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Zhong Z, Virshup DM. Recurrent mutations in tumor suppressor FBXW7 bypass Wnt/β-catenin addiction in cancer. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk1031. [PMID: 38569029 PMCID: PMC10990278 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk1031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Pathologic Wnt/β-catenin signaling drives various cancers, leading to multiple approaches to drug this pathway. Appropriate patient selection can maximize success of these interventions. Wnt ligand addiction is a druggable vulnerability in RNF43-mutant/RSPO-fusion cancers. However, pharmacologically targeting the biogenesis of Wnt ligands, e.g., with PORCN inhibitors, has shown mixed therapeutic responses, possibly due to tumor heterogeneity. Here, we show that the tumor suppressor FBXW7 is frequently mutated in RNF43-mutant/RSPO-fusion tumors, and FBXW7 mutations cause intrinsic resistance to anti-Wnt therapies. Mechanistically, FBXW7 inactivation stabilizes multiple oncoproteins including Cyclin E and MYC and antagonizes the cytostatic effect of Wnt inhibitors. Moreover, although FBXW7 mutations do not mitigate β-catenin degradation upon Wnt inhibition, FBXW7-mutant RNF43-mutant/RSPO-fusion cancers instead lose dependence on β-catenin signaling, accompanied by dedifferentiation and loss of lineage specificity. These FBXW7-mutant Wnt/β-catenin-independent tumors are susceptible to multi-cyclin-dependent kinase inhibition. An in-depth understanding of primary resistance to anti-Wnt/β-catenin therapies allows for more appropriate patient selection and use of alternative mechanism-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhong
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
| | - David M. Virshup
- Program in Cancer and Stem Cell Biology, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore 169857, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Zhou Q, Pichlmeier S, Denz AM, Schreiner N, Straub T, Benitz S, Wolff J, Fahr L, Del Socorro Escobar Lopez M, Kleeff J, Mayerle J, Mahajan UM, Regel I. Altered histone acetylation patterns in pancreatic cancer cell lines induce subtype‑specific transcriptomic and phenotypical changes. Int J Oncol 2024; 64:26. [PMID: 38240084 PMCID: PMC10807649 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2024.5614] [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: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often diagnosed at advanced tumor stages with chemotherapy as the only treatment option. Transcriptomic analysis has defined a classical and basal‑like PDAC subtype, which are regulated by epigenetic modification. The present study aimed to determine if drug‑induced epigenetic reprogramming of pancreatic cancer cells affects PDAC subtype identity and chemosensitivity. Classical and basal‑like PDAC cell lines PaTu‑S, Capan‑1, Capan‑2, Colo357, PaTu‑T, PANC‑1 and MIAPaCa‑2, were treated for a short (up to 96 h) and long (up to 30 weeks) period with histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors. The cells were analyzed using gene expression approaches, immunoblot analysis, and various cell assays to assess cell characteristics, such as proliferation, colony formation, cell migration and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs. Classical and basal‑like PDAC cell lines showed pronounced epigenetic regulation of subtype‑specific genes through acetylation of lysine 27 on Histone H3 (H3K27ac). Moreover, classical cell lines revealed a significantly decreased expression of HDAC2 and increased total levels of H3K27ac in comparison with the basal‑like cell lines. Following HAT inhibitor treatment, classical cell lines exhibited a loss of epithelial marker gene expression, decreased chemotherapy response gene score and increased cell migration in vitro, indicating a tumor‑promoting phenotype. HDAC inhibitor treatment, however, exerted minimal reprogramming effects in both subtypes. Epigenetic reprogramming of classical and basal‑like tumor cells did not have a major impact on gemcitabine response, although the gemcitabine transporter gene SLC29A1 (solute carrier family 29 member 1) was epigenetically regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhou
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Svenja Pichlmeier
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Würzburg, D-97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Denz
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Nicole Schreiner
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Straub
- Bioinformatic Unit, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, D-82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Simone Benitz
- Department of Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI 48208, USA
| | - Julia Wolff
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lisa Fahr
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Kleeff
- Department of Surgery, Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Julia Mayerle
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ivonne Regel
- Department of Medicine II, University Hospital, LMU Munich, D-81377 Munich, Germany
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Jiang K, Zhu L, Huang H, Zheng L, Wang Z, Kang X. Lactate score classification of hepatocellular carcinoma helps identify patients with tumors that respond to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2024; 47:175-188. [PMID: 37612583 PMCID: PMC10899304 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-023-00861-2] [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] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) responds poorly to immunotherapy, and the durable response rate is 10-20%. Here, we aim to characterize HCC classifications based on lactate genes to identify patients who may benefit from immunotherapy. METHODS Lactate-related genes were applied for HCC classification in the current study, and lactate Cluster 1 (LC1) and lactate Cluster 2 (LC2) were defined. Differential genes from LC1 and LC2 helped define the following lactate phenotype clusters: lactate phenotype Cluster 1 (LPC1), lactate phenotype Cluster 2 (LPC2) and lactate phenotype Cluster 3 (LPC3). Based on the cluster annotation, the lactate score was defined and analyzed to evaluate the immunotherapy response. RESULTS All the classified clusters were analyzed, and they showed different immune signatures. The survival rate of LPC3 was higher than that of LPC2 (LPC3 vs. LPC2, P = 0.027) and LPC1 (LPC3 vs. LPC1, P = 0.027). Then, the lactate score was annotated and confirmed to be effective in predicting responses to immune checkpoint blockade therapy. CONCLUSION In the current study, we developed a classification system for HCC and defined the lactate score, which was validated to be partially effective in estimating responses among tumor patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Jiang
- Department of Biobank, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lili Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Huizhen Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shanghai General Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Liu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Cancer Institute, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhuqing Wang
- Department of Biobank, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xiaonan Kang
- Department of Biobank, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Fujii M, Sekine S, Sato T. Decoding the basis of histological variation in human cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2024; 24:141-158. [PMID: 38135758 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-023-00648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Molecular abnormalities that shape human neoplasms dissociate their phenotypic landscape from that of the healthy counterpart. Through the lens of a microscope, tumour pathology optically captures such aberrations projected onto a tissue slide and has categorized human epithelial neoplasms into distinct histological subtypes based on the diverse morphogenetic and molecular programmes that they manifest. Tumour histology often reflects tumour aggressiveness, patient prognosis and therapeutic vulnerability, and thus has been used as a de facto diagnostic tool and for making clinical decisions. However, it remains elusive how the diverse histological subtypes arise and translate into pleiotropic biological phenotypes. Molecular analysis of clinical tumour tissues and their culture, including patient-derived organoids, and add-back genetic reconstruction of tumorigenic pathways using gene engineering in culture models and rodents further elucidated molecular mechanisms that underlie morphological variations. Such mechanisms include genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations in cellular identity codes that erode hard-wired morphological programmes and histologically digress tumours from the native tissues. Interestingly, tumours acquire the ability to grow independently of the niche-driven stem cell ecosystem along with these morphological alterations, providing a biological rationale for histological diversification during tumorigenesis. This Review comprehensively summarizes our current understanding of such plasticity in the histological and lineage commitment fostered cooperatively by molecular alterations and the tumour environment, and describes basic and clinical implications for future cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujii
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Shigeki Sekine
- Division of Pathology and Clinical Laboratories, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiro Sato
- Department of Integrated Medicine and Biochemistry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Kim S, Leem G, Choi J, Koh Y, Lee S, Nam SH, Kim JS, Park CH, Hwang HK, Min KI, Jo JH, Lee HS, Chung MJ, Park JY, Park SW, Song SY, Shin EC, Kang CM, Bang S, Park JE. Integrative analysis of spatial and single-cell transcriptome data from human pancreatic cancer reveals an intermediate cancer cell population associated with poor prognosis. Genome Med 2024; 16:20. [PMID: 38297291 PMCID: PMC10832111 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-024-01287-7] [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: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies using single-cell transcriptomic analysis have reported several distinct clusters of neoplastic epithelial cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the pancreatic cancer tumor microenvironment. However, their molecular characteristics and biological significance have not been clearly elucidated due to intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneity. METHODS We performed single-cell RNA sequencing using enriched non-immune cell populations from 17 pancreatic tumor tissues (16 pancreatic cancer and one high-grade dysplasia) and generated paired spatial transcriptomic data from seven patient samples. RESULTS We identified five distinct functional subclusters of pancreatic cancer cells and six distinct cancer-associated fibroblast subclusters. We deeply profiled their characteristics, and we found that these subclusters successfully deconvoluted most of the features suggested in bulk transcriptome analysis of pancreatic cancer. Among those subclusters, we identified a novel cancer cell subcluster, Ep_VGLL1, showing intermediate characteristics between the extremities of basal-like and classical dichotomy, despite its prognostic value. Molecular features of Ep_VGLL1 suggest its transitional properties between basal-like and classical subtypes, which is supported by spatial transcriptomic data. CONCLUSIONS This integrative analysis not only provides a comprehensive landscape of pancreatic cancer and fibroblast population, but also suggests a novel insight to the dynamic states of pancreatic cancer cells and unveils potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seongryong Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Galam Leem
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Junjeong Choi
- Department of Pharmacy and Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Suho Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hee Nam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Su Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Hee Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho Kyoung Hwang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Il Min
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Hyun Jo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Seung Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Moon Jae Chung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Youp Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Woo Park
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Young Song
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eui-Cheol Shin
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Moo Kang
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Pancreatobiliary Cancer Center, Yonsei Cancer Center, Severance Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seungmin Bang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1 Yonsei-Ro, Seodaemun-Gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jong-Eun Park
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-Ro, Yuseong-Gu, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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Krauß L, Schneider C, Hessmann E, Saur D, Schneider G. Epigenetic control of pancreatic cancer metastasis. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:1113-1131. [PMID: 37659057 PMCID: PMC10713713 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10132-z] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Surgical resection, when combined with chemotherapy, has been shown to significantly improve the survival rate of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, this treatment option is only feasible for a fraction of patients, as more than 50% of cases are diagnosed with metastasis. The multifaceted process of metastasis is still not fully understood, but recent data suggest that transcriptional and epigenetic plasticity play significant roles. Interfering with epigenetic reprogramming can potentially control the adaptive processes responsible for metastatic progression and therapy resistance, thereby enhancing treatment responses and preventing recurrence. This review will focus on the relevance of histone-modifying enzymes in pancreatic cancer, specifically on their impact on the metastatic cascade. Additionally, it will also provide a brief update on the current clinical developments in epigenetic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Krauß
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Carolin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Hessmann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Gastrointestinal Oncology and Endocrinology, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinical Research Unit 5002, KFO5002, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Institute for Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, Technical University Munich, 81675, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Günter Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Pediatric Surgery, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- CCC-N (Comprehensive Cancer Center Lower Saxony), 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
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Histone Modifications Represent a Key Epigenetic Feature of Epithelial-to-Mesenchyme Transition in Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054820. [PMID: 36902253 PMCID: PMC10003015 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant diseases due to its high invasiveness, early metastatic properties, rapid disease progression, and typically late diagnosis. Notably, the capacity for pancreatic cancer cells to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is key to their tumorigenic and metastatic potential, and is a feature that can explain the therapeutic resistance of such cancers to treatment. Epigenetic modifications are a central molecular feature of EMT, for which histone modifications are most prevalent. The modification of histones is a dynamic process typically carried out by pairs of reverse catalytic enzymes, and the functions of these enzymes are increasingly relevant to our improved understanding of cancer. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms through which histone-modifying enzymes regulate EMT in pancreatic cancer.
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8
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Wang N, Ma T, Yu B. Targeting epigenetic regulators to overcome drug resistance in cancers. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:69. [PMID: 36797239 PMCID: PMC9935618 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01341-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug resistance is mainly responsible for cancer recurrence and poor prognosis. Epigenetic regulation is a heritable change in gene expressions independent of nucleotide sequence changes. As the common epigenetic regulation mechanisms, DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA regulation have been well studied. Increasing evidence has shown that aberrant epigenetic regulations contribute to tumor resistance. Therefore, targeting epigenetic regulators represents an effective strategy to reverse drug resistance. In this review, we mainly summarize the roles of epigenetic regulation in tumor resistance. In addition, as the essential factors for epigenetic modifications, histone demethylases mediate the histone or genomic DNA modifications. Herein, we comprehensively describe the functions of the histone demethylase family including the lysine-specific demethylase family, the Jumonji C-domain-containing demethylase family, and the histone arginine demethylase family, and fully discuss their regulatory mechanisms related to cancer drug resistance. In addition, therapeutic strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting histone demethylases to overcome drug resistance, are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wang
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Ting Ma
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Bin Yu
- Institute of Drug Discovery & Development, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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9
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Wolf L, Boutros M. The role of Evi/Wntless in exporting Wnt proteins. Development 2023; 150:286996. [PMID: 36763105 PMCID: PMC10112924 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201352] [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] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Intercellular communication by Wnt proteins governs many essential processes during development, tissue homeostasis and disease in all metazoans. Many context-dependent effects are initiated in the Wnt-producing cells and depend on the export of lipidated Wnt proteins. Although much focus has been on understanding intracellular Wnt signal transduction, the cellular machinery responsible for Wnt secretion became better understood only recently. After lipid modification by the acyl-transferase Porcupine, Wnt proteins bind their dedicated cargo protein Evi/Wntless for transport and secretion. Evi/Wntless and Porcupine are conserved transmembrane proteins, and their 3D structures were recently determined. In this Review, we summarise studies and structural data highlighting how Wnts are transported from the ER to the plasma membrane, and the role of SNX3-retromer during the recycling of its cargo receptor Evi/Wntless. We also describe the regulation of Wnt export through a post-translational mechanism and review the importance of Wnt secretion for organ development and cancer, and as a future biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Wolf
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Michael Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division of Signalling and Functional Genomics and Heidelberg University, BioQuant and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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The Relationship between the Expression of GATA4 and GATA6 with the Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020252. [PMID: 36830789 PMCID: PMC9953151 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
GATA4 and GATA6 are transcription factors involved in the differentiation and development of PDAC. GATA6 expression is related to the classic molecular subtype, while its absence is related to the basal-like molecular subtype. The aim was to determine the clinical utility of IHC determination of GATA4 and GATA6 in a series of patients with resected PDAC. GATA4 and GATA6 expression was studied by IHC in TMA samples of normal tissue, PanIN, tumor tissue and lymph node metastases from a series of 89 patients with resected PDAC. Its relationship with clinicopathologic variables and the outcome was investigated. Seventy-two (81%) tumors were GATA6+ and 37 (42%) were GATA4+. While GATA4 expression was reduced during tumor progression, GATA6 expression remained highly conserved, except in lymph node metastases. All patients with early stages and well-differentiated tumors were GATA6+. The absence of GATA4 expression was related to smoking. Patients with GATA4+ or GATA6+ tumors had significantly lower Ca 19.9 levels. The expression of GATA4 and GATA6 was related to DFS, being more favorable in the GATA4+/GATA6+ group. The determination of the expression of GATA4 and GATA6 by IHC is feasible and provides complementary clinical and prognostic information that can help improve the stratification of patients with PDAC.
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11
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Czerwinska P, Mackiewicz AA. Bromodomain (BrD) Family Members as Regulators of Cancer Stemness-A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:995. [PMID: 36674511 PMCID: PMC9861003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24020995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation and chromatin modifications have emerged as critical facilitators of cancer heterogeneity, substantially affecting cancer development and progression, modulating cell phenotypes, and enhancing or inhibiting cancer cell malignant properties. Not surprisingly, considering the importance of epigenetic regulators in normal stem cell maintenance, many chromatin-related proteins are essential to maintaining the cancer stem cell (CSC)-like state. With increased tumor-initiating capacities and self-renewal potential, CSCs promote tumor growth, provide therapy resistance, spread tumors, and facilitate tumor relapse after treatment. In this review, we characterized the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate the acquisition and maintenance of cancer stemness concerning selected epigenetic factors belonging to the Bromodomain (BrD) family of proteins. An increasing number of BrD proteins reinforce cancer stemness, supporting the maintenance of the cancer stem cell population in vitro and in vivo via the utilization of distinct mechanisms. As bromodomain possesses high druggable potential, specific BrD proteins might become novel therapeutic targets in cancers exhibiting de-differentiated tumor characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Czerwinska
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Adam Mackiewicz
- Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Diagnostics and Cancer Immunology, Greater Poland Cancer Centre, 61-866 Poznan, Poland
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12
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Lorberbaum DS, Sarbaugh D, Sussel L. Leveraging the strengths of mice, human stem cells, and organoids to model pancreas development and diabetes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1042611. [PMID: 36339450 PMCID: PMC9634409 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1042611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetes is an epidemic with increasing incidence across the world. Most individuals who are afflicted by this disease have type 2 diabetes, but there are many who suffer from type 1, an autoimmune disorder. Both types of diabetes have complex genetic underpinnings that are further complicated by epigenetic and environmental factors. A less prevalent and often under diagnosed subset of diabetes cases are characterized by single genetic mutations and include Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus (NDM). While the mode of action and courses of treatment for all forms of diabetes are distinct, the diseases all eventually result in the dysfunction and/or death of the pancreatic β cell - the body's source of insulin. With loss of β cell function, blood glucose homeostasis is disrupted, and life-threatening complications arise. In this review, we focus on how model systems provide substantial insights into understanding β cell biology to inform our understanding of all forms of diabetes. The strengths and weaknesses of animal, hPSC derived β-like cell, and organoid models are considered along with discussion of GATA6, a critical transcription factor frequently implicated in pancreatic dysfunction with developmental origins; experimental studies of GATA6 have highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of how each of these model systems can be used to inform our understanding of β cell specification and function in health and disease.
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