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Varadhan V, Manikandan MS, Nagarajan A, Palaniyandi T, Ravi M, Sankareswaran SK, Baskar G, Wahab MRA, Surendran H. Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) gene signaling pathways in human cancers and their therapeutic implications. Pathol Res Pract 2024; 260:155447. [PMID: 38981349 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2024.155447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is a multifaceted disease driven by abnormal cell growth and poses a significant global health threat. The multifactorial causes, differences in individual susceptibility to therapeutic drugs, and induced drug resistance pose major challenges in addressing cancers effectively. One of the most important aspects in making cancers highly heterogeneous in their physiology lies in the genes involved and the changes occurring to some of these genes in malignant conditions. The Genetic factors have been implicated in the oncogenesis, progression, responses to treatment, and metastasis. One such gene that plays a key role in human cancers is the mutated form of the Ataxia-telangiectasia gene (ATM). ATM gene located on chromosome 11q23, plays a vital role in maintaining genomic stability. Understanding the genetic basis of A-T is crucial for diagnosis, management, and treatment. Breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and gastric cancer exhibit varying relationships with the ATM gene and influence their pathways. Targeting the ATM pathway proves promising for enhancing treatment effectiveness, especially in conjunction with DNA damage response pathways. Analyzing the therapeutic consequences of ATM mutations, especially in these cancer types facilitates the approaches for early detection, intervention, development of personalized treatment approaches, and improved patient outcomes. This review emphasizes the role of the ATM gene in various cancers, highlighting its impact on DNA repair pathways and therapeutic responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Varadhan
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India
| | - Monica Shri Manikandan
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India
| | - Akshaya Nagarajan
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India
| | - Thirunavukkarasu Palaniyandi
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India; Department of Anatomy, Biomedical Research Unit and Laboratory Animal Centre, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Science, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Maddaly Ravi
- Department of Human Genetics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Senthil Kumar Sankareswaran
- Department of Biotechnology, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Avadi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gomathy Baskar
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India
| | | | - Hemapreethi Surendran
- Department of Biotechnology, Dr. M.G.R Educational and Research Institute, Chennai 600095, India
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Zhu C, Fan F, Li CY, Xiong Y, Liu X. Caspase-3 promotes oncogene-induced malignant transformation via EndoG-dependent Src-STAT3 phosphorylation. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:486. [PMID: 38977663 PMCID: PMC11231138 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06884-3] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that caspase-3 plays critical roles beyond apoptosis, serving pro-survival functions in malignant transformation and tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism of non-apoptotic action of caspase-3 in oncogenic transformation remains unclear. In the present study, we show that caspase-3 is consistently activated in malignant transformation induced by exogenous expression of oncogenic cocktail (c-Myc, p53DD, Oct-4, and H-Ras) in vitro as well as in the mouse mammary tumor virus-polyomavirus middle T antigen (MMTV-PyMT) mouse model of breast cancer. Genetic ablation of caspase-3 significantly attenuated oncogene-induced transformation of mammalian cells and delayed breast cancer progression in MMTV-PyMT transgenic mice. Mechanistically, active caspase-3 triggers the translocation of endonuclease G (EndoG) from mitochondria, which migrates to the nucleus, thereby induces phosphorylation of Src-STAT3 signaling pathway to facilitate oncogenic transformation. Taken together, our data suggest that caspase-3 plays pivotal role in facilitating rather than suppressing oncogene-induced malignant transformation of mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Zhu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Fushun Fan
- BeBetter Med Inc., Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuan-Yuan Li
- Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Yan Xiong
- Guangzhou Consen Pharmaceutical Technology Co. Ltd, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Xinjian Liu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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Pecorelli A, Valacchi G. Oxidative-Stress-Sensitive microRNAs in UV-Promoted Development of Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:3224. [PMID: 35804995 PMCID: PMC9265047 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14133224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Melanoma is the most aggressive and life-threatening form of skin cancer. Key molecular events underlying the melanocytic transformation into malignant melanoma mainly involve gene mutations in which exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays a prominent role. However, several aspects of UV-induced melanomagenesis remain to be explored. Interestingly, redox-mediated signaling and perturbed microRNA (miRNA) profiles appear to be interconnected contributing factors able to act synergistically in melanoma initiation and progression. Since UV radiation can promote both redox imbalance and miRNA dysregulation, a harmful crosstalk between these two key cellular networks, with UV as central hub among them, is likely to occur in skin tissue. Therefore, decoding the complex circuits that orchestrate the interaction of UV exposure, oxidative stress, and dysregulated miRNA profiling can provide a deep understanding of the molecular basis of the melanomagenesis process. Furthermore, these mechanistic insights into the reciprocal regulation between these systems could have relevant implications for future therapeutic approaches aimed at counteracting UV-induced redox and miRNome imbalances for the prevention and treatment of malignant melanoma. In this review, we illustrate current information on the intricate connection between UV-induced dysregulation of redox-sensitive miRNAs and well-known signaling pathways involved in the malignant transformation of normal melanocytes to malignant melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pecorelli
- Department of Animal Science, N.C. Research Campus, Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA;
| | - Giuseppe Valacchi
- Department of Animal Science, N.C. Research Campus, Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA;
- Department of Environment and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Korea
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Qian D, Liu H, Zhao L, Luo S, Walsh KM, Huang J, Li CY, Wei Q. A pleiotropic ATM variant (rs1800057 C>G) is associated with risk of multiple cancers. Carcinogenesis 2021; 43:60-66. [PMID: 34643693 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) is an important cell-cycle checkpoint kinase required for cellular response to DNA damage. Activated by DNA double strand breaks, ATM regulates the activities of many downstream proteins involved in various carcinogenic events. Therefore, ATM or its genetic variants may have a pleiotropic effect in cancer development. We conducted a pleiotropic analysis to evaluate associations between genetic variants of ATM and risk of multiple cancers. With genotyping data extracted from previously published genome-wide association studies of various cancers, we performed multivariate logistic regression analysis, followed by a meta-analysis for each cancer site, to identify cancer risk-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the ASSET two-sided analysis, we found that two ATM SNPs were significantly associated with risk of multiple cancers. One tagging SNP (rs1800057 C>G) was associated with risk of multiple cancers (two-sided P=5.27×10 -7). Because ATM rs1800057 is a missense variant, we also explored the intermediate phenotypes through which this variant may confer risk of multiple cancers and identified a possible immune-mediated effect of this variant. Our findings indicate that genetic variants of ATM may have a pleiotropic effect on cancer risk and thus provide an important insight into common mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danwen Qian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, China.,Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hongliang Liu
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Lingling Zhao
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Sheng Luo
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kyle M Walsh
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Jiaoti Huang
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Chuan-Yuan Li
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Qingyi Wei
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA.,Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Beyond the Double-Strand Breaks: The Role of DNA Repair Proteins in Cancer Stem-Cell Regulation. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194818. [PMID: 34638302 PMCID: PMC8508278 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a tumor cell population maintaining tumor growth and promoting tumor relapse if not wholly eradicated during treatment. CSCs are often equipped with molecular mechanisms making them resistant to conventional anti-cancer therapies whose curative potential depends on DNA damage-induced cell death. An elevated expression of some key DNA repair proteins is one of such defense mechanisms. However, new research reveals that the role of critical DNA repair proteins is extending far beyond the DNA repair mechanisms. This review discusses the diverse biological functions of DNA repair proteins in CSC maintenance and the adaptation to replication and oxidative stress, anti-cancer immune response, epigenetic reprogramming, and intracellular signaling mechanisms. It also provides an overview of their potential therapeutic targeting. Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are pluripotent and highly tumorigenic cells that can re-populate a tumor and cause relapses even after initially successful therapy. As with tissue stem cells, CSCs possess enhanced DNA repair mechanisms. An active DNA damage response alleviates the increased oxidative and replicative stress and leads to therapy resistance. On the other hand, mutations in DNA repair genes cause genomic instability, therefore driving tumor evolution and developing highly aggressive CSC phenotypes. However, the role of DNA repair proteins in CSCs extends beyond the level of DNA damage. In recent years, more and more studies have reported the unexpected role of DNA repair proteins in the regulation of transcription, CSC signaling pathways, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, DNA damage signaling plays an essential role in the immune response towards tumor cells. Due to its high importance for the CSC phenotype and treatment resistance, the DNA damage response is a promising target for individualized therapies. Furthermore, understanding the dependence of CSC on DNA repair pathways can be therapeutically exploited to induce synthetic lethality and sensitize CSCs to anti-cancer therapies. This review discusses the different roles of DNA repair proteins in CSC maintenance and their potential as therapeutic targets.
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Li CY. Non-canonical roles of apoptotic and DNA double-strand break repair factors in mediating cellular response to ionizing radiation. Int J Radiat Biol 2021; 99:915-924. [PMID: 34187285 PMCID: PMC8758794 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2021.1948139] [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: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To provide an updated summary of recent advances in our understanding of the non-canonical roles of apoptotic and DNA double-strand break repair factors in various biological processes, especially in the cellular response to radiotherapy. CONCLUSION Apoptotic caspases are usually considered as "executioners'' of unwanted or damaged cells or tissues. However, recent studies indicated they play multiple additional, often counterintuitive roles in many biological processes. Similarly, DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair factors were also found to play unexpected roles beyond repairing damaged DNA. In this review, I will summarize key findings on the non-canonical roles of apoptotic and DSB repair factors in disparate biological and pathological processes such as radiation-induced genetic instability and carcinogenesis, wound healing and tissue regeneration, induced pluripotent stem cell induction, spontaneous and stochastic generation of cancer stem cells, and cancer immunotherapy. I believe these findings will usher in more studies in this exciting and rapidly evolving field.
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Miao T, Peng C, Tang Z, Zeng M, Wang S, Wang X, Guo L, Wang X, Zhao J, Zhao M, Chen J, Liu C. Implication of Ataxia-Telangiectasia-mutated kinase in epithelium-mesenchyme transition. Carcinogenesis 2021; 42:640-649. [PMID: 33417668 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment of genome instability drives the development of cancer by disrupting anti-cancer barriers. Upon genotoxic insults, DNA damage responsive factors, notably ATM kinase, is crucial to protect genomic integrity while promoting cell death. Meanwhile, cytotoxic therapy-inducing DNA lesions is double-edged sword by causing cancer metastasis based on animal models and clinical observations. The underlying mechanisms for the procancer effect of cytotoxic therapies are poorly understood. Here, we report that cancer cells subjected to cytotoxic treatments elicit dramatic alteration of gene expression controlling the potential of epithelium-mesenchyme transition (EMT). Resultantly, EMT-dependent cell mobility is potently induced upon DNA damage. This stimulation of EMT is mainly Ataxia-Telangiectasia-mutated (ATM)-dependent, as the chemical inhibitor specifically inhibiting ATM kinase activity can suppress the EMT gene expression and thus cell mobility. At last, we show that cancer cells with ATM activation display increased metastatic potential in ovarian cancer tissues. Taken together, we reveal a novel role of ATM in promoting metastatic potential of cancer cells by favoring EMT gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyu Miao
- Vascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Changsheng Peng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Zizhi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Ming Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Shi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaojun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Liandi Guo
- College of Pharmacy, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Xiaobo Wang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Jichun Zhao
- Vascular Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Mingcai Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, PR China
| | - Jie Chen
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
| | - Cong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Ministry of Education), Department of Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, PR China
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Chen CW, Buj R, Dahl ES, Leon KE, Aird KM. ATM inhibition synergizes with fenofibrate in high grade serous ovarian cancer cells. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05097. [PMID: 33024871 PMCID: PMC7527645 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
While therapies targeting deficiencies in the homologous recombination (HR) pathway are emerging as the standard treatment for high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) patients, this strategy is limited to the ~50% of patients with a deficiency in this pathway. Therefore, patients with HR-proficient tumors are likely to be resistant to these therapies and require alternative strategies. We found that the HR gene Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is wildtype and its activity is upregulated in HGSOC compared to normal fallopian tube tissue. Interestingly, multiple pathways related to metabolism are inversely correlated with ATM expression in HGSOC specimens, suggesting that combining ATM inhibition with metabolic drugs would be effective. Analysis of FDA-approved drugs from the Dependency Map demonstrated that ATM-low cells are more sensitive to fenofibrate, a PPARα agonist that affects multiple cellular metabolic pathways. Consistently, PPARα signaling is associated with ATM expression. We validated that combined inhibition of ATM and treatment with fenofibrate is synergistic in multiple HGSOC cell lines by inducing senescence. Together, our results suggest that metabolic changes induced by ATM inhibitors are a potential target for the treatment of HGSOC.
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