclusive feature of E/R-positive leukemias, its rarity within this particular subgroup implies that further yet unknown factors are required for its manifestation.
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Hu R, Qiu X, Glazko G. A new gene selection procedure based on the covariance distance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 26:348-54. [PMID: 19996162 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btp672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
MOTIVATION Very little attention has been given to gene selection procedures based on intergene correlation structure, which is often neglected in the context of differential gene expression analysis. We propose a statistical procedure to select genes that have different associations with others across different phenotypes. This procedure is based on a new gene association score, called the covariance distance. RESULTS We apply the proposed method, along with two alternative methods, to several simulated datasets and find out that our method is much more powerful than the other two. For biological data, we demonstrate that the analysis of differentially associated genes complements the analysis of differentially expressed genes. Combining both procedures provides a more comprehensive functional interpretation of the experimental results. AVAILABILITY The code is downloadable from http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/biostat/people/faculty/hu.cfm. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Hu
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 630, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
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Schindler JW, Van Buren D, Foudi A, Krejci O, Qin J, Orkin SH, Hock H. TEL-AML1 corrupts hematopoietic stem cells to persist in the bone marrow and initiate leukemia. Cell Stem Cell 2009; 5:43-53. [PMID: 19570513 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2009.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2008] [Revised: 03/16/2009] [Accepted: 04/29/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The initial steps in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia remain incompletely understood. The TEL-AML1 gene fusion, the hallmark translocation in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and the first hit, occurs years before the clinical disease, most often in utero. We have generated mice in which TEL-AML1 expression is driven from the endogenous promoter and can be targeted to specific populations. TEL-AML1 renders mice prone to malignancy after chemical mutagenesis when expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), but not in early lymphoid progenitors. We reveal that TEL-AML1 markedly increases the number of HSCs and predominantly maintains them in the quiescent (G(0)) stage of the cell cycle. TEL-AML1(+) HSCs retain self-renewal properties and contribute to hematopoiesis, but fail to out-compete normal HSCs. Our work shows that stem cells are susceptible to subversion by weak oncogenes that can subtly alter their molecular program to provide a latent reservoir for the accumulation of further mutations.
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40
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Peter A, Heiden T, Taube T, Körner G, Seeger K. Interphase FISH on TEL/AML1 positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia relapses--analysis of clinical relevance of additional TEL and AML1 copy number changes. Eur J Haematol 2009; 83:420-32. [PMID: 19594616 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0609.2009.01315.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES TEL/AML1 (ETV6/RUNX1) fusion resulting from the translocation t(12;21)(p13;q22) constitutes the most common chimeric fusion gene in initial childhood B-cell precursor (BCP) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (19-27%) and has been associated with good prognosis. Three secondary aberrations in TEL/AML1 positive ALL have been suspected to negatively influence outcome: deletion of the second TEL allele (T), gain of the second AML1 allele (A) and duplication of the derivative chromosome 21 (der(21), TA). Many studies have explored such aberrations in initial disease, while only few reports have investigated them in relapses. METHODS In this study, bone marrow samples from 38 children with relapsed TEL/AML1 RT-PCR positive and negative BCP-ALL were analyzed for these mutations by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization and results were compared with published data. RESULTS In children with TEL/AML1 positive ALL relapse, additional (a) TEL loss, (b) combined AML1 and der(21) gain, (c) combined TEL loss and AML1 gain as well as (d) the occurrence of a subpopulation with the signal pattern 1T/3A/1TA appear to be related to higher peripheral blast counts (PBCs) at relapse diagnosis (a and d) or a tendency towards the occurrence of a subsequent relapse (b and c) (P-values <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data together with published results on TEL/AML1 positive ALL suggest that frequencies of additional TEL and AML1 mutations are, with the exception of loss of untranslocated TEL, higher in first relapses than in initial disease. They also show that it is important to consider combined mutations in the analysis of this leukemia entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Peter
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Otto-Heubner-Center for Pediatrics, Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Berlin D-13353, Germany
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RUNX1 and its fusion oncoprotein derivative, RUNX1-ETO, induce senescence-like growth arrest independently of replicative stress. Oncogene 2009; 28:2502-12. [PMID: 19448675 PMCID: PMC4847638 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2009.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A role for the RUNX genes in cancer failsafe processes has been suggested by their induction of senescence-like growth arrest in primary murine fibroblasts and the failure of RAS-induced senescence in Runx2 deficient cells. We now show that RUNX1 induces senescence in human primary fibroblasts. High affinity DNA binding is necessary but not sufficient, as shown by the functional attenuation of the truncated RUNX1/AML1a isoform and the TEL-RUNX1 fusion oncoprotein. However, a similar phenotype was potently induced by the RUNX1-ETO (AML1-ETO) oncoprotein, despite its dominant negative potential. Detailed comparison of H-RASV12, RUNX1 and RUNX1-ETO senescent phenotypes showed that the RUNX effectors induce earlier growth stasis with only low levels of DNA damage signalling and a lack of chromatin condensation, a marker of irreversible growth arrest. In human fibroblasts, all effectors induced p53 in the absence of detectable p14ARF, while only RUNX1-ETO induced senescence in p16INK4a null cells. Correlation was noted between induction of p53, reactive oxygen species and phospho-p38, while p38MAPK inhibition rescued cell growth markedly. These findings reveal a role for replication-independent pathways in RUNX and RUNX1-ETO senescence, and show that the context-specific oncogenic activity of RUNX1 fusion proteins are mirrored in their distinctive interactions with failsafe responses.
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Eguchi-Ishimae M, Eguchi M, Maki K, Porcher C, Shimizu R, Yamamoto M, Mitani K. Leukemia-related transcription factor TEL/ETV6 expands erythroid precursors and stimulates hemoglobin synthesis. Cancer Sci 2009; 100:689-97. [PMID: 19302286 PMCID: PMC11158721 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2009.01097.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
TEL/ETV6 located at chromosome 12p13 encodes a member of the E26 transformation-specific family of transcription factors. TEL is known to be rearranged in a variety of leukemias and solid tumors resulting in the formation of oncogenic chimeric protein. Tel is essential for maintaining hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow. To understand the role of TEL in erythropoiesis, we generated transgenic mice expressing human TEL under the control of Gata1 promoter that is activated during the course of the erythroid-lineage differentiation (GATA1-TEL transgenic mice). Although GATA1-TEL transgenic mice appeared healthy up to 18 months of age, the level of hemoglobin was higher in transgenic mice compared to non-transgenic littermates. In addition, CD71+/TER119+ and c-kit+/CD41+ populations proliferated with a higher frequency in transgenic mice when bone marrow cells were cultured in the presence of erythropoietin and thrombopoietin, respectively. In transgenic mice, enhanced expression of Alas-e and beta-major globin genes was observed in erythroid-committed cells. When embryonic stem cells expressing human TEL under the same Gata1 promoter were differentiated into hematopoietic cells, immature erythroid precursor increased better compared to controls as judged from the numbers of burst-forming unit of erythrocytes. Our findings suggest some roles of TEL in expanding erythroid precursors and accumulating hemoglobin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minenori Eguchi-Ishimae
- Department of Hematology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 321-0293, Japan
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Roudaia L, Cheney MD, Manuylova E, Chen W, Morrow M, Park S, Lee CT, Kaur P, Williams O, Bushweller JH, Speck NA. CBFbeta is critical for AML1-ETO and TEL-AML1 activity. Blood 2009; 113:3070-9. [PMID: 19179469 PMCID: PMC2662647 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2008-03-147207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2008] [Accepted: 01/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
AML1-ETO and TEL-AML1 are chimeric proteins resulting from the t(8;21)(q22;q22) in acute myeloid leukemia, and the t(12;21)(p13;q22) in pre-B-cell leukemia, respectively. The Runt domain of AML1 in both proteins mediates DNA binding and heterodimerization with the core binding factor beta (CBFbeta) subunit. To determine whether CBFbeta is required for AML1-ETO and TEL-AML1 activity, we introduced amino acid substitutions into the Runt domain that disrupt heterodimerization with CBFbeta but not DNA binding. We show that CBFbeta contributes to AML1-ETO's inhibition of granulocyte differentiation, is essential for its ability to enhance the clonogenic potential of primary mouse bone marrow cells, and is indispensable for its cooperativity with the activated receptor tyrosine kinase TEL-PDGFbetaR in generating acute myeloid leukemia in mice. Similarly, CBFbeta is essential for TEL-AML1's ability to promote self-renewal of B cell precursors in vitro. These studies validate the Runt domain/CBFbeta interaction as a therapeutic target in core binding factor leukemias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Roudaia
- Department of Biochemistry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA
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44
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Ford AM, Palmi C, Bueno C, Hong D, Cardus P, Knight D, Cazzaniga G, Enver T, Greaves M. The TEL-AML1 leukemia fusion gene dysregulates the TGF-beta pathway in early B lineage progenitor cells. J Clin Invest 2009; 119:826-36. [PMID: 19287094 DOI: 10.1172/jci36428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2008] [Accepted: 02/04/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome translocation to generate the TEL-AML1 (also known as ETV6-RUNX1) chimeric fusion gene is a frequent and early or initiating event in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our starting hypothesis was that the TEL-AML1 protein generates and maintains preleukemic clones and that conversion to overt disease requires secondary genetic changes, possibly in the context of abnormal immune responses. Here, we show that a murine B cell progenitor cell line expressing inducible TEL-AML1 proliferates at a slower rate than parent cells but is more resistant to further inhibition of proliferation by TGF-beta. This facilitates the competitive expansion of TEL-AML1-expressing cells in the presence of TGF-beta. Further analysis indicated that TEL-AML1 binds to a principal TGF-beta signaling target, Smad3, and compromises its ability to activate target promoters. In mice expressing a TEL-AML1 transgene, early, pre-pro-B cells were increased in number and also showed reduced sensitivity to TGF-beta-mediated inhibition of proliferation. Moreover, expression of TEL-AML1 in human cord blood progenitor cells led to the expansion of a candidate preleukemic stem cell population that had an early B lineage phenotype (CD34+CD38-CD19+) and a marked growth advantage in the presence of TGF-beta. Collectively, these data suggest a plausible mechanism by which dysregulated immune responses to infection might promote the malignant evolution of TEL-AML1-expressing preleukemic clones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Ford
- Section of Haemato-Oncology, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
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45
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Blyth K, Slater N, Hanlon L, Bell M, Mackay N, Stewart M, Neil JC, Cameron ER. Runx1 promotes B-cell survival and lymphoma development. Blood Cells Mol Dis 2009; 43:12-9. [PMID: 19269865 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcmd.2009.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2009] [Accepted: 01/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Runx1 is essential for the homeostatic control of normal hematopoiesis and is required for lymphoid development. Translocations or point mutations that result in RUNX1 loss or disrupted function predispose to leukemia but data derived from model systems suggests that Runx genes can also be pro-oncogenic. Here we investigate the effects of enforced Runx1 expression in lymphoid lineages both in vivo and in vitro and show that transgene expression enhanced cell survival in the thymus and bone marrow but strongly inhibited the expansion of hematopoietic and B cell progenitors in vitro. Despite this, modestly enhanced levels of Runx1 accelerated Myc-induced lymphomagenesis in both the B cell and T cell lineages. Together these data provide formal proof that wild type Runx1 can promote oncogenesis in lymphoid tissues and that, in addition to loss of function, gain of function may have an aetiological role in leukemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Blyth
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Institute of Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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46
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Feng J, Iwama A, Satake M, Kohu K. MicroRNA-27 enhances differentiation of myeloblasts into granulocytes by post-transcriptionally downregulating Runx1. Br J Haematol 2009; 145:412-23. [PMID: 19298589 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2009.07632.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the regulation of the transcription factor Runx1 by microRNA (miR)-27 and the resulting effects upon the differentiation of myeloblasts into granulocytes. When 32D.cl3 cell differentiation was induced using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (CSF3), Runx1 transcription was moderately downregulated, while Runx1 protein levels were completely inhibited, suggesting an involvement of post-transcriptional regulation. Simultaneously, levels of miR-27 and its precursor increased substantially. Reporter assays revealed that miR-27 targets the 3'UTR of the Runx1 transcript. Furthermore, introduction of pre-miR-27 alone into 32D.cl3 cells resulted in downregulation of Runx1 protein, thereby allowing the cell differentiation even in the absence of CSF3. Conversely, transduction of anti-miR-27 caused upregulation of Runx1 protein, thereby antagonizing the CSF3-mediated granulocyte differentiation. Finally, the CSF3-induced transcription factor C/EBPalpha enhanced transcription of a host gene of miR-27, C9orf3, via activation of its promoter. Thus, miR-27 enhances differentiation of myeloblasts into granulocytes via post-transcriptional downregulation of Runx1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jue Feng
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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Teitell MA, Pandolfi PP. Molecular Genetics of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2009; 4:175-98. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev.pathol.4.110807.092227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael A. Teitell
- Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, and California NanoSystems Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1732;
| | - Pier Paolo Pandolfi
- Departments of Medicine and Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
- Division of Cancer Genetics and Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02215;
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Engel ME, Hiebert SW. Proleukemic RUNX1 and CBFbeta mutations in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia. Cancer Treat Res 2009; 145:127-47. [PMID: 20306249 DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-69259-3_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The existence of non-random mutations in critical regulators of cell growth and differentiation is a recurring theme in cancer pathogenesis and provides the basis for our modern, molecular approach to the study and treatment of malignant diseases. Nowhere is this more true than in the study of leukemogenesis, where research has converged upon a critical group of genes involved in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell self-renewal and fate specification. Prominent among these is the heterodimeric transcriptional regulator, RUNX1/CBFbeta. RUNX1 is a site-specific DNA-binding protein whose consensus response element is found in the promoters of many hematopoietically relevant genes. CBFbeta interacts with RUNX1, stabilizing its interaction with DNA to promote the actions of RUNX1/CBFbeta in transcriptional control. Both the RUNX1 and the CBFbeta genes participate in proleukemic chromosomal alterations. Together they contribute to approximately one-third of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and one-quarter of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases, making RUNX1 and CBFbeta the most frequently affected genes known in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia. Investigating the mechanisms by which RUNX1, CBFbeta, and their proleukemic fusion proteins influence leukemogenesis has contributed greatly to our understanding of both normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Here we present an overview of the structural features of RUNX1/CBFbeta and their derivatives, their roles in transcriptional control, and their contributions to normal and malignant hematopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael E Engel
- Department of Pediatrics, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Nashville, TN, USA.
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49
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena S Nicoloso
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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50
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Abstract
Epigenetics refers to a stable, mitotically perpetuated regulatory mechanism of gene expression without an alteration of the coding sequence. Epigenetic mechanism include DNA methylation and histone tail modifications. Epigenetic regulation is part of physiologic development and becomes abnormal in neoplasia, where silencing of critical genes by DNA methylation or histone deacetylation can contribute to leukemogenesis as an alternative to deletion or loss-of-function mutation. In acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), aberrant DNA methylation can be observed in multiple functionally relevant genes such as p15, p 73, E-cadherin, ID 4, RARbeta2. Abnormal activities of histone tail-modifying enzymes have also been seen in AML, frequently as a direct result of chromosomal translocations. It is now clear that these epigenetic changes play a significant role in development and progression of AML, and thus constitute important targets of therapy. The aim of targeting epigenetic effector protein or "epigenetic therapy" is to reverse epigenetic silencing and reactive various genes to induce a therapeutic effect such as differentiation, growth arrest, or apoptosis. Recent clinical studies have shown the relative safety and efficacy of such epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Oki
- Department of Leukemia, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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