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Daisy Precilla S, Biswas I, Anitha TS, Agieshkumar B. Microproteins unveiling new dimensions in cancer. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:152. [PMID: 39223429 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01426-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
In the complex landscape of cancer biology, the discovery of microproteins has triggered a paradigm shift, thereby, challenging the conventional conceptions of gene regulation. Though overlooked for years, these entities encoded by the small open reading frames (100-150 codons), have a significant impact on various cellular processes. As precision medicine pioneers delve deeper into the genome and proteome, microproteins have come into the limelight. Typically characterized by a single protein domain that directly binds to the target protein complex and regulates their assembly, these microproteins have been shown to play a key role in fundamental biological processes such as RNA processing, DNA repair, and metabolism regulation. Techniques for identification and characterization, such as ribosome profiling and proteogenomic approaches, have unraveled unique mechanisms by which these microproteins regulate cell signaling or pathological processes in most diseases including cancer. However, the functional relevance of these microproteins in cancer remains unclear. In this context, the current review aims to "rethink the essence of these genes" and explore "how these hidden players-microproteins orchestrate the signaling cascades of cancer, both as accelerators and brakes.".
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Affiliation(s)
- S Daisy Precilla
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute (MGMARI), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, 607 402, India.
| | - Indrani Biswas
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute (MGMARI), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, 607 402, India
| | - T S Anitha
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pondicherry University, Puducherry, 605 014, India
| | - B Agieshkumar
- Mahatma Gandhi Medical Advanced Research Institute (MGMARI), Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry, 607 402, India
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2
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Bournaka S, Badra-Fajardo N, Arbi M, Taraviras S, Lygerou Z. The cell cycle revisited: DNA replication past S phase preserves genome integrity. Semin Cancer Biol 2024; 99:45-55. [PMID: 38346544 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Accurate and complete DNA duplication is critical for maintaining genome integrity. Multiple mechanisms regulate when and where DNA replication takes place, to ensure that the entire genome is duplicated once and only once per cell cycle. Although the bulk of the genome is copied during the S phase of the cell cycle, increasing evidence suggests that parts of the genome are replicated in G2 or mitosis, in a last attempt to secure that daughter cells inherit an accurate copy of parental DNA. Remaining unreplicated gaps may be passed down to progeny and replicated in the next G1 or S phase. These findings challenge the long-established view that genome duplication occurs strictly during the S phase, bridging DNA replication to DNA repair and providing novel therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridoula Bournaka
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Nibal Badra-Fajardo
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Marina Arbi
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Stavros Taraviras
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece
| | - Zoi Lygerou
- Department of General Biology, Medical School, University of Patras, Patras 26504, Greece.
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3
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Nair VA, Malhab LJB, Abdel-Rahman WM. Characterization of the Molecular Alterations Induced by the Prolonged Exposure of Normal Colon Mucosa and Colon Cancer Cells to Low-Dose Bisphenol A. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911620. [PMID: 36232920 PMCID: PMC9569561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is a common cancer with a poor prognosis in both males and females. The influence of bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used environmental contaminant, in colon cancer development and progression is not well identified, in spite of the fact that the most common mode of exposure to BPA is ingestion. The aim of this work is to elucidate the carcinogenic effects of BPA in the colon in vitro. We analyzed BPA’s effects on human colon epithelial (HCoEpiC) and colon cancer (HCT116) cells. BPA exerted cytotoxic effects and augmented the 5FU cytotoxicity on both cell lines at high doses, while it did not show this effect at low doses. Therefore, we focused on studying the effects of low-dose (0.0043 nM) exposure on normal colonic epithelial cells for a long period of time (two months), which is more consistent with environmental exposure levels and patterns. BPA increased cellular invasiveness through collagen and the ability to anchorage-independent cell growth, as measured by colony formation in soft agar, which could support oncogenicity. To gain insights into the mechanism of these actions, we performed transcriptomic analysis using next-generation sequencing, which revealed 340 differentially expressed transcripts by BPA in HCT116 and 75 in HCoEpiC. These transcripts belong in many cancer-related pathways such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, signal transduction, and angiogenesis. Some of the significant genes (FAM83H, CXCL12, PITPNA, HMOX1, DGKZ, NR5A2, VMP1, and ID1) were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. Furthermore, BPA induced the phosphorylation of protein kinases such as JNK1/2/3, GSK-3α/β, AMPKα1, AKT1/2/3, AMPKα2, HSP27, β-catenin, STAT2, Hck, Chk2, FAK, and PRAS40 in HCoEpiC, as well as GSK-3α/β, p53, AKT1/2/3, p70 S6 kinase, and WNK1 in HCT116. The majority of these proteins are involved in potential carcinogenic pathways. Taken together, these data suggest that BPA plays a role in colon carcinogenesis, and they provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of colon epithelial cell transformation by BPA. Increasing exposure to environmental toxins such as BPA can explain the increasing incidence of colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidhya A Nair
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lara J Bou Malhab
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael M. Abdel-Rahman
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +971-65057556
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Alnuaimi AR, Nair VA, Malhab LJB, Abu-Gharbieh E, Ranade AV, Pintus G, Hamad M, Busch H, Kirfel J, Hamoudi R, Abdel-Rahman WM. Emerging role of caldesmon in cancer: A potential biomarker for colorectal cancer and other cancers. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 14:1637-1653. [PMID: 36187394 PMCID: PMC9516648 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i9.1637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a devastating disease, mainly because of metastasis. As a result, there is a need to better understand the molecular basis of invasion and metastasis and to identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets to aid in managing these tumors. The actin cytoskeleton and actin-binding proteins are known to play an important role in the process of cancer metastasis because they control and execute essential steps in cell motility and contractility as well as cell division. Caldesmon (CaD) is an actin-binding protein encoded by the CALD1 gene as multiple transcripts that mainly encode two protein isoforms: High-molecular-weight CaD, expressed in smooth muscle, and low-molecular weight CaD (l-CaD), expressed in nonsmooth muscle cells. According to our comprehensive review of the literature, CaD, particularly l-CaD, plays a key role in the development, metastasis, and resistance to chemoradiotherapy in colorectal, breast, and urinary bladder cancers and gliomas, among other malignancies. CaD is involved in many aspects of the carcinogenic hallmarks, including epithelial mesenchymal transition via transforming growth factor-beta signaling, angiogenesis, resistance to hormonal therapy, and immune evasion. Recent data show that CaD is expressed in tumor cells as well as in stromal cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts, where it modulates the tumor microenvironment to favor the tumor. Interestingly, CaD undergoes selective tumor-specific splicing, and the resulting isoforms are generally not expressed in normal tissues, making these transcripts ideal targets for drug design. In this review, we will analyze these features of CaD with a focus on CRC and show how the currently available data qualify CaD as a potential candidate for targeted therapy in addition to its role in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alya R Alnuaimi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vidhya A Nair
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Lara J Bou Malhab
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eman Abu-Gharbieh
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anu Vinod Ranade
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari 07100, Italy
| | - Mohamad Hamad
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hauke Busch
- University Cancer Center Schleswig-Holstein and Luebeck Institute for Experimental Dermatology, University of Luebeck, Luebeck 23560, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Luebeck 23560, Germany
| | - Rifat Hamoudi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Wael M Abdel-Rahman
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
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Al Sharhan NA, Messaoudi SA, Babu SR, Chaudhary AB, Alsharm AA, Alrefaei AF, Kadasah S, Abu-Elmagd M, Assidi M, Buhmeida A, Carracedo Á, Almawi WY. Utility of Circulating Cell-Free DNA in Assessing Microsatellite Instability and Loss of Heterozygosity in Breast Cancer Using Human Identification Approach. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:590. [PMID: 35456396 PMCID: PMC9027523 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The diagnostic and prognostic utility of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in breast cancer (BC) patients was recently reported. Here, we investigated the use of cfDNA to examine microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for early BC diagnosis. cfDNA and genomic DNA from 41 female BC patients and 40 healthy controls were quantified using NanoDrop spectrophotometry and real-time PCR. The stability of genomic and cfDNA was assessed using a high-resolution AmpFlSTR MiniFiler human identification kit. Significant increases in cfDNA plasma concentrations were observed in BC patients compared to controls. The genotype distribution of the eight autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci D7S820, D13S317, D21S11, D2S1338, D18S51, D16S539, FGA, and CSF1PO were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Significant differences in the allele frequencies of D7S820 allele-8, D21S11 allele-29, allele-30.2, allele-32.2, and CSF1PO allele-11 were seen between BC patients and controls. LOH and MSI were detected in 36.6% of the cfDNA of patients compared to genomic DNA. This study highlights the utility of plasma-derived cfDNA for earlier, less invasive, and cost-effective cancer diagnosis and molecular stratification. It also highlights the potential value of cfDNA in molecular profiling and biomarkers discovery in precision and forensic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norah A. Al Sharhan
- Department of Biopharmaceutical, Laboratories and Research Sector, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh 3292, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Safia A. Messaoudi
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh 14812, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.M.); (S.R.B.); (A.B.C.)
| | - Saranya R. Babu
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh 14812, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.M.); (S.R.B.); (A.B.C.)
| | - AbdulRauf B. Chaudhary
- Department of Forensic Sciences, College of Criminal Justice, Naif Arab University for Security Sciences, Riyadh 14812, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.M.); (S.R.B.); (A.B.C.)
- Surgery Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12231, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A. Alsharm
- Medical Oncology Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 12231, Saudi Arabia;
| | | | - Sultan Kadasah
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Muhammad Abu-Elmagd
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.-E.); (M.A.); (A.B.)
- Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mourad Assidi
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.-E.); (M.A.); (A.B.)
- Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelbaset Buhmeida
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.A.-E.); (M.A.); (A.B.)
| | - Ángel Carracedo
- Grupo de Medicina Xenómica, Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (FIDIS), Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), CIBERER, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Wassim Y. Almawi
- Faculté des Sciences de Tunis, Université de Tunis—El Manar, Tunis 1068, Tunisia
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Theofylaktou D, Takan I, Karakülah G, Biz GM, Zanni V, Pavlopoulou A, Georgakilas AG. Mining Natural Products with Anticancer Biological Activity through a Systems Biology Approach. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:9993518. [PMID: 34422220 PMCID: PMC8376429 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9993518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Natural products, like turmeric, are considered powerful antioxidants which exhibit tumor-inhibiting activity and chemoradioprotective properties. Nowadays, there is a great demand for developing novel, affordable, efficacious, and effective anticancer drugs from natural resources. In the present study, we have employed a stringent in silico methodology to mine and finally propose a number of natural products, retrieved from the biomedical literature. Our main target was the systematic search of anticancer products as anticancer agents compatible to the human organism for future use. In this case and due to the great plethora of such products, we have followed stringent bioinformatics methodologies. Our results taken together suggest that natural products of a great diverse may exert cytotoxic effects in a maximum of the studied cancer cell lines. These natural compounds and active ingredients could possibly be combined to exert potential chemopreventive effects. Furthermore, in order to substantiate our findings and their application potency at a systems biology level, we have developed a representative, user-friendly, publicly accessible biodatabase, NaturaProDB, containing the retrieved natural resources, their active ingredients/fractional mixtures, the types of cancers that they affect, and the corresponding experimentally verified target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionysia Theofylaktou
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Zografou Campus, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Işıl Takan
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Karakülah
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gökay Mehmet Biz
- Department of Technical Programs, Izmir Vocational School, Dokuz Eylül University, Buca, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Vaso Zanni
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Zografou Campus, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasia Pavlopoulou
- Izmir Biomedicine and Genome Center (IBG), 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
- Izmir International Biomedicine and Genome Institute, Dokuz Eylül University, 35340 Balcova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Alexandros G. Georgakilas
- DNA Damage Laboratory, Physics Department, School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Zografou Campus, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), 15780 Athens, Greece
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Malhab LJB, Saber-Ayad MM, Al-Hakm R, Nair VA, Paliogiannis P, Pintus G, Abdel-Rahman WM. Chronic Inflammation and Cancer: The Role of Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Inflammation. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:2156-2169. [PMID: 33655853 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210303143442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Long-lasting subclinical inflammation is associated with a wide range of human diseases, particularly at a middle and older age. Recent reports showed that there is a direct causal link between inflammation and cancer development, as several cancers were found to be associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. In patients with cancer, healthy endothelial cells regulate vascular homeostasis, and it is believed that they can limit tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. Conversely, dysfunctional endothelial cells that have been exposed to the inflammatory tumor microenvironment can support cancer progression and metastasis. Dysfunctional endothelial cells can exert these effects via diverse mechanisms, including dysregulated adhesion, permeability, and activation of NF-κB and STAT3 signaling. In this review, we highlight the role of vascular inflammation in predisposition to cancer within the context of two common disease risk factors: obesity and smoking. In addition, we discuss the molecular triggers, pathophysiological mechanisms, and the biological consequences of vascular inflammation during cancer development and metastasis. Finally, we summarize the current therapies and pharmacological agents that target vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara J Bou Malhab
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maha M Saber-Ayad
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ranyah Al-Hakm
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Vidhya A Nair
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Panagiotis Paliogiannis
- Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Surgery, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43,07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael M Abdel-Rahman
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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8
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Oliveira LJC, Gongora ABL, Lima FAS, Canedo FSNA, Quirino CV, Pisani JP, Achatz MI, Rossi BM. Expanding the phenotype of E318K (c.952G > A) MITF germline mutation carriers: case series and review of the literature. Hered Cancer Clin Pract 2021; 19:32. [PMID: 34289891 PMCID: PMC8293540 DOI: 10.1186/s13053-021-00189-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor gene (MITF) belongs to the MYC supergene family and plays an important role in melanocytes’ homeostasis. Individuals harboring MITF germline pathogenic variants are at increased risk of developing cancer, most notably melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. Case presentation We describe a cohort of ten individuals who harbor the same MITF c.952G > A (p.Glu 318Lys), or p.E318K, germline pathogenic variant. Six carriers developed at least one malignancy (4 cases of breast cancer; 1 cervical cancer; 1 colon cancer; 1 melanoma; 1 ovarian/fallopian tube cancer). A significant phenotypic heterogeneity was found among these individuals and their relatives. Breast cancer was, overall, the most frequent malignancy observed in this case series, with 13 occurrences of 60 (21.67 %) total cancer cases described among the probands and their relatives. Conclusions Our retrospective analysis data raise the hypothesis of a possible association of the MITF p.E318K pathogenic variant with an increased risk of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aline Bobato Lara Gongora
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Ambrosio Silveira Lima
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carla Vanessa Quirino
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Janina Pontes Pisani
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria Isabel Achatz
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Benedito Mauro Rossi
- Serviço de Oncogenética - Centro de Oncologia Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Rua Dona Adma Jafet, 91, 01308-050, São Paulo, Brazil
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Scatena C, Murtas D, Tomei S. Cutaneous Melanoma Classification: The Importance of High-Throughput Genomic Technologies. Front Oncol 2021; 11:635488. [PMID: 34123788 PMCID: PMC8193952 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.635488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive tumor responsible for 90% of mortality related to skin cancer. In the recent years, the discovery of driving mutations in melanoma has led to better treatment approaches. The last decade has seen a genomic revolution in the field of cancer. Such genomic revolution has led to the production of an unprecedented mole of data. High-throughput genomic technologies have facilitated the genomic, transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of several cancers, including melanoma. Nevertheless, there are a number of newer genomic technologies that have not yet been employed in large studies. In this article we describe the current classification of cutaneous melanoma, we review the current knowledge of the main genetic alterations of cutaneous melanoma and their related impact on targeted therapies, and we describe the most recent high-throughput genomic technologies, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. We hope that the current review will also help scientists to identify the most suitable technology to address melanoma-related relevant questions. The translation of this knowledge and all actual advancements into the clinical practice will be helpful in better defining the different molecular subsets of melanoma patients and provide new tools to address relevant questions on disease management. Genomic technologies might indeed allow to better predict the biological - and, subsequently, clinical - behavior for each subset of melanoma patients as well as to even identify all molecular changes in tumor cell populations during disease evolution toward a real achievement of a personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristian Scatena
- Division of Pathology, Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Daniela Murtas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Section of Cytomorphology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Sara Tomei
- Omics Core, Integrated Genomics Services, Research Department, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
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10
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Jena BC, Das CK, Bharadwaj D, Mandal M. Cancer associated fibroblast mediated chemoresistance: A paradigm shift in understanding the mechanism of tumor progression. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188416. [PMID: 32822826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
One of the undeniable issues with cancer eradication is the evolution of chemoresistance in due course of treatment, and the mechanisms of chemoresistance have been the subject of extensive research for several years. The efficacy of chemotherapy is hindered by cancer epithelium, mostly in a cell-autonomous mechanism. However, recently the valid experimental evidence showed that the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME) is equivalently responsible for the induction of chemoresistance. Of the verities of cells in the tumor microenvironment, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major cellular component of TME and act as a key regulator in the acquisition of cancer chemoresistance by providing a protective niche to the cancer cells against the anti-cancer drugs. Moreover, the symbiotic relationship between the tumor and CAFs to obtain key resources such as growth factors and nutrients for optimal tumor growth and proliferation favors the chemoresistance phenotype. Here, in this review, we provide an up-to-date overview of our knowledge of the role of the CAFs in inducing chemoresistance and tumor progression. We also further delineated the emerging events leading to the CAF origins and activation of normal fibroblasts to CAFs. Along with this, we also discuss the novel area of research confined to the CAF targeted therapies of cancer. The identification of CAF-specific markers may allow unveiling new targets and avenues for blunting or reverting the detrimental pro-tumorigenic potential of CAFs in the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bikash Chandra Jena
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandan Kanta Das
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Deblina Bharadwaj
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Mahitosh Mandal
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India.
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Oncogenic Potential of Bisphenol A and Common Environmental Contaminants in Human Mammary Epithelial Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103735. [PMID: 32466334 PMCID: PMC7279350 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
There is an ample epidemiological evidence to support the role of environmental contaminants such as bisphenol A (BPA) in breast cancer development but the molecular mechanisms of their action are still not fully understood. Therefore, we sought to analyze the effects of three common contaminants (BPA; 4-tert-octylphenol, OP; hexabromocyclododecane, HBCD) on mammary epithelial cell (HME1) and MCF7 breast cancer cell line. We also supplied some data on methoxychlor, MXC; 4-nonylphenol, NP; and 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4–b] pyridine, PhIP. We focused on testing the prolonged (two months) exposure to low nano-molar concentrations (0.0015–0.0048 nM) presumed to be oncogenic and found that they induced DNA damage (evidenced by upregulation of pH2A.X, pCHK1, pCHK2, p-P53) and disrupted the cell cycle. Some agents induced epigenetic (methylation) changes of tumor suppressor genes TIMP3, CHFR, ESR1, IGSF4, CDH13, and GSTP1. Obviously, the accumulation of these molecular alterations is an essential base for cancer development. Consistent with this, we observed that these agents increased cellular invasiveness through collagen. Cellular abilities to form colonies in soft agar were increased for MCF7. Toxic agents induced phosphorylation of protein kinase such as EGFR, CREB, STAT6, c-Jun, STAT3, HSP6, HSP27, AMPKα1, FAK, p53, GSK-3α/β, and P70S6 in HME1. Most of these proteins are involved in potential oncogenic pathways. Overall, these data clarify the molecular alterations that can be induced by some common environmental contaminants in mammary epithelial cells which could be a foundation to understand environmental carcinogenesis.
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Hafezi SA, Abdel-Rahman WM. The Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A (BPA) Exerts a Wide Range of Effects in Carcinogenesis and Response to Therapy. Curr Mol Pharmacol 2020; 12:230-238. [PMID: 30848227 DOI: 10.2174/1874467212666190306164507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic plasticizer that is commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Human exposure occurs when BPA migrates from food and beverage containers into the contents when heated or even under normal conditions of use. BPA exerts endocrine disruptor action due to its weak binding affinity for the estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ. BPA exerts other effects by activating the membrane receptor GPER (GPR30) and/or other receptors such as the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs). OBJECTIVE This review summarizes emerging data on BPA and cancer. These include data linking exposure to BPA with an increased risk of hormone-related cancers such as those of the ovary, breast, prostate, and even colon cancer. BPA can also induce resistance to various chemotherapeutics such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, and vinblastine in vitro. The development of chemoresistance to available therapeutics is an emerging significant aspect of BPA toxicity because it worsens the prognosis of many tumors. CONCLUSION Recent findings support a causal role of BPA at low levels in the development of cancers and in dictating their response to cytotoxic therapy. Accurate knowledge and consideration of these issues would be highly beneficial to cancer prevention and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirin A Hafezi
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wael M Abdel-Rahman
- Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.,Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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Wang R, Lewis MS, Lyu J, Zhau HE, Pandol SJ, Chung LWK. Cancer-stromal cell fusion as revealed by fluorescence protein tracking. Prostate 2020; 80:274-283. [PMID: 31846114 PMCID: PMC6949378 DOI: 10.1002/pros.23941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We previously determined that cancer-stromal interaction was a direct route to tumor cell heterogeneity progression, since cancer-stromal cell fusion in coculture resulted in the creation of heterogeneous clones of fusion hybrid progeny. In this report, we modified the cancer-stromal coculture system to establish optimal experimental conditions for investigating cell fusion machinery and the mechanism of heterogeneity progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Red fluorescence protein-tagged LNCaP cells were cocultured with green fluorescence protein-labeled prostate stromal cells for cancer-stromal cell fusion, which was tracked as dual fluorescent cells by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS We identified the most efficient strategy to isolate clones of fusion hybrid progenies. From the coculture, mixed cells including fusion hybrids were subjected to low-density replating for colony formation by fusion hybrid progeny. These colonies could propagate into derivative cell populations. Compared to the parental LNCaP cells, clones of the fusion hybrid progeny displayed divergent behaviors and exhibited permanent genomic hybridization. CONCLUSIONS Cancer-stromal cell fusion leads to cancer cell heterogeneity. The cancer-stromal coculture system characterized in this study can be used as a model for molecular characterization of cancer cell fusion as the mechanism behind the progression of heterogeneity observed in clinical prostate cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxiang Wang
- Uro-Oncology Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Michael S. Lewis
- Uro-Oncology Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Ji Lyu
- Uro-Oncology Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Haiyen E. Zhau
- Uro-Oncology Research, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Stephen J. Pandol
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Pathology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
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14
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Regulatory players of DNA damage repair mechanisms: Role in Cancer Chemoresistance. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 93:1238-1245. [PMID: 28738540 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.07.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA damaging agents are most common in chemotherapeutic molecules that act against cancer. However, cancer cells possess inherent biological features to overcome DNA damages by activating various distinct repair mechanisms and pathways. Importantly, various oncogenes, cancer stem cells (CSCs), hypoxic environment, transcription factors and bystander signaling that are activated in the cancer cells influence DNA repair, thereby effectively repairing the DNA damage. Repaired cancer cells often become more resistance to further therapy and results in disease recurrence. In this review, we summarize how the various signaling pathways in cancer cells regulates DNA repair and induce chemoresistance.
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15
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Srinivasainagendra V, Sandel MW, Singh B, Sundaresan A, Mooga VP, Bajpai P, Tiwari HK, Singh KK. Migration of mitochondrial DNA in the nuclear genome of colorectal adenocarcinoma. Genome Med 2017; 9:31. [PMID: 28356157 PMCID: PMC5370490 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-017-0420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal adenocarcinomas are characterized by abnormal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and genomic instability, but a molecular interaction between mitochondrial and nuclear genome remains unknown. Here we report the discovery of increased copies of nuclear mtDNA (NUMT) in colorectal adenocarcinomas, which supports link between mtDNA and genomic instability in the nucleus. We name this phenomenon of nuclear occurrence of mitochondrial component as numtogenesis. We provide a description of NUMT abundance and distribution in tumor versus matched blood-derived normal genomes. Methods Whole-genome sequence data were obtained for colon adenocarcinoma and rectum adenocarcinoma patients participating in The Cancer Genome Atlas, via the Cancer Genomics Hub, using the GeneTorrent file acquisition tool. Data were analyzed to determine NUMT proportion and distribution on a genome-wide scale. A NUMT suppressor gene was identified by comparing numtogenesis in other organisms. Results Our study reveals that colorectal adenocarcinoma genomes, on average, contains up to 4.2-fold more somatic NUMTs than matched normal genomes. Women colorectal tumors contained more NUMT than men. NUMT abundance in tumor predicted parallel abundance in blood. NUMT abundance positively correlated with GC content and gene density. Increased numtogenesis was observed with higher mortality. We identified YME1L1, a human homolog of yeast YME1 (yeast mitochondrial DNA escape 1) to be frequently mutated in colorectal tumors. YME1L1 was also mutated in tumors derived from other tissues. We show that inactivation of YME1L1 results in increased transfer of mtDNA in the nuclear genome. Conclusions Our study demonstrates increased somatic transfer of mtDNA in colorectal tumors. Our study also reveals sex-based differences in frequency of NUMT occurrence and that NUMT in blood reflects NUMT in tumors, suggesting NUMT may be used as a biomarker for tumorigenesis. We identify YME1L1 as the first NUMT suppressor gene in human and demonstrate that inactivation of YME1L1 induces migration of mtDNA to the nuclear genome. Our study reveals that numtogenesis plays an important role in the development of cancer. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13073-017-0420-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinodh Srinivasainagendra
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA
| | - Michael W Sandel
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA.,Present address: Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of West Alabama, Livingston, Alabama, USA
| | - Bhupendra Singh
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA
| | - Aishwarya Sundaresan
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA
| | - Ved P Mooga
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA
| | - Prachi Bajpai
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA
| | - Hemant K Tiwari
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA.
| | - Keshav K Singh
- Departments of Genetics, Environmental Health, Center for Free Radical Biology, Center for Aging and UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA. .,Departments of Pathology, Environmental Health, Center for Free Radical Biology, Center for Aging and UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA. .,Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, USA. .,Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Kaul Genetics Building, Suite 620, 720 20th St. South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Zölzer F, Křížová M, Freitinger Skalická Z, Rössnerová A, Šrám R. Micronucleus frequency and content in healthy relatives of cancer patients. Biomarkers 2017; 22:667-673. [DOI: 10.1080/1354750x.2016.1276627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Friedo Zölzer
- Institute of Radiology, Toxicology and Civil Protection, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Křížová
- Institute of Radiology, Toxicology and Civil Protection, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Freitinger Skalická
- Institute of Radiology, Toxicology and Civil Protection, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Rössnerová
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Radim Šrám
- Department of Genetic Ecotoxicology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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Natarajan V. Regulation of DNA repair by non-coding miRNAs. Noncoding RNA Res 2016; 1:64-68. [PMID: 30159412 PMCID: PMC6096415 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA repair is an important signaling mechanism that is necessary to maintain genomic stability. Various types of DNA repair proteins are involved in the repair of different types of DNA damage. However, most of the DNA repair proteins are modified post-translation in order to activate their repair function, such as, ubiquitination, phosphorylation, acetylation, etc. Similarly, DNA repair proteins are also regulated by posttranscriptional modifications. Non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs) induced posttranscriptional regulation of mRNAs has gained attention in recent years. MiRNA-induced regulation of DNA repair proteins is of great interest, owing to its potential role in cancer therapy. In this review, we have summarized the role of different miRNAs in the regulation of various types of DNA repair proteins, which are essential for the maintenance of genomic stability.
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Key Words
- ATM, ataxia-telangiectasia mutated
- ATR, ataxia-telangiectasia mutated related
- BER, base excision repair
- DNA damage
- DNA repair
- DSB repair
- DSB, double strand break
- FA, Fanconi anemia
- Genomic instability
- HR, homologous recombination
- MIS, micro-instability syndrome
- NER
- NER, nucleotide excision repair
- NHEJ, non-homologous end joining
- TLS, translesion synthesis
- miRNAs
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkateswaran Natarajan
- Diagnostic Molecular Oncology Centre, Department of Pathology, National University Hospital, Singapore
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18
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Delgado JF, Alonso-Pulpón L, Mirabet S, Almenar L, Villa FP, González-Vílchez F, Palomo J, Blasco T, Dolores García-Cosio M, González-Costello J, de la Fuente L, Rábago G, Lage E, Pascual D, Molina BD, Arizón JM, Muñiz J, Crespo-Leiro MG. Cancer Incidence in Heart Transplant Recipients With Previous Neoplasia History. Am J Transplant 2016; 16:1569-78. [PMID: 26613555 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Neoplasm history increases morbidity and mortality after solid organ transplantation and has disqualified patients from transplantation. Studies are needed to identify factors to be considered when deciding on the suitability of a patient with previous tumor for heart transplantation. A retrospective epidemiological study was conducted in heart transplant (HT) recipients (Spanish Post-Heart Transplant Tumor Registry) comparing the epidemiological data, immu-nosuppressive treatments and incidence of post-HT tumors between patients with previous malignant noncardiac tumor and with no previous tumor (NPT). The impact of previous tumor (PT) on overall survival (OS) was also assessed. A total of 4561 patients, 77 PT and 4484 NPT, were evaluated. The NPT group had a higher proportion of men than the PT group (p < 0.001). The incidence of post-HT tumors was 1.8 times greater in the PT group (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.6; p < 0.001), mainly due to the increased risk in patients with a previous hematologic tumor (rate ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-4.0, p < 0.004). OS during the 10-year posttransplant period was significantly lower in the PT than the NPT group (p = 0.048) but similar when the analysis was conducted after a first post-HT tumor was diagnosed. In conclusion, a history of PT increases the incidence of post-HT tumors and should be taken into account when considering a patient for HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Delgado
- Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - S Mirabet
- Hospital Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Almenar
- Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - F P Villa
- Hospital Clínic i Provincial, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - J Palomo
- Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - T Blasco
- Hospital Universitario Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | | | - L de la Fuente
- Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - G Rábago
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - E Lage
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - D Pascual
- Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | - B D Molina
- Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - J M Arizón
- Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - J Muñiz
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña (INIBIC), Universidade da Coruña, La Coruña, Spain
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Jilkine A, Gutenkunst RN. Effect of dedifferentiation on time to mutation acquisition in stem cell-driven cancers. PLoS Comput Biol 2014; 10:e1003481. [PMID: 24603301 PMCID: PMC3945168 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that many tumors have a hierarchical organization, with the bulk of the tumor composed of relatively differentiated short-lived progenitor cells that are maintained by a small population of undifferentiated long-lived cancer stem cells. It is unclear, however, whether cancer stem cells originate from normal stem cells or from dedifferentiated progenitor cells. To address this, we mathematically modeled the effect of dedifferentiation on carcinogenesis. We considered a hybrid stochastic-deterministic model of mutation accumulation in both stem cells and progenitors, including dedifferentiation of progenitor cells to a stem cell-like state. We performed exact computer simulations of the emergence of tumor subpopulations with two mutations, and we derived semi-analytical estimates for the waiting time distribution to fixation. Our results suggest that dedifferentiation may play an important role in carcinogenesis, depending on how stem cell homeostasis is maintained. If the stem cell population size is held strictly constant (due to all divisions being asymmetric), we found that dedifferentiation acts like a positive selective force in the stem cell population and thus speeds carcinogenesis. If the stem cell population size is allowed to vary stochastically with density-dependent reproduction rates (allowing both symmetric and asymmetric divisions), we found that dedifferentiation beyond a critical threshold leads to exponential growth of the stem cell population. Thus, dedifferentiation may play a crucial role, the common modeling assumption of constant stem cell population size may not be adequate, and further progress in understanding carcinogenesis demands a more detailed mechanistic understanding of stem cell homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that, like many normal tissues, many cancers are maintained by a small population of immortal stem cells that divide indefinitely to produce many differentiated cells. Cancer stem cells may come directly from mutation of normal stem cells, but this route demands high mutation rates, because there are few normal stem cells. There are, however, many differentiated cells, and mutations can cause such cells to “dedifferentiate” into a stem-like state. We used mathematical modeling to study the effects of dedifferentiation on the time to cancer onset. We found that the effect of dedifferentiation depends critically on how stem cell numbers are controlled by the body. If homeostasis is very tight (due to all divisions being asymmetric), then dedifferentiation has little effect, but if homeostatic control is looser (allowing both symmetric and asymmetric divisions), then dedifferentiation can dramatically hasten cancer onset and lead to exponential growth of the cancer stem cell population. Our results suggest that dedifferentiation may be a very important factor in cancer and that more study of dedifferentiation and stem cell control is necessary to understand and prevent cancer onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Jilkine
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- Department of Applied and Computational Mathematics and Statistics, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, United States of America
| | - Ryan N. Gutenkunst
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Peng J, Shao Y, Liu L, Zhang L, Liu H. Specific recognition of DNA bulge sites by in situ grown fluorescent Ag nanoclusters with high selectivity. Dalton Trans 2014; 43:1534-41. [DOI: 10.1039/c3dt52042k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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21
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Barrow PJ, Clancy T, Evans DG. Key genetic considerations in the management of suspected hereditary colorectal cancer. COLORECTAL CANCER 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/crc.12.75] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY Hereditary bowel cancer syndromes account for up to 5% of colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence. Presentation of CRC under the age of 50 years should alert clinicians to a possible underlying genetic predisposition. This article focuses on Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis CRC). Regular bowel screening is effective in reducing the risk of CRC and improving overall survival in Lynch syndrome families. The issues surrounding the clinical diagnostic criteria and the shortcomings of the referral process are described, and it is questioned whether a universal strategy for diagnosis should be employed. This article summarizes the evidence for the benefit of bowel screening and suggests practical steps to help ensure compliance with screening recommendations. Finally, it is discussed how collaboration between geneticists, gastroenterologists and surgeons can inform surgical decision-making for the benefit of the patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J Barrow
- Department of Genetic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - Tara Clancy
- Department of Genetic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
| | - D Gareth Evans
- Department of Genetic Medicine, St Mary’s Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK
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Abdel-Rahman WM, Moustafa YM, Ahmed BO, Mostafa RM. Endocrine Disruptors and Breast Cancer Risk - Time to Consider the Environment. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2012; 13:5937-5946. [DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2012.13.12.5937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
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Kamat N, Khidhir MA, Jaloudi M, Hussain S, Alashari MM, Al Qawasmeh KH, Rannug U. High incidence of microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in three loci in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a prospective study. BMC Cancer 2012; 12:373. [PMID: 22928966 PMCID: PMC3495899 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-12-373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2012] [Accepted: 08/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of the study was to evaluate potential chemotherapy-induced microsatellite instability, loss of heterozygosity, loss of expression in mismatch repair proteins and associations with clinical findings in breast cancer patients, especially resistance to chemotherapy and/or development of other tumors in the four years following chemotherapy treatment. Methods A comprehensive study of chemotherapy-related effects with a follow-up period of 48 months post treatment was conducted. A total of 369 peripheral blood samples were collected from 123 de novo breast cancer patients. Microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in five commonly used marker loci (including Tp53-Alu of the tumor suppressor gene TP53) were analyzed in blood samples. Sampling was conducted on three occasions; 4–5 weeks prior to the first chemotherapy session (pre-treatment), to serve as a baseline, followed by two consecutive draws at 12 weeks intervals from the first collection. Mismatch repair protein expression was evaluated in cancer tissues using immunohistochemistry for three mismatch-repair related proteins. Results A total of 70.7% of the patients showed microsatellite instability for at least one locus, including 18.6% marked as high-positive and 52.1% as low-positive; 35.8% showed loss of heterozygosity in addition to microsatellite instability, while 29.3% exhibited microsatellite stability. The following incidence rates for microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity were detected: 39.1% positive for Tp53-Alu, 31.1% for locus Mfd41, and 25.3% for locus Mfd28. A higher occurrence of loss of heterozygosity was noted with alleles 399 and 404 of Tp53-Alu. The mismatch repair protein expression analysis showed that the chemotherapy caused a loss of 29.3% in hMLH1 expression, and 18.7% and 25.2% loss in hMSH2 and P53 expression, respectively. A strong correlation between low or deficient hMSH2 protein expression and occurrence of mismatch repair/loss of heterozygosity events in Mfd41, Tp53-Alu, and Mfd28 was evident. A significant association between mismatch repair/loss of heterozygosity and incidence of secondary tumors was also established. Conclusion Our results suggest that microsatellite instability, loss of heterozygosity, and deficiency in mismatch repair may serve as early prognostic factors for potential chemotherapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasir Kamat
- Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Toxicology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cheng YK, Beroukhim R, Levine RL, Mellinghoff IK, Holland EC, Michor F. A mathematical methodology for determining the temporal order of pathway alterations arising during gliomagenesis. PLoS Comput Biol 2012; 8:e1002337. [PMID: 22241976 PMCID: PMC3252265 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 11/17/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Human cancer is caused by the accumulation of genetic alterations in cells. Of special importance are changes that occur early during malignant transformation because they may result in oncogene addiction and thus represent promising targets for therapeutic intervention. We have previously described a computational approach, called Retracing the Evolutionary Steps in Cancer (RESIC), to determine the temporal sequence of genetic alterations during tumorigenesis from cross-sectional genomic data of tumors at their fully transformed stage. Since alterations within a set of genes belonging to a particular signaling pathway may have similar or equivalent effects, we applied a pathway-based systems biology approach to the RESIC methodology. This method was used to determine whether alterations of specific pathways develop early or late during malignant transformation. When applied to primary glioblastoma (GBM) copy number data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project, RESIC identified a temporal order of pathway alterations consistent with the order of events in secondary GBMs. We then further subdivided the samples into the four main GBM subtypes and determined the relative contributions of each subtype to the overall results: we found that the overall ordering applied for the proneural subtype but differed for mesenchymal samples. The temporal sequence of events could not be identified for neural and classical subtypes, possibly due to a limited number of samples. Moreover, for samples of the proneural subtype, we detected two distinct temporal sequences of events: (i) RAS pathway activation was followed by TP53 inactivation and finally PI3K2 activation, and (ii) RAS activation preceded only AKT activation. This extension of the RESIC methodology provides an evolutionary mathematical approach to identify the temporal sequence of pathway changes driving tumorigenesis and may be useful in guiding the understanding of signaling rearrangements in cancer development. Cancer is a deadly disease that develops through the accumulation of genetic changes over time. Many biological models do not incorporate this temporal aspect of tumor formation and progression, in part due to the difficulty of determining the sequence of events through biological experimentation for most cancer types. We previously developed a computational algorithm with which we can quickly and cost-effectively determine the order in which mutations arise in the tumor even when large numbers of mutations are considered. In this paper, we extended our method to incorporate biological knowledge of the common pathways by which cancer progresses. We applied these techniques to primary glioblastoma, the most common form of brain cancer. We found that when all samples are taken into account, a temporal sequence of pathway events emerges; however, different subtypes of glioblastoma vary in their temporal sequence of events. This algorithm can also be easily applied to other cancer types as clinical data becomes available, showing the benefit of computational and mathematical tools in cancer research. Using temporal information, cancer biologists will be able to develop more accurate animal models of tumor formation and learn more about how mutations interact in time, thus leading to better treatments for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Kang Cheng
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Tri-Institutional Training Program in Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Rameen Beroukhim
- Departments of Cancer Biology and Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America, and Cancer Program, The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ross L. Levine
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ingo K. Mellinghoff
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Eric C. Holland
- Cancer Biology and Genetics Program, Brain Tumor Center, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Franziska Michor
- Department of Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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25
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Nieminen TT, Shoman S, Eissa S, Peltomäki P, Abdel-Rahman WM. Distinct genetic and epigenetic signatures of colorectal cancers according to ethnic origin. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2011; 21:202-11. [PMID: 22028395 DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.epi-11-0662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outcome of colorectal cancer varies depending on ethnic origin. Egyptian colorectal carcinoma is surprisingly young-age disease with high proportion of rectal and advanced stage cancers. METHODS We characterized 69 sporadic Egyptian colorectal cancers for promoter methylation at 24 tumor suppressor genes, microsatellite instability, and expression of mismatch repair, p53, and β-catenin proteins. Data were compared with 80 Western colorectal carcinoma of sporadic and familial origin from Finland. RESULTS Egyptian colorectal carcinomas showed significantly higher methylation of the microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors as reflected by the average number of methylated genes per case (P = 0.00002) and tumor suppressor gene methylator phenotype (TSGMP), defined here as methylation of ≥ 5 genes, (P = 0.0001) compared with the sporadic Western cancers. The TSGMP was associated with advanced stage in the Egyptian cancers (P = 0.0016). Four genes were differentially methylated between Egyptian and Western cases, of which the association of CDKN2B/p15 methylation with Egyptian origin was outstanding (P = 4.83 E-10). Egyptian carcinoma also showed significantly lower frequency of nuclear β-catenin localization than the sporadic Western cancers (P = 0.00006) but similar to that of the familial Western subset designated as familial colorectal cancer type X. CONCLUSIONS We show novel pathway in colon carcinogenesis marked by high methylation of MSS cancers, remarkable CDKN2B/p15 methylation, and low frequency of Wnt signaling activation. IMPACT Our findings highlight the possible effect of environmental exposures in carcinogenesis through DNA methylation and should have applications in prevention, molecular diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taina T Nieminen
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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26
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Bazeley PS, Nestor Kalinoski AL, Ways JA, Liu ST, Ramdath RS, Matsui SI, Allison DC. A model for random genetic damage directing selection of diploid or aneuploid tumours. Cell Prolif 2011; 44:212-23. [PMID: 21535262 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2011.00746.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To test whether genetic instability may determine whether tumours become aneuploid or diploid. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have identified genes needed for cell survival or replication by combining Affymetrix gene expression array data from 12 experimental cell lines with in silico GEO+GNF and expO databases. Specific loss of heterozygosis (LOHs), chromosomal abnormalities (called derivative chromosomes) and numbers of normal homologues were identified by SNP and SKY analyses. Random gene losses were calculated under the assumption that bi-allelic MMR gene inactivation causes a 20-fold increase in rate of gene loss. RESULTS There were ∼1.23 × 10(4) genes widely dispersed throughout the genome and possibly expressed by all cells for survival or proliferation, many of these genes performed housekeeping functions. Conservation of the genes may explain the complete haploid genomes found for 15 different cell types and derivative chromosomes selectively retained in aneuploid cancer cell lines after LOH formations, and normal homologue losses. Loss of cell survival/replication genes was calculated to be higher in colon stem cells of carriers of MMR gene mutations than carriers of APC gene mutations. CONCLUSION Random loss of cell survival/replication genes was calculated to be low enough for colon stem cells with APC gene mutations to 'select' LOH and derivative chromosome combinations favouring tumour cell proliferation. However, cell survival/replication gene loss was calculated to be too high for colonic stem cells lacking MMR genes to survive chromosomal instability, explaining why MMR mutations only produce tumours with diploid chromosome cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- P S Bazeley
- Program in Bioinformatics and Proteomics/Genomics, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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27
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del Mundo IMA, Fountain MA, Morrow JR. Recognition of thymine in DNA bulges by a Zn(II) macrocyclic complex. Chem Commun (Camb) 2011; 47:8566-8. [PMID: 21706105 DOI: 10.1039/c1cc12074c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
A Zn(II) macrocyclic complex with appended quinoline is a bifunctional recognition agent that uses both the Zn(II) center and the pendent aromatic group to bind to thymine in bulges with good selectivity over DNA containing G, C or A bulges. Spectroscopic studies show that the stem containing the bulge stays largely intact in a DNA hairpin with the Zn(II) complex bound to the thymine bulge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imee Marie A del Mundo
- Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA
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28
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Ory C, Ugolin N, Levalois C, Lacroix L, Caillou B, Bidart JM, Schlumberger M, Diallo I, de Vathaire F, Hofman P, Santini J, Malfoy B, Chevillard S. Gene expression signature discriminates sporadic from post-radiotherapy-induced thyroid tumors. Endocr Relat Cancer 2011; 18:193-206. [PMID: 21148326 PMCID: PMC3023880 DOI: 10.1677/erc-10-0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Both external and internal exposure to ionizing radiation are strong risk factors for the development of thyroid tumors. Until now, the diagnosis of radiation-induced thyroid tumors has been deduced from a network of arguments taken together with the individual history of radiation exposure. Neither the histological features nor the genetic alterations observed in these tumors have been shown to be specific fingerprints of an exposure to radiation. The aim of our work is to define ionizing radiation-related molecular specificities in a series of secondary thyroid tumors developed in the radiation field of patients treated by radiotherapy. To identify molecular markers that could represent a radiation-induction signature, we compared 25K microarray transcriptome profiles of a learning set of 28 thyroid tumors, which comprised 14 follicular thyroid adenomas (FTA) and 14 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC), either sporadic or consecutive to external radiotherapy in childhood. We identified a signature composed of 322 genes which discriminates radiation-induced tumors (FTA and PTC) from their sporadic counterparts. The robustness of this signature was further confirmed by blind case-by-case classification of an independent set of 29 tumors (16 FTA and 13 PTC). After the histology code break by the clinicians, 26/29 tumors were well classified regarding tumor etiology, 1 was undetermined, and 2 were misclassified. Our results help shed light on radiation-induced thyroid carcinogenesis, since specific molecular pathways are deregulated in radiation-induced tumors.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoma/diagnosis
- Adenoma/etiology
- Adenoma/genetics
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Carcinoma, Papillary/diagnosis
- Carcinoma, Papillary/etiology
- Carcinoma, Papillary/genetics
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
- Female
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Humans
- Male
- Neoplasm Proteins/biosynthesis
- Neoplasm Proteins/genetics
- Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/diagnosis
- Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/etiology
- Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced/genetics
- Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
- Radiotherapy/adverse effects
- Radiotherapy Dosage
- Single-Blind Method
- Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis
- Thyroid Neoplasms/etiology
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Ory
- CEA, DSV, IRCM, LCE, BP6, Fontenay-aux-Roses F-92265, France.
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29
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Lemos MFL, Soares AMVM, Correia AC, Esteves AC. Proteins in ecotoxicology - how, why and why not? Proteomics 2010; 10:873-87. [PMID: 19953548 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.200900470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The growing interest in the application of proteomic technologies to solve toxicology issues and its relevance in ecotoxicology research has resulted in the emergence of "ecotoxicoproteomics". There is a general consensus that ecotoxicoproteomics is a powerful tool to spot early molecular events involved in toxicant responses, which are responsible for the adverse effects observed at higher levels of biological organization, thus contributing to elucidate the mode of action of stressors and to identify specific biomarkers. Ultimately, early-warning indicators can then be developed and deployed in "in situ" bioassays and in environmental risk assessment. The number of field experiments or laboratory trials using ecologically relevant test-species and involving proteomics has been, until recently, insufficient to allow a critical analysis of the real benefits of the application of this approach to ecotoxicology. This article intends to present an overview on the applications of proteomics in the context of ecotoxicology, focusing mainly on the prospective research to be done in invertebrates. Although these represent around 95% of all animal species and in spite of the key structural and functional roles they play in ecosystems, proteomic research in invertebrates is still in an incipient stage. We will review applications of ecotoxicoproteomics by evaluating the technical methods employed, the organisms and the contexts studied, the advances achieved until now and lastly the limitations yet to overcome will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco F L Lemos
- CESAM and Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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30
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Domazet-Loso T, Tautz D. Phylostratigraphic tracking of cancer genes suggests a link to the emergence of multicellularity in metazoa. BMC Biol 2010; 8:66. [PMID: 20492640 PMCID: PMC2880965 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-8-66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2009] [Accepted: 05/21/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Phylostratigraphy is a method used to correlate the evolutionary origin of founder genes (that is, functional founder protein domains) of gene families with particular macroevolutionary transitions. It is based on a model of genome evolution that suggests that the origin of complex phenotypic innovations will be accompanied by the emergence of such founder genes, the descendants of which can still be traced in extant organisms. The origin of multicellularity can be considered to be a macroevolutionary transition, for which new gene functions would have been required. Cancer should be tightly connected to multicellular life since it can be viewed as a malfunction of interaction between cells in a multicellular organism. A phylostratigraphic tracking of the origin of cancer genes should, therefore, also provide insights into the origin of multicellularity. Results We find two strong peaks of the emergence of cancer related protein domains, one at the time of the origin of the first cell and the other around the time of the evolution of the multicellular metazoan organisms. These peaks correlate with two major classes of cancer genes, the 'caretakers', which are involved in general functions that support genome stability and the 'gatekeepers', which are involved in cellular signalling and growth processes. Interestingly, this phylogenetic succession mirrors the ontogenetic succession of tumour progression, where mutations in caretakers are thought to precede mutations in gatekeepers. Conclusions A link between multicellularity and formation of cancer has often been predicted. However, this has not so far been explicitly tested. Although we find that a significant number of protein domains involved in cancer predate the origin of multicellularity, the second peak of cancer protein domain emergence is, indeed, connected to a phylogenetic level where multicellular animals have emerged. The fact that we can find a strong and consistent signal for this second peak in the phylostratigraphic map implies that a complex multi-level selection process has driven the transition to multicellularity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomislav Domazet-Loso
- Max-Planck Institut für Evolutionsbiologie, August-Thienemannstrasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
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