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Xian L, Xiong Y, Qin L, Wei L, Zhou S, Wang Q, Fu Q, Chen M, Qin Y. Jun/Fos promotes migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by enhancing BORIS promoter activity. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 169:106540. [PMID: 38281696 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106540] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
The Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS), as a specific indicator of hepatocellular carcinoma, exhibits a significant increase in expression. However, its upstream regulatory network remains enigmatic. Previous research has indicated a strong correlation between the Hippo pathway and the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. It is well established that the Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) frequently engages in interactions with the Hippo pathway. Thus, we attempt to prove whether Jun and Fos, a major member of the AP-1 family, are involved in the regulation of BORIS expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed the existence of binding sites for Jun and Fos within the BORIS promoter. Through a series of overexpression and knockdown experiments, we corroborated that Jun and Fos have the capacity to augment BORIS expression, thereby fostering the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Moreover, Methylation-Specific PCR and Bisulfite Sequencing PCR assays revealed that Jun and Fos do not have a significant impact on the demethylation of the BORIS promoter. However, luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments substantiated that Jun and Fos could directly bind to the BORIS promoter, thereby enhancing its transcription. In conclusion, these results suggest that Jun and Fos can promote the development of hepatocellular carcinoma by directly regulating the expression of BORIS. These findings may provide experimental evidence positioning BORIS as a novel target for the clinical intervention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longjun Xian
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yimei Xiong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Siqi Zhou
- Department of Surgery Division of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Rd., Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qinda Wang
- Department of Surgery Division of Liver Transplantation, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, 37 Guo Xue Rd., Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Mingmei Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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Pugacheva EM, Bhatt DN, Rivero-Hinojosa S, Tajmul M, Fedida L, Price E, Ji Y, Loukinov D, Strunnikov AV, Ren B, Lobanenkov VV. BORIS/CTCFL epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into alternative transcriptional start sites. Genome Biol 2024; 25:40. [PMID: 38297316 PMCID: PMC10832218 DOI: 10.1186/s13059-024-03175-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pervasive usage of alternative promoters leads to the deregulation of gene expression in carcinogenesis and may drive the emergence of new genes in spermatogenesis. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms underpinning the activation of alternative promoters. RESULTS Here we describe how alternative cancer-testis-specific transcription is activated. We show that intergenic and intronic CTCF binding sites, which are transcriptionally inert in normal somatic cells, could be epigenetically reprogrammed into active de novo promoters in germ and cancer cells. BORIS/CTCFL, the testis-specific paralog of the ubiquitously expressed CTCF, triggers the epigenetic reprogramming of CTCF sites into units of active transcription. BORIS binding initiates the recruitment of the chromatin remodeling factor, SRCAP, followed by the replacement of H2A histone with H2A.Z, resulting in a more relaxed chromatin state in the nucleosomes flanking the CTCF binding sites. The relaxation of chromatin around CTCF binding sites facilitates the recruitment of multiple additional transcription factors, thereby activating transcription from a given binding site. We demonstrate that the epigenetically reprogrammed CTCF binding sites can drive the expression of cancer-testis genes, long noncoding RNAs, retro-pseudogenes, and dormant transposable elements. CONCLUSIONS Thus, BORIS functions as a transcription factor that epigenetically reprograms clustered CTCF binding sites into transcriptional start sites, promoting transcription from alternative promoters in both germ cells and cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Pugacheva
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Dharmendra Nath Bhatt
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Samuel Rivero-Hinojosa
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Md Tajmul
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Liron Fedida
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Emma Price
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Yon Ji
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Dmitri Loukinov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Alexander V Strunnikov
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, 190 Kai Yuan Avenue, Science Park, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Bing Ren
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Center for Epigenomics, Moores Cancer Center and Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0653, USA
| | - Victor V Lobanenkov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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Bose S, Saha S, Goswami H, Shanmugam G, Sarkar K. Involvement of CCCTC-binding factor in epigenetic regulation of cancer. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:10383-10398. [PMID: 37840067 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08879-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
A major global health burden continues to be borne by the complex and multifaceted disease of cancer. Epigenetic changes, which are essential for the emergence and spread of cancer, have drawn a huge amount of attention recently. The CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), which takes part in a wide range of cellular processes including genomic imprinting, X chromosome inactivation, 3D chromatin architecture, local modifications of histone, and RNA polymerase II-mediated gene transcription, stands out among the diverse array of epigenetic regulators. CTCF not only functions as an architectural protein but also modulates DNA methylation and histone modifications. Epigenetic regulation of cancer has already been the focus of plenty of studies. Understanding the role of CTCF in the cancer epigenetic landscape may lead to the development of novel targeted therapeutic strategies for cancer. CTCF has already earned its status as a tumor suppressor gene by acting like a homeostatic regulator of genome integrity and function. Moreover, CTCF has a direct effect on many important transcriptional regulators that control the cell cycle, apoptosis, senescence, and differentiation. As we learn more about CTCF-mediated epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulations, the possibility of utilizing CTCF as a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cancer will also increase. Thus, the current review intends to promote personalized and precision-based therapeutics for cancer patients by shedding light on the complex interplay between CTCF and epigenetic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayani Bose
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Srawsta Saha
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Harsita Goswami
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Geetha Shanmugam
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Koustav Sarkar
- Department of Biotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India.
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Ai H, Yang H, Li L, Ma J, Liu K, Li Z. Cancer/testis antigens: promising immunotherapy targets for digestive tract cancers. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190883. [PMID: 37398650 PMCID: PMC10311965 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Digestive tract cancers, including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers, are the major cause of death among cancer patients worldwide due to the heterogeneity of cancer cells, which limits the effectiveness of traditional treatment methods. Immunotherapy represents a promising treatment strategy for improving the prognosis of patients with digestive tract cancers. However, the clinical application of this approach is limited by the absence of optimal targets. Cancer/testis antigens are characterized by low or absent expression in normal tissues, but high expression in tumor tissues, making them an attractive target for antitumor immunotherapy. Recent preclinical trials have shown promising results for cancer/testis antigen-targeted immunotherapy in digestive cancer. However, practical problems and difficulties in clinical application remain. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of cancer/testis antigens in digestive tract cancers, covering their expression, function, and potential as an immunotherapy target. Additionally, the current state of cancer/testis antigens in digestive tract cancer immunotherapy is discussed, and we predict that these antigens hold great promise as an avenue for breakthroughs in the treatment of digestive tract cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihan Ai
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Liang Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jie Ma
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kangdong Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, China-United States (US) Hormel (Henan) Cancer Institute, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Research Center of Basic Medicine, Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University & Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Akhtar MS, Akhter N, Talat A, Alharbi RA, Sindi AAA, Klufah F, Alyahyawi HE, Alruwetei A, Ahmad A, Zamzami MA, Deo S, Husain SA, Badi OA, Khan MJ. Association of mutation and expression of the brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) gene with breast cancer progression. Oncotarget 2023; 14:528-541. [PMID: 37235839 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The BORIS, 11 zinc-finger transcription factors, is a member of the cancer-testis antigen (CTA) family. It is mapped to chromosome number 20q13.2 and this region is genetically linked to the early onset of breast cancer. The current study analyzed the correlation between BORIS mutations and the expression of the protein in breast cancer cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A population-based study including a total of 155 breast cancer tissue samples and an equal number of normal adjacent tissues from Indian female breast cancer patients was carried out. Mutations of the BORIS gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-single standard confirmation polymorphisms (PCR-SSCP) and automated DNA sequencing and by immunohistochemistry for BORIS protein expression were performed. The observed findings were correlated with several clinicopathological parameters to find out the clinical relevance of associations. RESULTS Of all the cases 16.12% (25/155) showed mutations in the BORIS gene. The observed mutations present on codon 329 are missense, leading to Val> Ile (G>A) change on exon 5 of the BORIS gene. A significant association was observed between mutations of the BORIS gene and some clinicopathological features like nodal status (p = 0.013), estrogen receptor (ER) expression (p = 0.008), progesterone receptor (PR) expression (p = 0.039), clinical stage (p = 0.010) and menopausal status (p = 0.023). The protein expression analysis showed 20.64% (32/155) samples showing low or no expression (+), 34.19% (53/155) with moderate expression (++), and 45.17% (70/155) showing high expression (+++) of BORIS protein. A significant association was observed between the expression of BORIS protein and clinicopathological features like clinical stage (p = 0.013), nodal status (p = 0.049), ER expression (p = 0.039), and PR expression (p = 0.027). When mutation and protein expression were correlated in combination with clinicopathological parameters a significant association was observed in the category of high (+++) level of BORIS protein expression (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION The BORIS mutations and high protein expression occur frequently in carcinoma of the breast suggesting their association with the onset and progression of breast carcinoma. Further, the BORIS has the potential to be used as a biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Salman Akhtar
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Naseem Akhter
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
- Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Arshi Talat
- Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, ITS Dental College, Hospital and Research Centre, Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR, India
| | - Raed A Alharbi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed A A Sindi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Faisal Klufah
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hanan E Alyahyawi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmohsen Alruwetei
- Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abrar Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Svs Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, BRA- IRCH, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Akhtar Husain
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Osama A Badi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Alrubie TM, Alamri AM, Almutairi BO, Alrefaei AF, Arafah MM, Alanazi M, Semlali A, Almutairi MH. Higher Expression Levels of SSX1 and SSX2 in Patients with Colon Cancer: Regulated In Vitro by the Inhibition of Methylation and Histone Deacetylation. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59050988. [PMID: 37241221 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59050988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Colon cancer (CC) has a high mortality rate and is often diagnosed at an advanced stage in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the identification and characterization of potential new cancer-specific biomarkers are imperative for improving the diagnosis of CC by detecting it at an early stage. Cancer-testis (CT) genes have been identified as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of various cancers. Among the CT genes are those belonging to the SSX family. In order to assess the usefulness of SSX family genes as cancer biomarkers for the detection of early-stage CC, the goal of this research was to validate the expressions of these genes in patients with CC and in matched patients with normal colons (NCs). Materials and Methods: RT-PCR assays were used to analyze the SSX1, SSX2, and SSX3 family gene expression levels in 30 neighboring NC and CC tissue samples from male Saudi patients. Epigenetic alterations were also tested in vitro using qRT-PCR analysis to determine whether reduced DNA methyltransferase or histone deacetylation could stimulate SSX gene expression via 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin treatments, respectively. Results: The RT-PCR results showed SSX1 and SSX2 gene expression in 10% and 20% of the CC tissue specimens, respectively, but not in any of the NC tissue specimens. However, no SSX3 expression was detected in any of the examined CC or NC tissue samples. In addition, the qRT-PCR results showed significantly higher SSX1 and SSX2 expression levels in the CC tissue samples than in the NC tissue samples. The 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin treatments significantly induced the mRNA expression levels of the SSX1, SSX2, and SSX3 genes in the CC cells in vitro. Conclusions: These findings suggest that SSX1 and SSX2 are potentially suitable candidate biomarkers for CC. Their expressions can be regulated via hypomethylating and histone deacetylase treatments, subsequently providing a potential therapeutic target for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Turki M Alrubie
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah M Alamri
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader O Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulwahed F Alrefaei
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maha M Arafah
- Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Alanazi
- Genome Research Chair, Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11495, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelhabib Semlali
- Groupe de Recherche en Écologie Buccale, Faculté de Médecine Dentaire, Université Laval, 2420 Rue de la Terrasse, Local 1758, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Mikhlid H Almutairi
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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7
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Del Moral-Morales A, Salgado-Albarrán M, Sánchez-Pérez Y, Wenke NK, Baumbach J, Soto-Reyes E. CTCF and Its Multi-Partner Network for Chromatin Regulation. Cells 2023; 12:1357. [PMID: 37408191 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Architectural proteins are essential epigenetic regulators that play a critical role in organizing chromatin and controlling gene expression. CTCF (CCCTC-binding factor) is a key architectural protein responsible for maintaining the intricate 3D structure of chromatin. Because of its multivalent properties and plasticity to bind various sequences, CTCF is similar to a Swiss knife for genome organization. Despite the importance of this protein, its mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. It has been hypothesized that its versatility is achieved through interaction with multiple partners, forming a complex network that regulates chromatin folding within the nucleus. In this review, we delve into CTCF's interactions with other molecules involved in epigenetic processes, particularly histone and DNA demethylases, as well as several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that are able to recruit CTCF. Our review highlights the importance of CTCF partners to shed light on chromatin regulation and pave the way for future exploration of the mechanisms that enable the finely-tuned role of CTCF as a master regulator of chromatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aylin Del Moral-Morales
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marisol Salgado-Albarrán
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yesennia Sánchez-Pérez
- Subdirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Nina Kerstin Wenke
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Baumbach
- Institute for Computational Systems Biology, University of Hamburg, D-22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Computational BioMedicine Lab., University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Ernesto Soto-Reyes
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Mexico City 05348, Mexico
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Loukinov D, Anderson AL, Mkrtichyan M, Ghochikyan A, Rivero-Hinojosa S, Tucker J, Lobanenkov V, Agadjanyan MG, Nelson EL. A Therapeutic Vaccine Targeting Rat BORIS (CTCFL) for the Treatment of Rat Breast Cancer Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5976. [PMID: 36983050 PMCID: PMC10058450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens are ideal for tumor immunotherapy due to their testis-restricted expression. We previously showed that an immunotherapeutic vaccine targeting the germ cell-specific transcription factor BORIS (CTCFL) was highly effective in treating aggressive breast cancer in the 4T1 mouse model. Here, we further tested the therapeutic efficacy of BORIS in a rat 13762 breast cancer model. We generated a recombinant VEE-VRP (Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis-derived replicon particle) vector-expressing modified rat BORIS lacking a DNA-binding domain (VRP-mBORIS). Rats were inoculated with the 13762 cells, immunized with VRP-mBORIS 48 h later, and then, subsequently, boosted at 10-day intervals. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Cured rats were re-challenged with the same 13762 cells. We demonstrated that BORIS was expressed in a small population of the 13762 cells, called cancer stem cells. Treatment of rats with VRP-BORIS suppressed tumor growth leading to its complete disappearance in up to 50% of the rats and significantly improved their survival. This improvement was associated with the induction of BORIS-specific cellular immune responses measured by T-helper cell proliferation and INFγ secretion. The re-challenging of cured rats with the same 13762 cells indicated that the immune response prevented tumor growth. Thus, a therapeutic vaccine against rat BORIS showed high efficacy in treating the rat 13762 carcinoma. These data suggest that targeting BORIS can lead to the elimination of mammary tumors and cure animals even though BORIS expression is detected only in cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Loukinov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amanda Laust Anderson
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jo Tucker
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
| | - Victor Lobanenkov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Edward L. Nelson
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
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9
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Zhou S, Li L, Zhang M, Qin Y, Li B. The function of brother of the regulator of imprinted sites in cancer development. Cancer Gene Ther 2023; 30:236-244. [PMID: 36376421 DOI: 10.1038/s41417-022-00556-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
As Douglas Hanahan and Robert Weinberg compiled, there are nine hallmarks of cancer that are conducive to cancer cell development and survival. Previous studies showed that brother of the regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) might promote cancer progression through these aspects. The competition between BORIS and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), which is crucial in the formation of chromatin loops, affects the normal function of CTCF and leads to neoplasia and deformity. In addition, BORIS belongs to the cancer-testis antigen families, which are potential targets in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Herein, we discuss the function and mechanisms of BORIS, especially in cancer development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, 37 Guo Xue Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lian Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, 37 Guo Xue Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, 37 Guo Xue Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, No. 17, Section 3, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University Medical School, 37 Guo Xue Road, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
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10
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Pascucci FA, Escalada MC, Suberbordes M, Vidal C, Ladelfa MF, Monte M. MAGE-I proteins and cancer-pathways: A bidirectional relationship. Biochimie 2022; 208:31-37. [PMID: 36403755 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Data emerged from the last 20 years of basic research on tumor antigens positioned the type I MAGE (Melanoma Antigen GEnes - I or MAGE-I) family as cancer driver factors. MAGE-I gene expression is mainly restricted to normal reproductive tissues. However, abnormal re-expression in cancer unbalances the cell status towards enhanced oncogenic activity or reduced tumor suppression. Anomalous MAGE-I gene re-expression in cancer is attributed to altered epigenetic-mediated chromatin silencing. Still, emerging data indicate that MAGE-I can be regulated at protein level. Results from different laboratories suggest that after its anomalous re-expression, specific MAGE-I proteins can be regulated by well-known signaling pathways or key cellular processes that finally potentiate the cancer cell phenotype. Thus, MAGE-I proteins both regulate and are regulated by cancer-related pathways. Here, we present an updated review highlighting the recent findings on the regulation of MAGE-I by oncogenic pathways and the potential consequences in the tumor cell behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Andrés Pascucci
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Micaela Carolina Escalada
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Suberbordes
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Candela Vidal
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Fátima Ladelfa
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Martín Monte
- Laboratorio de Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Bai R, Yuan C. Kita-Kyushu Lung Cancer Antigen-1 (KK-LC-1): A Promising Cancer Testis Antigen. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1267-1277. [PMID: 35855340 PMCID: PMC9286905 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer has always been a huge problem in the field of human health, and its early diagnosis and treatment are the key to solving this problem. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are a family of multifunctional proteins that are specifically expressed in male spermatozoa and tumor cells but not in healthy somatic cells. Studies have found that CTAs are involved in the occurrence and development of tumors, and some CTAs trigger immunogenicity, which suggests a possibility of tumor immunotherapy. The differential expression and function of CTAs in normal tissues and tumor cells can promote the screening of tumor markers and the development of new immunotherapies. This article introduces the expression of Kita-Kyushu lung cancer antigen-1 (KK-LC-1), a new member of the CTA family, in different types of tumors and its role in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Bai
- 1Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Cheng Yuan
- 2Department of Gynecological Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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12
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Deng S, Feng Y, Pauklin S. 3D chromatin architecture and transcription regulation in cancer. J Hematol Oncol 2022; 15:49. [PMID: 35509102 PMCID: PMC9069733 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-022-01271-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromatin has distinct three-dimensional (3D) architectures important in key biological processes, such as cell cycle, replication, differentiation, and transcription regulation. In turn, aberrant 3D structures play a vital role in developing abnormalities and diseases such as cancer. This review discusses key 3D chromatin structures (topologically associating domain, lamina-associated domain, and enhancer-promoter interactions) and corresponding structural protein elements mediating 3D chromatin interactions [CCCTC-binding factor, polycomb group protein, cohesin, and Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) protein] with a highlight of their associations with cancer. We also summarise the recent development of technologies and bioinformatics approaches to study the 3D chromatin interactions in gene expression regulation, including crosslinking and proximity ligation methods in the bulk cell population (ChIA-PET and HiChIP) or single-molecule resolution (ChIA-drop), and methods other than proximity ligation, such as GAM, SPRITE, and super-resolution microscopy techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwei Deng
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Yuliang Feng
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - Siim Pauklin
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, University of Oxford, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK.
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13
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CTCFL regulates the PI3K-Akt pathway and it is a target for personalized ovarian cancer therapy. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2022; 8:5. [PMID: 35132075 PMCID: PMC8821627 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-022-00214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, effective treatment, and chemoresistance. Improving the diagnosis and the development of targeted therapies is still needed. The molecular pathomechanisms driving HGSC progression are not fully understood though crucial for effective diagnosis and identification of novel targeted therapy options. The oncogene CTCFL (BORIS), the paralog of CTCF, is a transcriptional factor highly expressed in ovarian cancer (but in rarely any other tissue in females) with cancer-specific characteristics and therapeutic potential. In this work, we seek to understand the regulatory functions of CTCFL to unravel new target genes with clinical relevance. We used in vitro models to evaluate the transcriptional changes due to the presence of CTCFL, followed by a selection of gene candidates using de novo network enrichment analysis. The resulting mechanistic candidates were further assessed regarding their prognostic potential and druggability. We show that CTCFL-driven genes are involved in cytoplasmic membrane functions; in particular, the PI3K-Akt initiators EGFR1 and VEGFA, as well as ITGB3 and ITGB6 are potential drug targets. Finally, we identified the CTCFL targets ACTBL2, MALT1 and PCDH7 as mechanistic biomarkers to predict survival in HGSC. Finally, we elucidated the value of CTCFL in combination with its targets as a prognostic marker profile for HGSC progression and as putative drug targets.
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14
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Wu SC, Münger K. Role and Clinical Utility of Cancer/Testis Antigens in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13225690. [PMID: 34830845 PMCID: PMC8616139 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13225690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer/testis (CT) antigens exhibit selective expression predominantly in immunoprivileged tissues in non-pathological contexts but are aberrantly expressed in diverse cancers. Due to their expression pattern, they have historically been attractive targets for immunotherapies. A growing number of studies implicate CT antigens in almost all hallmarks of cancer, suggesting that they may act as cancer drivers. CT antigens are expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. However, their role in the pathogenesis of these cancers remains poorly studied. Given that CT antigens hold intriguing potential as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers for prognosis and that they can provide novel insights into oncogenic mechanisms, their further study in the context of head and squamous cell carcinoma is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Changshan Wu
- Molecular Microbiology Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA;
| | - Karl Münger
- Department of Developmental, Molecular, and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
- Correspondence:
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15
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Li S, Shi X, Li J, Zhou X. Pathogenicity of the MAGE family. Oncol Lett 2021; 22:844. [PMID: 34733362 PMCID: PMC8561213 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.13105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen gene (MAGE) protein family is a group of highly conserved proteins that share a common homology domain. Under normal circumstances, numerous MAGE proteins are only expressed in reproduction-related tissues; however, abnormal expression levels are observed in a variety of tumor tissues. The MAGE family consists of type I and II proteins, several of which are cancer-testis antigens that are highly expressed in cancer and serve a critical role in tumorigenesis. Therefore, this review will use the relationship between MAGEs and tumors as a starting point, focusing on the latest developments regarding the function of MAGEs as oncogenes, and preliminarily reveal their possible mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanyan Li
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Shi
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Jingping Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
| | - Xianrong Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Qianjiang Central Hospital, Qianjiang, Hubei 433100, P.R. China
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16
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Rivero-Hinojosa S, Pugacheva EM, Kang S, Méndez-Catalá CF, Kovalchuk AL, Strunnikov AV, Loukinov D, Lee JT, Lobanenkov VV. The combined action of CTCF and its testis-specific paralog BORIS is essential for spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3846. [PMID: 34158481 PMCID: PMC8219828 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24140-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
CTCF is a key organizer of the 3D genome. Its specialized paralog, BORIS, heterodimerizes with CTCF but is expressed only in male germ cells and in cancer states. Unexpectedly, BORIS-null mice have only minimal germ cell defects. To understand the CTCF-BORIS relationship, mouse models with varied CTCF and BORIS levels were generated. Whereas Ctcf+/+Boris+/+, Ctcf+/-Boris+/+, and Ctcf+/+Boris-/- males are fertile, Ctcf+/-Boris-/- (Compound Mutant; CM) males are sterile. Testes with combined depletion of both CTCF and BORIS show reduced size, defective meiotic recombination, increased apoptosis, and malformed spermatozoa. Although CM germ cells exhibit only 25% of CTCF WT expression, chromatin binding of CTCF is preferentially lost from CTCF-BORIS heterodimeric sites. Furthermore, CM testes lose the expression of a large number of spermatogenesis genes and gain the expression of developmentally inappropriate genes that are "toxic" to fertility. Thus, a combined action of CTCF and BORIS is required to both repress pre-meiotic genes and activate post-meiotic genes for a complete spermatogenesis program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Rivero-Hinojosa
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Center for Cancer and Immunology Research, Children's National Research Institute, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Elena M Pugacheva
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Sungyun Kang
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Claudia Fabiola Méndez-Catalá
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Oncology, Building A4, Faculty of Higher Studies (FES) Iztacala, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Tlalnepantla, State of Mexico, Mexico
| | - Alexander L Kovalchuk
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander V Strunnikov
- Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dmitri Loukinov
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeannie T Lee
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Victor V Lobanenkov
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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17
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Sati L, Soygur B, Goksu E, Bassorgun CI, McGrath J. CTCFL expression is associated with cerebral vascular abnormalities. Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101528. [PMID: 33756271 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
CTCFL is expressed in testis, oocytes and embryonic stem cells, and is aberrantly expressed in malignant cells, and is classified as a cancer-testis gene. We have previously shown by using a tetracycline-inducible Ctcfl transgene that inappropriate expression of Ctcfl negatively impacts fetal development and causes early postnatal lethality in the mouse. The affected pups displayed severe vascular abnormalities and localized hemorrhages in the brain evocative of cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM) and arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in humans. Thus, we aim to analyze; a) the presence of CCM-related proteins CCM1/KRIT1, CCM2/malcavernin and CCM3/PDCD10 in Ctcfl transgenic animals and, b) whether there is CTCFL expression in human CCM and AVM tissues. Ctcfl transgenic animals exhibited increased CD31 expression in vascular areas of the dermis and periadnexal regions but no difference was observed for vWF and α-SMA expressions. CCM-related proteins CCM1/KRIT1, CCM2/malcavernin and CCM3/PDCD10 were aberrantly expressed in coronal sections of the head in transgenic animals. We also observed CTCFL expression in human CCMs and AVMs. The induced expression of CTCFL resulting in vascular brain malformations in mice combined with the presence of CTCFL in human vascular malformations provide new insights into the role of this gene in vascular development in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Sati
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.
| | - Bikem Soygur
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ethem Goksu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey
| | | | - James McGrath
- Departments of Genetics and Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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18
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Pascucci FA, Ladelfa MF, Toledo MF, Escalada M, Suberbordes M, Monte M. MageC2 protein is upregulated by oncogenic activation of MAPK pathway and causes impairment of the p53 transactivation function. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2021; 1868:118918. [PMID: 33279609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Normal-to-tumor cell transition is accompanied by changes in gene expression and signal transduction that turns the balance toward cancer-cell phenotype, eluding by different mechanisms, the response of tumor-suppressor genes. Here, we observed that MageC2, a MAGE-I protein able to regulate the p53 tumor-suppressor, is accumulated upon MEK/ERK MAPK activation. Overexpression of H-RasV12 oncogene causes an increase in MageC2 protein that is prevented by pharmacologic inhibition of MEK. Similarly, decrease in MageC2 protein levels is shown in A375 melanoma cells (which harbor B-RafV600E oncogenic mutation) treated with MEK inhibitors. MageC2 protein levels decrease when p14ARF is expressed, causing an Mdm2-independent upregulation of p53 transactivation. However, MageC2 is refractory to p14ARF-driven downregulation when H-RasV12 is co-expressed. Using MageC2 knockout A375 cells generated by CRISPR/CAS9 technology, we demonstrated the relevance of MageC2 protein in reducing p53 transcriptional activity in cells containing hyperactive MEK/ERK signaling. Furthermore, gene expression analysis performed in cancer-genomic databases, supports the correlation of reduced p53 transcriptional activity and high MageC2 expression, in melanoma cells containing Ras or B-Raf driver mutations. Data presented here suggest that MageC2 can be a functional target of the oncogenic MEK/ERK pathway to regulate p53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Andrés Pascucci
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Fátima Ladelfa
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Fernanda Toledo
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Micaela Escalada
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Melisa Suberbordes
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martín Monte
- Lab. Oncología Molecular, Departamento de Química Biológica and IQUIBICEN-UBA/CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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19
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Abstract
Among the ~22,000 human genes, very few remain that have unknown functions. One such example is suprabasin (SBSN). Originally described as a component of the cornified envelope, the function of stratified epithelia-expressed SBSN is unknown. Both the lack of knowledge about the gene role under physiological conditions and the emerging link of SBSN to various human diseases, including cancer, attract research interest. The association of SBSN expression with poor prognosis of patients suffering from oesophageal carcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, and myelodysplastic syndromes suggests that SBSN may play a role in human tumourigenesis. Three SBSN isoforms code for the secreted proteins with putative function as signalling molecules, yet with poorly described effects. In this first review about SBSN, we summarised the current knowledge accumulated since its original description, and we discuss the potential mechanisms and roles of SBSN in both physiology and pathology.
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20
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Florke Gee RR, Chen H, Lee AK, Daly CA, Wilander BA, Fon Tacer K, Potts PR. Emerging roles of the MAGE protein family in stress response pathways. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:16121-16155. [PMID: 32921631 PMCID: PMC7681028 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.rev120.008029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The melanoma antigen (MAGE) proteins all contain a MAGE homology domain. MAGE genes are conserved in all eukaryotes and have expanded from a single gene in lower eukaryotes to ∼40 genes in humans and mice. Whereas some MAGEs are ubiquitously expressed in tissues, others are expressed in only germ cells with aberrant reactivation in multiple cancers. Much of the initial research on MAGEs focused on exploiting their antigenicity and restricted expression pattern to target them with cancer immunotherapy. Beyond their potential clinical application and role in tumorigenesis, recent studies have shown that MAGE proteins regulate diverse cellular and developmental pathways, implicating them in many diseases besides cancer, including lung, renal, and neurodevelopmental disorders. At the molecular level, many MAGEs bind to E3 RING ubiquitin ligases and, thus, regulate their substrate specificity, ligase activity, and subcellular localization. On a broader scale, the MAGE genes likely expanded in eutherian mammals to protect the germline from environmental stress and aid in stress adaptation, and this stress tolerance may explain why many cancers aberrantly express MAGEs Here, we present an updated, comprehensive review on the MAGE family that highlights general characteristics, emphasizes recent comparative studies in mice, and describes the diverse functions exerted by individual MAGEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca R Florke Gee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Helen Chen
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Anna K Lee
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Christina A Daly
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Benjamin A Wilander
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA; School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, Texas, USA.
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Cell and Molecular Biology Department, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
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21
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Jebelli A, Baradaran B, Mosafer J, Baghbanzadeh A, Mokhtarzadeh A, Tayebi L. Recent developments in targeting genes and pathways by RNAi-based approaches in colorectal cancer. Med Res Rev 2020; 41:395-434. [PMID: 32990372 DOI: 10.1002/med.21735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A wide spectrum of genetic and epigenetic variations together with environmental factors has made colorectal cancer (CRC), which involves the colon and rectum, a challenging and heterogeneous cancer. CRC cannot be effectively overcomed by common conventional therapies including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and hormone replacement which highlights the need for a rational design of novel anticancer therapy. Accumulating evidence indicates that RNA interference (RNAi) could be an important avenue to generate great therapeutic efficacy for CRC by targeting genes that are responsible for the viability, cell cycle, proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, metastasis, and invasion of CRC cells. In this review, we underline the documented benefits of small interfering RNAs and short hairpin RNAs to target genes and signaling pathways related to CRC tumorigenesis. We address the synergistic effects of RNAi-mediated gene knockdown and inhibitors/chemotherapy agents to increase the sensitivity of CRC cells to common therapies. Finally, this review points new delivery systems/materials for improving the cellular uptake efficiency and reducing off-target effects of RNAi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiyeh Jebelli
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Basic Science, Higher Education Institute of Rab-Rashid, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jafar Mosafer
- Research Center of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Amir Baghbanzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Lobat Tayebi
- Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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22
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Debaugny RE, Skok JA. CTCF and CTCFL in cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2020; 61:44-52. [PMID: 32334335 PMCID: PMC7893514 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2020.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
CTCF plays a key role in organizing chromatin into TAD structures but it can also function as a transcription factor. CTCFL (CTCF-like), the paralog of CTCF, is normally transiently expressed in pre-meiotic male germ cells together with ubiquitously expressed CTCF. It plays a unique role in spermatogenesis by regulating expression of testis-specific genes. Genetic alterations in CTCF and its paralog CTCFL have both been found in numerous cancers, but it remains unknown to what extent CTCFL deregulates transcription on its own or by opposing CTCF. Here, we discuss some of the potential mechanisms by which these two proteins could alter gene regulation and contribute to oncogenic transcriptional programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne E Debaugny
- Dept. of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jane A Skok
- Dept. of Pathology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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23
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Janssen SM, Moscona R, Elchebly M, Papadakis AI, Redpath M, Wang H, Rubin E, van Kempen LC, Spatz A. BORIS/CTCFL promotes a switch from a proliferative towards an invasive phenotype in melanoma cells. Cell Death Discov 2020; 6:1. [PMID: 32123577 PMCID: PMC7026120 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-019-0235-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is among the most aggressive cancers due to its tendency to metastasize early. Phenotype switching between a proliferative and an invasive state has been suggested as a critical process for metastasis, though the mechanisms that regulate state transitions are complex and remain poorly understood. Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS), also known as CCCTC binding factor-Like (CTCFL), is a transcriptional modulator that becomes aberrantly expressed in melanoma. Yet, the role of BORIS in melanoma remains elusive. Here, we show that BORIS is involved in melanoma phenotype switching. Genetic modification of BORIS expression in melanoma cells combined with whole-transcriptome analysis indicated that BORIS expression contributes to an invasion-associated transcriptome. In line with these findings, inducible BORIS overexpression in melanoma cells reduced proliferation and increased migration and invasion, demonstrating that the transcriptional switch is accompanied by a phenotypic switch. Mechanistically, we reveal that BORIS binds near the promoter of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TFGB1), a well-recognized factor involved in the transition towards an invasive state, which coincided with increased expression of TGFB1. Overall, our study indicates a pro-invasive role for BORIS in melanoma via transcriptional reprogramming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanne Marlijn Janssen
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Roy Moscona
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Mounib Elchebly
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
| | | | - Margaret Redpath
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Hangjun Wang
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Eitan Rubin
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Léon Cornelis van Kempen
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory for Molecular Pathology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alan Spatz
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Montréal, QC Canada
- Department of Pathology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
- Division of Pathology, Department of Laboratory medicine, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, QC Canada
- Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montréal, QC Canada
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24
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Hillman JC, Pugacheva EM, Barger CJ, Sribenja S, Rosario S, Albahrani M, Truskinovsky AM, Stablewski A, Liu S, Loukinov DI, Zentner GE, Lobanenkov VV, Karpf AR, Higgins MJ. BORIS Expression in Ovarian Cancer Precursor Cells Alters the CTCF Cistrome and Enhances Invasiveness through GALNT14. Mol Cancer Res 2019; 17:2051-2062. [PMID: 31292201 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-19-0310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most aggressive and predominant form of epithelial ovarian cancer and the leading cause of gynecologic cancer-related death. We have previously shown that CTCFL (also known as BORIS, Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites) is expressed in most ovarian cancers, and is associated with global and promoter-specific DNA hypomethylation, advanced tumor stage, and poor prognosis. To explore its role in HGSC, we expressed BORIS in human fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSEC), the presumptive cells of origin for HGSC. BORIS-expressing cells exhibited increased motility and invasion, and BORIS expression was associated with alterations in several cancer-associated gene expression networks, including fatty acid metabolism, TNF signaling, cell migration, and ECM-receptor interactions. Importantly, GALNT14, a glycosyltransferase gene implicated in cancer cell migration and invasion, was highly induced by BORIS, and GALNT14 knockdown significantly abrogated BORIS-induced cell motility and invasion. In addition, in silico analyses provided evidence for BORIS and GALNT14 coexpression in several cancers. Finally, ChIP-seq demonstrated that expression of BORIS was associated with de novo and enhanced binding of CTCF at hundreds of loci, many of which correlated with activation of transcription at target genes, including GALNT14. Taken together, our data indicate that BORIS may promote cell motility and invasion in HGSC via upregulation of GALNT14, and suggests BORIS as a potential therapeutic target in this malignancy. IMPLICATIONS: These studies provide evidence that aberrant expression of BORIS may play a role in the progression to HGSC by enhancing the migratory and invasive properties of FTSEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna C Hillman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Elena M Pugacheva
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Carter J Barger
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | - Sirinapa Sribenja
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Spencer Rosario
- Department of Cancer Genetics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Mustafa Albahrani
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
| | | | - Aimee Stablewski
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Song Liu
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York
| | - Dmitri I Loukinov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Gabriel E Zentner
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.,Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Victor V Lobanenkov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Adam R Karpf
- Eppley Institute and Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
| | - Michael J Higgins
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York.
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25
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Kim TN, Kim WT, Jeong MS, Mun MH, Kim MH, Lee JZ, Leem SH. Short rare minisatellite variant of BORIS-MS2 is related to bladder cancer susceptibility. Genes Genomics 2018; 41:249-256. [PMID: 30499053 DOI: 10.1007/s13258-018-0771-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BORIS/CTCFL, a paralog of CTCF and member of the cancer-testicular antigen family, is abnormally activated in multiple cancers. OBJECTIVE We investigated the relationship between polymorphic variants of the BORIS minisatellite 2 (BORIS-MS2), located within the 5' upstream promoter region of BORIS, and bladder cancer. METHODS We used case-control study with 516 controls and 113 bladder cancer patients. To evaluate whether minisatellite variants play a role in BORIS expression, we examined the transcript levels of a reporter gene linked to these minisatellites in cell lines. We also examined BORIS expression in cancerous and non-cancerous bladder tissue. RESULTS A statistically significant association was identified between the short rare allele (13-repeat) and bladder cancer incidence (odds ratio (OR) 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.14, 7.74]; P = 0.020). In particular, short rare alleles in the younger group (aged < 65) were associated with statistically significant increase in bladder cancer risk (OR 5.38, CI [1.32, 21.87]; P = 0.01). The BORIS-MS2 region acted as a negative regulator, and the expression level of the luciferase reporter in bladder cancer cells was less effectively inhibited than in normal cells. Furthermore, the expression of BORIS mRNA significantly differed (P < 0.05) between normal and cancerous muscle-invasive bladder cancer tissues, and relationship to clinical parameters was observed. CONCLUSIONS The short rare allele of BORIS-MS2 could be used to identify bladder cancer risk. BORIS expression levels have been shown to increase with the progression of bladder cancer, could be used as a biomarker for its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tae Nam Kim
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, 49241, South Korea
| | - Won-Tae Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, South Korea
| | - Mi-So Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, South Korea
| | - Mi-Hye Mun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, South Korea
| | - Min-Hye Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, South Korea
| | - Jeong Zoo Lee
- Department of Urology, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, 49241, South Korea
| | - Sun-Hee Leem
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan, 49315, South Korea.
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26
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Soltanian S, Dehghani H. BORIS: a key regulator of cancer stemness. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:154. [PMID: 30323717 PMCID: PMC6173857 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0650-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BORIS (CTCFL) is a DNA binding protein which is involved in tumorigenesis. Although, there are different opinions on the level of gene expression and function of BORIS in normal and cancer tissues, the results of many studies have classified BORIS as a protein belonging to cancer/testis (CT) genes, which are identified as a group of genes that are expressed normally in testis, and abnormally in various types of cancers. In testis, BORIS induces the expression of some male germ cell/testis specific genes, and plays crucial roles during spermatogenesis and production of sperm. In tumorigenesis, the role of BORIS in the expression induction of some CT genes and oncogenes, as well as increasing proliferation/viability of cancer cells has been demonstrated in many researches. In addition to cancer cells, some believe that BORIS is also expressed in normal conditions and plays a universal function in cell division and regulation of genes. The following is a comprehensive review on contradictory views on the expression pattern and biological function of BORIS in normal, as well as cancer cells/tissues, and presents some evidence that support the expression of BORIS in cancer stem cells (CSCs) and advanced stage/poorer differentiation grade of cancers. Boris is involved in the regulation of CSC cellular and molecular features such as self-renewal, chemo-resistance, tumorigenicity, sphere-forming ability, and migration capacity. Finally, the role of BORIS in regulating two important signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin and Notch in CSCs, and its ability in recruiting transcription factors or chromatin-remodeling proteins to induce tumorigenesis is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Soltanian
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hesam Dehghani
- Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Azadi Square, Mashhad, 91775-1793 Iran
- Division of Biotechnology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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27
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Gibbs ZA, Whitehurst AW. Emerging Contributions of Cancer/Testis Antigens to Neoplastic Behaviors. Trends Cancer 2018; 4:701-712. [PMID: 30292353 DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Tumors of nearly every origin activate the expression of genes normally restricted to gametogenic cells. These genes encode proteins termed cancer/testis (CT) antigens, since expression outside of their naturally immune-privileged site can evoke an immune response. Despite extensive efforts to exploit CT antigens as immunotherapeutic targets, investigation of whether these proteins participate in tumorigenic processes has lagged. Here, we discuss emerging evidence that demonstrates that CT antigens can confer a selective advantage to tumor cells by promoting oncogenic processes or permitting evasion of tumor-suppressive mechanisms. These advances indicate the inherent flexibility of tumor cell regulatory networks to engage aberrantly expressed proteins to promote neoplastic behaviors, which could ultimately present novel therapeutic entry points.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zane A Gibbs
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Angelique W Whitehurst
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Pharmacology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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28
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Chi Soh JE, Abu N, Jamal R. The potential immune-eliciting cancer testis antigens in colorectal cancer. Immunotherapy 2018; 10:1093-1104. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2018-0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of cancer testis antigens (CTAs) has been an important finding in the search of potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. CTA is one of the subfamilies of the large tumor-associated antigens groups. It is aberrantly expressed in various types of human tumors but is absent in normal tissues except for the testis and placenta. This CTAs-restricted pattern of expression in human malignancies together with its potential immunogenic properties, has stirred the interest of many researchers to use CTAs as one of the ideal targets in cancer immunotherapy. To date, multiple studies have shown that CTAs-based vaccines can elicit clinical and immunological responses in different tumors, including colorectal cancer (CRC). This review details our current understanding of CTAs and CRC in regard to the expression and immunological responses as well as some of the critical hurdles in CTAs-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Ern Chi Soh
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nadiah Abu
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Rahman Jamal
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Center, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latiff, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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29
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Gordeeva O. Cancer-testis antigens: Unique cancer stem cell biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. Semin Cancer Biol 2018; 53:75-89. [PMID: 30171980 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2018.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are considered as unique and promising cancer biomarkers and targets for cancer therapy. CTAs are multifunctional protein group with specific expression patterns in normal embryonic and adult cells and various types of cancer cells. CTAs are involved in regulating of the basic cellular processes during development, stem cell differentiation and carcinogenesis though the biological roles and cell functions of CTA families remain largely unclear. Analysis of CTA expression patterns in embryonic germ and somatic cells, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, cancer stem cells and their cell descendants indicates that rearrangements of characteristic CTA profiles (aberrant expression) could be associated with cancer transformation and failure of the developmental program of cell lineage specification and germ line restriction. Therefore, aberrant CTA profiles can be used as panels of biomarkers for diagnoses and the selection of cancer treatment strategies. Moreover, immunogenic CTAs are prospective targets for cancer immunotherapy. Clinical trials testing broad range of cancer therapeutic vaccines against antigens of MAGEA and NY-ESO-1 families for treating various cancers have shown mixed clinical efficiency, safety and tolerability, suggesting the requirement of in-depth research of CTA expression in normal and cancer stem cells and extensive clinical trials for improving cancer immunotherapy technologies. This review focuses on recent advancement in study of CTAs in normal and cancer cells, particularly in normal and cancer stem cells, and provides a new insight into CTA expression patterns during normal and cancer stem cell lineage development. Additionally, new approaches in development of effective CTA-based therapies exclusively targeting cancer stem cells will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Gordeeva
- Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Mechanisms of Histogenesis, Kol'tsov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 26 Vavilov Street, Moscow, 119334, Russia.
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30
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Kirkin AF, Dzhandzhugazyan KN, Guldberg P, Fang JJ, Andersen RS, Dahl C, Mortensen J, Lundby T, Wagner A, Law I, Broholm H, Madsen L, Lundell-Ek C, Gjerstorff MF, Ditzel HJ, Jensen MR, Fischer W. Adoptive cancer immunotherapy using DNA-demethylated T helper cells as antigen-presenting cells. Nat Commun 2018; 9:785. [PMID: 29511178 PMCID: PMC5840134 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-03217-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In cancer cells, cancer/testis (CT) antigens become epigenetically derepressed through DNA demethylation and constitute attractive targets for cancer immunotherapy. Here we report that activated CD4+ T helper cells treated with a DNA-demethylating agent express a broad repertoire of endogenous CT antigens and can be used as antigen-presenting cells to generate autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer cells. In vitro, activated CTLs induce HLA-restricted lysis of tumor cells of different histological types, as well as cells expressing single CT antigens. In a phase 1 trial of 25 patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, cytotoxic lymphocytes homed to the tumor, with tumor regression ongoing in three patients for 14, 22, and 27 months, respectively. No treatment-related adverse effects were observed. This proof-of-principle study shows that tumor-reactive effector cells can be generated ex vivo by exposure to antigens induced by DNA demethylation, providing a novel, minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for treating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexei F Kirkin
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark.
| | - Karine N Dzhandzhugazyan
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Per Guldberg
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Johnny Jon Fang
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Rikke S Andersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christina Dahl
- Danish Cancer Society Research Center, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jann Mortensen
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tim Lundby
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aase Wagner
- Department of Neuroradiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ian Law
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle Broholm
- Department of Neuropathology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Line Madsen
- Department of Pathology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Morten F Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Henrik J Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Walter Fischer
- CytoVac A/S, 2970, Hørsholm, Denmark.,Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Zhao J, Wang Y, Liang Q, Xu Y, Sang J. MAGEA1 inhibits the expression of BORIS via increased promoter methylation. J Cell Sci 2018; 132:jcs.218628. [DOI: 10.1242/jcs.218628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma-associated antigen A1 (MAGEA1) and BORIS are members of the cancer testis antigens (CTA) family. Their functions and expression regulation mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we revealed new functions and regulatory mechanisms of MAGEA1 and BORIS in breast cancer cells, which were investigated in parental and genetically manipulated breast cancer cells via gene overexpression or siRNA interference-mediated down-regulation. We identified the interaction between MAGEA1 and CTCF, which was required for the binding of MAGEA1 to BORIS promoter and critical for the recruitment of DNMT3a. A protein complex containing MAGEA1, CTCF and DNMT3a will be formed before or after the conjunction with BORIS promoter. The binding of this complex to the BORIS promoter accounts for the hypermethylation and repression of BORIS expression, which results in cell death in the breast cancer cell lines tested. Multiple approaches are employed, including co-IP, GST-pull down, co-localization, cell death analyses using the Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and caspase3 activation assays, ChIP and bisulfite sequencing PCR assays for methylation. These results have implications in the development of strategies in CTA-based immune therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jizhong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yueqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qianjin Liang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1044 W. Walnut St. R4-W037, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jianli Sang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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32
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Asano T, Hirohashi Y, Torigoe T, Mariya T, Horibe R, Kuroda T, Tabuchi Y, Saijo H, Yasuda K, Mizuuchi M, Takahashi A, Asanuma H, Hasegawa T, Saito T, Sato N. Brother of the regulator of the imprinted site (BORIS) variant subfamily 6 is involved in cervical cancer stemness and can be a target of immunotherapy. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11223-37. [PMID: 26849232 PMCID: PMC4905468 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a major cause of cancer death in females worldwide. Cervical cancer stem-like cells (CSCs)/cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are resistant to conventional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and CSCs/CICs are thought to be responsible for recurrence. Eradication of CSCs/CICs is thus essential to cure cervical cancer. In this study, we isolated cervical CSCs/CICs by sphere culture, and we identified a cancer testis (CT) antigen, CTCFL/BORIS, that is expressed in cervical CSCs/CICs. BORIS has 23 mRNA isoform variants classified by 6 subfamilies (sfs), and they encode 17 different BORIS peptides. BORIS sf1 and sf4 are expressed in both CSCs/CICs and non-CSCs/CICs, whereas BORIS sf6 is expressed only in CSCs/CICs. Overexpression of BORIS sf6 in cervical cancer cells increased sphere formation and tumor-initiating ability compared with those in control cells, whereas overexpression of BORIS sf1 and BORIS sf4 resulted in only slight increases. Thus, BORIS sf6 is a cervical CSC/CIC-specific subfamily and has a role in the maintenance of cervical CSCs/CICs. BORIS sf6 contains a specific c-terminal domain (C34), and we identified a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2-restricted antigenic peptide, BORIS C34_24(9) encoded by BORIS sf6. A BORIS C34_24(9)-specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) clone showed cytotoxicity for BORIS sf6-overexpressing cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, the CTL clone significantly suppressed sphere formation of CaSki cells. Taken together, the results indicate that the CT antigen BORIS sf6 is specifically expressed in cervical CSCs/CICs, that BORIS sf6 has a role in the maintenance of CSCs/CICs, and that BORIS C34_24(9) peptide is a promising candidate for cervical CSC/CIC-targeting immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Asano
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hirohashi
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tasuku Mariya
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryota Horibe
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kuroda
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuta Tabuchi
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Saijo
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuyo Yasuda
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masahito Mizuuchi
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.,Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Akari Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hiroko Asanuma
- Surgical Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Hasegawa
- Surgical Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Obsterics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Sato
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
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Rodríguez-Hernández CJ, Mateo-Lozano S, García M, Casalà C, Briansó F, Castrejón N, Rodríguez E, Suñol M, Carcaboso AM, Lavarino C, Mora J, de Torres C. Cinacalcet inhibits neuroblastoma tumor growth and upregulates cancer-testis antigens. Oncotarget 2017; 7:16112-29. [PMID: 26893368 PMCID: PMC4941301 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The calcium–sensing receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor that exerts cell-type specific functions in numerous tissues and some cancers. We have previously reported that this receptor exhibits tumor suppressor properties in neuroblastoma. We have now assessed cinacalcet, an allosteric activator of the CaSR approved for clinical use, as targeted therapy for this developmental tumor using neuroblastoma cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) with different MYCN and TP53 status. In vitro, acute exposure to cinacalcet induced endoplasmic reticulum stress coupled to apoptosis via ATF4-CHOP-TRB3 in CaSR-positive, MYCN-amplified cells. Both phenotypes were partially abrogated by phospholipase C inhibitor U73122. Prolonged in vitro treatment also promoted dose- and time-dependent apoptosis in CaSR-positive, MYCN-amplified cells and, irrespective of MYCN status, differentiation in surviving cells. Cinacalcet significantly inhibited tumor growth in MYCN-amplified xenografts and reduced that of MYCN-non amplified PDX. Morphology assessment showed fibrosis in MYCN-amplified xenografts exposed to the drug. Microarrays analyses revealed up-regulation of cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) in cinacalcet-treated MYCN-amplified tumors. These were predominantly CTAs encoded by genes mapping on chromosome X, which are the most immunogenic. Other modulated genes upon prolonged exposure to cinacalcet were involved in differentiation, cell cycle exit, microenvironment remodeling and calcium signaling pathways. CTAs were up-regulated in PDX and in vitro models as well. Moreover, progressive increase of CaSR expression upon cinacalcet treatment was seen both in vitro and in vivo. In summary, cinacalcet reduces neuroblastoma tumor growth and up-regulates CTAs. This effect represents a therapeutic opportunity and provides surrogate circulating markers of neuroblastoma response to this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Rodríguez-Hernández
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Mateo-Lozano
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta García
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Casalà
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ferran Briansó
- Statistics and Bioinformatics Unit, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nerea Castrejón
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eva Rodríguez
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mariona Suñol
- Department of Pathology, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angel M Carcaboso
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cinzia Lavarino
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jaume Mora
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen de Torres
- Developmental Tumor Biology Laboratory, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Department of Oncology, Institut de Recerca Pediàtrica - Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Zhang Y, Ren J, Fang M, Wang X. Investigation of fusion gene expression in HCT116 cells. Oncol Lett 2017; 14:6962-6968. [PMID: 29181107 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.7055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Colon cancer is the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer. A number of specific and sensitive biomarkers facilitate the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with colon cancer. Fusion genes are typically identified in cancer and a majority of the newly identified fusion genes are oncogenic in nature. Therefore, fusion genes are potential biomarkers and/or therapy targets in cancer. In the present study, the regulation of specific candidate fusion genes were investigated using Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) in the HCT116 colon cancer cell line, which is a paralog of the fusion gene regulator CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF). The copy number of BORIS increased correspondingly to the progression of colorectal carcinoma from the M0 to the M1a stage. It was identified that EIF3E(e1)-RSPO2(e2), EIF3E(e1)-RSPO2(e3), PTPRK(e1)-RSPO3(e2), PTPRK(e7)-RSPO3(e2), TADA2A-MEF2B and MED13L-CD4 are fusion transcripts present in the transcriptome of the HCT116 colon cancer cell line. CDC42SE2-KIAAO146 is a genomic fusion transcript, which originates from DNA arrangement in HCT116 cells. BORIS suppresses the expression of EIF3E, RSPO2, PTPRK, RSPO3, TADA2A and CD4 to inhibit the expression of fusion transcripts in HCT116 cells. It was hypothesized that the fusion transcripts investigated in the present study may not be oncogenic in HCT116 cells. As BORIS is not colorectal carcinoma-specific, the fusion genes investigated may be a biomarker assemblage for monitoring the progression of colorectal carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Zhang
- Molecular Medical Center, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.R. China
| | - Juan Ren
- Molecular Medical Center, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.R. China
| | - Mengdie Fang
- Molecular Medical Center, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoju Wang
- Molecular Medical Center, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310012, P.R. China
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Liu Q, Chen K, Liu Z, Huang Y, Zhao R, Wei L, Yu X, He J, Liu J, Qi J, Qin Y, Li B. BORIS up-regulates OCT4 via histone methylation to promote cancer stem cell-like properties in human liver cancer cells. Cancer Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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Ashapkin VV, Kutueva LI, Vanyushin BF. Aging as an Epigenetic Phenomenon. Curr Genomics 2017; 18:385-407. [PMID: 29081695 PMCID: PMC5635645 DOI: 10.2174/1389202918666170412112130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 01/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hypermethylation of genes associated with promoter CpG islands, and hypomethylation of CpG poor genes, repeat sequences, transposable elements and intergenic genome sections occur during aging in mammals. Methylation levels of certain CpG sites display strict correlation to age and could be used as "epigenetic clock" to predict biological age. Multi-substrate deacetylases SIRT1 and SIRT6 affect aging via locus-specific modulations of chromatin structure and activity of multiple regulatory proteins involved in aging. Random errors in DNA methylation and other epigenetic marks during aging increase the transcriptional noise, and thus lead to enhanced phenotypic variation between cells of the same tissue. Such variation could cause progressive organ dysfunction observed in aged individuals. Multiple experimental data show that induction of NF-κB regulated gene sets occurs in various tissues of aged mammals. Upregulation of multiple miRNAs occurs at mid age leading to downregulation of enzymes and regulatory proteins involved in basic cellular functions, such as DNA repair, oxidative phosphorylation, intermediate metabolism, and others. CONCLUSION Strong evidence shows that all epigenetic systems contribute to the lifespan control in various organisms. Similar to other cell systems, epigenome is prone to gradual degradation due to the genome damage, stressful agents, and other aging factors. But unlike mutations and other kinds of the genome damage, age-related epigenetic changes could be fully or partially reversed to a "young" state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasily V Ashapkin
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lyudmila I Kutueva
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris F Vanyushin
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Zhao R, Chen K, Zhou J, He J, Liu J, Guan P, Li B, Qin Y. The prognostic role of BORIS and SOCS3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2017; 96:e6420. [PMID: 28328845 PMCID: PMC5371482 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000006420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brother of regulator of imprinted sites (BORIS) is a DNA-binding protein that is normally expressed in the testes. However, aberrant expression of BORIS is observed in various carcinomas, indicating a malignant role for this protein. Furthermore, abolishment or reduction of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression directed by promoter methylation is considered significant in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) carcinogenesis. This study aims to investigate BORIS and SOCS3 expression in HCC specimens and assess the prognostic significance of these proteins.BORIS and SOCS3 expression was examined using immunohistochemistry in HCC tissues, along with corresponding paracarcinomatous, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and normal liver tissues. The expression levels of these 2 proteins in HCC were evaluated for their association with clinicopathological parameters. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, the log-rank test, and multivariate Cox regression analysis.BORIS expression was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in normal liver tissues. In contrast, SOCS3 expression was dramatically lower in HCC tissues. BORIS expression was associated with tumor size, differentiation grade, satellite lesions, and recurrence while SOCS3 expression correlated with differentiation grade, vascular invasion, and recurrence. A significant negative correlation between BORIS and SOCS3 was observed. Patients with high BORIS expression and/or low SOCS3 expression had poorer postoperative survival. Patients with both these characteristics had the poorest prognostic outcome.BORIS and SOCS3 are promising as valuable indicators for predicting HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongce Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center
| | - Kefei Chen
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University
| | - Jingyang He
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center
| | - Peng Guan
- Department of Forensic Pathology, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Li
- Department of Liver Surgery and Liver Transplantation Center
| | - Yang Qin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
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Zhang Y, Fang M, Song Y, Ren J, Fang J, Wang X. Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) suppresses apoptosis in colorectal cancer. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40786. [PMID: 28098226 PMCID: PMC5241680 DOI: 10.1038/srep40786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying oncogenes that promote cancer cell proliferation or survival is critical for treatment of colorectal cancer. The Brother of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) is frequently expressed in most types of cancer, but rarely in normal tissues. Aberrantly expressed BORIS relates to colorectal cancer, but its function in colorectal cancer cells remains unclear. In addition, previous studies indicated the significance of cytoplasm-localized BORIS in cancer cells. However, none of them investigated its function. Herein, we investigated the functions of BORIS in cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis and the role of cytoplasm-localized BORIS in colorectal cancer. BORIS expression correlated with colorectal cancer proliferation. BORIS overexpression promoted colorectal cancer cell growth, whereas BORIS knockdown suppressed cell proliferation. Sensitivity of colorectal cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was inversely correlated with BORIS expression. These data suggest that BORIS functions as an oncogene in colorectal cancer. BORIS silencing induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis, whereas BORIS supplementation inhibited apoptosis induced by BORIS short interfering RNA (siRNA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 5-FU. Introduction of BORIS-ZFdel showed that cytoplasmic localization of BORIS inhibited apoptosis but not ROS production. Our study highlights the anti-apoptotic function of BORIS in colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanmei Zhang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
| | - Mengdie Fang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
| | - Yongfei Song
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
| | - Juan Ren
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
| | - Jianfei Fang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoju Wang
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Science, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310012, P.R. China
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Salmaninejad A, Zamani MR, Pourvahedi M, Golchehre Z, Hosseini Bereshneh A, Rezaei N. Cancer/Testis Antigens: Expression, Regulation, Tumor Invasion, and Use in Immunotherapy of Cancers. Immunol Invest 2016; 45:619-40. [DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2016.1197241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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40
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Pugacheva EM, Teplyakov E, Wu Q, Li J, Chen C, Meng C, Liu J, Robinson S, Loukinov D, Boukaba A, Hutchins AP, Lobanenkov V, Strunnikov A. The cancer-associated CTCFL/BORIS protein targets multiple classes of genomic repeats, with a distinct binding and functional preference for humanoid-specific SVA transposable elements. Epigenetics Chromatin 2016; 9:35. [PMID: 27588042 PMCID: PMC5007689 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-016-0084-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A common aberration in cancer is the activation of germline-specific proteins. The DNA-binding proteins among them could generate novel chromatin states, not found in normal cells. The germline-specific transcription factor BORIS/CTCFL, a paralog of chromatin architecture protein CTCF, is often erroneously activated in cancers and rewires the epigenome for the germline-like transcription program. Another common feature of malignancies is the changed expression and epigenetic states of genomic repeats, which could alter the transcription of neighboring genes and cause somatic mutations upon transposition. The role of BORIS in transposable elements and other repeats has never been assessed. Results The investigation of BORIS and CTCF binding to DNA repeats in the K562 cancer cells dependent on BORIS for self-renewal by ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq revealed three classes of occupancy by these proteins: elements cohabited by BORIS and CTCF, CTCF-only bound, or BORIS-only bound. The CTCF-only enrichment is characteristic for evolutionary old and inactive repeat classes, while BORIS and CTCF co-binding predominately occurs at uncharacterized tandem repeats. These repeats form staggered cluster binding sites, which are a prerequisite for CTCF and BORIS co-binding. At the same time, BORIS preferentially occupies a specific subset of the evolutionary young, transcribed, and mobile genomic repeat family, SVA. Unlike CTCF, BORIS prominently binds to the VNTR region of the SVA repeats in vivo. This suggests a role of BORIS in SVA expression regulation. RNA-seq analysis indicates that BORIS largely serves as a repressor of SVA expression, alongside DNA and histone methylation, with the exception of promoter capture by SVA. Conclusions Thus, BORIS directly binds to, and regulates SVA repeats, which are essentially movable CpG islands, via clusters of BORIS binding sites. This finding uncovers a new function of the global germline-specific transcriptional regulator BORIS in regulating and repressing the newest class of transposable elements that are actively transposed in human genome when activated. This function of BORIS in cancer cells is likely a reflection of its roles in the germline. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13072-016-0084-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evgeny Teplyakov
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Qiongfang Wu
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Chengcheng Meng
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Jian Liu
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Susan Robinson
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIH, NIAID, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Dmitry Loukinov
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, NIH, NIAID, Rockville, MD 20852 USA
| | - Abdelhalim Boukaba
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
| | - Andrew Paul Hutchins
- Department of Biology, Southern University of Science and Technology of China, Shenzhen, 518055 Guangdong China
| | | | - Alexander Strunnikov
- Molecular Epigenetics Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, 510530 Guangdong China
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Yoon SL, Roh YG, Chu IS, Heo J, Kim SI, Chang H, Kang TH, Chung JW, Koh SS, Larionov V, Leem SH. A polymorphic minisatellite region of BORIS regulates gene expression and its rare variants correlate with lung cancer susceptibility. Exp Mol Med 2016; 48:e246. [PMID: 27416782 PMCID: PMC4973313 DOI: 10.1038/emm.2016.50] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant expression of BORIS/CTCFL (Brother of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites/CTCF-like protein) is reported in different malignancies. In this study, we characterized the entire promoter region of BORIS/CTCFL, including the CpG islands, to assess the relationship between BORIS expression and lung cancer. To simplify the construction of luciferase reporter cassettes with various-sized portions of the upstream region, genomic copies of BORIS were isolated using TAR cloning technology. We analyzed three promoter blocks: the GATA/CCAAT box, the CpG islands and the minisatellite region BORIS-MS2. Polymorphic minisatellite sequences were isolated from genomic DNA prepared from the blood of controls and cases. Of the three promoter blocks, the GATA/CCAAT box was determined to be a critical element of the core promoter, while the CpG islands and the BORIS-MS2 minisatellite region were found to act as regulators. Interestingly, the polymorphic minisatellite region BORIS-MS2 was identified as a negative regulator that repressed the expression levels of luciferase reporter cassettes less effectively in cancer cells compared with normal cells. We also examined the association between the size of BORIS-MS2 and lung cancer in a case–control study with 590 controls and 206 lung cancer cases. Rare alleles of BORIS-MS2 were associated with a statistically significantly increased risk of lung cancer (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–4.08; and P=0.039). To conclude, our data provide information on the organization of the BORIS promoter region and gene regulation in normal and cancer cells. In addition, we propose that specific alleles of the BORIS-MS2 region could be used to identify the risk for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Lyun Yoon
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Yun-Gil Roh
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - In-Sun Chu
- Korean Bioinformation Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jeonghoon Heo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Seung Il Kim
- Drug & Disease Target Team, Korea Basic Science Institute, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Heekyung Chang
- Department of Pathology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea
| | - Tae-Hong Kang
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Jin Woong Chung
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Sang Seok Koh
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
| | - Vladimir Larionov
- Developmental Therapeutic Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sun-Hee Leem
- Department of Biological Science, Dong-A University, Busan, Korea
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El-Sharkawy NM, Radwan WM, Essa ES, Kandeel EZ, Abd El-Fattah EK, Kandil SH, Kamel AM. Increased expression of brother of the regulator of imprinted sites in peripheral blood neutrophils is associated with both benign and malignant breast lesions. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2016; 92:355-360. [PMID: 27219508 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Revised: 02/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND BORIS, a paralog of the multifunctional CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) gene is restricted to testis and normally not present in females. It is aberrantly activated in various human cancers including cancer breast. Using immunohistochemistry, western blot and/or RT-PCR, significantly higher levels of BORIS expression were reported in the neutrophils of cancer breast patients. We hypothesized that Flow Cytometry might be a better technique for objective quantitative evaluation of BORIS in neutrophils and we wanted to investigate if BORIS would discriminate between benign and malignant breast lesions. METHODS The study included 85 females; 52 breast cancer, 13 benign breast lesions and 20 age-matched healthy controls. BORIS expression in the neutrophils was detected by Flow Cytometry. RESULTS High level of BORIS was detected in all malignant (64.4 ± 16.6%) and benign cases (67 ± 12.3), mean florescent intensity ratio (MFIR) of 7.2 ± 4.1 and 7 ± 3.5, median 5.8 and 6.6%; and staining index (SI) 8.3 ± 3.9 and 8.2 ± 3.4, median 7.6 and 7.9 respectively vs.13.4 ± 11.5% MFI 1.8 ± 0.7, median1.6 and SI 2.6 ± 0.69, median 2.5 for the control. BORIS level was comparable in the malignant and benign group (P = 0.934) and significantly higher than control (P = 0.0001). There was no correlation between neutrophil BORIS expression and ER/PR status, HER-2/neu expression or tumor stage or size. CONCLUSIONS Increased BORIS expression in peripheral blood neutrophils is associated with both benign and malignant breast lesions; apparently, increased proliferation of breast tissue is the determining factor. This excludes BORIS as a tumor marker but it does not jeopardize its value as a potential therapeutic target. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wafaa M Radwan
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein ElKom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Enas S Essa
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein ElKom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Eman Z Kandeel
- Clinical Pathology Department, NCI, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Samia H Kandil
- Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebein ElKom, Menoufia, Egypt
| | - Azza M Kamel
- Clinical Pathology Department, NCI, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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Weon JL, Potts PR. The MAGE protein family and cancer. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2015; 37:1-8. [PMID: 26342994 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The Melanoma Antigen Gene (MAGE) protein family is a large, highly conserved group of proteins that share a common MAGE homology domain. Intriguingly, many MAGE proteins are restricted in expression to reproductive tissues, but are aberrantly expressed in a wide variety of cancer types. Originally discovered as antigens on tumor cells and developed as cancer immunotherapy targets, recent literature suggests a more prominent role for MAGEs in driving tumorigenesis. This review will highlight recent developments into the function of MAGEs as oncogenes, their mechanisms of action in regulation of ubiquitin ligases, and outstanding questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny L Weon
- Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States
| | - Patrick Ryan Potts
- Departments of Physiology, Pharmacology, and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, United States.
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Frequent disruption of chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 8 (CHD8) and functionally associated chromatin regulators in prostate cancer. Neoplasia 2015; 16:1018-27. [PMID: 25499215 PMCID: PMC4309256 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2014.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Revised: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 10/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal expression and function of chromatin regulators results in the altered chromatin structure seen in cancer. The chromatin regulator CTCF, its cofactor CHD8, and antagonistic paralogue BORIS have wide-ranging effects on gene regulation. Their concurrent expression and regulation was examined in benign, localized, and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) arrays with extended follow-up using an automated quantitative imaging system, VECTRA. Epithelial staining was quantified and compared against a range of clinicopathologic variables. CHD8 expression was decreased in HGPIN, localized, and metastatic PCa compared to benign (P < .001). CHD8 promoter hypermethylation, assessed by Quantitative Pyrosequencing, occurred in over 45% of primary cancers in this population as well as the TGCA database. Treatment of cell lines with the demethylating agent 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine reinduced expression. An interesting dichotomy for CHD8 was observed within primary cancers, with higher nuclear protein expression associated with adverse clinical outcomes including extracapsular extension (P = .007), presence of metastases (P = .025) and worse PSA-recurrence free survival (P = .048). CHD8 outperformed Gleason score and predicted biochemical failure within intermediate grade prostate cancers. The BORIS/CTCF expression ratio increased in localized (P = .03) and metastatic PCa (P = .006) and was associated with higher Gleason score (P = .02), increased tumor volume (P = .02) and positive margins (P = .04). Per cell heterogeneity of expression revealed all protein expression to be more heterogeneous in cancerous tissue (both P < .001), especially high grade (P < .01). In the first detailed analysis in cancer, a marked loss of CHD8 expression and increased BORIS/CTCF ratio indicate frequent disruption of CTCF and its effector genes in PCa.
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Expression of the CTCFL Gene during Mouse Embryogenesis Causes Growth Retardation, Postnatal Lethality, and Dysregulation of the Transforming Growth Factor β Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2015; 35:3436-45. [PMID: 26169830 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00381-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CTCFL, a paralog of CTCF, also known as BORIS (brother of regulator of imprinted sites), is a testis-expressed gene whose function is largely unknown. Its product is a cancer testis antigen (CTA), and it is often expressed in tumor cells and also seen in two benign human vascular malformations, juvenile angiofibromas and infantile hemangiomas. To understand the function of Ctcfl, we created tetracycline-inducible Ctcfl transgenic mice. We show that Ctcfl expression during embryogenesis results in growth retardation, eye malformations, multiorgan pathologies, vascular defects, and neonatal death. This phenotype resembles prior mouse models that perturb the transforming growth factor β (TGFB) pathway. Embryonic stem (ES) cells with the Ctcfl transgene reproduce the phenotype in ES cell-tetraploid chimeras. Transcriptome sequencing of the Ctcfl ES cells revealed 14 genes deregulated by Ctcfl expression. Bioinformatic analysis revealed the TGFB pathway as most affected by embryonic Ctcfl expression. Understanding the consequence of Ctcfl expression in nontesticular cells and elucidating downstream targets of Ctcfl could explain the role of its product as a CTA and its involvement in two, if not more, human vascular malformations.
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Li X, Mei Q, Nie J, Fu X, Han W. Decitabine: a promising epi-immunotherapeutic agent in solid tumors. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2015; 11:363-75. [DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.2015.1002397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Schwarzenbach H, Eichelser C, Steinbach B, Tadewaldt J, Pantel K, Lobanenkov V, Loukinov D. Differential regulation of MAGE-A1 promoter activity by BORIS and Sp1, both interacting with the TATA binding protein. BMC Cancer 2014; 14:796. [PMID: 25363021 PMCID: PMC4230356 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As cancer-testis MAGE-A antigens are targets for tumor immunotherapy, it is important to study the regulation of their expression in cancers. This regulation appears to be rather complex and at the moment controversial. Although it is generally accepted that MAGE-A expression is controlled by epigenetics, the exact mechanisms of that control remain poorly understood. METHODS We analyzed the interplay of another cancer-testis gene, BORIS, and the transcription factors Ets-1 and Sp1 in the regulation of MAGE-A1 gene expression performing luciferase assays, quantitative real-time PCR, sodium bisulfite sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays and pull down experiments. RESULTS We detected that ectopically expressed BORIS could activate and demethylate both endogenous and methylated reporter MAGE-A1 promoter in MCF-7 and micrometastatic BCM1 cancer cell lines. Overexpression of Ets-1 could not further upregulate the promoter activity mediated by BORIS. Surprisingly, in co-transfection experiments we observed that Sp1 partly repressed the BORIS-mediated stimulation, while addition of Ets-1 expression plasmid abrogated the Sp1 mediated repression of MAGE-A1 promoter. Both BORIS and Sp1 interacted with the TATA binding protein (hTBP) suggesting the possibility of a competitive mechanism of action between BORIS and Sp1. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that BORIS and Sp1 have opposite effects on the regulation of MAGE-A1 gene expression. This differential regulation may be explained by direct protein-protein interaction of both factors or by interaction of MAGE-A1 promoter with BORIS alternatively spliced isoforms with different sequence specificity. We also show here that ectopic expression of BORIS can activate transcription from its own locus, inducing all its splice variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Schwarzenbach
- Department of Tumor Biology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, Hamburg 20246, Germany.
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Weth O, Paprotka C, Günther K, Schulte A, Baierl M, Leers J, Galjart N, Renkawitz R. CTCF induces histone variant incorporation, erases the H3K27me3 histone mark and opens chromatin. Nucleic Acids Res 2014; 42:11941-51. [PMID: 25294833 PMCID: PMC4231773 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gku937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2013] [Revised: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulators functionally separate active chromatin domains from inactive ones. The insulator factor, CTCF, has been found to bind to boundaries and to mediate insulator function. CTCF binding sites are depleted for the histone modification H3K27me3 and are enriched for the histone variant H3.3. In order to determine whether demethylation of H3K27me3 and H3.3 incorporation are a requirement for CTCF binding at domain boundaries or whether CTCF causes these changes, we made use of the LacI DNA binding domain to control CTCF binding by the Lac inducer IPTG. Here we show that, in contrast to the related factor CTCFL, the N-terminus plus zinc finger domain of CTCF is sufficient to open compact chromatin rapidly. This is preceded by incorporation of the histone variant H3.3, which thereby removes the H3K27me3 mark. This demonstrates the causal role for CTCF in generating the chromatin features found at insulators. Thereby, spreading of a histone modification from one domain through the insulator into the neighbouring domain is inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Weth
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Christine Paprotka
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Katharina Günther
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Astrid Schulte
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Manuel Baierl
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Joerg Leers
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Niels Galjart
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Erasmus MC, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rainer Renkawitz
- Institute for Genetics, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Alberti L, Renaud S, Losi L, Leyvraz S, Benhattar J. High expression of hTERT and stemness genes in BORIS/CTCFL positive cells isolated from embryonic cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e109921. [PMID: 25279549 PMCID: PMC4184884 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0109921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BORIS/CTCFL is a member of cancer testis antigen family normally expressed in germ cells. In tumors, it is aberrantly expressed although its functions are not completely well-defined. To better understand the functions of BORIS in cancer, we selected the embryonic cancer cells as a model. Using a molecular beacon, which specifically targets BORIS mRNA, we demonstrated that BORIS positive cells are a small subpopulation of tumor cells (3–5% of total). The BORIS-positive cells isolated using BORIS-molecular beacon, expressed higher telomerase hTERT, stem cell (NANOG, OCT4, SOX2) and cancer stem cell marker genes (CD44 and ALDH1) compared to the BORIS-negative tumor cells. In order to define the functional role of BORIS, stable BORIS-depleted embryonic cancer cells were generated. BORIS silencing strongly down-regulated the expression of hTERT, stem cell and cancer stem cell marker genes. Moreover, the BORIS knockdown increased cellular senescence in embryonic cancer cells, revealing a putative role of BORIS in the senescence biological program. Our data indicate an association of BORIS expressing cells subpopulation with the expression of stemness genes, highlighting the critical role played by BORIS in embryonic neoplastic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loredana Alberti
- Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Renaud
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lorena Losi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Serge Leyvraz
- Department of Oncology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean Benhattar
- Institute of Pathology, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Biopath Lab, Lausanne, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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Cheishvili D, Chik F, Li CC, Bhattacharya B, Suderman M, Arakelian A, Hallett M, Rabbani SA, Szyf M. Synergistic effects of combined DNA methyltransferase inhibition and MBD2 depletion on breast cancer cells; MBD2 depletion blocks 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine-triggered invasiveness. Carcinogenesis 2014; 35:2436-46. [PMID: 25178277 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgu181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-azaCdR) not only inhibits growth of non-invasive breast cancer cells but also increases their invasiveness through induction of pro-metastatic genes. Methylated DNA binding protein 2 (MBD2) is involved in silencing methylated tumor suppressor genes as well as activation of pro-metastatic genes. In this study, we show that a combination of MBD2 depletion and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibition in breast cancer cells results in a combined effect in vitro and in vivo, enhancing tumor growth arrest on one hand, while inhibiting invasiveness triggered by 5-azaCdR on the other hand. The combined treatment of MBD2 depletion and 5-azaCdR suppresses and augments distinct gene networks that are induced by DNMT inhibition alone. These data point to a potential new approach in targeting the DNA methylation machinery by combination of MBD2 and DNMT inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheishvili
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and
| | - Flora Chik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and
| | - Chen Chen Li
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and
| | - Bishnu Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Developmental Psychobiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada, McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 0B1, Canada and
| | - Matthew Suderman
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Developmental Psychobiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada, McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 0B1, Canada and
| | - Ani Arakelian
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue West, Room H4.67, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Michael Hallett
- McGill Centre for Bioinformatics, McGill University, 3649 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 0B1, Canada and
| | - Shafaat A Rabbani
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue West, Room H4.67, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Moshe Szyf
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University and Sackler Program for Epigenetics and Developmental Psychobiology, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada,
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