1
|
Bell CG. Epigenomic insights into common human disease pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:178. [PMID: 38602535 PMCID: PMC11008083 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05206-2] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The epigenome-the chemical modifications and chromatin-related packaging of the genome-enables the same genetic template to be activated or repressed in different cellular settings. This multi-layered mechanism facilitates cell-type specific function by setting the local sequence and 3D interactive activity level. Gene transcription is further modulated through the interplay with transcription factors and co-regulators. The human body requires this epigenomic apparatus to be precisely installed throughout development and then adequately maintained during the lifespan. The causal role of the epigenome in human pathology, beyond imprinting disorders and specific tumour suppressor genes, was further brought into the spotlight by large-scale sequencing projects identifying that mutations in epigenomic machinery genes could be critical drivers in both cancer and developmental disorders. Abrogation of this cellular mechanism is providing new molecular insights into pathogenesis. However, deciphering the full breadth and implications of these epigenomic changes remains challenging. Knowledge is accruing regarding disease mechanisms and clinical biomarkers, through pathogenically relevant and surrogate tissue analyses, respectively. Advances include consortia generated cell-type specific reference epigenomes, high-throughput DNA methylome association studies, as well as insights into ageing-related diseases from biological 'clocks' constructed by machine learning algorithms. Also, 3rd-generation sequencing is beginning to disentangle the complexity of genetic and DNA modification haplotypes. Cell-free DNA methylation as a cancer biomarker has clear clinical utility and further potential to assess organ damage across many disorders. Finally, molecular understanding of disease aetiology brings with it the opportunity for exact therapeutic alteration of the epigenome through CRISPR-activation or inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Bell
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts & The London Faculty of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Giacomini G, Piquet S, Chevallier O, Dabin J, Bai SK, Kim B, Siddaway R, Raught B, Coyaud E, Shan CM, Reid RJD, Toda T, Rothstein R, Barra V, Wilhelm T, Hamadat S, Bertin C, Crane A, Dubois F, Forne I, Imhof A, Bandopadhayay P, Beroukhim R, Naim V, Jia S, Hawkins C, Rondinelli B, Polo SE. Aberrant DNA repair reveals a vulnerability in histone H3.3-mutant brain tumors. Nucleic Acids Res 2024; 52:2372-2388. [PMID: 38214234 PMCID: PMC10954481 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkad1257] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric high-grade gliomas (pHGG) are devastating and incurable brain tumors with recurrent mutations in histone H3.3. These mutations promote oncogenesis by dysregulating gene expression through alterations of histone modifications. We identify aberrant DNA repair as an independent mechanism, which fosters genome instability in H3.3 mutant pHGG, and opens new therapeutic options. The two most frequent H3.3 mutations in pHGG, K27M and G34R, drive aberrant repair of replication-associated damage by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Aberrant NHEJ is mediated by the DNA repair enzyme polynucleotide kinase 3'-phosphatase (PNKP), which shows increased association with mutant H3.3 at damaged replication forks. PNKP sustains the proliferation of cells bearing H3.3 mutations, thus conferring a molecular vulnerability, specific to mutant cells, with potential for therapeutic targeting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Giacomini
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Sandra Piquet
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Odile Chevallier
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Juliette Dabin
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Siau-Kun Bai
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Byungjin Kim
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert Siddaway
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - Brian Raught
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Etienne Coyaud
- Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON M5G1L7, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Université de Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, U1192 - Protéomique Réponse Inflammatoire Spectrométrie de Masse - PRISM, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Chun-Min Shan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Robert J D Reid
- Department of Genetics & Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Takenori Toda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Rodney Rothstein
- Department of Genetics & Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Viviana Barra
- CNRS UMR9019 Genome Integrity and Cancers, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Therese Wilhelm
- CNRS UMR9019 Genome Integrity and Cancers, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Sabah Hamadat
- CNRS UMR9019 Genome Integrity and Cancers, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Chloé Bertin
- CNRS UMR9019 Genome Integrity and Cancers, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Alexander Crane
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Frank Dubois
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Ignasi Forne
- Protein Analysis Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Axel Imhof
- Protein Analysis Unit, BioMedical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Pratiti Bandopadhayay
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, USA
| | - Rameen Beroukhim
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, USA
| | - Valeria Naim
- CNRS UMR9019 Genome Integrity and Cancers, Université Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France
| | - Songtao Jia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Cynthia Hawkins
- Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Sophie E Polo
- Epigenetics & Cell Fate Centre, CNRS/Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Caeiro LD, Nakata Y, Borges RL, Zha M, Garcia-Martinez L, Bañuelos CP, Stransky S, Liu T, Chan HL, Brabson J, Domínguez D, Zhang Y, Lewis PW, Aznar Benitah S, Cimmino L, Bilbao D, Sidoli S, Wang Z, Verdun RE, Morey L. Methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 is a barrier for therapeutic interventions of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Genes Dev 2024; 38:46-69. [PMID: 38286657 PMCID: PMC10903949 DOI: 10.1101/gad.351408.123] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 20% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) exhibit reduced methylation on lysine 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me) due to mutations in histone methylase NSD1 or a lysine-to-methionine mutation in histone H3 (H3K36M). Whether such alterations of H3K36me can be exploited for therapeutic interventions is still unknown. Here, we show that HNSCC models expressing H3K36M can be divided into two groups: those that display aberrant accumulation of H3K27me3 and those that maintain steady levels of H3K27me3. The former group exhibits reduced proliferation, genome instability, and heightened sensitivity to genotoxic agents like PARP1/2 inhibitors. Conversely, H3K36M HNSCC models with constant H3K27me3 levels lack these characteristics unless H3K27me3 is elevated by DNA hypomethylating agents or inhibiting H3K27me3 demethylases KDM6A/B. Mechanistically, H3K36M reduces H3K36me by directly impeding the activities of the histone methyltransferase NSD3 and the histone demethylase LSD2. Notably, aberrant H3K27me3 levels induced by H3K36M expression are not a bona fide epigenetic mark because they require continuous expression of H3K36M to be inherited. Moreover, increased sensitivity to PARP1/2 inhibitors in H3K36M HNSCC models depends solely on elevated H3K27me3 levels and diminishing BRCA1- and FANCD2-dependent DNA repair. Finally, a PARP1/2 inhibitor alone reduces tumor burden in a H3K36M HNSCC xenograft model with elevated H3K27me3, whereas in a model with consistent H3K27me3, a combination of PARP1/2 inhibitors and agents that up-regulate H3K27me3 proves to be successful. These findings underscore the crucial balance between H3K36 and H3K27 methylation in maintaining genome instability, offering new therapeutic options for patients with H3K36me-deficient tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D Caeiro
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Yuichiro Nakata
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Rodrigo L Borges
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Mengsheng Zha
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Liliana Garcia-Martinez
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Carolina P Bañuelos
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Stephanie Stransky
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA
| | - Ho Lam Chan
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - John Brabson
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Diana Domínguez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Peter W Lewis
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA
| | - Salvador Aznar Benitah
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona 08028, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Luisa Cimmino
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Daniel Bilbao
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Computer Science, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida 33124, USA
| | - Ramiro E Verdun
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA;
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Miami Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Miami, Florida 33125, USA
| | - Lluis Morey
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, Miami, Florida 33136, USA;
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Caeiro LD, Nakata Y, Borges RL, Garcia-Martinez L, Bañuelos CP, Stransky S, Chan HL, Brabson J, Domínguez D, Zhang Y, Lewis PW, Aznar-Benitah S, Cimmino L, Bilbao D, Sidoli S, Verdun RE, Morey L. Methylation of histone H3 lysine 36 is a barrier for therapeutic interventions of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. bioRxiv 2023:2023.11.06.565847. [PMID: 38076924 PMCID: PMC10705544 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.06.565847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 20% of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) exhibit reduced methylation on lysine 36 of histone H3 (H3K36me) due to mutations in histone methylase NSD1 or a lysine-to-methionine mutation in histone H3 (H3K36M). Whether such alterations of H3K36me can be exploited for therapeutic interventions is still unknown. Here, we show that HNSCC models expressing H3K36M can be divided into two groups: those that display aberrant accumulation of H3K27me3 and those that maintain steady levels of H3K27me3. The first group shows decreased proliferation, genome instability, and increased sensitivity to genotoxic agents, such as PARP1/2 inhibitors. In contrast, the H3K36M HNSCC models with steady H3K27me3 levels do not exhibit these characteristics unless H3K27me3 levels are elevated, either by DNA hypomethylating agents or by inhibiting the H3K27me3 demethylases KDM6A/B. Mechanistically, we found that H3K36M reduces H3K36me by directly impeding the activities of the histone methyltransferase NSD3 and the histone demethylase LSD2. Notably, we found that aberrant H3K27me3 levels induced by H3K36M expression is not a bona fide epigenetic mark in HNSCC since it requires continuous expression of H3K36M to be inherited. Moreover, increased sensitivity of H3K36M HNSCC models to PARP1/2 inhibitors solely depends on the increased H3K27me3 levels. Indeed, aberrantly high H3K27me3 levels decrease BRCA1 and FANCD2-dependent DNA repair, resulting in higher sensitivity to DNA breaks and replication stress. Finally, in support of our in vitro findings, a PARP1/2 inhibitor alone reduce tumor burden in a H3K36M HNSCC xenograft model with elevated H3K27me3, whereas in a H3K36M HNSCC xenograft model with consistent H3K27me3 levels, a combination of PARP1/2 inhibitors and agents that upregulate H3K27me3 proves to be successful. In conclusion, our findings underscore a delicate balance between H3K36 and H3K27 methylation, essential for maintaining genome stability. This equilibrium presents promising therapeutic opportunities for patients with H3K36me-deficient tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D. Caeiro
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Yuichiro Nakata
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Rodrigo L. Borges
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Liliana Garcia-Martinez
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Carolina P. Bañuelos
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Stephanie Stransky
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ho Lam Chan
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - John Brabson
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Diana Domínguez
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Peter W. Lewis
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Salvador Aznar-Benitah
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Luisa Cimmino
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Daniel Bilbao
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ramiro E. Verdun
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Miami VA Healthcare System, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lluis Morey
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biomedical Research Building, 1501 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Delaney K, Weiss N, Almouzni G. The cell-cycle choreography of H3 variants shapes the genome. Mol Cell 2023; 83:3773-3786. [PMID: 37734377 PMCID: PMC10621666 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2023.08.030] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Histone variants provide versatility in the basic unit of chromatin, helping to define dynamic landscapes and cell fates. Maintaining genome integrity is paramount for the cell, and it is intimately linked with chromatin dynamics, assembly, and disassembly during DNA transactions such as replication, repair, recombination, and transcription. In this review, we focus on the family of H3 variants and their dynamics in space and time during the cell cycle. We review the distinct H3 variants' specific features along with their escort partners, the histone chaperones, compiled across different species to discuss their distinct importance considering evolution. We place H3 dynamics at different times during the cell cycle with the possible consequences for genome stability. Finally, we examine how their mutation and alteration impact disease. The emerging picture stresses key parameters in H3 dynamics to reflect on how when they are perturbed, they become a source of stress for genome integrity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Delaney
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Nicole Weiss
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Geneviève Almouzni
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Nuclear Dynamics Unit, Equipe Labellisée Ligue contre le Cancer, 26 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Klein RH, Knoepfler PS. Knockout tales: the versatile roles of histone H3.3 in development and disease. Epigenetics Chromatin 2023; 16:38. [PMID: 37814296 PMCID: PMC10563256 DOI: 10.1186/s13072-023-00512-8] [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: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone variant H3.3 plays novel roles in development as compared to canonical H3 proteins and is the most commonly mutated histone protein of any kind in human disease. Here we discuss how gene targeting studies of the two H3.3-coding genes H3f3a and H3f3b have provided important insights into H3.3 functions including in gametes as well as brain and lung development. Knockouts have also provided insights into the important roles of H3.3 in maintaining genomic stability and chromatin organization, processes that are also affected when H3.3 is mutated in human diseases such as pediatric tumors and neurodevelopmental syndromes. Overall, H3.3 is a unique histone linking development and disease via epigenomic machinery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rachel H Klein
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
- Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Paul S Knoepfler
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
- Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine, Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
- Genome Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Deacon S, Walker L, Radhi M, Smith S. The Regulation of m6A Modification in Glioblastoma: Functional Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3307. [PMID: 37444417 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15133307] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most prevalent primary brain tumour and invariably confers a poor prognosis. The immense intra-tumoral heterogeneity of glioblastoma and its ability to rapidly develop treatment resistance are key barriers to successful therapy. As such, there is an urgent need for the greater understanding of the tumour biology in order to guide the development of novel therapeutics in this field. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant of the RNA modifications in eukaryotes. Studies have demonstrated that the regulation of this RNA modification is altered in glioblastoma and may serve to regulate diverse mechanisms including glioma stem-cell self-renewal, tumorigenesis, invasion and treatment evasion. However, the precise mechanisms by which m6A modifications exert their functional effects are poorly understood. This review summarises the evidence for the disordered regulation of m6A in glioblastoma and discusses the downstream functional effects of m6A modification on RNA fate. The wide-ranging biological consequences of m6A modification raises the hope that novel cancer therapies can be targeted against this mechanism.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Deacon
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Lauryn Walker
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Masar Radhi
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Stuart Smith
- Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ocasio JK, Budd KM, Roach JT, Andrews JM, Baker SJ. Oncohistones and disrupted development in pediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma. Cancer Metastasis Rev 2023; 42:367-388. [PMID: 37119408 PMCID: PMC10441521 DOI: 10.1007/s10555-023-10105-2] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent, clonal somatic mutations in histone H3 are molecular hallmarks that distinguish the genetic mechanisms underlying pediatric and adult high-grade glioma (HGG), define biological subgroups of diffuse glioma, and highlight connections between cancer, development, and epigenetics. These oncogenic mutations in histones, now termed "oncohistones", were discovered through genome-wide sequencing of pediatric diffuse high-grade glioma. Up to 80% of diffuse midline glioma (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse glioma arising in other midline structures including thalamus or spinal cord, contain histone H3 lysine 27 to methionine (K27M) mutations or, rarely, other alterations that result in a depletion of H3K27me3 similar to that induced by H3 K27M. This subgroup of glioma is now defined as diffuse midline glioma, H3K27-altered. In contrast, histone H3 Gly34Arg/Val (G34R/V) mutations are found in approximately 30% of diffuse glioma arising in the cerebral hemispheres of older adolescents and young adults, now classified as diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3G34-mutant. Here, we review how oncohistones modulate the epigenome and discuss the mutational landscape and invasive properties of histone mutant HGGs of childhood. The distinct mechanisms through which oncohistones and other mutations rewrite the epigenetic landscape provide novel insights into development and tumorigenesis and may present unique vulnerabilities for pHGGs. Lessons learned from these rare incurable brain tumors of childhood may have broader implications for cancer, as additional high- and low-frequency oncohistone mutations have been identified in other tumor types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Ocasio
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kaitlin M Budd
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jordan T Roach
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Jared M Andrews
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Suzanne J Baker
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
- St. Jude Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memphis, TN, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fernández-García P, Malet-Engra G, Torres M, Hanson D, Rosselló CA, Román R, Lladó V, Escribá PV. Evolving Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies for Pediatric CNS Tumors: The Impact of Lipid Metabolism. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051365. [PMID: 37239036 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051365] [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: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Pediatric neurological tumors are a heterogeneous group of cancers, many of which carry a poor prognosis and lack a "standard of care" therapy. While they have similar anatomic locations, pediatric neurological tumors harbor specific molecular signatures that distinguish them from adult brain and other neurological cancers. Recent advances through the application of genetics and imaging tools have reshaped the molecular classification and treatment of pediatric neurological tumors, specifically considering the molecular alterations involved. A multidisciplinary effort is ongoing to develop new therapeutic strategies for these tumors, employing innovative and established approaches. Strikingly, there is increasing evidence that lipid metabolism is altered during the development of these types of tumors. Thus, in addition to targeted therapies focusing on classical oncogenes, new treatments are being developed based on a broad spectrum of strategies, ranging from vaccines to viral vectors, and melitherapy. This work reviews the current therapeutic landscape for pediatric brain tumors, considering new emerging treatments and ongoing clinical trials. In addition, the role of lipid metabolism in these neoplasms and its relevance for the development of novel therapies are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paula Fernández-García
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Gema Malet-Engra
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Manuel Torres
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Derek Hanson
- Hackensack Meridian Health, 343 Thornall Street, Edison, NJ 08837, USA
| | - Catalina A Rosselló
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Ramón Román
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Victoria Lladó
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Pablo V Escribá
- Laboratory of Molecular Cell Biomedicine, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Laminar Pharmaceuticals, Isaac Newton, 07121 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Cohen LRZ, Kaffe B, Deri E, Leibson C, Nissim-Rafinia M, Maman M, Harpaz N, Ron G, Shema E, Meshorer E. PRC2-independent actions of H3.3K27M in embryonic stem cell differentiation. Nucleic Acids Res 2023; 51:1662-1673. [PMID: 36156096 PMCID: PMC9976889 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkac800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The histone H3 variant, H3.3, is localized at specific regions in the genome, especially promoters and active enhancers, and has been shown to play important roles in development. A lysine to methionine substitution in position 27 (H3.3K27M) is a main cause of Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (specifically Diffuse Midline Glioma, K27M-mutant), a lethal type of pediatric cancer. H3.3K27M has a dominant-negative effect by inhibiting the Polycomb Repressor Complex 2 (PRC2) activity. Here, we studied the immediate, genome-wide, consequences of the H3.3K27M mutation independent of PRC2 activity. We developed Doxycycline (Dox)-inducible mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) carrying a single extra copy of WT-H3.3, H3.3K27M and H3.3K27L, all fused to HA. We performed RNA-Seq and ChIP-Seq at different times following Dox induction in undifferentiated and differentiated ESCs. We find increased binding of H3.3 around transcription start sites in cells expressing both H3.3K27M and H3.3K27L compared with WT, but not in cells treated with PRC2 inhibitors. Differentiated cells carrying either H3.3K27M or H3.3K27L retain expression of ESC-active genes, in expense of expression of genes related to neuronal differentiation. Taken together, our data suggest that a modifiable H3.3K27 is required for proper histone incorporation and cellular maturation, independent of PRC2 activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lea R Z Cohen
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.,The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Binyamin Kaffe
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Eden Deri
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.,The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Chen Leibson
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Malka Nissim-Rafinia
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Moria Maman
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Nofar Harpaz
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Guy Ron
- The Racah Institute of Physics, The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| | - Efrat Shema
- Department of Immunology and Regenerative Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Eran Meshorer
- Department of Genetics, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel.,The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Balaji AK, Saha S, Deshpande S, Poola D, Sengupta K. Nuclear envelope, chromatin organizers, histones, and DNA: The many achilles heels exploited across cancers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1068347. [PMID: 36589746 PMCID: PMC9800887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1068347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In eukaryotic cells, the genome is organized in the form of chromatin composed of DNA and histones that organize and regulate gene expression. The dysregulation of chromatin remodeling, including the aberrant incorporation of histone variants and their consequent post-translational modifications, is prevalent across cancers. Additionally, nuclear envelope proteins are often deregulated in cancers, which impacts the 3D organization of the genome. Altered nuclear morphology, genome organization, and gene expression are defining features of cancers. With advances in single-cell sequencing, imaging technologies, and high-end data mining approaches, we are now at the forefront of designing appropriate small molecules to selectively inhibit the growth and proliferation of cancer cells in a genome- and epigenome-specific manner. Here, we review recent advances and the emerging significance of aberrations in nuclear envelope proteins, histone variants, and oncohistones in deregulating chromatin organization and gene expression in oncogenesis.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bočkaj I, Martini TEI, Smit MJ, Armandari I, Bakker B, Wardenaar R, Meeuwsen-de Boer TGJ, Bakker PL, Spierings DCJ, Hoving EW, Guryev V, Foijer F, Bruggeman SWM. Chromosomal Instability Characterizes Pediatric Medulloblastoma but Is Not Tolerated in the Developing Cerebellum. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179852. [PMID: 36077248 PMCID: PMC9456393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179852] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Medulloblastoma is a pediatric brain malignancy that consists of four transcriptional subgroups. Structural and numerical aneuploidy are common in all subgroups, although they are particularly profound in Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma and in a subtype of SHH medulloblastoma termed SHHα. This suggests that chromosomal instability (CIN), the process leading to aneuploidy, is an important player in medulloblastoma pathophysiology. However, it is not known if there is ongoing CIN in medulloblastoma or if CIN affects the developing cerebellum and promotes tumor formation. To investigate this, we performed karyotyping of single medulloblastoma cells and demonstrated the presence of distinct tumor cell clones harboring unique copy number alterations, which is suggestive of ongoing CIN. We also found enrichment for processes related to DNA replication, repair, and mitosis in both SHH medulloblastoma and in the highly proliferative compartment of the presumed tumor cell lineage-of-origin, the latter also being sensitive to genotoxic stress. However, when challenging these tumor cells-of-origin with genetic lesions inducing CIN using transgenic mouse modeling, we found no evidence for large chromosomal aberrations in the cerebellum or for medulloblastoma formation. We therefore conclude that without a background of specific genetic mutations, CIN is not tolerated in the developing cerebellum in vivo and, thus, by itself is not sufficient to initiate medulloblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irena Bočkaj
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tosca E. I. Martini
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Marlinde J. Smit
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inna Armandari
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bjorn Bakker
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - René Wardenaar
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tiny G. J. Meeuwsen-de Boer
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Petra L. Bakker
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Diana C. J. Spierings
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eelco W. Hoving
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Victor Guryev
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Floris Foijer
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (S.W.M.B.)
| | - Sophia W. M. Bruggeman
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (F.F.); (S.W.M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|