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Salnikov P, Korablev A, Serova I, Belokopytova P, Yan A, Stepanchuk Y, Tikhomirov S, Fishman V. Structural variants in the Epb41l4a locus: TAD disruption and Nrep gene misregulation as hypothetical drivers of neurodevelopmental outcomes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5288. [PMID: 38438377 PMCID: PMC10912600 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52545-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Structural variations are a pervasive feature of human genomes, and there is growing recognition of their role in disease development through their impact on spatial chromatin architecture. This understanding has led us to investigate the clinical significance of CNVs in noncoding regions that influence TAD structures. In this study, we focused on the Epb41l4a locus, which contains a highly conserved TAD boundary present in both human chromosome 5 and mouse chromosome 18, and its association with neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Analysis of human data from the DECIPHER database indicates that CNVs within this locus, including both deletions and duplications, are often observed alongside neurological abnormalities, such as dyslexia and intellectual disability, although there is not enough evidence of a direct correlation or causative relationship. To investigate these possible associations, we generated mouse models with deletion and inversion mutations at this locus and carried out RNA-seq analysis to elucidate gene expression changes. We found that modifications in the Epb41l4a TAD boundary led to dysregulation of the Nrep gene, which plays a crucial role in nervous system development. These findings underscore the potential pathogenicity of these CNVs and highlight the crucial role of spatial genome architecture in gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Salnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexey Korablev
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Irina Serova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Polina Belokopytova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Aleksandra Yan
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Yana Stepanchuk
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Savelii Tikhomirov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Veniamin Fishman
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia.
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, Russia.
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2
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Gao C, Ge H, Kuan SF, Cai C, Lu X, Esni F, Schoen R, Wang J, Chu E, Hu J. FAK loss reduces BRAF V600E-induced ERK phosphorylation to promote intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. Res Sq 2024:rs.3.rs-2531119. [PMID: 36778401 PMCID: PMC9915899 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2531119/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BRAF V600E mutation is a driver mutation in the serrated pathway to colorectal cancers. BRAFV600E drives tumorigenesis through constitutive downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, but high-intensity ERK activation can also trigger tumor suppression. Whether and how oncogenic ERK signaling can be intrinsically adjusted to a "just-right" level optimal for tumorigenesis remains undetermined. In this study, we found that FAK (Focal adhesion kinase) expression was reduced in BRAFV600E-mutant adenomas/polyps in mice and patients. In Vill-Cre;BRAFV600E/+;Fakfl/fl mice, Fak deletion maximized BRAFV600E's oncogenic activity and increased cecal tumor incidence to 100%. Mechanistically, our results showed that Fak loss, without jeopardizing BRAFV600E-induced ERK pathway transcriptional output, reduced EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-dependent ERK phosphorylation. Reduction in ERK phosphorylation increased the level of Lgr4, promoting intestinal stemness and cecal tumor formation. Our findings show that a "just-right" ERK signaling optimal for BRAFV600E-induced cecal tumor formation can be achieved via Fak loss-mediated downregulation of ERK phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jing Wang
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center/University of Pittsburgh
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3
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Chang J, Shin MK, Park J, Hwang HJ, Locker N, Ahn J, Kim D, Baek D, Park Y, Lee Y, Boo SH, Kim HI, Kim YK. An interaction between eIF4A3 and eIF3g drives the internal initiation of translation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:10950-10969. [PMID: 37811880 PMCID: PMC10639049 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
An RNA structure or modified RNA sequences can provide a platform for ribosome loading and internal translation initiation. The functional significance of internal translation has recently been highlighted by the discovery that a subset of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is internally translated. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the internal initiation of translation in circRNAs remain unclear. Here, we identify eIF3g (a subunit of eIF3 complex) as a binding partner of eIF4A3, a core component of the exon-junction complex (EJC) that is deposited onto spliced mRNAs and plays multiple roles in the regulation of gene expression. The direct interaction between eIF4A3-eIF3g serves as a molecular linker between the eIF4A3 and eIF3 complex, thereby facilitating internal ribosomal entry. Protein synthesis from in vitro-synthesized circRNA demonstrates eIF4A3-driven internal translation, which relies on the eIF4A3-eIF3g interaction. Furthermore, our transcriptome-wide analysis shows that efficient polysomal association of endogenous circRNAs requires eIF4A3. Notably, a subset of endogenous circRNAs can express a full-length intact protein, such as β-catenin, in an eIF4A3-dependent manner. Collectively, our results expand the understanding of the protein-coding potential of the human transcriptome, including circRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeeyoon Chang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Kyung Shin
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Joori Park
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Hwang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicolas Locker
- Department of Microbial and Cellular Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7HX, UK
| | - Junhak Ahn
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Doyeon Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Daehyun Baek
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeonkyoung Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Lee
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Ho Boo
- Division of Life Sciences, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeong-In Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ki Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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4
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Tse J, O’Keefe R, Rigopolous A, Carli ALE, Waaler J, Krauss S, Ernst M, Buchert M. A Mouse Model for the Rapid and Binomial Assessment of Putative WNT/β-Catenin Signalling Inhibitors. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2719. [PMID: 37893093 PMCID: PMC10604108 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific signalling thresholds of the WNT/β-catenin pathway affect embryogenesis and tissue homeostasis in the adult, with mutations in this pathway frequently occurring in cancer. Excessive WNT/β-catenin activity inhibits murine anterior development associated with embryonic lethality and accounts for the driver event in 80% of human colorectal cancers. Uncontrolled WNT/β-catenin signalling arises primarily from impairment mutation in the tumour suppressor gene APC that otherwise prevents prolonged stabilisation of β-catenin. Surprisingly, no inhibitor compounds for WNT/β-catenin signalling have reached clinical use in part owing to the lack of specific in vivo assays that discriminate between on-target activities and dose-limiting toxicities. Here, we present a simple in vivo assay with a binary outcome whereby the administration of candidate compounds to pregnant and phenotypically normal Apcflox/flox mice can rescue in utero death of Apcmin/flox mutant conceptus without subsequent post-mortem assessment of WNT/β-catenin signalling. Indeed, the phenotypic plasticity of born Apcmin/flox conceptus enables future refinement of our assay to potentially enable dosage finding and cross-compound comparisons. Thus, we show for the first time the suitability of endogenous WNT/β-catenin signalling during embryonic development to provide an unambiguous and sensitive mammalian in vivo model to assess the efficacy and bioavailability of potential WNT/β-catenin antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janson Tse
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia (M.E.)
| | - Ryan O’Keefe
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia (M.E.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Angela Rigopolous
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
- Tumour Targeting Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia
| | - Annalisa L. E. Carli
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia (M.E.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Jo Waaler
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefan Krauss
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, 0424 Oslo, Norway
- Hybrid Technology Hub-Centre of Excellence, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia (M.E.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Michael Buchert
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia (M.E.)
- School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
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5
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LIM SUNGHEE, CHO HEEJIN, KIM KYOUNGMEE, LIM HOYEONG, KANG WONKI, LEE JEEYUN, PARK YOUNGSUK, KIM HEECHEOL, KIM SEUNGTAE. Comprehensive molecular analysis to predict the efficacy of chemotherapy containing bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Oncol Res 2023; 31:855-866. [PMID: 37744267 PMCID: PMC10513961 DOI: 10.32604/or.2023.030374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although bevacizumab is an important treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), not all patients with CRC benefit from it; in unselected patient populations, only modest survival benefits have been reported. Methods We evaluated clinical outcomes in 110 patients using comprehensive molecular characterization to identify biomarkers for a response to bevacizumab-containing treatment. The molecular analysis comprised whole-exome sequencing, ribonucleic acid sequencing, and a methylation array on patient tissues. Results Genomic and molecular characterization was successfully conducted in 103 patients. Six of 103 CRC samples were hypermutated, and none of the non-hypermutant tumors were microsatellite unstable. Among those 103 patients, 89 had adenocarcinoma (ADC), 15 were diagnosed with mucinous ADC, and six had signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). Consensus molecular subtype (CMS) 2 was unique to ADC. Of the four SRCCs, two were CMS1, one was CMS4, and the other was CMS3. APC mutation status was a significantly enriched factor in responders to bevacizumab treatment. Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1/2 signaling was upregulated in non-responders, whereas cell cycle, transfer ribonucleic acid processing, nucleotide excision repair, and oxidative phosphorylation pathways were enriched in responders. In addition, IGF1 was differentially expressed in non-responders (log2 fold change = -1.43, p = 4.11 × 10-5, false discovery rate = 0.098), and FLT1 was highly methylated in non-responders (p = 7.55 × 10-3). When the molecular pathways were reanalyzed separately according to the backbone chemotherapy (FOLFOX vs. FOLFIRI), the significance of the molecular pathways varied according to the backbone chemotherapy. Conclusions This study sought a subset of CRC patients with a distinct clinical response to chemotherapy containing bevacizumab. Our results need to be validated in a large group of homogenous patient cohort and examined according to the different chemotherapy backbones to create personalized therapeutic opportunities in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- SUNG HEE LIM
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - HEE JIN CHO
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
- Precision Medicine Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
- Department of Biomedical Convergence Science and Technology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Korea
| | - KYOUNG-MEE KIM
- Department of Pathology and Translational Genomics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - HO YEONG LIM
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - WON KI KANG
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - JEEYUN LEE
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - YOUNG SUK PARK
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - HEE CHEOL KIM
- Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
| | - SEUNG TAE KIM
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
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6
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Flanagan DJ, Woodcock SA, Phillips C, Eagle C, Sansom OJ. Targeting ligand-dependent wnt pathway dysregulation in gastrointestinal cancers through porcupine inhibition. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 238:108179. [PMID: 35358569 PMCID: PMC9531712 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gastrointestinal cancers are responsible for more cancer deaths than any other system of the body. This review summarises how Wnt pathway dysregulation contributes to the development of the most common gastrointestinal cancers, with a particular focus on the nature and frequency of upstream pathway aberrations. Tumors with upstream aberrations maintain a dependency on the presence of functional Wnt ligand, and are predicted to be tractable to inhibitors of Porcupine, an enzyme that plays a key role in Wnt secretion. We summarise available pre-clinical efficacy data from Porcupine inhibitors in vitro and in vivo, as well as potential toxicities and the data from early phase clinical trials. We appraise the rationale for biomarker-defined targeted approaches, as well as outlining future opportunities for combination with other therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin J Flanagan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Owen J Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK; Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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7
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Tarnow G, Matrenec R, Oropeza CE, Maienschein-Cline M, McLachlan A. Distinct phenotypic spectra of hepatocellular carcinoma in liver-specific tumor suppressor-deficient hepatitis B virus transgenic mice. Virology 2022; 574:84-95. [PMID: 35961146 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mouse model was used to interrogate the origins of HCC heterogeneity. HBV biosynthesis was used as a marker of liver tumor heterogeneity. Principal component and correlation analysis of HBV and cellular transcript levels demonstrated major differences within and between the gene expression profiles of Apc-deficient, Apc-deficient Pten-deficient, and Pten-deficient HCC. Hence, both oncogenic stimuli and zonal hepatocyte properties determine heterogeneous HCC phenotypes. Additionally, Apc-deficient HCC display decreased expression of Apob, Otc and Tet2 relative to Pten-deficient HCC and control liver tissue suggesting their gene products may represent markers of Apc-deficient HCC. A subset of human HCC with mutations in the β-catenin gene (CTNNB1) displayed a gene expression profile similar to that observed in the mouse Apc-deficient HCC indicating this model of liver cancer may be useful for interrogating the molecular properties of these tumors and their potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Tarnow
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rachel Matrenec
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Claudia E Oropeza
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Research Resources Center, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Alan McLachlan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 909 South Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Kotolloshi R, Gajda M, Grimm MO, Steinbach D. Wnt/β-Catenin Signalling and Its Cofactor BCL9L Have an Oncogenic Effect in Bladder Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23. [PMID: 35628130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is characterised by a high recurrence and progression rate. However, the molecular mechanisms of BC progression remain poorly understood. BCL9L, a coactivator of β-catenin was mutated in the 5′ and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs). We assessed the influence of UTRs mutations on BCL9L, and the role of BCL9L and Wnt/β-catenin signalling in BC cells. UTR mutations were analysed by a luciferase reporter. BCL9L protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry in BC tissues. Cell proliferation was examined by crystal violet staining and by the spheroid model. Moreover, migration and invasion were analysed in real-time using the xCelligence RTCA system. The A > T mutation at 3′ UTR of BCL9L reduces the luciferase reporter mRNA expression and activity. BCL9L is predominantly increased in dysplastic urothelial cells and muscle-invasive BC. Knockdown of BCL9L and inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling significantly repress the proliferation, migration and invasion of Cal29 and T24. In addition, BCL9L knockdown reduces mRNA level of Wnt/β-catenin target genes in Cal29 but not in T24 cells. BCL9L and Wnt/β-catenin signalling play an oncogenic role in bladder cancer cells and seems to be associated with BC progression. Nevertheless, the involvement of BCL9L in Wnt/β-catenin signalling is cell-line specific.
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Faux MC, Weinstock J, Gogos S, Prato E, Azimpour AI, O'Keefe R, Cathcart-King Y, Garnham AL, Ernst M, Preaudet A, Christie M, Putoczki TL, Buchert M, Burgess AW. Combined Treatment with a WNT Inhibitor and the NSAID Sulindac Reduces Colon Adenoma Burden in Mice with Truncated APC. Cancer Res Commun 2022; 2:66-77. [PMID: 36860494 PMCID: PMC9973414 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-21-0105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) truncations occur in many colorectal cancers and are often associated with immune infiltration. The aim of this study was to determine whether a combination of Wnt inhibition with anti-inflammatory (sulindac) and/or proapototic (ABT263) drugs can reduce colon adenomas. Apc min/+ and doublecortin-like kinase 1 (Dclk1)Cre/+ ;Apc fl/fl mice were exposed to dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in their drinking water to promote the formation of colon adenomas. Mice were then treated with either a Wnt-signaling antagonist pyrvinium pamoate (PP), an anti-inflammatory agent sulindac or proapoptotic compound ABT263 or a combination of PP+ABT263, or PP+sulindac. Colon adenoma frequency, size, and T-cell abundance were measured. DSS treatment resulted in significant increases in colon adenoma number (P < 0.001, n > 5) and burden in Apc min/+ (P < 0.01, n > 5) and Dclk1 Cre/+ ;Apc fl/fl (P < 0.02, n > 5) mice. There was no effect on adenomas following treatment with PP in combination with ABT263. Adenoma number and burden were reduced with PP+sulindac treatment in Dclk1 Cre/+;Apc fl/fl mice (P < 0.01, n > 17) and in Apc min/+ mice (P < 0.001, n > 7) treated with sulindac or PP+sulindac with no detectable toxicity. PP treatment of Apc min/+ mice increased the frequency of CD3+ cells in the adenomas. The combination of Wnt pathway inhibition with sulindac was more effective in Dclk1 Cre/+;Apc fl/fl mice and provides an opportunity for killing Apc-mutant colon adenoma cells, indicating a strategy for both colorectal cancer prevention and potential new treatments for patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Outcomes from the results of this study may be translatable to the clinic for management of FAP and other patients with a high risk of developing colorectal cancer. Significance Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide with limited therapeutic options. APC and other Wnt signaling mutations occur in the majority of colorectal cancers but there are currently no Wnt inhibitors in the clinic. The combination of Wnt pathway inhibition with sulindac provides an opportunity for killing Apc-mutant colon adenoma cells and suggests a strategy for colorectal cancer prevention and new treatments for patients with advanced colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maree C. Faux
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, RMH, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Corresponding Authors: Maree C. Faux, Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Phone: 613-8341-6200; Fax: 613-8341-6212; E-mail: ; and Antony Burgess, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Phone: 613-9345-2555; Fax: 613-9347-0852; E-mail:
| | - Janet Weinstock
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Deceased
| | - Sophia Gogos
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Prato
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexander I. Azimpour
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan O'Keefe
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yasmin Cathcart-King
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alexandra L. Garnham
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Adele Preaudet
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Christie
- Department of Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracy L. Putoczki
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, RMH, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Buchert
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.,School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Antony W. Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Surgery, RMH, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Corresponding Authors: Maree C. Faux, Cell Biology, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Phone: 613-8341-6200; Fax: 613-8341-6212; E-mail: ; and Antony Burgess, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Phone: 613-9345-2555; Fax: 613-9347-0852; E-mail:
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10
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Parsons MJ, Tammela T, Dow LE. WNT as a Driver and Dependency in Cancer. Cancer Discov 2021; 11:2413-2429. [PMID: 34518209 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-21-0190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The WNT signaling pathway is a critical regulator of development and adult tissue homeostasis and becomes dysregulated in many cancer types. Although hyperactivation of WNT signaling is common, the type and frequency of genetic WNT pathway alterations can vary dramatically between different cancers, highlighting possible cancer-specific mechanisms for WNT-driven disease. In this review, we discuss how WNT pathway disruption contributes to tumorigenesis in different organs and how WNT affects the tumor cell and immune microenvironment. Finally, we describe recent and ongoing efforts to target oncogenic WNT signaling as a therapeutic strategy. SIGNIFICANCE: WNT signaling is a fundamental regulator of tissue homeostasis and oncogenic driver in many cancer types. In this review, we highlight recent advances in our understanding of WNT signaling in cancer, particularly the complexities of WNT activation in distinct cancer types, its role in immune evasion, and the challenge of targeting the WNT pathway as a therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie J Parsons
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Tuomas Tammela
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Lukas E Dow
- Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York. .,Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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11
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Chang J, Xavier HW, Chen D, Liu Y, Li H, Bian Z. Potential Role of Traditional Chinese Medicines by Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway Compared With Targeted Small Molecules in Colorectal Cancer Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:690501. [PMID: 34381360 PMCID: PMC8350388 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.690501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) has become a global public health problem because of its high incidence and mortality rate worldwide. The previous clinical treatment for CRC mainly involves conventional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. With the development of tumor molecular targeted therapy, small molecule inhibitors present a great advantage in improving the survival of patients with advanced CRC. However, various side effects and drug resistance induced by chemotherapy are still the major obstacles to improve the clinical benefit. Thus, it is crucial to find new and alternative drugs for CRC treatment. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have been proved to have low toxicity and multi-target characteristics. In the last few decades, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that TCMs exhibit strong anticancer effects in both experimental and clinical models and may serve as alternative chemotherapy agents for CRC treatment. Notably, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a vital role in the initiation and progression of CRC by modulating the stability of β-catenin in the cytoplasm. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin pathway is a novel direction for developing therapies for CRC. In this review, we outlined the anti-tumor effects of small molecular inhibitors on CRC through Wnt/β-catenin pathway. More importantly, we focused on the potential role of TCMs against tumors by targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling at different stages of CRC, including precancerous lesions, early stage of CRC and advanced CRC. Furthermore, we also discussed perspectives to develop potential new drugs from TCMs via Wnt/β-catenin pathway for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinrong Chang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Dongfeng Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yamei Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhaoxiang Bian
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
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12
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Wang W, Liu P, Lavrijsen M, Li S, Zhang R, Li S, van de Geer WS, van de Werken HJG, Peppelenbosch MP, Smits R. Evaluation of AXIN1 and AXIN2 as targets of tankyrase inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Sci Rep 2021; 11:7470. [PMID: 33811251 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-87091-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
AXIN1 mutations are observed in 8-10% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and originally were considered to support tumor growth by aberrantly enhancing β-catenin signaling. This view has however been challenged by reports showing neither a clear nuclear β-catenin accumulation nor clearly enhanced expression of β-catenin target genes. Here, using nine HCC lines, we show that AXIN1 mutation or siRNA mediated knockdown contributes to enhanced β-catenin signaling in all AXIN1-mutant and non-mutant lines, also confirmed by reduced signaling in AXIN1-repaired SNU449 cells. Both AXIN1 and AXIN2 work synergistically to control β-catenin signaling. While in the AXIN1-mutant lines, AXIN2 is solely responsible for keeping signaling in check, in the non-mutant lines both AXIN proteins contribute to β-catenin regulation to varying levels. The AXIN proteins have gained substantial interest in cancer research for a second reason. Their activity in the β-catenin destruction complex can be increased by tankyrase inhibitors, which thus may serve as a therapeutic option to reduce the growth of β-catenin-dependent cancers. At concentrations that inhibit tankyrase activity, some lines (e.g. HepG2, SNU398) were clearly affected in colony formation, but in most cases apparently independent from effects on β-catenin signaling. Overall, our analyses show that AXIN1 inactivation leads to enhanced β-catenin signaling in HCC cell lines, questioning the strong statements that have been made in this regard. Enhancing AXIN activity by tankyrase monotherapy provides however no effective treatment to affect their growth exclusively through reducing β-catenin signaling.
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13
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Caspi M, Wittenstein A, Kazelnik M, Shor-Nareznoy Y, Rosin-Arbesfeld R. Therapeutic targeting of the oncogenic Wnt signaling pathway for treating colorectal cancer and other colonic disorders. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 169:118-136. [PMID: 33346022 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The canonical Wnt pathway is one of the key cellular signaling cascades that regulates, via the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin, numerous embryogenic developmental processes, as well as tissue homeostasis. It is therefore not surprising that misregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Aberrant Wnt signaling has been reported in a variety of malignancies, and its role in both hereditary and sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC), has been the subject of intensive study. Interestingly, the vast majority of colorectal tumors harbor mutations in the tumor suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC). The Wnt pathway is complex, and despite decades of research, the mechanisms that underlie its functions are not completely known. Thus, although the Wnt cascade is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention against CRC, one of the malignancies with the highest morbidity and mortality rates, achieving efficacy and safety is yet extremely challenging. Here, we review the current knowledge of the Wnt different epistatic signaling components and the mechanism/s by which the signal is transduced in both health and disease, focusing on CRC. We address some of the important questions in the field and describe various therapeutic strategies designed to combat unregulated Wnt signaling, the development of targeted therapy approaches and the emerging challenges that are associated with these advanced methods.
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14
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Ding S, Hu C, Fang J, Liu G. The Protective Role of Probiotics against Colorectal Cancer. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2020; 2020:8884583. [PMID: 33488940 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8884583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and a major global public health problem. With the rapid development of the economy, the incidence of CRC has increased linearly. Accumulating evidence indicates that changes in the gut microenvironment, such as undesirable changes in the microbiota composition, provide favorable conditions for intestinal inflammation and shaping the tumor growth environment, whereas administration of certain probiotics can reverse this situation to a certain extent. This review summarizes the roles of probiotics in the regulation of CRC, such as enhancing the immune barrier, regulating the intestinal immune state, inhibiting pathogenic enzyme activity, regulating CRC cell proliferation and apoptosis, regulating redox homeostasis, and reprograming intestinal microbial composition. Abundant studies have provided a theoretical foundation for the roles of probiotics in CRC prevention and treatment, but their mechanisms of action remain to be investigated, and further clinical trials are warranted for the application of probiotics in the target population.
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15
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Kim MJ, Huang Y, Park JI. Targeting Wnt Signaling for Gastrointestinal Cancer Therapy: Present and Evolving Views. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E3638. [PMID: 33291655 PMCID: PMC7761926 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling governs tissue development, homeostasis, and regeneration. However, aberrant activation of Wnt promotes tumorigenesis. Despite the ongoing efforts to manipulate Wnt signaling, therapeutic targeting of Wnt signaling remains challenging. In this review, we provide an overview of current clinical trials to target Wnt signaling, with a major focus on gastrointestinal cancers. In addition, we discuss the caveats and alternative strategies for therapeutically targeting Wnt signaling for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moon Jong Kim
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
| | - Yuanjian Huang
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
| | - Jae-Il Park
- Department of Experimental Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (M.J.K.); (Y.H.)
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Program in Genetics and Epigenetics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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16
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Söderholm S, Cantù C. The WNT/β‐catenin dependent transcription: A tissue‐specific business. WIREs Mech Dis 2020; 13:e1511. [PMID: 33085215 PMCID: PMC9285942 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
β‐catenin‐mediated Wnt signaling is an ancient cell‐communication pathway in which β‐catenin drives the expression of certain genes as a consequence of the trigger given by extracellular WNT molecules. The events occurring from signal to transcription are evolutionarily conserved, and their final output orchestrates countless processes during embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. Importantly, a dysfunctional Wnt/β‐catenin pathway causes developmental malformations, and its aberrant activation is the root of several types of cancer. A rich literature describes the multitude of nuclear players that cooperate with β‐catenin to generate a transcriptional program. However, a unified theory of how β‐catenin drives target gene expression is still missing. We will discuss two types of β‐catenin interactors: transcription factors that allow β‐catenin to localize at target regions on the DNA, and transcriptional co‐factors that ultimately activate gene expression. In contrast to the presumed universality of β‐catenin's action, the ensemble of available evidence suggests a view in which β‐catenin drives a complex system of responses in different cells and tissues. A malleable armamentarium of players might interact with β‐catenin in order to activate the right “canonical” targets in each tissue, developmental stage, or disease context. Discovering the mechanism by which each tissue‐specific β‐catenin response is executed will be crucial to comprehend how a seemingly universal pathway fosters a wide spectrum of processes during development and homeostasis. Perhaps more importantly, this could ultimately inform us about which are the tumor‐specific components that need to be targeted to dampen the activity of oncogenic β‐catenin. This article is categorized under:Cancer > Molecular and Cellular Physiology Cancer > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics Cancer > Stem Cells and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Söderholm
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
| | - Claudio Cantù
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine Linköping University Linköping Sweden
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology, Faculty of Health Science Linköping University Linköping Sweden
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Abstract
The WNT pathway is a pleiotropic signaling pathway that controls developmental processes, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. The WNT pathway is commonly mutated in many cancers, leading to widespread research into the role of WNT signaling in carcinogenesis. Understanding which cancers are reliant upon WNT activation and which components of the WNT signaling pathway are mutated is paramount to advancing therapeutic strategies. In addition, building holistic insights into the role of WNT signaling in not only tumor cells but also the tumor microenvironment is a vital area of research and may be a promising therapeutic strategy in multiple immunologically inert cancers. Novel compounds aimed at modulating the WNT signaling pathway using diverse mechanisms are currently under investigation in preclinical/early clinical studies. Here, we review how the WNT pathway is activated in multiple cancers and discuss current strategies to target aberrant WNT signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rene Jackstadt
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Owen James Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow G61 1BD, United Kingdom
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G61 1QH, United Kingdom
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18
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Liu P, Liang B, Liu M, Lebbink JH, Li S, Qian M, Lavrijsen M, Peppelenbosch MP, Chen X, Smits R. Oncogenic Mutations in Armadillo Repeats 5 and 6 of β-Catenin Reduce Binding to APC, Increasing Signaling and Transcription of Target Genes. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1029-1043.e10. [PMID: 31857074 PMCID: PMC7179799 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the most commonly deregulated pathways in cancer cells. Amino acid substitutions within armadillo repeats 5 and 6 (K335, W383, and N387) of β-catenin are found in several tumor types, including liver tumors. We investigated the mechanisms by which these substitutions increase signaling and the effects on liver carcinogenesis in mice. METHODS Plasmids encoding tagged full-length β-catenin (CTNNB1) or β-catenin with the K335I or N387K substitutions, along with MET, were injected into tails of FVB/N mice. Tumor growth was monitored, and livers were collected and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Tagged full-length and mutant forms of β-catenin were expressed in HEK293, HCT116, and SNU449 cells, which were analyzed by immunoblots and immunoprecipitation. A panel of β-catenin variants and cell lines with knock-in mutations were analyzed for differences in N-terminal phosphorylation, half-life, and association with other proteins in the signaling pathway. RESULTS Mice injected with plasmids encoding K335I or N387K β-catenin and MET developed larger, more advanced tumors than mice injected with plasmids encoding WT β-catenin and MET. K335I and N387K β-catenin bound APC with lower affinity than WT β-catenin but still interacted with scaffold protein AXIN1 and in the nucleus with TCF7L2. This interaction resulted in increased transcription of genes regulated by β-catenin. Studies of protein structures supported the observed changes in relative binding affinities. CONCLUSION Expression of β-catenin with mutations in armadillo repeats 5 and 6, along with MET, promotes formation of liver tumors in mice. In contrast to N-terminal mutations in β-catenin that directly impair its phosphorylation by GSK3 or binding to BTRC, the K335I or N387K substitutions increase signaling via reduced binding to APC. However, these mutant forms of β-catenin still interact with the TCF family of transcription factors in the nucleus. These findings show how these amino acid substitutions increase β-catenin signaling in cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengyu Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | - Binyong Liang
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,Hepatic Surgery Center, Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
| | - Menggang Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Daping Hospital, The Third Military Medical University, 10 Changjiangzhilu Daping, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Joyce H.G. Lebbink
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Cancer Genomics Netherlands, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands,Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | - Manning Qian
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA,The Clinical Medical Testing Laboratory, Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital and Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Marla Lavrijsen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | - Maikel P. Peppelenbosch
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Liver Center, University of California, San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Ron Smits
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
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Haseeb M, Pirzada RH, Ain QU, Choi S. Wnt Signaling in the Regulation of Immune Cell and Cancer Therapeutics. Cells 2019; 8:E1380. [PMID: 31684152 DOI: 10.3390/cells8111380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the important pathways to play a major role in various biological processes, such as embryonic stem-cell development, tissue regeneration, cell differentiation, and immune cell regulation. Recent studies suggest that Wnt signaling performs an essential function in immune cell modulation and counteracts various disorders. Nonetheless, the emerging role and mechanism of action of this signaling cascade in immune cell regulation, as well as its involvement in various cancers, remain debatable. The Wnt signaling in immune cells is very diverse, e.g., the tolerogenic role of dendritic cells, the development of natural killer cells, thymopoiesis of T cells, B-cell-driven initiation of T-cells, and macrophage actions in tissue repair, regeneration, and fibrosis. The purpose of this review is to highlight the current therapeutic targets in (and the prospects of) Wnt signaling, as well as the potential suitability of available modulators for the development of cancer immunotherapies. Although there are several Wnt inhibitors relevant to cancer, it would be worthwhile to extend this approach to immune cells.
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Dzobo K, Thomford NE, Senthebane DA. Targeting the Versatile Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics: From Concept to Actionable Strategy. OMICS 2019; 23:517-538. [PMID: 31613700 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2019.0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This expert review offers a critical synthesis of the latest insights and approaches at targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in various cancers such as colorectal cancer, melanoma, leukemia, and breast and lung cancers. Notably, from organogenesis to cancer, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling displays varied and highly versatile biological functions in animals, with virtually all tissues requiring the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in one way or the other. Aberrant expression of the members of the Wnt/β-catenin has been implicated in many pathological conditions, particularly in human cancers. Mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway genes have been noted in diverse cancers. Biochemical and genetic data support the idea that inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is beneficial in cancer therapeutics. The interaction of this important pathway with other signaling systems is also noteworthy, but remains as an area for further research and discovery. In addition, formation of different complexes by components of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the precise roles of these complexes in the cytoplasmic milieu are yet to be fully elucidated. This article highlights the latest medical technologies in imaging, single-cell omics, use of artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning techniques), genome sequencing, quantum computing, molecular docking, and computational softwares in modeling interactions between molecules and predicting protein-protein and compound-protein interactions pertinent to the biology and therapeutic value of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We discuss these emerging technologies in relationship to what is currently needed to move from concept to actionable strategies in translating the Wnt/β-catenin laboratory discoveries to Wnt-targeted cancer therapies and diagnostics in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Dzobo
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicholas Ekow Thomford
- Pharmacogenetics Research Group, Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Dimakatso A Senthebane
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Cape Town, South Africa.,Division of Medical Biochemistry and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Yan L, Yu HH, Liu YS, Wang YS, Zhao WH. Esculetin enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-Fluorouracil on the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of colorectal cancer. Cancer Biomark 2019; 24:231-240. [PMID: 30689555 DOI: 10.3233/cbm-181764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignant disease worldwide and thus new therapeutic approaches are needed. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) remains the most widely used agent to treat colorectal cancer (CRC). However, its clinical efficacy is currently limited by the development of drug resistance. Esculetin (EST), a coumarin, was found to have anti-proliferative and anti-migration activity in cancer. OBJECTIVE This research aims to evaluated the influence and possible mechanism of EST on the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC cell lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human CRC cell lines HT-29, SW480, HCT-116, and Caco-2 were treated with various concentrations of EST (0.2, 2, 20, 200, 2000 μg/ml) or 5-FU (0.1, 1, 10, 100, 1000 μg/ml) for 48 h, and cell viability was determined by the MTT and CCK-8 assay. The motility of HCT-116 cells was detected by scratch assay. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression. Besides, levels of Wnt3a and VEGF in HCT-116 cell culture medium supernatant were analyzed by ELISA. The anti-tumor effect was detected with HCT-116 subcutaneous tumor bearing tumor model by monitoring the tumor vomume in vivo. Finally, the tumoral expression of VEGF was measured by immunohistochemistry, and the expression of Ki67, PCNA, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cyclin D1, MMP2 and MMP7 was measured by Western blot analysis. RESULTS EST inhibited HCT-116 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis revealed that EST decreased the expression of Ki67, PCNA, N-cadherin, E-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cyclin D1, MMP2 and MMP7. Furthermore, EST reduced the release of Wnt3a and VEGF into HCT-116 cells culture medium. After EST treatment, the tumor volume was significant smaller than that of the control group, and the tumoral levels of VEGF were decreased. Moreover, western blot analysis indicated that the expression of Ki67, PCNA, β-catenin, c-Myc, Cyclin D1, MMP2 and MMP7 were also significantly decreased after treated with EST. In addition, in vitro and in vivo anti-tumor results demonstrated that EST combined with 5-FU could increase the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on HCT-116 cells proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONS EST enhances the inhibitory effect of 5-FU on the proliferation, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Yan
- Department of Oncology and Pneumology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, China
| | - Hai-Hua Yu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Yuan-Shui Liu
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
| | - Yan-Sen Wang
- Department of Oncology and Pneumology, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250031, China
| | - Wen-Hua Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250014, China
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Mohamed NE, Hay T, Reed KR, Smalley MJ, Clarke AR. APC2 is critical for ovarian WNT signalling control, fertility and tumour suppression. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:677. [PMID: 31291912 PMCID: PMC6617595 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5867-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canonical WNT signalling plays a critical role in the regulation of ovarian development; mis-regulation of this key pathway in the adult ovary is associated with subfertility and tumourigenesis. The roles of Adenomatous polyposis coli 2 (APC2), a little-studied WNT signalling pathway regulator, in ovarian homeostasis, fertility and tumourigenesis have not previously been explored. Here, we demonstrate essential roles of APC2 in regulating ovarian WNT signalling and ovarian homeostasis. METHODS A detailed analysis of ovarian histology, gene expression, ovulation and hormone levels was carried out in 10 week old and in aged constitutive APC2-knockout (Apc2-/-) mice (mixed background). Statistical significance for qRT-PCR data was determined from 95% confidence intervals. Significance testing was performed using 2-tailed Student's t-test, when 2 experimental cohorts were compared. When more were compared, ANOVA test was used, followed by a post-hoc test (LSD or Games-Howell). P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS APC2-deficiency resulted in activation of ovarian WNT signalling and sub-fertility driven by intra-ovarian defects. Follicular growth was perturbed, resulting in a reduced rate of ovulation and corpora lutea formation, which could not be rescued by administration of gonadotrophins. Defects in steroidogenesis and follicular vascularity contributed to the subfertility phenotype. Tumour incidence was assessed in aged APC2-deficient mice, which also carried a hypomorphic Apc allele. APC2-deficiency in these mice resulted in predisposition to granulosa cell tumour (GCT) formation, accompanied by acute tumour-associated WNT-signalling activation and a histologic pattern and molecular signature seen in human adult GCTs. CONCLUSIONS Our work adds APC2 to the growing list of WNT-signalling members that regulate ovarian homeostasis, fertility and suppress GCT formation. Importantly, given that the APC2-deficient mouse develops tumours that recapitulate the molecular signature and histological features of human adult GCTs, this mouse has excellent potential as a pre-clinical model to study ovarian subfertility and transitioning to GCT, tumour biology and for therapeutic testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha-Ehssan Mohamed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy, Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
- Hormones Evaluation Department, National Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR), Giza, Egypt
- Present address: CRUK Beatson Institute, Switchback road, Bearsden, Glasgow, G61 1BD UK
| | - Trevor Hay
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy, Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Karen R. Reed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy, Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Matthew J. Smalley
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy, Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
| | - Alan R. Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, Hadyn Ellis Building, Maindy, Road, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ UK
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23
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Short SP, Barrett CW, Stengel KR, Revetta FL, Choksi YA, Coburn LA, Lintel MK, McDonough EM, Washington MK, Wilson KT, Prokhortchouk E, Chen X, Hiebert SW, Reynolds AB, Williams CS. Kaiso is required for MTG16-dependent effects on colitis-associated carcinoma. Oncogene 2019; 38:5091-5106. [PMID: 30858547 PMCID: PMC6586520 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-019-0777-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The myeloid translocation gene family member MTG16 is a transcriptional corepressor that relies on the DNA-binding ability of other proteins to determine specificity. One such protein is the ZBTB family member Kaiso, and the MTG16:Kaiso interaction is necessary for repression of Kaiso target genes such as matrix metalloproteinase-7. Using the azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) murine model of colitis-associated carcinoma, we previously determined that MTG16 loss accelerates tumorigenesis and inflammation. However, it was unknown whether this effect was modified by Kaiso-dependent transcriptional repression. To test for a genetic interaction between MTG16 and Kaiso in inflammatory carcinogenesis, we subjected single and double knockout (DKO) mice to the AOM/DSS protocol. Mtg16−/− mice demonstrated increased colitis and tumor burden; in contrast, disease severity in Kaiso−/− mice was equivalent to wild type controls. Surprisingly, Kaiso deficiency in the context of MTG16 loss reversed injury and pro-tumorigenic responses in the intestinal epithelium following AOM/DSS treatment, and tumor numbers were returned to near to wild type levels. Transcriptomic analysis of non-tumor colon tissue demonstrated that changes induced by MTG16 loss were widely mitigated by concurrent Kaiso loss, and DKO mice demonstrated downregulation of metabolism and cytokine-associated gene sets with concurrent activation of DNA damage checkpoint pathways as compared with Mtg16−/−. Further, Kaiso knockdown in intestinal enteroids reduced stem- and WNT-associated phenotypes, thus abrogating the induction of these pathways observed in Mtg16−/− samples. Together, these data suggest that Kaiso modifies MTG16-driven inflammation and tumorigenesis and suggests that Kaiso deregulation contributes to MTG16-dependent colitis and CAC phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah P Short
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Caitlyn W Barrett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Kristy R Stengel
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Frank L Revetta
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Yash A Choksi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Lori A Coburn
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Mary K Lintel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Elizabeth M McDonough
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital, Baton Rouge, TN, 70808, USA
| | - M Kay Washington
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Keith T Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Egor Prokhortchouk
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Public Health Sciences and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Scott W Hiebert
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Albert B Reynolds
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.,Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA
| | - Christopher S Williams
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Health Care System, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA. .,Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA.
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24
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Keller RR, Gunther EJ. Evolution of Relapse-Proficient Subclones Constrained by Collateral Sensitivity to Oncogene Overdose in Wnt-Driven Mammary Cancer. Cell Rep 2019; 26:893-905.e4. [PMID: 30673612 PMCID: PMC6382077 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.12.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted cancer therapeutics select for drug-resistant rescue subclones (RSCs), which typically carry rescue mutations that restore oncogenic signaling. Whereas mutations underlying antibiotic resistance frequently burden drug-naive microbes with a fitness cost, it remains unknown whether and how rescue mutations underlying cancer relapse encounter negative selection prior to targeted therapy. Here, using mouse models of reversible, Wnt-driven mam-mary cancer, we uncovered stringent counter-selection against Wnt signaling overdose during the clonal evolution of RSCs. Analyzing recurrent tumors emerging during simulated targeted therapy (Wnt withdrawal) by multi-region DNA sequencing revealed polyclonal relapses comprised of multiple RSCs, which bear distinct but functionally equivalent rescue mutations that converge on sub-maximal Wnt pathway activation. When superimposed on native (i.e., undrugged) signaling, these rescue mutations faced negative selection, indicating that they burden RSCs with a fitness cost before Wnt withdrawal unmasks their selective advantage. Exploiting collateral sensitivity to oncogene overdose may help eliminate RSCs and prevent cancer relapse. Keller and Gunther show that Wnt-driven mammary cancers challenged with simulated targeted therapy (Wnt withdrawal) undergo clonal evolution, which stringently selects for mutations that restore a “just right” level of oncogenic signaling. Therefore, cancer relapses emerge from rare subclones that are encumbered by an untapped vulnerability to oncogene overdose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross R Keller
- Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Edward J Gunther
- Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA; Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA.
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25
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Atkinson PJ, Dong Y, Gu S, Liu W, Najarro EH, Udagawa T, Cheng AG. Sox2 haploinsufficiency primes regeneration and Wnt responsiveness in the mouse cochlea. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:1641-1656. [PMID: 29553487 DOI: 10.1172/jci97248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
During development, Sox2 is indispensable for cell division and differentiation, yet its roles in regenerating tissues are less clear. Here, we used combinations of transgenic mouse models to reveal that Sox2 haploinsufficiency (Sox2haplo) increases rather than impairs cochlear regeneration in vivo. Sox2haplo cochleae had delayed terminal mitosis and ectopic sensory cells, yet normal auditory function. Sox2haplo amplified and expanded domains of damage-induced Atoh1+ transitional cell formation in neonatal cochlea. Wnt activation via β-catenin stabilization (β-cateninGOF) alone failed to induce proliferation or transitional cell formation. By contrast, β-cateninGOF caused proliferation when either Sox2haplo or damage was present, and transitional cell formation when both were present in neonatal, but not mature, cochlea. Mechanistically, Sox2haplo or damaged neonatal cochleae showed lower levels of Sox2 and Hes5, but not of Wnt target genes. Together, our study unveils an interplay between Sox2 and damage in directing tissue regeneration and Wnt responsiveness and thus provides a foundation for potential combinatorial therapies aimed at stimulating mammalian cochlear regeneration to reverse hearing loss in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Atkinson
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yaodong Dong
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Department of Otology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Shuping Gu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Wenwen Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Elvis Huarcaya Najarro
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Tomokatsu Udagawa
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alan G Cheng
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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26
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Burke ZD, Reed KR, Yeh SW, Meniel V, Sansom OJ, Clarke AR, Tosh D. Spatiotemporal regulation of liver development by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2735. [PMID: 29426940 PMCID: PMC5807466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20888-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
While the Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays a critical role in the maintenance of the zonation of ammonia metabolizing enzymes in the adult liver, the mechanisms responsible for inducing zonation in the embryo are not well understood. Herein we address the spatiotemporal role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the development of zonation in embryonic mouse liver by conditional deletion of Apc and β-catenin at different stages of mouse liver development. In normal development, the ammonia metabolising enzymes carbamoylphosphate synthetase I (CPSI) and Glutamine synthetase (GS) begin to be expressed in separate hepatoblasts from E13.5 and E15.5 respectively and gradually increase in number thereafter. Restriction of GS expression occurs at E18 and becomes increasingly limited to the terminal perivenous hepatocytes postnatally. Expression of nuclear β-catenin coincides with the restriction of GS expression to the terminal perivenous hepatocytes. Conditional loss of Apc resulted in the expression of nuclear β-catenin throughout the developing liver and increased number of cells expressing GS. Conversely, conditional loss of β-catenin resulted in loss of GS expression. These data suggest that the Wnt pathway is critical to the development of zonation as well as maintaining the zonation in the adult liver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë D Burke
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
| | - Karen R Reed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Sheng-Wen Yeh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Valerie Meniel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Owen J Sansom
- The Beatson Institute, Garscube Estate, Glasgow, G61 18D, UK
| | - Alan R Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Hadyn Ellis Building, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - David Tosh
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
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27
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Nieto P, Ambrogio C, Esteban-Burgos L, Gómez-López G, Blasco MT, Yao Z, Marais R, Rosen N, Chiarle R, Pisano DG, Barbacid M, Santamaría D. A Braf kinase-inactive mutant induces lung adenocarcinoma. Nature 2017; 548:239-243. [PMID: 28783725 PMCID: PMC5648056 DOI: 10.1038/nature23297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The initiating oncogenic event in almost half of human lung adenocarcinomas is still unknown, a fact that complicates the development of selective targeted therapies. Yet these tumours harbour a number of alterations without obvious oncogenic function including BRAF-inactivating mutations. Inactivating BRAF mutants in lung predominate over the activating V600E mutant that is frequently observed in other tumour types. Here we demonstrate that the expression of an endogenous Braf(D631A) kinase-inactive isoform in mice (corresponding to the human BRAF(D594A) mutation) triggers lung adenocarcinoma in vivo, indicating that BRAF-inactivating mutations are initiating events in lung oncogenesis. Moreover, inactivating BRAF mutations have also been identified in a subset of KRAS-driven human lung tumours. Co-expression of Kras(G12V) and Braf(D631A) in mouse lung cells markedly enhances tumour initiation, a phenomenon mediated by Craf kinase activity, and effectively accelerates tumour progression when activated in advanced lung adenocarcinomas. We also report a key role for the wild-type Braf kinase in sustaining Kras(G12V)/Braf(D631A)-driven tumours. Ablation of the wild-type Braf allele prevents the development of lung adenocarcinoma by inducing a further increase in MAPK signalling that results in oncogenic toxicity; this effect can be abolished by pharmacological inhibition of Mek to restore tumour growth. However, the loss of wild-type Braf also induces transdifferentiation of club cells, which leads to the rapid development of lethal intrabronchiolar lesions. These observations indicate that the signal intensity of the MAPK pathway is a critical determinant not only in tumour development, but also in dictating the nature of the cancer-initiating cell and ultimately the resulting tumour phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Nieto
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Chiara Ambrogio
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Esteban-Burgos
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Gómez-López
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Teresa Blasco
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Zhan Yao
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Richard Marais
- Molecular Oncology Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, M20 4BX Manchester, UK
| | - Neal Rosen
- Program in Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Roberto Chiarle
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - David G Pisano
- Bioinformatics Unit, Structural Biology and Biocomputing Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Mariano Barbacid
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Santamaría
- Experimental Oncology, Molecular Oncology Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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28
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Flanagan DJ, Vincan E, Phesse TJ. Winding back Wnt signalling: potential therapeutic targets for treating gastric cancers. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:4666-4683. [PMID: 28568899 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2017] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer persists as a frequent and deadly disease that claims over 700 000 lives annually. Gastric cancer is a multifactorial disease that is genetically, cytologically and architecturally more heterogeneous than other gastrointestinal cancers, making it therapeutically challenging. As such, and largely attributed to late-stage diagnosis, gastric cancer patients show only partial response to standard chemo and targeted molecular therapies, highlighting an urgent need to develop new targeted therapies for this disease. Wnt signalling has a well-documented history in the genesis of many cancers and is, therefore, an attractive therapeutic target. As such, drug discovery has focused on developing inhibitors that target multiple nodes of the Wnt signalling cascade, some of which have progressed to clinical trials. The collective efforts of patient genomic profiling has uncovered genetic lesions to multiple components of the Wnt pathway in gastric cancer patients, which strongly suggest that Wnt-targeted therapies could offer therapeutic benefits for gastric cancer patients. These data have been supported by studies in mouse models of gastric cancer, which identify Wnt signalling as a driver of gastric tumourigenesis. Here, we review the current literature regarding Wnt signalling in gastric cancer and highlight the suitability of each class of Wnt inhibitor as a potential treatment for gastric cancer patients, in relation to the type of Wnt deregulation observed. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on WNT Signalling: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.24/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin J Flanagan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Vincan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Toby J Phesse
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Cell Signalling and Cancer Laboratory, European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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29
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Carotenuto P, Fassan M, Pandolfo R, Lampis A, Vicentini C, Cascione L, Paulus-Hock V, Boulter L, Guest R, Quagliata L, Hahne JC, Ridgway R, Jamieson T, Athineos D, Veronese A, Visone R, Murgia C, Ferrari G, Guzzardo V, Evans TRJ, MacLeod M, Feng GJ, Dale T, Negrini M, Forbes SJ, Terracciano L, Scarpa A, Patel T, Valeri N, Workman P, Sansom O, Braconi C. Wnt signalling modulates transcribed-ultraconserved regions in hepatobiliary cancers. Gut 2017; 66:1268-1277. [PMID: 27618837 PMCID: PMC5530482 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transcribed-ultraconserved regions (T-UCR) are long non-coding RNAs which are conserved across species and are involved in carcinogenesis. We studied T-UCRs downstream of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in liver cancer. DESIGN Hypomorphic Apc mice (Apcfl/fl) and thiocetamide (TAA)-treated rats developed Wnt/β-catenin dependent hepatocarcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), respectively. T-UCR expression was assessed by microarray, real-time PCR and in situ hybridisation. RESULTS Overexpression of the T-UCR uc.158- could differentiate Wnt/β-catenin dependent HCC from normal liver and from β-catenin negative diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC. uc.158- was overexpressed in human HepG2 versus Huh7 cells in line with activation of the Wnt pathway. In vitro modulation of β-catenin altered uc.158- expression in human malignant hepatocytes. uc.158- expression was increased in CTNNB1-mutated human HCCs compared with non-mutated human HCCs, and in human HCC with nuclear localisation of β-catenin. uc.158- was increased in TAA rat CCA and reduced after treatment with Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors. uc.158- expression was negative in human normal liver and biliary epithelia, while it was increased in human CCA in two different cohorts. Locked nucleic acid-mediated inhibition of uc.158- reduced anchorage cell growth, 3D-spheroid formation and spheroid-based cell migration, and increased apoptosis in HepG2 and SW1 cells. miR-193b was predicted to have binding sites within the uc.158- sequence. Modulation of uc.158- changed miR-193b expression in human malignant hepatocytes. Co-transfection of uc.158- inhibitor and anti-miR-193b rescued the effect of uc.158- inhibition on cell viability. CONCLUSIONS We showed that uc.158- is activated by the Wnt pathway in liver cancers and drives their growth. Thus, it may represent a promising target for the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- ARC-NET Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rachel Guest
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Luca Quagliata
- Molecular Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Rachel Ridgway
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Tam Jamieson
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dimitris Athineos
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Angelo Veronese
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rosa Visone
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Claudio Murgia
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | | | | | | | - Martin MacLeod
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gui Ji Feng
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Trevor Dale
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Stuart J Forbes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Luigi Terracciano
- Molecular Pathology Division, Institute of Pathology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- ARC-NET Research Centre, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Nicola Valeri
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London and Surrey, UK
| | | | - Owen Sansom
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, UK
| | - Chiara Braconi
- The Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, London and Surrey, UK
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30
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Abstract
How can we treat cancer more effectively? Traditionally, tumours from the same anatomical site are treated as one tumour entity. This concept has been challenged by recent breakthroughs in cancer genomics and translational research that have enabled molecular tumour profiling. The identification and validation of cancer drivers that are shared between different tumour types, spurred the new paradigm to target driver pathways across anatomical sites by off-label drug use, or within so-called basket or umbrella trials which are designed to test whether molecular alterations in one tumour entity can be extrapolated to all others. However, recent clinical and preclinical studies suggest that there are tissue- and cell type-specific differences in tumorigenesis and the organization of oncogenic signalling pathways. In this Opinion article, we focus on the molecular, cellular, systemic and environmental determinants of organ-specific tumorigenesis and the mechanisms of context-specific oncogenic signalling outputs. Investigation, recognition and in-depth biological understanding of these differences will be vital for the design of next-generation clinical trials and the implementation of molecularly guided cancer therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Günter Schneider
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marc Schmidt-Supprian
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Medicine III, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Roland Rad
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Department of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Ismaningerstr. 22, 81675 München, Germany
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Abstract
Wnt signaling is one of the key cascades regulating development and stemness, and has also been tightly associated with cancer. The role of Wnt signaling in carcinogenesis has most prominently been described for colorectal cancer, but aberrant Wnt signaling is observed in many more cancer entities. Here, we review current insights into novel components of Wnt pathways and describe their impact on cancer development. Furthermore, we highlight expanding functions of Wnt signaling for both solid and liquid tumors. We also describe current findings how Wnt signaling affects maintenance of cancer stem cells, metastasis and immune control. Finally, we provide an overview of current strategies to antagonize Wnt signaling in cancer and challenges that are associated with such approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Zhan
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- Heidelberg University, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - N Rindtorff
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - M Boutros
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Division Signaling and Functional Genomics, Heidelberg University, Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
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Lamprecht S, Fich A. Small Intestinal Cancer: Why the Rarity? Trends Cancer 2016; 2:395-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.trecan.2016.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 06/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Jacobsen A, Heijmans N, Verkaar F, Smit MJ, Heringa J, van Amerongen R, Feenstra KA. Construction and Experimental Validation of a Petri Net Model of Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155743. [PMID: 27218469 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is important for multiple developmental processes and tissue maintenance in adults. Consequently, deregulated signaling is involved in a range of human diseases including cancer and developmental defects. A better understanding of the intricate regulatory mechanism and effect of physiological (active) and pathophysiological (hyperactive) WNT signaling is important for predicting treatment response and developing novel therapies. The constitutively expressed CTNNB1 (commonly and hereafter referred to as β-catenin) is degraded by a destruction complex, composed of amongst others AXIN1 and GSK3. The destruction complex is inhibited during active WNT signaling, leading to β-catenin stabilization and induction of β-catenin/TCF target genes. In this study we investigated the mechanism and effect of β-catenin stabilization during active and hyperactive WNT signaling in a combined in silico and in vitro approach. We constructed a Petri net model of Wnt/β-catenin signaling including main players from the plasma membrane (WNT ligands and receptors), cytoplasmic effectors and the downstream negative feedback target gene AXIN2. We validated that our model can be used to simulate both active (WNT stimulation) and hyperactive (GSK3 inhibition) signaling by comparing our simulation and experimental data. We used this experimentally validated model to get further insights into the effect of the negative feedback regulator AXIN2 upon WNT stimulation and observed an attenuated β-catenin stabilization. We furthermore simulated the effect of APC inactivating mutations, yielding a stabilization of β-catenin levels comparable to the Wnt-pathway activities observed in colorectal and breast cancer. Our model can be used for further investigation and viable predictions of the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in oncogenesis and development.
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Freeman J, Smith D, Latinkic B, Ewan K, Samuel L, Zollo M, Marino N, Tyas L, Jones N, Dale TC. A functional connectome: regulation of Wnt/TCF-dependent transcription by pairs of pathway activators. Mol Cancer 2015; 14:206. [PMID: 26643252 PMCID: PMC4672529 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-015-0475-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wnt/β-catenin signaling is often portrayed as a simple pathway that is initiated by Wnt ligand at the cell surface leading, via linear series of interactions between 'core pathway' members, to the induction of nuclear transcription from genes flanked by β-catenin/TCF transcription factor binding sites. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is also regulated by a much larger set of 'non-core regulators'. However the relationship between 'non-core regulators' is currently not well understood. Aberrant activation of the pathway has been shown to drive tumorgenesis in a number of different tissues. METHODS Mammalian cells engineered to have a partially-active level of Wnt/β-catenin signaling were screened by transfection for proteins that up or down-regulated a mid-level of TCF-dependent transcription induced by transient expression of an activated LRP6 Wnt co-receptor (∆NLRP). RESULTS 141 novel regulators of TCF-dependent transcription were identified. Surprisingly, when tested without ∆NLRP activation, most up-regulators failed to alter TCF-dependent transcription. However, when expressed in pairs, 27 % (466/1170) functionally interacted to alter levels of TCF-dependent transcription. When proteins were displayed as nodes connected by their ability to co-operate in the regulation of TCF-dependent transcription, a network of functional interactions was revealed. In this network, 'core pathway' components (Eg. β-catenin, GSK-3, Dsh) were found to be the most highly connected nodes. Activation of different nodes in this network impacted on the sensitivity to Wnt pathway small molecule antagonists. CONCLUSIONS The 'functional connectome' identified here strongly supports an alternative model of the Wnt pathway as a complex context-dependent network. The network further suggests that mutational activation of highly connected Wnt signaling nodes predisposed cells to further context-dependent alterations in levels of TCF-dependent transcription that may be important during tumor progression and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Freeman
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - David Smith
- Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Branko Latinkic
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - Ken Ewan
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - Lee Samuel
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - Massimo Zollo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology and Centro di Ingegneria Genetica e Biotecnologia Avanzate, Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Natascia Marino
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology and Centro di Ingegneria Genetica e Biotecnologia Avanzate, Federico II, Via Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorraine Tyas
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| | - Nick Jones
- Department of Mathematics, Imperial College, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Trevor C Dale
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, Wales, UK.
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Feng Y, Sakamoto N, Wu R, Liu JY, Wiese A, Green ME, Green M, Akyol A, Roy BC, Zhai Y, Cho KR, Fearon ER. Tissue-Specific Effects of Reduced β-catenin Expression on Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Mutation-Instigated Tumorigenesis in Mouse Colon and Ovarian Epithelium. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005638. [PMID: 26528816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) inactivating mutations are present in most human colorectal cancers and some other cancers. The APC protein regulates the β-catenin protein pool that functions as a co-activator of T cell factor (TCF)-regulated transcription in Wnt pathway signaling. We studied effects of reduced dosage of the Ctnnb1 gene encoding β-catenin in Apc-mutation-induced colon and ovarian mouse tumorigenesis and cell culture models. Concurrent somatic inactivation of one Ctnnb1 allele, dramatically inhibited Apc mutation-induced colon polyposis and greatly extended Apc-mutant mouse survival. Ctnnb1 hemizygous dose markedly inhibited increases in β-catenin levels in the cytoplasm and nucleus following Apc inactivation in colon epithelium, with attenuated expression of key β-catenin/TCF-regulated target genes, including those encoding the EphB2/B3 receptors, the stem cell marker Lgr5, and Myc, leading to maintenance of crypt compartmentalization and restriction of stem and proliferating cells to the crypt base. A critical threshold for β-catenin levels in TCF-regulated transcription was uncovered for Apc mutation-induced effects in colon epithelium, along with evidence of a feed-forward role for β-catenin in Ctnnb1 gene expression and CTNNB1 transcription. The active β-catenin protein pool was highly sensitive to CTNNB1 transcript levels in colon cancer cells. In mouse ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinomas (OEAs) arising from Apc- and Pten-inactivation, while Ctnnb1 hemizygous dose affected β-catenin levels and some β-catenin/TCF target genes, Myc induction was retained and OEAs arose in a fashion akin to that seen with intact Ctnnb1 gene dose. Our findings indicate Ctnnb1 gene dose exerts tissue-specific differences in Apc mutation-instigated tumorigenesis. Differential expression of selected β-catenin/TCF-regulated genes, such as Myc, likely underlies context-dependent effects of Ctnnb1 gene dosage in tumorigenesis. Enhanced Wnt signaling contributes to colorectal and other cancers. β-catenin functions in Wnt signaling as a T cell factor (TCF) transcriptional co-activator. Previous studies showed specific β-catenin dosage favors Wnt signaling-dependent tumorigenesis for some tumor types. However, earlier studies emphasized the role of constitutional Ctnnb1 and Apc gene variations, rather than somatic gene targeting, and the work focused on small intestine tumors and no effects on colon tumor phenotypes were described. Furthermore, definitive insights were lacking into how reduced Ctnnb1 gene dosage affected Apc mutation-dependent tumorigenesis. Here, we show somatic inactivation of one Ctnnb1 allele dramatically inhibits mouse colon adenomatous polyposis induced by somatic bi-allelic Apc inactivation. In contrast, Ctnnb1 hemizygous inactivation does not affect mouse ovarian endometrioid adenocarcinoma development arising from Apc- and Pten-inactivation. Ctnnb1 hemizygous gene dose dramatically reduces the active pool of β-catenin, leading to the significant inhibition of β-catenin/TCF-regulated target gene expression, including those encoding key stem cell regulatory and crypt compartmentalization factors in colon epithelium. Tissue-specific differences for expression of selected β-catenin/TCF-regulated genes, such as Myc, may contribute to the context-dependent effects of Ctnnb1 gene dosage in Apc mutation-driven colon and ovarian tumors.
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Huels DJ, Ridgway RA, Radulescu S, Leushacke M, Campbell AD, Biswas S, Leedham S, Serra S, Chetty R, Moreaux G, Parry L, Matthews J, Song F, Hedley A, Kalna G, Ceteci F, Reed KR, Meniel VS, Maguire A, Doyle B, Söderberg O, Barker N, Watson A, Larue L, Clarke AR, Sansom OJ. E-cadherin can limit the transforming properties of activating β-catenin mutations. EMBO J 2015; 34:2321-33. [PMID: 26240067 PMCID: PMC4570519 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201591739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Revised: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt pathway deregulation is a common characteristic of many cancers. Only colorectal cancer predominantly harbours mutations in APC, whereas other cancer types (hepatocellular carcinoma, solid pseudopapillary tumours of the pancreas) have activating mutations in β-catenin (CTNNB1). We have compared the dynamics and the potency of β-catenin mutations in vivo. Within the murine small intestine (SI), an activating mutation of β-catenin took much longer to achieve Wnt deregulation and acquire a crypt-progenitor cell (CPC) phenotype than Apc or Gsk3 loss. Within the colon, a single activating mutation of β-catenin was unable to drive Wnt deregulation or induce the CPC phenotype. This ability of β-catenin mutation to differentially transform the SI versus the colon correlated with higher expression of E-cadherin and a higher number of E-cadherin:β-catenin complexes at the membrane. Reduction in E-cadherin synergised with an activating mutation of β-catenin resulting in a rapid CPC phenotype within the SI and colon. Thus, there is a threshold of β-catenin that is required to drive transformation, and E-cadherin can act as a buffer to sequester mutated β-catenin.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marc Leushacke
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | | | - Sujata Biswas
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Simon Leedham
- Gastrointestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics University of Oxford, Oxford, UK Translational Gastroenterology Unit, Experimental Medicine Division, Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, Headington, UK
| | - Stefano Serra
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | - Runjan Chetty
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network/Toronto Medical Laboratories, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Lee Parry
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - James Matthews
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Fei Song
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ann Hedley
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Fatih Ceteci
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Karen R Reed
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Valerie S Meniel
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Aoife Maguire
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Brendan Doyle
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK Department of Histopathology, Trinity College Dublin St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ola Söderberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology Science for Life Laboratory, BMC Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Nick Barker
- A∗STAR Institute of Medical Biology, Singapore City, Singapore
| | - Alastair Watson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Lionel Larue
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR3347 INSERM, U1021 Equipe labellisée - Ligue Nationale contre le Cancer, Orsay, France
| | - Alan R Clarke
- European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Buchert M, Rohde F, Eissmann M, Tebbutt N, Williams B, Tan CW, Owen A, Hirokawa Y, Gnann A, Orend G, Orner G, Dashwood RH, Heath JK, Ernst M, Janssen KP. A hypermorphic epithelial β-catenin mutation facilitates intestinal tumorigenesis in mice in response to compounding WNT-pathway mutations. Dis Model Mech 2015; 8:1361-73. [PMID: 26398937 PMCID: PMC4631784 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.019844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway occurs in the vast majority of colorectal cancers. However, the outcome of the disease varies markedly from individual to individual, even within the same tumor stage. This heterogeneity is governed to a great extent by the genetic make-up of individual tumors and the combination of oncogenic mutations. In order to express throughout the intestinal epithelium a degradation-resistant β-catenin (Ctnnb1), which lacks the first 131 amino acids, we inserted an epitope-tagged ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin-encoding cDNA as a knock-in transgene into the endogenous gpA33 gene locus in mice. The resulting gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice showed an increase in the constitutive Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation that shifts the cell fate towards the Paneth cell lineage in pre-malignant intestinal epithelium. Furthermore, 19% of all heterozygous and 37% of all homozygous gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice spontaneously developed aberrant crypt foci and adenomatous polyps, at frequencies and latencies akin to those observed in sporadic colon cancer in humans. Consistent with this, the Wnt target genes, MMP7 and Tenascin-C, which are most highly expressed in benign human adenomas and early tumor stages, were upregulated in pre-malignant tissue of gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice, but those Wnt target genes associated with excessive proliferation (i.e. Cdnn1, myc) were not. We also detected diminished expression of membrane-associated α-catenin and increased intestinal permeability in gpA33(ΔN-Bcat) mice in challenge conditions, providing a potential explanation for the observed mild chronic intestinal inflammation and increased susceptibility to azoxymethane and mutant Apc-dependent tumorigenesis. Collectively, our data indicate that epithelial expression of ΔN(1-131)-β-catenin in the intestine creates an inflammatory microenvironment and co-operates with other mutations in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway to facilitate and promote tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Buchert
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Franziska Rohde
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz Eissmann
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Niall Tebbutt
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Ben Williams
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Chin Wee Tan
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alexander Owen
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Yumiko Hirokawa
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Alexandra Gnann
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Gertraud Orend
- Inserm U1109, MN3T team, 3 Av. Molière, Strasbourg 67200, France LabEx Medalis, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67200, France Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67200, France
| | - Gayle Orner
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Rod H Dashwood
- Texas A&M Health Science Center, Center for Epigenetics and Disease Prevention, Houston, TX 77030-3303, USA
| | - Joan K Heath
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia
| | - Klaus-Peter Janssen
- Department of Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Abstract
In this review, we discuss the application of mouse models to the identification and pre-clinical validation of novel therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer, and to the search for early disease biomarkers. Large-scale genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of colorectal carcinomas has led to the identification of many candidate genes whose direct contribution to tumourigenesis is yet to be defined; we discuss the utility of cross-species comparative 'omics-based approaches to this problem. We highlight recent progress in modelling late-stage disease using mice, and discuss ways in which mouse models could better recapitulate the complexity of human cancers to tackle the problem of therapeutic resistance and recurrence after surgical resection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. McIntyre
- Experimental Cancer GeneticsWellcome Trust Sanger InstituteHinxtonCambridgeUK
| | | | - Mark J. Arends
- Edinburgh Cancer Research UK CentreUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - David J. Adams
- Experimental Cancer GeneticsWellcome Trust Sanger InstituteHinxtonCambridgeUK
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Boulter L, Guest RV, Kendall TJ, Wilson DH, Wojtacha D, Robson AJ, Ridgway RA, Samuel K, Van Rooijen N, Barry ST, Wigmore SJ, Sansom OJ, Forbes SJ. WNT signaling drives cholangiocarcinoma growth and can be pharmacologically inhibited. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:1269-85. [PMID: 25689248 PMCID: PMC4362247 DOI: 10.1172/jci76452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is typically diagnosed at an advanced stage and is refractory to surgical intervention and chemotherapy. Despite a global increase in the incidence of CC, little progress has been made toward the development of treatments for this cancer. Here we utilized human tissue; CC cell xenografts; a p53-deficient transgenic mouse model; and a non-transgenic, chemically induced rat model of CC that accurately reflects both the inflammatory and regenerative background associated with human CC pathology. Using these systems, we determined that the WNT pathway is highly activated in CCs and that inflammatory macrophages are required to establish this WNT-high state in vivo. Moreover, depletion of macrophages or inhibition of WNT signaling with one of two small molecule WNT inhibitors in mouse and rat CC models markedly reduced CC proliferation and increased apoptosis, resulting in tumor regression. Together, these results demonstrate that enhanced WNT signaling is a characteristic of CC and suggest that targeting WNT signaling pathways has potential as a therapeutic strategy for CC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Boulter
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel V. Guest
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy J. Kendall
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David H. Wilson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Western General Hospital Campus, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Davina Wojtacha
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J. Robson
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel A. Ridgway
- The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Kay Samuel
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Nico Van Rooijen
- Department of Molecular Biology, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Simon T. Barry
- Oncology iMED, AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Macclesfield, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J. Wigmore
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J. Sansom
- The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Garscube Estate, Bearsden, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart J. Forbes
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Lindström NO, Lawrence ML, Burn SF, Johansson JA, Bakker ERM, Ridgway RA, Chang CH, Karolak MJ, Oxburgh L, Headon DJ, Sansom OJ, Smits R, Davies JA, Hohenstein P. Integrated β-catenin, BMP, PTEN, and Notch signalling patterns the nephron. eLife 2015; 3:e04000. [PMID: 25647637 PMCID: PMC4337611 DOI: 10.7554/elife.04000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Accepted: 12/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The different segments of the nephron and glomerulus in the kidney balance the processes of water homeostasis, solute recovery, blood filtration, and metabolite excretion. When segment function is disrupted, a range of pathological features are presented. Little is known about nephron patterning during embryogenesis. In this study, we demonstrate that the early nephron is patterned by a gradient in β-catenin activity along the axis of the nephron tubule. By modifying β-catenin activity, we force cells within nephrons to differentiate according to the imposed β-catenin activity level, thereby causing spatial shifts in nephron segments. The β-catenin signalling gradient interacts with the BMP pathway which, through PTEN/PI3K/AKT signalling, antagonises β-catenin activity and promotes segment identities associated with low β-catenin activity. β-catenin activity and PI3K signalling also integrate with Notch signalling to control segmentation: modulating β-catenin activity or PI3K rescues segment identities normally lost by inhibition of Notch. Our data therefore identifies a molecular network for nephron patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils O Lindström
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie L Lawrence
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sally F Burn
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Jeanette A Johansson
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Elvira RM Bakker
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rachel A Ridgway
- Department of Invasion and Metastasis, Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - C-Hong Chang
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Michele J Karolak
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, United States
| | - Leif Oxburgh
- Center for Molecular Medicine, Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough, United States
| | - Denis J Headon
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
| | - Owen J Sansom
- Beatston Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ron Smits
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jamie A Davies
- Centre for Integrated Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hohenstein
- Division of Developmental Biology, The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, United Kingdom
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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Ueberham E, Glöckner P, Göhler C, Straub BK, Teupser D, Schönig K, Braeuning A, Höhn AK, Jerchow B, Birchmeier W, Gaunitz F, Arendt T, Sansom O, Gebhardt R, Ueberham U. Global increase of p16INK4a in APC-deficient mouse liver drives clonal growth of p16INK4a-negative tumors. Mol Cancer Res 2015; 13:239-49. [PMID: 25270420 DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-14-0278-t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Reduction of β-catenin (CTNNB1) destroying complex components, for example, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), induces β-catenin signaling and subsequently triggers activation of genes involved in proliferation and tumorigenesis. Though diminished expression of APC has organ-specific and threshold-dependent influence on the development of liver tumors in mice, the molecular basis is poorly understood. Therefore, a detailed investigation was conducted to determine the underlying mechanism in the development of liver tumors under reduced APC levels. Mouse liver at different developmental stages was analyzed in terms of β-catenin target genes including Cyp2e1, Glul, and Ihh using real-time RT-PCR, reporter gene assays, and immunohistologic methods with consideration of liver zonation. Data from human livers with mutations in APC derived from patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) were also included. Hepatocyte senescence was investigated by determining p16(INK4a) expression level, presence of senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity, and assessing ploidy. A β-catenin activation of hepatocytes does not always result in β-catenin positive but unexpectedly also in mixed and β-catenin-negative tumors. In summary, a senescence-inducing program was found in hepatocytes with increased β-catenin levels and a positive selection of hepatocytes lacking p16(INK4a), by epigenetic silencing, drives the development of liver tumors in mice with reduced APC expression (Apc(580S) mice). The lack of p16(INK4a) was also detected in liver tumors of mice with triggers other than APC reduction. IMPLICATIONS Epigenetic silencing of p16(Ink4a) in selected liver cells bypassing senescence is a general principle for development of liver tumors with β-catenin involvement in mice independent of the initial stimulus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke Ueberham
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Department of Cell Engineering/GLP, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Pia Glöckner
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, University of Leipzig, Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Claudia Göhler
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Beate K Straub
- Institute of Pathology, University Clinic, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Teupser
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany. Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Schönig
- Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Albert Braeuning
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Boris Jerchow
- Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | | | - Frank Gaunitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Arendt
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, University of Leipzig, Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Owen Sansom
- The Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Uwe Ueberham
- Department for Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, University of Leipzig, Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany.
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42
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Willis CM, Klüppel M. Chondroitin sulfate-E is a negative regulator of a pro-tumorigenic Wnt/beta-catenin-Collagen 1 axis in breast cancer cells. PLoS One 2014; 9:e103966. [PMID: 25090092 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0103966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Expression of the glycosaminoglycan chondroitin sulfate-E (CS-E) is misregulated in many human cancers, including breast cancer. Cell-surface associated CS-E has been shown to have pro-tumorigenic functions, and pharmacological treatment with exogenous CS-E has been proposed to interfere with tumor progression mediated by endogenous CS-E. However, the effects of exogenous CS-E on breast cancer cell behavior, and the molecular mechanisms deployed by CS-E are not well understood. We show here that treatment with CS-E, but not other chondroitin forms, could interfere with the invasive protrusion formation and migration of breast cancer cells in three-dimensional organotypic cultures. Microarray analysis identified transcriptional programs controlled by CS-E in these cells. Importantly, negative regulation of the pro-metastatic extracellular matrix gene Col1a1 was required for the anti-migratory effects of exogenous CS-E. Knock-down of Col1a1 gene expression mimics the effects of CS-E treatment, while exposing cells to a preformed collagen I matrix interfered with the anti-migratory effects of CS-E. In addition, CS-E specifically interfered with Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, a known pro-tumorigenic pathway. Lastly, we demonstrate that Col1a1 is a positively regulated target gene of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in breast cancer cells. Together, our data identify treatment with exogenous CS-E as negative regulatory mechanism of breast cancer cell motility through interference with a pro-tumorigenic Wnt/beta-catenin - Collagen I axis.
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Hare L, Phesse T, Waring P, Montgomery K, Kinross K, Mills K, Roh V, Heath J, Ramsay R, Ernst M, Phillips W. Physiological expression of the PI3K-activating mutation Pik3caH1047R combines with Apc loss to promote development of invasive intestinal adenocarcinomas in mice. Biochem J 2014; 458:251-8. [DOI: 10.1042/bj20131412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We used a novel mouse model to investigate the role of a common PI3K pathway mutation observed in human cancers and demonstrated that when combined with loss of the Apc gene, intestinal tumorigenesis is enhanced compared with Apc loss alone.
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Abstract
The importance of Wnt signaling for postnatal testis function has been previously studied in several mouse models, with chronic pathway disruption addressing its function in Sertoli cells and in postmeiotic germ cells. While chronic beta-catenin deletion in Sertoli cells does not profoundly affect testis development, new data indicate that Wnt signaling is required at multiple stages of spermatogenesis. We used two mouse models that allow acute disruption of Wnt signaling to explore the importance of regulated Wnt pathway activity for normal germ cell development in adult male mice. Short-term induction of mutations in Adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) and beta-catenin (Ctnnbl), which increase and decrease Wnt signaling levels, were generated in AhCre Apc(fl/fl) and AhCre Ctnnb1(fl/fl) mice, respectively. Each exhibited a distinct phenotype of disrupted spermatogenesis that was evident within 24 h and persisted for up to 4 days. Outcomes included germ cell apoptosis and rapid loss and altered blood-testis barrier protein distribution and morphology. The functional significance of nuclear localized beta-catenin protein in spermatocytes and round spermatids, indicative of active Wnt signaling, was highlighted by the profound loss of postmitotic germ cells in both models. Developmentally regulated Wnt signaling mediators identified through transcriptional profiling of wild-type and AhCre Ctnnb1(fl/fl) mouse testes identified Wnt receptors (e.g., Fzd4) and ligands (e.g., Wnt3, Wnt3a, Wnt5b, Wnt7a, and Wnt8b). This demonstration that Wnt signaling control is essential for adult spermatogenesis supports the growing understanding that its disruption may underpin certain cases of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genevieve E Kerr
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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45
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Lee SY, Lim TG, Chen H, Jung SK, Lee HJ, Lee MH, Kim DJ, Shin A, Lee KW, Bode AM, Surh YJ, Dong Z. Esculetin suppresses proliferation of human colon cancer cells by directly targeting β-catenin. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 2013; 6:1356-64. [PMID: 24104353 DOI: 10.1158/1940-6207.capr-13-0241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The Wnt pathway is a promising therapeutic and preventive target in various human cancers. The transcriptional complex of β-catenin-T-cell factor (Tcf), a key mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, has been implicated in human colon cancer development. Current treatment of colon cancer depends on traditional cytotoxic agents with limited effects. Therefore, the identification of natural compounds that can disrupt the β-catenin-TcF complex to suppress cancer cell growth with fewer adverse side effects is needed. To identify compounds that inhibit the association between β-catenin and Tcf, we used computer docking to screen a natural compound library. Esculetin, also known as 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin, is a derivative of coumarin and was identified as a potential small-molecule inhibitor of the Wnt-β-catenin pathway. We then evaluated the effect of esculetin on the growth of various human colon cancer cell lines and its effect on Wnt-β-catenin signaling in cells and in an embryonic model. Esculetin disrupted the formation of the β-catenin-Tcf complex through direct binding with the Lys312, Gly307, Lys345, and Asn387 residues of β-catenin in colon cancer cells. In addition, esculetin effectively decreased viability and inhibited anchorage-independent growth of colon cancer cells. Esculetin potently antagonized the cellular effects of β-catenin-dependent activity, and in vivo treatment with esculetin suppressed tumor growth in a colon cancer xenograft mouse model. Our data indicate that the interaction between esculetin and β-catenin inhibits the formation of the β-catenin-Tcf complex, which could contribute to esculetin's positive therapeutic and preventive effects against colon carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Young Lee
- The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, 801 16th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912.
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46
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Berthon A, Drelon C, Ragazzon B, Boulkroun S, Tissier F, Amar L, Samson-Couterie B, Zennaro MC, Plouin PF, Skah S, Plateroti M, Lefèbvre H, Sahut-Barnola I, Batisse-Lignier M, Assié G, Lefrançois-Martinez AM, Bertherat J, Martinez A, Val P. WNT/β-catenin signalling is activated in aldosterone-producing adenomas and controls aldosterone production. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:889-905. [PMID: 24087794 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the main cause of secondary hypertension, resulting from adrenal aldosterone-producing adenomas (APA) or bilateral hyperplasia. Here, we show that constitutive activation of WNT/β-catenin signalling is the most frequent molecular alteration found in 70% of APA. We provide evidence that decreased expression of the WNT inhibitor SFRP2 may be contributing to deregulated WNT signalling and APA development in patients. This is supported by the demonstration that mice with genetic ablation of Sfrp2 have increased aldosterone production and ectopic differentiation of zona glomerulosa cells. We further show that β-catenin plays an essential role in the control of basal and Angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion, by activating AT1R, CYP21 and CYP11B2 transcription. This relies on both LEF/TCF-dependent activation of AT1R and CYP21 regulatory regions and indirect activation of CYP21 and CYP11B2 promoters, through increased expression of the nuclear receptors NURR1 and NUR77. Altogether, these data show that aberrant WNT/β-catenin activation is associated with APA development and suggest that WNT pathway may be a good therapeutic target in PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Berthon
- Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, GReD, BP 10448, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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47
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Méniel V, Song F, Phesse T, Young M, Poetz O, Parry L, Jenkins JR, Williams GT, Dunwoodie SL, Watson A, Clarke AR. Cited1 deficiency suppresses intestinal tumorigenesis. PLoS Genet 2013; 9:e1003638. [PMID: 23935526 PMCID: PMC3731217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Conditional deletion of Apc in the murine intestine alters crypt-villus architecture and function. This process is accompanied by multiple changes in gene expression, including upregulation of Cited1, whose role in colorectal carcinogenesis is unknown. Here we explore the relevance of Cited1 to intestinal tumorigenesis. We crossed Cited1 null mice with Apc(Min/+) and AhCre(+)Apc(fl/fl) mice and determined the impact of Cited1 deficiency on tumour growth/initiation including tumour multiplicity, cell proliferation, apoptosis and the transcriptome. We show that Cited1 is up-regulated in both human and murine tumours, and that constitutive deficiency of Cited1 increases survival in Apc(Min/+) mice from 230.5 to 515 days. However, paradoxically, Cited1 deficiency accentuated nearly all aspects of the immediate phenotype 4 days after conditional deletion of Apc, including an increase in cell death and enhanced perturbation of differentiation, including of the stem cell compartment. Transcriptome analysis revealed multiple pathway changes, including p53, PI3K and Wnt. The activation of Wnt through Cited1 deficiency correlated with increased transcription of β-catenin and increased levels of dephosphorylated β-catenin. Hence, immediately following deletion of Apc, Cited1 normally restrains the Wnt pathway at the level of β-catenin. Thus deficiency of Cited1 leads to hyper-activation of Wnt signaling and an exaggerated Wnt phenotype including elevated cell death. Cited1 deficiency decreases intestinal tumourigenesis in Apc(Min/+) mice and impacts upon a number of oncogenic signaling pathways, including Wnt. This restraint imposed by Cited1 is consistent with a requirement for Cited1 to constrain Wnt activity to a level commensurate with optimal adenoma formation and maintenance, and provides one mechanism for tumour repression in the absence of Cited1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valérie Méniel
- School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Fei Song
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Henry Wellcome Laboratory, University of Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
- Institute of Physiology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Toby Phesse
- Cell Signaling and Cell Death, Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Madeleine Young
- School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Poetz
- Natural and Medical Sciences Institute at the University of Tuebingen, Reutlingen, Germany
| | - Lee Parry
- School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - John R. Jenkins
- Department of Gastroenterology, Institute of Translational Medicine, The Henry Wellcome Laboratory, University of Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
| | - Geraint T. Williams
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Sally L. Dunwoodie
- Developmental and Stem Cell Biology Division, Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alastair Watson
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, United Kingdom
| | - Alan R. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
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48
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Lloyd-Lewis B, Fletcher AG, Dale TC, Byrne HM. Toward a quantitative understanding of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through simulation and experiment. Wiley Interdiscip Rev Syst Biol Med 2013; 5:391-407. [PMID: 23554326 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling regulates cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation throughout development and is aberrantly regulated in cancer. The pathway is activated when Wnt ligands bind to specific receptors on the cell surface, resulting in the stabilization and nuclear accumulation of the transcriptional co-activator β-catenin. Mathematical and computational models have been used to study the spatial and temporal regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and to investigate the functional impact of mutations in key components. Such models range in complexity, from time-dependent, ordinary differential equations that describe the biochemical interactions between key pathway components within a single cell, to complex, multiscale models that incorporate the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway target genes in tissue homeostasis and carcinogenesis. This review aims to summarize recent progress in mathematical modeling of the Wnt pathway and to highlight new biological results that could form the basis for future theoretical investigations designed to increase the utility of theoretical models of Wnt signaling in the biomedical arena.
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49
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Stuckenholz C, Lu L, Thakur PC, Choi TY, Shin D, Bahary N. Sfrp5 modulates both Wnt and BMP signaling and regulates gastrointestinal organogenesis [corrected] in the zebrafish, Danio rerio. PLoS One 2013; 8:e62470. [PMID: 23638093 PMCID: PMC3639276 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0062470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 03/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sfrp5 belongs to the family of secreted frizzled related proteins (Sfrp), secreted inhibitors of Wingless-MMTV Integration Site (Wnt) signaling, which play an important role in cancer and development. We selected sfrp5 because of its compelling expression profile in the developing endoderm in zebrafish, Danio rerio. In this study, overexpression of sfrp5 in embryos results in defects in both convergent extension (CE) by inhibition of non-canonical Wnt signaling and defects in dorsoventral patterning by inhibition of Tolloid-mediated proteolysis of the BMP inhibitor Chordin. From 25 hours post fertilization (hpf) to 3 days post fertilization (dpf), both overexpression and knockdown of Sfrp5 decrease the size of the endoderm, significantly reducing liver cell number. At 3 dpf, insulin-positive endodermal cells fail to coalesce into a single pancreatic islet. We show that Sfrp5 inhibits both canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling during embryonic and endodermal development, resulting in endodermal abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carsten Stuckenholz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Lili Lu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Prakash C. Thakur
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Tae-Young Choi
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Donghun Shin
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nathan Bahary
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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50
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Arkell RM, Fossat N, Tam PPL. Wnt signalling in mouse gastrulation and anterior development: new players in the pathway and signal output. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2013; 23:454-60. [PMID: 23608663 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development and adult homeostasis are dependent upon the coordinated action of signal transduction pathways such as the Wnt signalling pathway which is used iteratively during these processes. In the early post-implantation mouse embryo, Wnt/β-catenin signalling activity plays a critical role in the formation of the primitive streak, progression of gastrulation and tissue patterning in the anterior-posterior axis. The net output of the signalling pathway is influenced by the delivery and post-translational modification of the ligands, the counteracting activities of the activating components and the negative modulators, and the molecular interaction of β-catenin, TCF and other factors regulating the transcription of downstream target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth M Arkell
- Early Mammalian Development Laboratory, Research School of Biology, College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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