1
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Tu KJ, Diplas BH, Regal JA, Waitkus MS, Pirozzi CJ, Reitman ZJ. Mining cancer genomes for change-of-metabolic-function mutations. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1143. [PMID: 37950065 PMCID: PMC10638295 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05475-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Enzymes with novel functions are needed to enable new organic synthesis techniques. Drawing inspiration from gain-of-function cancer mutations that functionally alter proteins and affect cellular metabolism, we developed METIS (Mutated Enzymes from Tumors In silico Screen). METIS identifies metabolism-altering cancer mutations using mutation recurrence rates and protein structure. We used METIS to screen 298,517 cancer mutations and identify 48 candidate mutations, including those previously identified to alter enzymatic function. Unbiased metabolomic profiling of cells exogenously expressing a candidate mutant (OGDHLp.A400T) supports an altered phenotype that boosts in vitro production of xanthosine, a pharmacologically useful chemical that is currently produced using unsustainable, water-intensive methods. We then applied METIS to 49 million cancer mutations, yielding a refined set of candidates that may impart novel enzymatic functions or contribute to tumor progression. Thus, METIS can be used to identify and catalog potentially-useful cancer mutations for green chemistry and therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Tu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 21044, USA
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0RE, UK
| | - Bill H Diplas
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Joshua A Regal
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | | | | | - Zachary J Reitman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Neurosurgery, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
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2
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Aldana J, Gardner ML, Freitas MA. Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis of Oncogenic EZH2 Mutants: From Epigenetic Reprogramming to Molecular Signatures. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11378. [PMID: 37511137 PMCID: PMC10380343 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Somatic heterozygous mutations in the active site of the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) are prevalent in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The methyltransferase activity of EZH2 towards lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27) and non-histone proteins is dysregulated by the presence of gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) mutations altering chromatin compaction, protein complex recruitment, and transcriptional regulation. In this study, a comprehensive multi-omics approach was carried out to characterize the effects of differential H3K27me3 deposition driven by EZH2 mutations. Three stable isogenic mutants (EZH2Y641F, EZH2A677G, and EZH2H689A/F667I) were examined using EpiProfile, H3K27me3 CUT&Tag, ATAC-Seq, transcriptomics, label-free proteomics, and untargeted metabolomics. A discrete set of genes and downstream targets were identified for the EZH2 GOF and LOF mutants that impacted pathways involved in cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Disruption of protein networks and metabolic signatures able to sustain aberrant cell behavior was observed in response to EZH2 mutations. This systems biology-based analysis sheds light on EZH2-mediated cell transformative processes, from the epigenetic to the phenotypic level. These studies provide novel insights into aberrant EZH2 function along with targets that can be explored for improved diagnostics/treatment in hematologic malignancies with mutated EZH2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Aldana
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Miranda L Gardner
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Michael A Freitas
- Ohio State Biochemistry Program, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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3
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Abstract
Meiosis increases genetic diversity in offspring by generating genetically unique haploid gametes with reshuffled chromosomes. This process requires a specialized set of meiotic proteins, which facilitate chromosome recombination and segregation. However, re-expression of meiotic proteins in mitosis can have catastrophic oncogenic consequences and aberrant expression of meiotic proteins is a common occurrence in human tumors. Mechanistically, re-activation of meiotic genes in cancer promotes oncogenesis likely because cancers-conversely to healthy mitosis-are fueled by genetic instability which promotes tumor evolution, and evasion of immune response and treatment pressure. In this review, we explore similarities between meiotic and cancer cells with a particular focus on the oncogenic activation of meiotic genes in cancer. We emphasize the role of histones and their modifications, DNA methylation, genome organization, R-loops and the availability of distal enhancers.
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4
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Rej RK, Wang C, Lu J, Wang M, Petrunak E, Zawacki KP, McEachern D, Yang CY, Wang L, Li R, Chinnaswamy K, Wen B, Sun D, Stuckey JA, Zhou Y, Chen J, Tang G, Wang S. Discovery of EEDi-5273 as an Exceptionally Potent and Orally Efficacious EED Inhibitor Capable of Achieving Complete and Persistent Tumor Regression. J Med Chem 2021; 64:14540-14556. [PMID: 34613724 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic ectoderm development (EED) is a promising therapeutic target for human cancers and other diseases. We report herein the discovery of exceptionally potent and efficacious EED inhibitors. By conformational restriction of a previously reported EED inhibitor, we obtained a potent lead compound. Further optimization of the lead yielded exceptionally potent EED inhibitors. The best compound EEDi-5273 binds to EED with an IC50 value of 0.2 nM and inhibits the KARPAS422 cell growth with an IC50 value of 1.2 nM. It demonstrates an excellent PK and ADME profile, and its oral administration leads to complete and persistent tumor regression in the KARPAS422 xenograft model with no signs of toxicity. Co-crystal structures of two potent EED inhibitors with EED provide a solid structural basis for their high-affinity binding. EEDi-5273 is a promising EED inhibitor for further advanced preclinical development for the treatment of human cancer and other human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chao-Yie Yang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Yunlong Zhou
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
| | - Jianyong Chen
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
| | - Guozhi Tang
- Ascentage Pharma Group, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215216, China
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5
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Dobre EG, Constantin C, Costache M, Neagu M. Interrogating Epigenome toward Personalized Approach in Cutaneous Melanoma. J Pers Med 2021; 11:901. [PMID: 34575678 PMCID: PMC8467841 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11090901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic alterations have emerged as essential contributors in the pathogenesis of various human diseases, including cutaneous melanoma (CM). Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic modifications are highly dynamic and reversible and thus easy to regulate. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the latest research findings on the role of genetic and epigenetic alterations in CM initiation and development. We believe that a better understanding of how aberrant DNA methylation and histone modifications, along with other molecular processes, affect the genesis and clinical behavior of CM can provide the clinical management of this disease a wide range of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential therapeutic targets that can be used to prevent or abrogate drug resistance. We will also approach the modalities by which these epigenetic alterations can be used to customize the therapeutic algorithms in CM, the current status of epi-therapies, and the preliminary results of epigenetic and traditional combinatorial pharmacological approaches in this fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena-Georgiana Dobre
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Carolina Constantin
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Marieta Costache
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
| | - Monica Neagu
- Faculty of Biology, University of Bucharest, Splaiul Independentei 91–95, 050095 Bucharest, Romania; (M.C.); (M.N.)
- Immunology Department, “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania;
- Pathology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
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6
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Kyriakou G, Melachrinou M. Cancer stem cells, epigenetics, tumor microenvironment and future therapeutics in cutaneous malignant melanoma: a review. Future Oncol 2020; 16:1549-1567. [PMID: 32484008 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the ontogeny and biology of melanoma stem cells in cutaneous malignant melanoma. This article also summarizes and evaluates the current knowledge of the underlying epigenetic mechanisms, the regulation of melanoma progress by the tumor microenvironment as well as the therapeutic implications and applications of these novel insights, in the setting of personalized medicine. Unraveling the complex ecosystem of cutaneous malignant melanoma and the interplay between its components, aims to provide novel insights into the establishment of efficient therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Kyriakou
- Department of Dermatology, University General Hospital of Patras, Rion 265 04, Greece
| | - Maria Melachrinou
- Department of Pathology, University General Hospital of Patras, Rion 265 04, Greece
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7
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Gerlitz G. The Emerging Roles of Heterochromatin in Cell Migration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:394. [PMID: 32528959 PMCID: PMC7266953 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell migration is a key process in health and disease. In the last decade an increasing attention is given to chromatin organization in migrating cells. In various types of cells induction of migration leads to a global increase in heterochromatin levels. Heterochromatin is required for optimal cell migration capabilities, since various interventions with heterochromatin formation impeded the migration rate of numerous cell types. Heterochromatin supports the migration process by affecting both the mechanical properties of the nucleus as well as the genetic processes taking place within it. Increased heterochromatin levels elevate nuclear rigidity in a manner that allows faster cell migration in 3D environments. Condensed chromatin and a more rigid nucleus may increase nuclear durability to shear stress and prevent DNA damage during the migration process. In addition, heterochromatin reorganization in migrating cells is important for induction of migration-specific transcriptional plan together with inhibition of many other unnecessary transcriptional changes. Thus, chromatin organization appears to have a key role in the cellular migration process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabi Gerlitz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Ariel Center for Applied Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, Israel
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8
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Hanniford D, Ulloa-Morales A, Karz A, Berzoti-Coelho MG, Moubarak RS, Sánchez-Sendra B, Kloetgen A, Davalos V, Imig J, Wu P, Vasudevaraja V, Argibay D, Lilja K, Tabaglio T, Monteagudo C, Guccione E, Tsirigos A, Osman I, Aifantis I, Hernando E. Epigenetic Silencing of CDR1as Drives IGF2BP3-Mediated Melanoma Invasion and Metastasis. Cancer Cell 2020; 37:55-70.e15. [PMID: 31935372 PMCID: PMC7184928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Metastasis is the primary cause of death of cancer patients. Dissecting mechanisms governing metastatic spread may uncover important tumor biology and/or yield promising therapeutic insights. Here, we investigated the role of circular RNAs (circRNA) in metastasis, using melanoma as a model aggressive tumor. We identified silencing of cerebellar degeneration-related 1 antisense (CDR1as), a regulator of miR-7, as a hallmark of melanoma progression. CDR1as depletion results from epigenetic silencing of LINC00632, its originating long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and promotes invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo through a miR-7-independent, IGF2BP3-mediated mechanism. Moreover, CDR1as levels reflect cellular states associated with distinct therapeutic responses. Our study reveals functional, prognostic, and predictive roles for CDR1as and expose circRNAs as key players in metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Hanniford
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Alejandro Ulloa-Morales
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alcida Karz
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Gabriela Berzoti-Coelho
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Department of Clinical Analysis, Toxicology and Food Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rana S Moubarak
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Andreas Kloetgen
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Veronica Davalos
- Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC), Badalona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Jochen Imig
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pamela Wu
- Institute for Systems Genetics, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Varshini Vasudevaraja
- Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diana Argibay
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Karin Lilja
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tommaso Tabaglio
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Ernesto Guccione
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A(∗)STAR, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine, Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Aristotelis Tsirigos
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iman Osman
- Departments of Urology and Medicine, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iannis Aifantis
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eva Hernando
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; Interdisciplinary Melanoma Cooperative Group, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
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9
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Strub T, Ballotti R, Bertolotto C. The "ART" of Epigenetics in Melanoma: From histone "Alterations, to Resistance and Therapies". Theranostics 2020; 10:1777-1797. [PMID: 32042336 PMCID: PMC6993228 DOI: 10.7150/thno.36218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer. It originates from melanocytic cells and can also arise at other body sites. Early diagnosis and appropriate medical care offer excellent prognosis with up to 5-year survival rate in more than 95% of all patients. However, long-term survival rate for metastatic melanoma patients remains at only 5%. Indeed, malignant melanoma is known for its notorious resistance to most current therapies and is characterized by both genetic and epigenetic alterations. In cutaneous melanoma (CM), genetic alterations have been implicated in drug resistance, yet the main cause of this resistance seems to be non-genetic in nature with a change in transcription programs within cell subpopulations. This change can adapt and escape targeted therapy and immunotherapy cytotoxic effects favoring relapse. Because they are reversible in nature, epigenetic changes are a growing focus in cancer research aiming to prevent or revert the drug resistance with current therapies. As such, the field of epigenetic therapeutics is among the most active area of preclinical and clinical research with effects of many classes of epigenetic drugs being investigated. Here, we review the multiplicity of epigenetic alterations, mainly histone alterations and chromatin remodeling in both cutaneous and uveal melanomas, opening opportunities for further research in the field and providing clues to specifically control these modifications. We also discuss how epigenetic dysregulations may be exploited to achieve clinical benefits for the patients, the limitations of these therapies, and recent data exploring this potential through combinatorial epigenetic and traditional therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Strub
- Université Nice Côte d'Azur, Inserm, C3M, France
- Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, C3M, team 1, France
| | - Robert Ballotti
- Université Nice Côte d'Azur, Inserm, C3M, France
- Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, C3M, team 1, France
| | - Corine Bertolotto
- Université Nice Côte d'Azur, Inserm, C3M, France
- Biology and pathologies of melanocytes, Equipe labellisée ARC 2019, C3M, team 1, France
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10
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Suh JL, Barnash KD, Abramyan TM, Li F, The J, Engelberg IA, Vedadi M, Brown PJ, Kireev DB, Arrowsmith CH, James LI, Frye SV. Discovery of selective activators of PRC2 mutant EED-I363M. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6524. [PMID: 31024026 PMCID: PMC6484020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-43005-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Many common disease-causing mutations result in loss-of-function (LOF) of the proteins in which they occur. LOF mutations have proven recalcitrant to pharmacologic intervention, presenting a challenge for the development of targeted therapeutics. Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which contains core subunits (EZH2, EED, and SUZ12), regulates gene activity by trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27. The dysregulation of PRC2 catalytic activity by mutations has been implicated in cancer and other diseases. Among the mutations that cause PRC2 malfunction, an I363M LOF mutation of EED has been identified in myeloid disorders, where it prevents allosteric activation of EZH2 catalysis. We describe structure-based design and computational simulations of ligands created to ameliorate this LOF. Notably, these compounds selectively stimulate the catalytic activity of PRC2-EED-I363M over wildtype-PRC2. Overall, this work demonstrates the feasibility of developing targeted therapeutics for PRC2-EED-I363M that act as allosteric agonists, potentially correcting this LOF mutant phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junghyun L Suh
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Kimberly D Barnash
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.,Foghorn Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Tigran M Abramyan
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Fengling Li
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Juliana The
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Isabelle A Engelberg
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Masoud Vedadi
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Peter J Brown
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Dmitri B Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Cheryl H Arrowsmith
- Structural Genomics Consortium, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1L7, Canada. .,Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Lindsey I James
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA.
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11
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Dissecting the role of H3K27 acetylation and methylation in PRC2 mediated control of cellular identity. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1679. [PMID: 30976011 PMCID: PMC6459869 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09624-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1 and PRC2 act non-redundantly at target genes to maintain transcriptional programs and ensure cellular identity. PRC2 methylates lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27me), while PRC1 mono-ubiquitinates histone H2A at lysine 119 (H2Aub1). Here we present engineered mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) targeting the PRC2 subunits EZH1 and EZH2 to discriminate between contributions of distinct H3K27 methylation states and the presence of PRC2/1 at chromatin. We generate catalytically inactive EZH2 mutant ESCs, demonstrating that H3K27 methylation, but not recruitment to the chromatin, is essential for proper ESC differentiation. We further show that EZH1 activity is sufficient to maintain repression of Polycomb targets by depositing H3K27me2/3 and preserving PRC1 recruitment. This occurs in the presence of altered H3K27me1 deposition at actively transcribed genes and by a diffused hyperacetylation of chromatin that compromises ESC developmental potential. Overall, this work provides insights for the contribution of diffuse chromatin invasion by acetyltransferases in PRC2-dependent loss of developmental control. Polycomb repressive complexes PRC1 and PRC2 act non-redundantly at target genes to regulate transcription. Here the authors present engineered mouse ESCs targeting the PRC2 subunits EZH1 and EZH2 to discriminate between contributions of distinct H3K27 methylation states and the presence of PRC2/1 at chromatin, and provide evidence for the role of H3K27 acetylation in PRC2-mediated functions.
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12
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Han M, Jia L, Lv W, Wang L, Cui W. Epigenetic Enzyme Mutations: Role in Tumorigenesis and Molecular Inhibitors. Front Oncol 2019; 9:194. [PMID: 30984620 PMCID: PMC6449417 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2019.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation and histone modification, result in heritable changes in gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. Epigenetic regulatory enzymes such as DNA methyltransferases, histone methyltransferases, and histone deacetylases are involved in epigenetic modification. Studies have shown that the dysregulation caused by changes in the amino acid sequence of these enzymes is closely correlated with tumor onset and progression. In addition, certain amino acid changes in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) are linked to altered epigenetic modifications in tumors. Some small molecule inhibitors targeting these aberrant enzymes have shown promising anti-cancer efficacy in preclinical and clinical trials. For example, the small molecule inhibitor ivosidenib, which targets IDH1 with a mutation at R132, has been approved by the FDA for the clinical treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. In this review, we summarize the recurrent “hotspot” mutations in these enzymes in various tumors and their role in tumorigenesis. We also describe candidate inhibitors of the mutant enzymes which show potential therapeutic value. In addition, we introduce some previously unreported mutation sites in these enzymes, which may be related to tumor development and provide opportunities for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Han
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lina Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wencai Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Lihui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Cui
- Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
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13
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Orouji E, Utikal J. Tackling malignant melanoma epigenetically: histone lysine methylation. Clin Epigenetics 2018; 10:145. [PMID: 30466474 PMCID: PMC6249913 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-018-0583-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-translational histone modifications such as acetylation and methylation can affect gene expression. Histone acetylation is commonly associated with activation of gene expression whereas histone methylation is linked to either activation or repression of gene expression. Depending on the site of histone modification, several histone marks can be present throughout the genome. A combination of these histone marks can shape global chromatin architecture, and changes in patterns of marks can affect the transcriptomic landscape. Alterations in several histone marks are associated with different types of cancers, and these alterations are distinct from marks found in original normal tissues. Therefore, it is hypothesized that patterns of histone marks can change during the process of tumorigenesis. This review focuses on histone methylation changes (both removal and addition of methyl groups) in malignant melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, and the implications of specific inhibitors of these modifications as a combinatorial therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Orouji
- Department of Genomic Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1901 East Rd. South Campus Research Building 4, Houston, TX, 77054, USA. .,Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Jochen Utikal
- Skin Cancer Unit, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center Mannheim, Ruprecht-Karl University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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14
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Strub T, Ghiraldini FG, Carcamo S, Li M, Wroblewska A, Singh R, Goldberg MS, Hasson D, Wang Z, Gallagher SJ, Hersey P, Ma'ayan A, Long GV, Scolyer RA, Brown B, Zheng B, Bernstein E. SIRT6 haploinsufficiency induces BRAF V600E melanoma cell resistance to MAPK inhibitors via IGF signalling. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3440. [PMID: 30143629 PMCID: PMC6109055 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-05966-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
While multiple mechanisms of BRAFV600-mutant melanoma resistance to targeted MAPK signaling inhibitors (MAPKi) have been reported, the epigenetic regulation of this process remains undetermined. Here, using a CRISPR–Cas9 screen targeting chromatin regulators, we discover that haploinsufficiency of the histone deacetylase SIRT6 allows melanoma cell persistence in the presence of MAPKi. Haploinsufficiency, but not complete loss of SIRT6 promotes IGFBP2 expression via increased chromatin accessibility, H3K56 acetylation at the IGFBP2 locus, and consequent activation of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and downstream AKT signaling. Combining a clinically applicable IGF-1Ri with BRAFi overcomes resistance of SIRT6 haploinsufficient melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Using matched melanoma samples derived from patients receiving dabrafenib + trametinib, we identify IGFBP2 as a potential biomarker for MAPKi resistance. Our study has not only identified an epigenetic mechanism of drug resistance, but also provides insights into a combinatorial therapy that may overcome resistance to standard-of-care therapy for BRAFV600-mutant melanoma patients. The epigenetic mechanisms of melanoma drug resistance are poorly understood. Here, the authors develop a CRISPR-Cas9 screen targeting epigenetic regulators and discover that SIRT6 haploinsufficiency induces BRAFV600E melanoma cell resistance to MAPK inhibitors via IGF signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Strub
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Flavia G Ghiraldini
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Saul Carcamo
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Man Li
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Aleksandra Wroblewska
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Rajendra Singh
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Matthew S Goldberg
- Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dan Hasson
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zichen Wang
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Stuart J Gallagher
- Centenary Institute, Camperdown NSW 2050, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft NSW 2065, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Peter Hersey
- Centenary Institute, Camperdown NSW 2050, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft NSW 2065, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Avi Ma'ayan
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Georgina V Long
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft NSW 2065, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Richard A Scolyer
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft NSW 2065, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia.,Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Brian Brown
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai Center for Bioinformatics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Precision Immunology Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Bin Zheng
- Centenary Institute, Camperdown NSW 2050, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Emily Bernstein
- Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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15
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Cao J, Pontes KCS, Heijkants RC, Brouwer NJ, Groenewoud A, Jordanova ES, Marinkovic M, van Duinen S, Teunisse AFAS, Verdijk RM, Snaar‐Jagalska E, Jochemsen AG, Jager MJ. Overexpression of EZH2 in conjunctival melanoma offers a new therapeutic target. J Pathol 2018; 245:433-444. [PMID: 29732557 PMCID: PMC6174981 DOI: 10.1002/path.5094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva (CM) is an uncommon but potentially deadly disorder. Many malignancies show an increased activity of the epigenetic modifier enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). We studied whether EZH2 is expressed in CM, and whether it may be a target for therapy in this malignancy. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that EZH2 protein expression was absent in normal conjunctival melanocytes and primary acquired melanosis, while EZH2 was highly expressed in 13 (50%) of 26 primary CM and seven (88%) of eight lymph node metastases. Increased expression was positively associated with tumour thickness (p =0.03). Next, we targeted EZH2 with specific inhibitors (GSK503 and UNC1999) or depleted EZH2 by stable shRNA knockdown in three primary CM cell lines. Both pharmacological and genetic inactivation of EZH2 inhibited cell growth and colony formation and influenced EZH2-mediated gene transcription and cell cycle profile in vitro. The tumour suppressor gene p21/CDKN1A was especially upregulated in CM cells after EZH2 knockdown in CM cells. Additionally, the potency of GSK503 against CM cells was monitored in zebrafish xenografts. GSK503 profoundly attenuated tumour growth in CM xenografts at a well-tolerated concentration. Our results indicate that elevated levels of EZH2 are relevant to CM tumourigenesis and progression, and that EZH2 may become a potential therapeutic target for patients with CM. © 2018 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Cao
- Department of OphthalmologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of OphthalmologyThe Second Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchunPR China
| | - Kelly CS Pontes
- Department of OphthalmologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of BiologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Renier C Heijkants
- Department of Molecular Cell BiologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Niels J Brouwer
- Department of OphthalmologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Arwin Groenewoud
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of BiologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Ekaterina S Jordanova
- Department of PathologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
- Centre for Gynaecological Oncology Amsterdam (CGOA)VU University Medical CentreAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Marina Marinkovic
- Department of OphthalmologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd van Duinen
- Department of PathologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Amina FAS Teunisse
- Department of Molecular Cell BiologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Robert M Verdijk
- Department of Pathology, Section Ophthalmic PathologyErasmus MC University Medical CentreRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Ewa Snaar‐Jagalska
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of BiologyLeiden UniversityLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Aart G Jochemsen
- Department of Molecular Cell BiologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Martine J Jager
- Department of OphthalmologyLeiden University Medical CentreLeidenThe Netherlands
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16
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Pan MR, Hsu MC, Chen LT, Hung WC. Orchestration of H3K27 methylation: mechanisms and therapeutic implication. Cell Mol Life Sci 2018; 75:209-223. [PMID: 28717873 PMCID: PMC5756243 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2596-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Histone proteins constitute the core component of the nucleosome, the basic unit of chromatin. Chemical modifications of histone proteins affect their interaction with genomic DNA, the accessibility of recognized proteins, and the recruitment of enzymatic complexes to activate or diminish specific transcriptional programs to modulate cellular response to extracellular stimuli or insults. Methylation of histone proteins was demonstrated 50 years ago; however, the biological significance of each methylated residue and the integration between these histone markers are still under intensive investigation. Methylation of histone H3 on lysine 27 (H3K27) is frequently found in the heterochromatin and conceives a repressive marker that is linked with gene silencing. The identification of enzymes that add or erase the methyl group of H3K27 provides novel insights as to how this histone marker is dynamically controlled under different circumstances. Here we summarize the methyltransferases and demethylases involved in the methylation of H3K27 and show the new evidence by which the H3K27 methylation can be established via an alternative mechanism. Finally, the progress of drug development targeting H3K27 methylation-modifying enzymes and their potential application in cancer therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Ren Pan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 807, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Chuan Hsu
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
| | - Li-Tzong Chen
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan, 704, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chun Hung
- National Institute of Cancer Research, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, 704, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, 804, Taiwan.
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17
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Chen Q, Zheng PS, Yang WT. EZH2-mediated repression of GSK-3β and TP53 promotes Wnt/β-catenin signaling-dependent cell expansion in cervical carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 7:36115-36129. [PMID: 27092879 PMCID: PMC5094987 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a catalytic core component of the Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), stimulates the silencing of target genes through histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3). Recent findings have indicated EZH2 is involved in the development and progression of various human cancers. However, the exact mechanism of EZH2 in the promotion of cervical cancer is largely unknown. Here, we show that EZH2 expression gradually increases during the progression of cervical cancer. We identified a significant positive correlation between EZH2 expression and cell proliferation in vitro and tumor formation in vivo by the up-regulation or down-regulation of EZH2 using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene editing technology and shRNA in HeLa and SiHa cells. Further investigation indicated that EZH2 protein significantly accelerated the cell cycle transition from the G0/G1 to S phase. TOP/FOP-Flash reporter assay revealed that EZH2 significantly activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling and the target genes of Wnt/β-catenin pathway were up-regulated, including β-catenin, cyclin D1, and c-myc. Moreover, dual-luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays confirmed that EZH2 inhibited the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and TP53 through physically interacting with motifs in the promoters of the GSK-3β and TP53 genes. Additionally, blockage of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation, and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway resulted in significant enhancement of cell proliferation, as induced by EZH2. Taken together, our data demonstrate that EZH2 promotes cell proliferation and tumor formation in cervical cancer through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by epigenetic silencing via GSK-3β and TP53.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of The Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, The People's Republic of China
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of The Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, The People's Republic of China.,Section of Cancer Stem Cell Research, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of The People's Republic of China, Xi'an, The People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Ting Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of The Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, The People's Republic of China
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18
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Ghosh K, O'Neil K, Capell BC. Histone modifiers: Dynamic regulators of the cutaneous transcriptome. J Dermatol Sci 2017; 89:226-232. [PMID: 29279287 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 12/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
By regulating the accessibility of the genome, epigenetic regulators such as histone proteins and the chromatin-modifying enzymes that act upon them control gene expression. Proper regulation of this "histone code" allows for the precise control of transcriptional networks that are essential for establishing and maintaining cell fate and identity, disruption of which may drive carcinogenesis. How these dynamic epigenetic regulators contribute to both skin homeostasis and disease is only beginning to be understood. Here we provide an update of the current understanding of histone modifiers in the skin. Indeed, as one of the most innovative and rapidly expanding areas in all of medicine, it is clear that epigenome-targeting therapies hold great promise for the treatment of dermatological diseases in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanad Ghosh
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kyle O'Neil
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Brian C Capell
- Penn Epigenetics Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA; Departments of Dermatology and Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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19
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Yu H, Ma M, Yan J, Xu L, Yu J, Dai J, Xu T, Tang H, Wu X, Li S, Lian B, Mao L, Chi Z, Cui C, Guo J, Kong Y. Identification of coexistence of BRAF V600E mutation and EZH2 gain specifically in melanoma as a promising target for combination therapy. J Transl Med 2017; 15:243. [PMID: 29202777 PMCID: PMC5716227 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-017-1344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Coexistence of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and BRAF gene aberrations has been described in many cancer types. In this study, we aim to explore the coexistence status of BRAF V600E mutation and the copy number variation of EZH2 and explore the potential of this combination as a therapeutic target. Methods A total of 138 cases of melanoma samples harboring BRAF V600E mutation were included, and EZH2 copy numbers were examined by QuantiGenePlex DNA Assays. Clinical pathological distinction between patient groups with or without EZH2 amplification (hereafter referred to as EZH2 gain) was statistically analyzed. The sensitivity of melanoma cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models containing BRAF V600E mutation with or without EZH2 gain to vemurafenib (BRAF inhibitor), GSK2816126 (EZH2 inhibitor) and a combination of both agents was evaluated. Results In our cohort, the coexistence rate of BRAF V600E mutation and EZH2 gain was up to 29.0%, and significant differences in overall survival and disease-free survival were found between no EZH2 copy number gain and gain groups (P = 0.038, P = 0.030), gain and high EZH2 copy number gain groups (P = 0.006, P = 0.010). Combination with BRAF and EZH2 inhibition showed better inhibitory efficacy in melanoma prevention compared with vemurafenib monotherapy. More importantly, this improved therapeutic effect was observed especially in melanoma cell lines and PDX models containing concurrently BRAF V600E mutation and EZH2 gain. Conclusions Coexistence of BRAF V600E mutation and EZH2 gain is rather prevalent in melanoma. Our findings provided evidence for the feasibility of combination therapy with EZH2 and BRAF inhibitors in melanoma with concurrent BRAF V600E mutation and EZH2 gain. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-017-1344-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Ma
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Junya Yan
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Longwen Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jiayi Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Dai
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Tianxiao Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaowen Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Siming Li
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Lian
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Lili Mao
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Zhihong Chi
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanliang Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education/Beijing), Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
| | - Yan Kong
- Department of Renal Cancer and Melanoma, Peking University Cancer Hospital and Institute, 52 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China.
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20
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Juan AH, Wang S, Ko KD, Zare H, Tsai PF, Feng X, Vivanco KO, Ascoli AM, Gutierrez-Cruz G, Krebs J, Sidoli S, Knight AL, Pedersen RA, Garcia BA, Casellas R, Zou J, Sartorelli V. Roles of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 Examined during Fate Specification of Embryonic Stem Cells. Cell Rep 2017; 17:1369-1382. [PMID: 27783950 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.09.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) methylates lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27) through its catalytic subunit Ezh2. PRC2-mediated di- and tri-methylation (H3K27me2/H3K27me3) have been interchangeably associated with gene repression. However, it remains unclear whether these two degrees of H3K27 methylation have different functions. In this study, we have generated isogenic mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) with a modified H3K27me2/H3K27me3 ratio. Our findings document dynamic developmental control in the genomic distribution of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 at regulatory regions in ESCs. They also reveal that modifying the ratio of H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 is sufficient for the acquisition and repression of defined cell lineage transcriptional programs and phenotypes and influences induction of the ESC ground state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aster H Juan
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
| | - Stan Wang
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK; Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Kyung Dae Ko
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hossein Zare
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pei-Fang Tsai
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Xuesong Feng
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Karinna O Vivanco
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony M Ascoli
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gustavo Gutierrez-Cruz
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jordan Krebs
- Genomics and Immunity, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Epigenetics Program, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104 PA, USA
| | - Adam L Knight
- Synaptic Function Section, The Porter Neuroscience Research Center, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Roger A Pedersen
- Department of Surgery, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK; The Anne McLaren Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Benjamin A Garcia
- Epigenetics Program, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Perlman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104 PA, USA
| | - Rafael Casellas
- Genomics and Immunity, NIAMS, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jizhong Zou
- iPSC Core Facility, Center for Molecular Medicine, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vittorio Sartorelli
- Laboratory of Muscle Stem Cells and Gene Regulation, National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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21
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Tiffen J, Wilson S, Gallagher SJ, Hersey P, Filipp FV. Somatic Copy Number Amplification and Hyperactivating Somatic Mutations of EZH2 Correlate With DNA Methylation and Drive Epigenetic Silencing of Genes Involved in Tumor Suppression and Immune Responses in Melanoma. Neoplasia 2016; 18:121-32. [PMID: 26936398 PMCID: PMC5005314 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2015] [Revised: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The epigenetic modifier EZH2 is in the center of a repressive complex controlling differentiation of normal cells. In cancer EZH2 has been implicated in silencing tumor suppressor genes. Its role in melanoma as well as target genes affected by EZH2 are poorly understood. In view of this we have used an integrated systems biology approach to analyze 471 cases of skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for mutations and amplifications of EZH2. Identified changes in target genes were validated by interrogation of microarray data from melanoma cells treated with the EZH2 inhibitor GSK126. We found that EZH2 activation by mutations, gene amplification and increased transcription occurred in about 20% of the cohort. These alterations were associated with significant hypermethylation of DNA and significant downregulation of 11% of transcripts in patient RNASeq data. GSK126 treatment of melanoma lines containing EZH2 activation reversed such transcriptional repression in 98 candidate target genes. Gene enrichment analysis revealed genes associated with tumor suppression, cell differentiation, cell cycle inhibition and repression of metastases as well as antigen processing and presentation pathways. The identified changes in EZH2 were associated with an adverse prognosis in the TCGA dataset. These results suggest that inhibiting of EZH2 is a promising therapeutic avenue for a substantial fraction of melanoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessamy Tiffen
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Wilson
- Systems Biology and Cancer Metabolism, Program for Quantitative Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA
| | - Stuart J Gallagher
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Hersey
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabian V Filipp
- Systems Biology and Cancer Metabolism, Program for Quantitative Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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22
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A new transgenic mouse model for conditional overexpression of the Polycomb Group protein EZH2. Transgenic Res 2016; 26:187-196. [DOI: 10.1007/s11248-016-9993-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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23
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Tiffen JC, Gallagher SJ, Tseng HY, Filipp FV, Fazekas de St. Groth B, Hersey P. EZH2 as a mediator of treatment resistance in melanoma. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2016; 29:500-7. [PMID: 27063195 PMCID: PMC5021620 DOI: 10.1111/pcmr.12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Direct treatments of cancer such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy have been shown to depend on recruitment of the immune system for their effectiveness. Recent studies have shown that development of resistance to direct therapies such as BRAF inhibitors in melanoma is associated with suppression of immune responses. We point to emerging data that implicate activation of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and its catalytic component-enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-in progression of melanoma and suppression of immune responses. EZH2 appears to have an important role in differentiation of CD4 T cells and particularly in the function of T regulatory cells, which suppress immune responses to melanoma. We review mechanisms of EZH2 activation at the genomic level and from activation of the MAP kinase, E2F or NF-kB2 pathways. These studies are consistent with activation of EZH2 as a common mechanism for induction of immune suppression in patients failing direct therapies and suggest EZH2 inhibitors may have a role in combination with immunotherapy and targeted therapies to prevent development of immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessamy C Tiffen
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart J Gallagher
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Hsin-Yi Tseng
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Fabian V Filipp
- Systems Biology and Cancer Metabolism, Program for Quantitative Systems Biology, University of California Merced, Merced, CA, USA
| | | | - Peter Hersey
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, The Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
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24
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Targeting activating mutations of EZH2 leads to potent cell growth inhibition in human melanoma by derepression of tumor suppressor genes. Oncotarget 2016; 6:27023-36. [PMID: 26304929 PMCID: PMC4694971 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The epigenetic modifier EZH2 is part of the polycomb repressive complex that suppresses gene expression via histone methylation. Activating mutations in EZH2 are found in a subset of melanoma that contributes to disease progression by inactivating tumor suppressor genes. In this study we have targeted EZH2 with a specific inhibitor (GSK126) or depleted EZH2 protein by stable shRNA knockdown. We show that inhibition of EZH2 has potent effects on the growth of both wild-type and EZH2 mutant human melanoma in vitro particularly in cell lines harboring the EZH2Y646 activating mutation. This was associated with cell cycle arrest, reduced proliferative capacity in both 2D and 3D culture systems, and induction of apoptosis. The latter was caspase independent and mediated by the release of apoptosis inducing factor (AIFM1) from mitochondria. Gene expression arrays showed that several well characterized tumor suppressor genes were reactivated by EZH2 inhibition. This included activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) that was validated as an EZH2 target gene by ChIP-qPCR. These results emphasize a critical role for EZH2 in the proliferation and viability of melanoma and highlight the potential for targeted therapy against EZH2 in treatment of patients with melanoma.
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25
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Long Y, Wu Z, Yang X, Chen L, Han Z, Zhang Y, Liu J, Liu W, Liu X. MicroRNA-101 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer cells via targeting c-FOS. Mol Med Rep 2016; 14:2651-6. [PMID: 27485165 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) have important roles in the parthenogenesis of malignancies. While it has been suggested that deregulation of miR‑101 is involved in bladder cancer, the underlying mechanisms have remained largely elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of miR‑101 in the regulation of bladder cancer cell proliferation and invasion. Reverse‑transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the expression of miR‑101 was significantly reduced in the HT‑1376, BIU87, T24 and 5637 several human bladder cancer cell lines compared to that in the SV‑HUC‑1 normal bladder epithelial cell line. Furthermore, a Targetscan search and a luciferase assay were used to identify c‑FOS as a novel target of miR‑101, and western blot analysis indicated that the protein expression of c‑FOS was shown to be negatively regulated by miR‑101 in bladder cancer T24 cells; however, c‑FOS mRNA expression was not affected. In addition, plasmid‑mediated overexpression of miR‑101 and small hairpin RNA‑mediated inhibition of c‑FOS significantly inhibited the proliferation and invasive capacity of T24 cells, as indicated by an MTT and a Transwell assay, respectively. However, plasmid‑mediated overexpression of c‑FOS reversed the inhibitory effects of miR‑101 overexpression on T24‑cell proliferation and invasion. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR‑101 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer cells, at least partly via targeting c‑FOS, suggesting that miR-101/c‑FOS signaling may represent a potential therapeutic target for bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqi Long
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Zhiping Wu
- Department of Urinary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Guiyang Medical College, Guiyang, Guizhou 550004, P.R. China
| | - Xinhua Yang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Zhijun Han
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Yulong Zhang
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Jinge Liu
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Wenjin Liu
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Xinyi Liu
- Department of Urinary Surgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
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26
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Nichol JN, Dupéré-Richer D, Ezponda T, Licht JD, Miller WH. H3K27 Methylation: A Focal Point of Epigenetic Deregulation in Cancer. Adv Cancer Res 2016; 131:59-95. [PMID: 27451124 PMCID: PMC5325795 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetics, the modification of chromatin without changing the DNA sequence itself, determines whether a gene is expressed, and how much of a gene is expressed. Methylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me), a modification usually associated with gene repression, has established roles in regulating the expression of genes involved in lineage commitment and differentiation. Not surprisingly, alterations in the homeostasis of this critical mark have emerged as a recurrent theme in the pathogenesis of many cancers. Perturbations in the distribution or levels of H3K27me occur due to deregulation at all levels of the process, either by mutation in the histone itself, or changes in the activity of the writers, erasers, or readers of this mark. Additionally, as no single histone mark alone determines the overall transcriptional readiness of a chromatin region, deregulation of other chromatin marks can also have dramatic consequences. Finally, the significance of mutations altering H3K27me is highlighted by the poor clinical outcome of patients whose tumors harbor such lesions. Current therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant H3K27 methylation remain to be proven useful in the clinic. Understanding the biological consequences and gene expression pathways affected by aberrant H3K27 methylation may lead to identification of new therapeutic targets and strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J N Nichol
- Segal Cancer Centre and Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - D Dupéré-Richer
- Division of Hematology Oncology, The University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - T Ezponda
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Centro de Investigacion Medica Aplicada (CIMA), IDISNA, Pamplona, Spain
| | - J D Licht
- Division of Hematology Oncology, The University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - W H Miller
- Segal Cancer Centre and Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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27
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Mahmoud F, Shields B, Makhoul I, Hutchins LF, Shalin SC, Tackett AJ. Role of EZH2 histone methyltrasferase in melanoma progression and metastasis. Cancer Biol Ther 2016; 17:579-91. [PMID: 27105109 PMCID: PMC4990393 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2016.1167291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is accumulating evidence that the histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), the main component of the polycomb-repressive complex 2 (PRC2), is involved in melanoma progression and metastasis. Novel drugs that target and reverse such epigenetic changes may find a way into the management of patients with advanced melanoma. We provide a comprehensive up-to-date review of the role and biology of EZH2 on gene transcription, senescence/apoptosis, melanoma microenvironment, melanocyte stem cells, the immune system, and micro RNA. Furthermore, we discuss EZH2 inhibitors as potential anti-cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fade Mahmoud
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Bradley Shields
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Issam Makhoul
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Laura F. Hutchins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Sara C. Shalin
- Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Alan J. Tackett
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
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28
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Emerging roles for Polycomb proteins in cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2016; 36:50-8. [PMID: 27151431 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2016.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The activities of the heterogeneous Polycomb (PcG) group of proteins ensure that the developmental processes of proliferation and cellular identity establishment are carried out correctly. PcG proteins assemble stable multiprotein complexes that, together with additional factors, maintain their target genes in a transcriptionally repressive state. The biochemical and functional features of PcG proteins have been extensively investigated over the years. Here we analyse the biochemical and mechanistic proprieties of PcG proteins with respect to recent advances that link the genetic alterations of PcG activity to cancer development.
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29
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Hernando H, Gelato KA, Lesche R, Beckmann G, Koehr S, Otto S, Steigemann P, Stresemann C. EZH2 Inhibition Blocks Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth through Upregulation of Epithelial Tumor Suppressor Genes. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 15:287-98. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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30
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Conway E, Healy E, Bracken AP. PRC2 mediated H3K27 methylations in cellular identity and cancer. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2015; 37:42-8. [PMID: 26497635 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
The Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is a multiprotein chromatin modifying complex that is essential for vertebrate development and differentiation. It is composed of a trimeric core of SUZ12, EED and EZH1/2 and is responsible for catalysing both di-methylation and tri-methylation of Histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me2/3). Both H3K27 methylations contribute to the role of PRC2 in maintaining cellular identity. In all cell types, the H3K27me3 modification is associated with repression of genes encoding regulators of alternative lineages. The less well-characterised H3K27me2 modification is ubiquitous throughout the genome and is thought to act like a protective blanket to maintain the repression of non-H3K27me3 associated genes and cell-type-specific enhancers of alternative lineages. Recent cancer genome sequencing studies highlighted that several genes encoding PRC2 components as well as Histone H3 are mutated in multiple cancer types. Intriguingly, these cancers have changes in the global levels of the H3K27me2 and H3K27me3 modifications as well as genome-wide redistributions. Exciting new studies suggest that these changes confer context dependent blocks in cellular differentiation and increased vulnerability to aberrant cancer signalling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Conway
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Evan Healy
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Adrian P Bracken
- Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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31
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Gallagher SJ, Tiffen JC, Hersey P. Histone Modifications, Modifiers and Readers in Melanoma Resistance to Targeted and Immune Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2015; 7:1959-82. [PMID: 26426052 PMCID: PMC4695870 DOI: 10.3390/cancers7040870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The treatment of melanoma has been revolutionized by new therapies targeting MAPK signaling or the immune system. Unfortunately these therapies are hindered by either primary resistance or the development of acquired resistance. Resistance mechanisms involving somatic mutations in genes associated with resistance have been identified in some cases of melanoma, however, the cause of resistance remains largely unexplained in other cases. The importance of epigenetic factors targeting histones and histone modifiers in driving the behavior of melanoma is only starting to be unraveled and provides significant opportunity to combat the problems of therapy resistance. There is also an increasing ability to target these epigenetic changes with new drugs that inhibit these modifications to either prevent or overcome resistance to both MAPK inhibitors and immunotherapy. This review focuses on changes in histones, histone reader proteins and histone positioning, which can mediate resistance to new therapeutics and that can be targeted for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J Gallagher
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia.
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Crow's Nest 2065, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Jessamy C Tiffen
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia.
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Crow's Nest 2065, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Peter Hersey
- Melanoma Immunology and Oncology Group, Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia.
- Melanoma Institute Australia, Crow's Nest 2065, Sydney, Australia.
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32
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Barsotti AM, Ryskin M, Rollins RA. Epigenetic reprogramming in solid tumors: therapeutic implications of EZH2 gain-of-function mutations. Epigenomics 2015; 7:687-90. [PMID: 26317265 DOI: 10.2217/epi.15.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M Barsotti
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA.,Kadmon Pharmaceuticals, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Michael Ryskin
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Robert A Rollins
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research & Development, Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
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