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Zhang Q, Ding R, Li Y, Qiao D, Kang J, Zong L, Li Y, Yuan Y, Jiao Y, Wang C, Yu Y, Zhang L, Li Y. Euchromatin histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 regulates the expression of potassium-sodium-activated channel subfamily T member 1 in primary sensory neurons and contributes to remifentanil-induced pain sensitivity. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110966. [PMID: 38670469 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110966] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Intraoperative remifentanil administration has been linked to increased postoperative pain sensitivity. Recent studies have identified the involvement of euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (Ehmt2/G9a) in neuropathic pain associated with the transcriptional silencing of many potassium ion channel genes. This study investigates whether G9a regulates the potassium sodium-activated channel subfamily T member 1 (Slo2.2) in remifentanil-induced post-incisional hyperalgesia (RIH) in rodents. We performed remifentanil infusion (1 μg·kg-1·min-1 for 60 min) followed by plantar incision to induce RIH in rodents. Our results showed that RIH was accompanied by increased G9a and H3K9me2 production and decreased Slo2.2 expression 48 h postoperatively. Deletion of G9a rescued Slo2.2 expression in DRG and reduced RIH intensity. Slo2.2 overexpression also reversed this hyperalgesia phenotype. G9a overexpression decreased Slo2.2-mediated leak current and increased excitability in the small-diameter DRG neurons and laminal II small-diameter neurons in the spinal dorsal horn, which was implicated in peripheral and central sensitization. These results suggest that G9a contributes to the development of RIH by epigenetically silencing Slo2.2 in DRG neurons, leading to decreased central sensitization in the spinal cord. The findings may have implications for the development of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of postoperative pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital & Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China; Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ran Ding
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research and Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanjie Li
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dan Qiao
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiamin Kang
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Linyue Zong
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yun Li
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yang Jiao
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yonghao Yu
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Yize Li
- Tianjin Research Institute of Anesthesiology and Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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2
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Kawaf RR, Ramadan WS, El-Awady R. Deciphering the interplay of histone post-translational modifications in cancer: Co-targeting histone modulators for precision therapy. Life Sci 2024; 346:122639. [PMID: 38615747 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122639] [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: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Chromatin undergoes dynamic regulation through reversible histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), orchestrated by "writers," "erasers," and "readers" enzymes. Dysregulation of these histone modulators is well implicated in shaping the cancer epigenome and providing avenues for precision therapies. The approval of six drugs for cancer therapy targeting histone modulators, along with the ongoing clinical trials of numerous candidates, represents a significant advancement in the field of precision medicine. Recently, it became apparent that histone PTMs act together in a coordinated manner to control gene expression. The intricate crosstalk of histone PTMs has been reported to be dysregulated in cancer, thus emerging as a critical factor in the complex landscape of cancer development. This formed the foundation of the swift emergence of co-targeting different histone modulators as a new strategy in cancer therapy. This review dissects how histone PTMs, encompassing acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, SUMOylation and ubiquitination, collaboratively influence the chromatin states and impact cellular processes. Furthermore, we explore the significance of histone modification crosstalk in cancer and discuss the potential of targeting histone modification crosstalk in cancer management. Moreover, we underscore the significant strides made in developing dual epigenetic inhibitors, which hold promise as emerging candidates for effective cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan R Kawaf
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Wafaa S Ramadan
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Raafat El-Awady
- College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates; Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates.
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3
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Rehman A, Fatima I, Noor F, Qasim M, Wang P, Jia J, Alshabrmi FM, Liao M. Role of small molecules as drug candidates for reprogramming somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells: A comprehensive review. Comput Biol Med 2024; 177:108661. [PMID: 38810477 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
With the use of specific genetic factors and recent developments in cellular reprogramming, it is now possible to generate lineage-committed cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from readily available and common somatic cell types. However, there are still significant doubts regarding the safety and effectiveness of the current genetic methods for reprogramming cells, as well as the conventional culture methods for maintaining stem cells. Small molecules that target specific epigenetic processes, signaling pathways, and other cellular processes can be used as a complementary approach to manipulate cell fate to achieve a desired objective. It has been discovered that a growing number of small molecules can support lineage differentiation, maintain stem cell self-renewal potential, and facilitate reprogramming by either increasing the efficiency of reprogramming or acting as a genetic reprogramming factor substitute. However, ongoing challenges include improving reprogramming efficiency, ensuring the safety of small molecules, and addressing issues with incomplete epigenetic resetting. Small molecule iPSCs have significant clinical applications in regenerative medicine and personalized therapies. This review emphasizes the versatility and potential safety benefits of small molecules in overcoming challenges associated with the iPSCs reprogramming process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rehman
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Israr Fatima
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Fatima Noor
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan; Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University of Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University of Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Peng Wang
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Jinrui Jia
- Laboratory of Animal Fat Deposition and Muscle Development, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Fahad M Alshabrmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mingzhi Liao
- Center of Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China.
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4
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Velez J, Han Y, Yim H, Yang P, Deng Z, Park KS, Kabir M, Kaniskan HÜ, Xiong Y, Jin J. Discovery of the First-in-Class G9a/GLP PROTAC Degrader. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6397-6409. [PMID: 38602846 PMCID: PMC11069390 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and dimethylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in numerous cancers. Recent studies have uncovered both catalytic and noncatalytic oncogenic functions of G9a/GLP. As such, G9a/GLP catalytic inhibitors have displayed limited anticancer activity. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader 10 (MS8709), as a potential anticancer therapeutic. 10 induces G9a/GLP degradation in a concentration-, time-, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner. Futhermore, 10 does not alter the mRNA expression of G9a/GLP and is selective for G9a/GLP over other methyltransferases. Moreover, 10 displays superior cell growth inhibition to the parent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 in prostate, leukemia, and lung cancer cells and has suitable mouse pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, 10 is a valuable chemical biology tool to further investigate the functions of G9a/GLP and a potential therapeutic for treating G9a/GLP-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yulin Han
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Peiyi Yang
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Zhijie Deng
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Kwang-Su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Md Kabir
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - H Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science, and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York 10029, United States
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5
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Dey T, Ghosh A, Sanyal A, Charles CJ, Pokharel S, Nair L, Singh M, Kaity S, Ravichandiran V, Kaur K, Roy S. Surface engineered nanodiamonds: mechanistic intervention in biomedical applications for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Biomed Mater 2024; 19:032003. [PMID: 38574581 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ad3abb] [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: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
In terms of biomedical tools, nanodiamonds (ND) are a more recent innovation. Their size typically ranges between 4 to 100 nm. ND are produced via a variety of methods and are known for their physical toughness, durability, and chemical stability. Studies have revealed that surface modifications and functionalization have a significant influence on the optical and electrical properties of the nanomaterial. Consequently, surface functional groups of NDs have applications in a variety of domains, including drug administration, gene delivery, immunotherapy for cancer treatment, and bio-imaging to diagnose cancer. Additionally, their biocompatibility is a critical requisite for theirin vivoandin vitrointerventions. This review delves into these aspects and focuses on the recent advances in surface modification strategies of NDs for various biomedical applications surrounding cancer diagnosis and treatment. Furthermore, the prognosis of its clinical translation has also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanima Dey
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Anushikha Ghosh
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Arka Sanyal
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar 751024, Odisha, India
| | | | - Sahas Pokharel
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Bhubaneshwar 751024, Odisha, India
| | - Lakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam Central University, Silchar 788011, Assam, India
| | - Manjari Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Assam Central University, Silchar 788011, Assam, India
| | - Santanu Kaity
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical, Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054, India
| | - Velayutham Ravichandiran
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical, Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054, India
| | - Kulwinder Kaur
- Tissue Engineering Research Group, Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin 2 D02YN77, Ireland
- Department of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Science, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin 2 D02YN77, Ireland
| | - Subhadeep Roy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical, Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054, India
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6
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Gao J, Shi W, Wang J, Guan C, Dong Q, Sheng J, Zou X, Xu Z, Ge Y, Yang C, Li J, Bao H, Zhong X, Cui Y. Research progress and applications of epigenetic biomarkers in cancer. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1308309. [PMID: 38681199 PMCID: PMC11048075 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1308309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic changes are heritable changes in gene expression without changes in the nucleotide sequence of genes. Epigenetic changes play an important role in the development of cancer and in the process of malignancy metastasis. Previous studies have shown that abnormal epigenetic changes can be used as biomarkers for disease status and disease prediction. The reversibility and controllability of epigenetic modification changes also provide new strategies for early disease prevention and treatment. In addition, corresponding drug development has also reached the clinical stage. In this paper, we will discuss the recent progress and application status of tumor epigenetic biomarkers from three perspectives: DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and histone modification, in order to provide new opportunities for additional tumor research and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Gao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wujiang Shi
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiangang Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Canghai Guan
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Qingfu Dong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jialin Sheng
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinlei Zou
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhaoqiang Xu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yifei Ge
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chengru Yang
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiehan Li
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Haolin Bao
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangyu Zhong
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yunfu Cui
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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7
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Velez J, Han Y, Yim H, Yang P, Deng Z, Park KS, Kabir M, Kaniskan HÜ, Xiong Y, Jin J. Discovery of the First-in-class G9a/GLP PROTAC Degrader. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.26.582210. [PMID: 38464025 PMCID: PMC10925177 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.582210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Aberrantly expressed lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and di-methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), have been implicated in numerous cancers. Recent studies have uncovered both catalytic and non-catalytic oncogenic functions of G9a/GLP. As such, G9a/GLP catalytic inhibitors have displayed limited anticancer activity. Here, we report the discovery of the first-in-class G9a/GLP proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) degrader, 10 (MS8709), as a potential anticancer therapeutic. 10 induces G9a/GLP degradation in a concentration-, time, and ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS)-dependent manner, does not alter the mRNA expression of G9a/GLP and is selective for G9a/GLP over other methyltransferases. Moreover, 10 displays superior cell growth inhibition to the parent G9a/GLP inhibitor UNC0642 in prostate, leukemia, and lung cancer cells and has suitable mouse pharmacokinetic properties for in vivo efficacy studies. Overall, 10 is a valuable chemical biology tool to further investigate the functions of G9a/GLP and a potential therapeutic for treating G9a/GLP-dependent cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Velez
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yulin Han
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hyerin Yim
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Peiyi Yang
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zhijie Deng
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Kwang-su Park
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Current address: College of Pharmacy, Keimyung University, Daegu 704-701, South Korea
| | - Md Kabir
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - H. Ümit Kaniskan
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Yan Xiong
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Jian Jin
- Mount Sinai Center for Therapeutics Discovery, Departments of Pharmacological Science, Oncological Science and Neuroscience, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Estevão-Pereira H, Guimarães-Teixeira C, Flores BCT, Moreira-Silva F, Tavares NT, Guimarães R, Braga I, Maurício J, Henrique R, Jerónimo C, Lobo J. EHMT2/G9a and EZH2: Epimarkers in testicular germ cell tumors. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38380739 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumors remain the most frequent solid malignancies in young males. Despite excellent prognosis, the fact that only 60% of patients at diagnosis have elevated serum tumor markers (dependent on stage and histology) and the poor quality of life of patients who develop resistance to chemotherapy cannot be neglected. Consequently, it is mandatory to bring out novel biomarkers. OBJECTIVES The main goal was to evaluate EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression in a well-characterized patients' cohort of primary and metastatic testicular germ cell tumors, seeking associations with clinicopathological features and discovering differential immunoexpression patterns among specific subtypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS First, an in silico analysis of the Cancer Genome Atlas database was performed regarding EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a. Then, immunohistochemistry for EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a was carried out in a cohort of testicular germ cell tumor patients, comprising 155 chemo-naïve primary tumors and 11 chemo-treated metastases. Immunoexpression was evaluated using a digital pathology analysis software. RESULTS Higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a expression levels were found in non-seminoma in the in silico analysis, particularly in embryonal carcinoma. Through digital pathology analysis, non-seminomas showed significantly higher EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a immunoexpression, with embryonal carcinoma showing higher expression. Moreover, mixed tumors with 50% or more of embryonal carcinoma component revealed the highest nuclei positivity for both biomarkers. Cisplatin-exposed metastases demonstrated a higher EZH2-positive nuclei and H-score, as well as higher EHMT2/G9a-positive nuclei. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Overall, our data suggest that EZH2 and EHMT2/G9a might be associated with greater aggressiveness and, eventually, involved in the metastatic setting, paving the way for testing targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Estevão-Pereira
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Guimarães-Teixeira
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Bianca C T Flores
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Filipa Moreira-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno Tiago Tavares
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rita Guimarães
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Urology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Joaquina Maurício
- Department of Medical Oncology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Clinical Oncology Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC Raquel Seruca), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, ICBAS - School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Zhang S, Lin T, Xiong X, Chen C, Tan P, Wei Q. Targeting histone modifiers in bladder cancer therapy - preclinical and clinical evidence. Nat Rev Urol 2024:10.1038/s41585-024-00857-z. [PMID: 38374198 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-024-00857-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Bladder cancer in the most advanced, muscle-invasive stage is lethal, and very limited therapeutic advances have been reported for decades. To date, cisplatin-based chemotherapy remains the first-line therapy for advanced bladder cancer. Late-line options have historically been limited. In the past few years, next-generation sequencing technology has enabled chromatin remodelling gene mutations to be characterized, showing that these alterations are more frequent in urothelial bladder carcinoma than in other cancer types. Histone modifiers have functional roles in tumour progression by modulating the expression of tumour suppressors and oncogenes and, therefore, have been considered as novel drug targets for cancer therapy. The roles of epigenetic reprogramming through histone modifications have been increasingly studied in bladder cancer, and the therapeutic efficacy of targeting those histone modifiers genetically or chemically is being assessed in preclinical studies. Results from preclinical studies in bladder cancer encouraged the investigation of some of these drugs in clinical trials, which yield mixed results. Further understanding of how alterations of histone modification mechanistically contribute to bladder cancer progression, drug resistance and tumour microenvironment remodelling will be required to facilitate clinical application of epigenetic drugs in bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Tianhai Lin
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Xingyu Xiong
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Chong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Ping Tan
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Qiang Wei
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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10
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Sun S, Su G, Zheng X. Inhibition of the Tumor Suppressor Gene SPINK5 via EHMT2 Induces the Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Development. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:208-221. [PMID: 37071303 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00740-z] [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: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Serine protease inhibitor Kazal-type 5 (SPINK5) has been revealed as a significant prognostic biomarker in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, there is little information regarding the detailed epigenetics mechanism underlying its dysregulation in OSCC. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified SPINK5 as a significantly downregulated gene in OSCC tissues. Moreover, SPINK5 inhibited the malignant aggressiveness of HSC3 and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC)9 cells, whereas depletion of SPINK5 using shRNAs led to the opposite trend. The euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) was found to bind to the SPINK5 promoter, and EHMT2 repressed the SPINK5 expression. SPINK5 reversed the stimulating effects of EHMT2 on the aggressiveness of HSC3 and SCC9 cells by impairing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor IWR-1 treatment reverted the malignant phenotype of OSCC cells in the presence of short hairpin RNA (sh)-SPINK5. Silencing of EHMT2 inhibited tumor growth and blocked the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in OSCC, which was reversed by SPINK5 knockdown. Our study shows that SPINK5, mediated by the loss of EHMT2, can inhibit the development of OSCC by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling and may serve as a treatment target for OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzhen Sun
- Department of Stomatology, Ningbo First Hospital, No. 59, Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315000, Zhejiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Geng Su
- Department of Paediatrics, Xiantao First People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Xiantao, 433000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xijiao Zheng
- Department of Stomatology, Xiantao First People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University, Xiantao, 433000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
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11
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Ebrahimnezhad M, Natami M, Bakhtiari GH, Tabnak P, Ebrahimnezhad N, Yousefi B, Majidinia M. FOXO1, a tiny protein with intricate interactions: Promising therapeutic candidate in lung cancer. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115900. [PMID: 37981461 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women globally. Despite the development of extremely efficient targeted agents, lung cancer progression and drug resistance remain serious clinical issues. Increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying progression and drug resistance will enable the development of novel therapeutic methods. It has been revealed that transcription factors (TF) dysregulation, which results in considerable expression modifications of genes, is a generally prevalent phenomenon regarding human malignancies. The forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), a member of the forkhead transcription factor family with crucial roles in cell fate decisions, is suggested to play a pivotal role as a tumor suppressor in a variety of malignancies, especially in lung cancer. FOXO1 is involved in diverse cellular processes and also has clinical significance consisting of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, DNA repair, oxidative stress, cancer prevention, treatment, and chemo/radioresistance. Based on the critical role of FOXO1, this transcription factor appears to be an appropriate target for future drug discovery in lung cancers. This review focused on the signaling pathways, and molecular mechanisms involved in FOXO1 regulation in lung cancer. We also discuss pharmacological compounds that are currently being administered for lung cancer treatment by affecting FOXO1 and also point out the essential role of FOXO1 in drug resistance. Future preclinical research should assess combination drug strategies to stimulate FOXO1 and its upstream regulators as potential strategies to treat resistant or advanced lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Ebrahimnezhad
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Natami
- Department of Urology,Shahid Mohammadi Hospital, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | | | - Peyman Tabnak
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Niloufar Ebrahimnezhad
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Science, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Maryam Majidinia
- Solid Tumor Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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12
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de Oliveira Filho RS, de Oliveira DA, Nisimoto MM, Marti LC. A Review of Advanced Cutaneous Melanoma Therapies and Their Mechanisms, from Immunotherapies to Lysine Histone Methyl Transferase Inhibitors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5751. [PMID: 38136297 PMCID: PMC10741407 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced cutaneous melanoma is considered to be the most aggressive type of skin cancer and has variable rates of treatment response. Currently, there are some classes of immunotherapy and target therapies for its treatment. Immunotherapy can inhibit tumor growth and its recurrence by triggering the host's immune system, whereas targeted therapy inhibits specific molecules or signaling pathways. However, melanoma responses to these treatments are highly heterogeneous, and patients can develop resistance. Epigenomics (DNA/histone modifications) contribute to cancer initiation and progression. Epigenetic alterations are divided into four levels of gene expression regulation: DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNA regulation. Deregulation of lysine methyltransferase enzymes is associated with tumor initiation, invasion, development of metastases, changes in the immune microenvironment, and drug resistance. The study of lysine histone methyltransferase (KMT) and nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitors is important for understanding cancer epigenetic mechanisms and biological processes. In addition to immunotherapy and target therapy, the research and development of KMT and NNMT inhibitors is ongoing. Many studies are exploring the therapeutic implications and possible side effects of these compounds, in addition to their adjuvant potential to the approved current therapies. Importantly, as with any drug development, safety, efficacy, and specificity are crucial considerations when developing methyltransferase inhibitors for clinical applications. Thus, this review article presents the recently available therapies and those in development for advanced cutaneous melanoma therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renato Santos de Oliveira Filho
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina–Universidade Federal de São Paulo–EPM-UNIFESP, São Paulo 04023-062, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniel Arcuschin de Oliveira
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo–UNIFESP-Skin Cancer and Melanoma Fellow, São Paulo 04023-900, SP, Brazil;
| | | | - Luciana Cavalheiro Marti
- Experimental Research Department, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, SP, Brazil
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13
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Pollin G, De Assuncao T, Doria Jorge S, Chi YI, Charlesworth M, Madden B, Iovanna J, Zimmermann M, Urrutia R, Lomberk G. Writers and readers of H3K9me2 form distinct protein networks during the cell cycle that include candidates for H3K9 mimicry. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20231093. [PMID: 37782747 PMCID: PMC10611923 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231093] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone H3 lysine 9 methylation (H3K9me), which is written by the Euchromatic Histone Lysine Methyltransferases EHMT1 and EHMT2 and read by the heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) chromobox (CBX) protein family, is dysregulated in many types of cancers. Approaches to inhibit regulators of this pathway are currently being evaluated for therapeutic purposes. Thus, knowledge of the complexes supporting the function of these writers and readers during the process of cell proliferation is critical for our understanding of their role in carcinogenesis. Here, we immunopurified each of these proteins and used mass spectrometry to define their associated non-histone proteins, individually and at two different phases of the cell cycle, namely G1/S and G2/M. Our findings identify novel binding proteins for these writers and readers, as well as corroborate known interactors, to show the formation of distinct protein complex networks in a cell cycle phase-specific manner. Furthermore, there is an organizational switch between cell cycle phases for interactions among specific writer-reader pairs. Through a multi-tiered bioinformatics-based approach, we reveal that many interacting proteins exhibit histone mimicry, based on an H3K9-like linear motif. Gene ontology analyses, pathway enrichment, and network reconstruction inferred that these comprehensive EHMT and CBX-associated interacting protein networks participate in various functions, including transcription, DNA repair, splicing, and membrane disassembly. Combined, our data reveals novel complexes that provide insight into key functions of cell cycle-associated epigenomic processes that are highly relevant for better understanding these chromatin-modifying proteins during cell cycle and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Pollin
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | - Thiago M. De Assuncao
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | - Salomao Doria Jorge
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | - Young-In Chi
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | | | - Benjamin Madden
- Medical Genome Facility, Proteomics Core, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, U.S.A
| | - Juan Iovanna
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), INSERM U1068, CNRS UMR 7258, Aix-Marseille Université and Institut Paoli-Calmettes, Parc Scientifique et Technologique de Luminy, Marseille, France
| | - Michael T. Zimmermann
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | - Raul Urrutia
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
| | - Gwen Lomberk
- Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Center for Genomic Sciences and Precision Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Division of Research, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, U.S.A
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14
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Turchi L, Sakakini N, Saviane G, Polo B, Saurty-Seerunghen MS, Gabut M, Gouillou CA, Guerlais V, Pasquier C, Vignais ML, Almairac F, Chneiweiss H, Junier MP, Burel-Vandenbos F, Virolle T. CELF2 Sustains a Proliferating/OLIG2+ Glioblastoma Cell Phenotype via the Epigenetic Repression of SOX3. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5038. [PMID: 37894405 PMCID: PMC10605641 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15205038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastomas (GBs) are incurable brain tumors. The persistence of aggressive stem-like tumor cells after cytotoxic treatments compromises therapeutic efficacy, leading to GBM recurrence. Forcing the GBM cells to irreversibly abandon their aggressive stem-like phenotype may offer an alternative to conventional cytotoxic treatments. Here, we show that the RNA binding protein CELF2 is strongly expressed in mitotic and OLIG2-positive GBM cells, while it is downregulated in differentiated and non-mitotic cells by miR-199a-3p, exemplifying GBM intra-tumor heterogeneity. Using patient-derived cells and human GBM samples, we demonstrate that CELF2 plays a key role in maintaining the proliferative/OLIG2 cell phenotype with clonal and tumorigenic properties. Indeed, we show that CELF2 deficiency in patient-derived GSCs drastically reduced tumor growth in the brains of nude mice. We further show that CELF2 promotes TRIM28 and G9a expression, which drive a H3K9me3 epigenetic profile responsible for the silencing of the SOX3 gene. Thus, CELF2, which is positively correlated with OLIG2 and Ki67 expression in human GBM samples, is inversely correlated with SOX3 and miR-199a-3p. Accordingly, the invalidation of SOX3 in CELF2-deficient patient-derived cells rescued proliferation and OLIG2 expression. Finally, patients expressing SOX3 above the median level of expression tend to have a longer life expectancy. CELF2 is therefore a crucial target for the malignant potential of GBM and warrants attention when developing novel anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Turchi
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
- DRCI, CHU de Nice, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Nathalie Sakakini
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
| | - Gaelle Saviane
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
| | - Béatrice Polo
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
| | - Mirca Saras Saurty-Seerunghen
- CNRS UMR8246, INSERM U1130, Neuroscience Paris Seine-IBPS Laboratory, Team Glial Plasticity and NeuroOncology, Sorbonne Université, 75252 Paris, France; (M.S.S.-S.); (H.C.); (M.-P.J.)
| | - Mathieu Gabut
- Stemness in Gliomas Laboratory, Cancer Initiation and Tumoral Cell Identity (CITI) Department, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, 69008 Lyon, France;
- Cancer Research Center of Lyon 1, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 69100 Villeurbanne, France
| | | | - Vincent Guerlais
- CNRS, I3S, Université Côte d’Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France; (V.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Claude Pasquier
- CNRS, I3S, Université Côte d’Azur, 06560 Valbonne, France; (V.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Marie Luce Vignais
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, IGF, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France;
| | - Fabien Almairac
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
- Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Pasteur, CHU de Nice, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Hervé Chneiweiss
- CNRS UMR8246, INSERM U1130, Neuroscience Paris Seine-IBPS Laboratory, Team Glial Plasticity and NeuroOncology, Sorbonne Université, 75252 Paris, France; (M.S.S.-S.); (H.C.); (M.-P.J.)
| | - Marie-Pierre Junier
- CNRS UMR8246, INSERM U1130, Neuroscience Paris Seine-IBPS Laboratory, Team Glial Plasticity and NeuroOncology, Sorbonne Université, 75252 Paris, France; (M.S.S.-S.); (H.C.); (M.-P.J.)
| | - Fanny Burel-Vandenbos
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
- Service d’Anatomopathologie, Hôpital Pasteur, CHU de Nice, 06107 Nice, France
| | - Thierry Virolle
- CNRS, INSERM, Institut de Biologie Valrose, Team INSERM “Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity and Functional Intra-tumor Heterogeneity”, Université Côte D’Azur, 06107 Nice, France; (L.T.); (N.S.); (G.S.); (B.P.); (F.A.); (F.B.-V.)
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15
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Souza BK, Freire NH, Monteiro TS, Herlinger AL, Jaeger M, Dalmolin MGS, de Farias CB, Gregianin L, Brunetto AT, Brunetto AL, Thiele CJ, Roesler R. Histone Methyltransferases G9a/ Ehmt2 and GLP/ Ehmt1 Are Associated with Cell Viability and Poorer Prognosis in Neuroblastoma and Ewing Sarcoma. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15242. [PMID: 37894922 PMCID: PMC10607632 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015242] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in epigenetic programming have been proposed as being key events in the initiation and progression of childhood cancers. HMT euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (G9a, EHMT2), which is encoded by the G9a (Ehmt2) gene, as well as its related protein GLP, which is encoded by the GLP/Ehmt1 gene, participate in epigenetic regulation by contributing to a transcriptionally repressed chromatin state. G9a/GLP activation has been reported in several cancer types. Herein, we evaluated the role of G9a in two solid pediatric tumors: neuroblastoma (NB) and Ewing sarcoma (ES). Our results show that G9a/Ehmt2 and GLP/Ehmt1 expression is higher in tumors with poorer prognosis, including St4 International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) stage, MYCN amplified NB, and metastatic ES. Importantly, higher G9a and GLP levels were associated with shorter patient overall survival (OS) in both NB and ES. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of G9a/GLP reduced cell viability in NB and ES cells. These findings suggest that G9a and GLP are associated with more aggressive NB and ES tumors and should be further investigated as being epigenetic targets in pediatric solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Kunzler Souza
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Epigenica Biosciences, Canoas 92035-000, Brazil;
| | - Natalia Hogetop Freire
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | | | - Alice Laschuk Herlinger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Mariane Jaeger
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Matheus G. S. Dalmolin
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Caroline Brunetto de Farias
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Lauro Gregianin
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Pediatric Oncology Service, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
| | - André T. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Algemir L. Brunetto
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Children’s Cancer Institute, Porto Alegre 90620-110, Brazil
| | - Carol J. Thiele
- Pediatric Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Rafael Roesler
- Cancer and Neurobiology Laboratory, Experimental Research Center, Clinical Hospital (CPE-HCPA), Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil (A.T.B.)
- National Science and Technology Institute for Children’s Cancer Biology and Pediatric Oncology—INCT BioOncoPed, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre 90035-003, Brazil
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16
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Geng Q, Kong Y, Li W, Zhang J, Ma H, Zhang Y, Da L, Zhao Y, Du H. Dynamic Phosphorylation of G9a Regulates its Repressive Activity on Chromatin Accessibility and Mitotic Progression. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2303224. [PMID: 37661576 PMCID: PMC10602519 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202303224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Phosphorylation of Ser10 of histone H3 (H3S10p), together with the adjacent methylation of Lys9 (H3K9me), has been proposed to function as a 'phospho-methyl switch' to regulate mitotic chromatin architecture. Despite of immense understanding of the roles of H3S10 phosphorylation, how H3K9me2 are dynamically regulated during mitosis is poorly understood. Here, it is identified that Plk1 kinase phosphorylates the H3K9me1/2 methyltransferase G9a/EHMT2 at Thr1045 (pT1045) during early mitosis, which attenuates its catalytic activity toward H3K9me2. Cells bearing Thr1045 phosphomimic mutant of G9a (T1045E) show decreased H3K9me2 levels, increased chromatin accessibility, and delayed mitotic progression. By contrast, dephosphorylation of pT1045 during late mitosis by the protein phosphatase PPP2CB reactivates G9a activity and upregulates H3K9me2 levels, correlated with decreased levels of H3S10p. Therefore, the results provide a mechanistic explanation of the essential of a 'phospho-methyl switch' and highlight the importance of Plk1 and PPP2CB-mediated dynamic regulation of G9a activity in chromatin organization and mitotic progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qizhi Geng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell HomeostasisCollege of Life SciencesHubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityFrontier Science Center for Immunology and MetabolismRNA InstituteWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Yue‐Yu Kong
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell HomeostasisCollege of Life SciencesHubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityFrontier Science Center for Immunology and MetabolismRNA InstituteWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Weizhe Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell HomeostasisCollege of Life SciencesHubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityFrontier Science Center for Immunology and MetabolismRNA InstituteWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
| | - Jianhao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai JiaoTong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Haoli Ma
- Hubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and BiotechnologyShanghai JiaoTong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Lin‐Tai Da
- Shanghai Center for Systems BiomedicineShanghai JiaoTong UniversityShanghai200240China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Hubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityWuhan UniversityWuhan430071China
| | - Hai‐Ning Du
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell HomeostasisCollege of Life SciencesHubei Clinical Research Center of Emergency and ResuscitationEmergency Center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan UniversityFrontier Science Center for Immunology and MetabolismRNA InstituteWuhan UniversityWuhan430072China
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17
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Cedillo-González R, Medina-Franco JL. Diversity and Chemical Space Characterization of Inhibitors of the Epigenetic Target G9a: A Chemoinformatics Approach. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:30694-30704. [PMID: 37636945 PMCID: PMC10448660 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c04566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
G9a is a histone-lysine methyltransferase that performs the mono- and dimethylation of lysine 9 at histone 3 of the nucleosome. It belongs to the SET PKMT family, and its methylations are related to promoter repression and activation. G9a is a promising epigenetic target. Despite the fact that there are several G9a inhibitors under development, there are no compounds in clinical use due to adverse in vivo ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) issues. The goal of this study is to discuss the exploration, characterization, and analysis of the chemical space of 409 G9a inhibitors reported in a large public database. Exploring the chemical space of the inhibitors led to the quantification of their structural diversity based on molecular scaffolds and structural fingerprints of different designs. As part of the analysis, the G9a inhibitors were compared with commercial libraries focused on epigenetic targets. The findings of this work will help in the development of, in a follow-up study, predictive models to identify G9a inhibitors. This study also points out the relevance of screening commercial libraries to expand the epigenetic relevant chemical space, in particular, G9a inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raziel Cedillo-González
- DIFACQUIM Research Group Department
of Pharmacy School of Chemistry, Universidad
Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
| | - José L. Medina-Franco
- DIFACQUIM Research Group Department
of Pharmacy School of Chemistry, Universidad
Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
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18
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Gaggioli V, Lo CSY, Reverón-Gómez N, Jasencakova Z, Domenech H, Nguyen H, Sidoli S, Tvardovskiy A, Uruci S, Slotman JA, Chai Y, Gonçalves JGSCS, Manolika EM, Jensen ON, Wheeler D, Sridharan S, Chakrabarty S, Demmers J, Kanaar R, Groth A, Taneja N. Dynamic de novo heterochromatin assembly and disassembly at replication forks ensures fork stability. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:1017-1032. [PMID: 37414849 PMCID: PMC10344782 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01167-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Chromatin is dynamically reorganized when DNA replication forks are challenged. However, the process of epigenetic reorganization and its implication for fork stability is poorly understood. Here we discover a checkpoint-regulated cascade of chromatin signalling that activates the histone methyltransferase EHMT2/G9a to catalyse heterochromatin assembly at stressed replication forks. Using biochemical and single molecule chromatin fibre approaches, we show that G9a together with SUV39h1 induces chromatin compaction by accumulating the repressive modifications, H3K9me1/me2/me3, in the vicinity of stressed replication forks. This closed conformation is also favoured by the G9a-dependent exclusion of the H3K9-demethylase JMJD1A/KDM3A, which facilitates heterochromatin disassembly upon fork restart. Untimely heterochromatin disassembly from stressed forks by KDM3A enables PRIMPOL access, triggering single-stranded DNA gap formation and sensitizing cells towards chemotherapeutic drugs. These findings may help in explaining chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis observed in patients with cancer displaying elevated levels of G9a/H3K9me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Gaggioli
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Calvin S Y Lo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Nazaret Reverón-Gómez
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Zuzana Jasencakova
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Heura Domenech
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hong Nguyen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Simone Sidoli
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, VILLUM Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences and Centre for Epigenetics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Andrey Tvardovskiy
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, VILLUM Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences and Centre for Epigenetics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Functional Epigenetics (IFE), Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Sidrit Uruci
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Johan A Slotman
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Optical Imaging Centre, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yi Chai
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Eleni Maria Manolika
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ole N Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, VILLUM Centre for Bioanalytical Sciences and Centre for Epigenetics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - David Wheeler
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sriram Sridharan
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sanjiban Chakrabarty
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Jeroen Demmers
- Proteomics Center and Department of Biochemistry, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roland Kanaar
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Oncode Institute, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anja Groth
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Protein Research (CPR), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nitika Taneja
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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19
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Bhuvanadas S, Devi A. JARID2 and EZH2, The Eminent Epigenetic Drivers In Human Cancer. Gene 2023:147584. [PMID: 37353042 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.147584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Cancer has become a prominent cause of death, accounting for approximately 10 million death worldwide as per the World Health Organization reports 2020. Epigenetics deal with the alterations of heritable phenotypes, except for DNA alterations. Currently, we are trying to comprehend the role of utmost significant epigenetic genes involved in the burgeoning of human cancer. A sundry of studies reported the Enhancer of Zeste Homologue2 (EZH2) as a prime catalytic subunit of Polycomb Repressive Complex2, which is involved in several pivotal activities, including embryogenesis. In addition, EZH2 has detrimental effects leading to the onset and metastasis of several cancers. Jumonji AT Rich Interacting Domain2 (JARID2), an undebated crucial nuclear factor, has strong coordination with the PRC2 family. In this review, we discuss various epigenetic entities, primarily focusing on the possible role and mechanism of EZH2 and the significant contribution of JARID2 in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreeshma Bhuvanadas
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, India - 603203
| | - Arikketh Devi
- Department of Genetic Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Tamilnadu, India - 603203.
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20
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Jan S, Dar MI, Shankar G, Wani R, Sandey J, Balgotra S, Mudassir S, Dar MJ, Sawant SD, Akhter Y, Syed SH. Discovery of SDS-347 as a specific peptide competitive inhibitor of G9a with promising anti-cancer potential. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2023:130399. [PMID: 37295690 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2023.130399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND G9a is a histone H3K9 methyltransferase enzyme found highly upregulated in many cancers. H3 binds to the rigid I-SET domain and the cofactor, S-adenosyl methionine, binds to the flexible post-SET domain of G9a. Inhibition of G9a is known to inhibit the growth of cancer cell-lines. METHODS Recombinant G9a and H3 were used to develop radioisotope-based inhibitor screening assay. The identified inhibitor was evaluated for isoform selectivity. The mode of enzymatic inhibition was studied by enzymatic assays and bioinformatics. Anti-proliferative activity of the inhibitor was studied in cancer cell lines by utilizing MTT assay. The mechanism of cell death was studied by western blotting and microscopy. RESULTS We developed a robust G9a inhibitor screening assay that led to the discovery of SDS-347 as a potent G9a inhibitor with IC50 of 3.06 μM. It was shown to reduce the levels of H3K9me2 in cell-based assay. The inhibitor was found to be peptide competitive and highly specific as it did not show any significant inhibition of other histone methyltransferases and DNA methyltransferase. Docking studies showed that SDS-347 could form direct bonding interaction with Asp1088 of the peptide-binding site. SDS-347 showed anti-proliferative effect against various cancer cell lines especially the K562 cells. Our data suggested that SDS-347 mediated antiproliferative action via ROS generation, induction of autophagy and apoptosis. CONCLUSION Overall, the findings of the current study include development of a new G9a inhibitor screening assay and identification of SDS-347, as a novel, peptide competitive and highly specific G9a inhibitor with promising anticancer potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraya Jan
- CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Mohd I Dar
- CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Gauri Shankar
- Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rubiada Wani
- CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jagjeet Sandey
- CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Shilpi Balgotra
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Syed Mudassir
- High Content Imaging Facility, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, India
| | - Mohd J Dar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Cancer Pharmacology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Sanghapal D Sawant
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India; Medicinal Chemistry Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Jammu, India
| | - Yusuf Akhter
- Department of Biotechnology, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Sajad H Syed
- CSIR- Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, Sanatnagar, Srinagar, Kashmir, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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21
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Feng Z, Yang C, Zhang Y, Li H, Fang W, Wang J, Nie Y, Wang CY, Liu Z, Jiang Z, Wang J, Wang Y. Structure-Based Design and Characterization of the Highly Potent and Selective Covalent Inhibitors Targeting the Lysine Methyltransferases G9a/GLP. J Med Chem 2023. [PMID: 37268593 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Protein lysine methyltransferases G9a and GLP, which catalyze mono- and di-methylation of histone H3K9 and nonhistone proteins, play important roles in diverse cellular processes. Overexpression or dysregulation of G9a and GLP has been identified in various types of cancer. Here, we report the discovery of a highly potent and selective covalent inhibitor 27 of G9a/GLP via the structure-based drug design approach following structure-activity relationship exploration and cellular potency optimization. Mass spectrometry assays and washout experiments confirmed its covalent inhibition mechanism. Compound 27 displayed improved potency in inhibiting the proliferation and colony formation of PANC-1 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines and exhibited enhanced potency in reducing the levels of H3K9me2 in cells compared to noncovalent inhibitor 26. In vivo, 27 showed significant antitumor efficacy in the PANC-1 xenograft model with good safety. These results clearly indicate that 27 is a highly potent and selective covalent inhibitor of G9a/GLP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongbo Feng
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Zhiyuan Road, Lingui District, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Chunju Yang
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Huaxuan Li
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Wei Fang
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Junhua Wang
- The Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Yichu Nie
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People's Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, China
| | - Chang-Yun Wang
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zhiqing Liu
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zhimin Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Zhiyuan Road, Lingui District, Guilin 541199, China
| | - Junjian Wang
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yuanxiang Wang
- Balance-Based Drug Discovery Laboratory, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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22
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Yang X, Xu L, Yang L. Recent advances in EZH2-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 256:115461. [PMID: 37156182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein is the catalytic subunit of one of the histone methyltransferases. EZH2 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3) and further alters downstream target levels. EZH2 is upregulated in cancer tissues, wherein its levels correlate strongly with cancer genesis, progression, metastasis, and invasion. Consequently, it has emerged as a novel anticancer therapeutic target. Nonetheless, developing EZH2 inhibitors (EZH2i) has encountered numerous difficulties, such as pre-clinical drug resistance and poor therapeutic effect. The EZH2i synergistically suppresses cancers when used in combination with additional antitumor drugs, such as PARP inhibitors, HDAC inhibitors, BRD4 inhibitors, EZH1 inhibitors, and EHMT2 inhibitors. Typically, the use of dual inhibitors of two different targets mediated by one individual molecule has been recognized as the preferred approach for overcoming the limitations of EZH2 monotherapy. The present review discusses the theoretical basis for designing EZH2-based dual-target inhibitors, and also describes some in vitro and in vivo analysis results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China.
| | - Lu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
| | - Li Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Xinxiang University, Xinxiang, 453003, China
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23
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Mereu E, Abbo D, Paradzik T, Cumerlato M, Bandini C, Labrador M, Maccagno M, Ronchetti D, Manicardi V, Neri A, Piva R. Euchromatic Histone Lysine Methyltransferase 2 Inhibition Enhances Carfilzomib Sensitivity and Overcomes Drug Resistance in Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15082199. [PMID: 37190128 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15082199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteasome inhibitors (PIs) are extensively used for the therapy of multiple myeloma. However, patients continuously relapse or are intrinsically resistant to this class of drugs. In addition, adverse toxic effects such as peripheral neuropathy and cardiotoxicity could arise. Here, to identify compounds that can increase the efficacy of PIs, we performed a functional screening using a library of small-molecule inhibitors covering key signaling pathways. Among the best synthetic lethal interactions, the euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) inhibitor UNC0642 displayed a cooperative effect with carfilzomib (CFZ) in numerous multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, including drug-resistant models. In MM patients, EHMT2 expression correlated to worse overall and progression-free survival. Moreover, EHMT2 levels were significantly increased in bortezomib-resistant patients. We demonstrated that CFZ/UNC0642 combination exhibited a favorable cytotoxicity profile toward peripheral blood mononuclear cells and bone-marrow-derived stromal cells. To exclude off-target effects, we proved that UNC0642 treatment reduces EHMT2-related molecular markers and that an alternative EHMT2 inhibitor recapitulated the synergistic activity with CFZ. Finally, we showed that the combinatorial treatment significantly perturbs autophagy and the DNA damage repair pathways, suggesting a multi-layered mechanism of action. Overall, the present study demonstrates that EHMT2 inhibition could provide a valuable strategy to enhance PI sensitivity and overcome drug resistance in MM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Mereu
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Damiano Abbo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Tina Paradzik
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Rudjer Boskovic Insitute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Michela Cumerlato
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Cecilia Bandini
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Labrador
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Maccagno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Domenica Ronchetti
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Manicardi
- Laboratory of Translational Research, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Antonino Neri
- Scientific Directorate, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42123 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Roberto Piva
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
- Medical Genetics Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital, 10126 Turin, Italy
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24
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Karthik N, Lee JJH, Soon JLJ, Chiu HY, Loh AHP, Ong DST, Tam WL, Taneja R. Histone variant H3.3 promotes metastasis in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. J Pathol 2023; 259:342-356. [PMID: 36573560 DOI: 10.1002/path.6048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The relatively quiet mutational landscape of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) suggests that epigenetic deregulation could be central to oncogenesis and tumour aggressiveness. Histone variants have long been recognised as important epigenetic regulators of gene expression. However, the role of histone variants in RMS has not been studied hitherto. In this study, we show that histone variant H3.3 is overexpressed in alveolar RMS (ARMS), an aggressive subtype of RMS. Functionally, knockdown of H3F3A, which encodes for H3.3, significantly impairs the ability of ARMS cells to undertake migration and invasion and reduces Rho activation. In addition, a striking reduction in metastatic tumour burden and improved survival is apparent in vivo. Using RNA-sequencing and ChIP-sequencing analyses, we identified melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM/CD146) as a direct downstream target of H3.3. Loss of H3.3 resulted in a reduction in the presence of active marks and an increase in the occupancy of H1 at the MCAM promoter. Cell migration and invasion were rescued in H3F3A-depleted cells through MCAM overexpression. Moreover, we identified G9a, a lysine methyltransferase encoded by EHMT2, as an upstream regulator of H3F3A. Therefore, this study identifies a novel H3.3 dependent axis involved in ARMS metastasis. These findings establish the potential of MCAM as a therapeutic target for high-risk ARMS patients. © 2022 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Karthik
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jane Jia Hui Lee
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joshua Ling Jun Soon
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Hsin Yao Chiu
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amos Hong Pheng Loh
- VIVA-KKH Paediatric Brain and Solid Tumour Programme, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Derrick Sek Tong Ong
- Department of Physiology and NUS Center for Cancer Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Wai Leong Tam
- Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS), Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Department of Physiology, Healthy Longevity and NUS Cancer Centre for Cancer Research Translation Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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25
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Huang ZC, Huang J, Huang CK, Hou Y, Zhu B. Euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 facilitates radioresistance in prostate cancer by repressing endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 transcription. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2023. [PMID: 36825520 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. This study was conducted to investigate the role of euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2 (EHMT2) and endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERP29) in the progression of radioresistance in prostate cancer. The expression of EHMT2 and ERP29 in prostate cancer cells and during the progression of radioresistance was detected using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting, and the interaction between EHMT2 and ERP29 was investigated. The proliferation of transfected cells under x-ray irradiation was determined using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and colony formation assays. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the apoptosis of the transfected cells under x-ray irradiation. Nude mice were subcutaneously injected with prostate cancer (DU145) cells stably transfected with sh-ERP29 or sh-NC. The effect of ERP29 expression on radioresistance in nude mice was assessed by x-ray irradiation. The expression of EHMT2 was upregulated and that of ERP29 was downregulated in prostate cancer cells during radioresistance progression. EHMT2 downregulation suppressed radioresistance in DU145 and androgen-sensitive prostate cancer (LNCaP) cells. In irradiated DU145 cells, EHMT2 inhibition decreased the number of colonies and accelerated apoptosis. The transcription of ERP29 was suppressed by EHMT2 by upregulating H3K9me2 and downregulating H3K4me3, thereby regulating radioresistance in prostate cancer cells. In addition, the downregulation of ERP29 promoted the progression of radioresistance in prostate cancer cells in nude mice. EHMT2 promotes radioresistance in prostate cancer cells by repressing ERP29 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Chao Huang
- Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chang-Kun Huang
- Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Hou
- Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhu
- Department of Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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Fu J, Yu M, Xu W, Yu S. High Expression of G9a Induces Cisplatin Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. CELL JOURNAL 2023; 25:118-125. [PMID: 36840458 PMCID: PMC9968374 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2022.557564.1077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chemotherapeutic drug resistance is the main obstacle that affects the efficacy of current therapies of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which needs to be addressed urgently. High expression of histone methyltransferase G9a was reported to play a pivotal role in the progression of HCC. Regulatory mechanism of aberrant activation of G9a in HCC and the association with subsequent cisplatin (DDP) resistance still remains ambiguous. This study strived to investigate mechanism of G9a overexpression and its impact on cisplatin resistance in HCC cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, we investigated effects of different concentrations of cisplatin in combination with BIX-01294 or PR-619 on viability and apoptosis of HuH7 and SNU387 cells via CCK-8 kit and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Colony formation capacity was applied to evaluate effect of cisplatin with or without BIX-01294 on cell proliferation, and western blotting was used to verify expression level of the related proteins. Global mRNA expression profile analysis was adopted to identify differentially expressed genes associated with overexpression of G9a. RESULTS We observed that overexpression of G9a admittedly promoted cisplatin resistance in HCC cells. Global mRNA expression profile analysis after G9a inhibition showed that DNA repair and cell cycle progression were downregulated. Moreover, we identified that deubiquitination enzymes (DUBs) stabilized high expression of G9a in HCC through deubiquitination. Additionally, cisplatin could significantly inhibit proliferation of DUBs-deficient HCC cells, while promoting their apoptosis. CONCLUSION Collectively, our data indicated that DUBs stabilize G9a through deubiquitination, thereby participating in the cisplatin resistance of HCC cells. The elucidation of this mechanism contributes to propose a potential alternative intervention strategy for the treatment of HCC patients harboring high G9a levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Fu
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Min Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua,
Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Wenxia Xu
- Central Laboratory, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shian Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Affiliated Jinhua Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Jinhua,
Zhejiang Province, China,Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic SurgeryAffiliated Jinhua HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineJinhuaZhejiang ProvinceChina
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27
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Aravena TI, Valdés E, Ayala N, D’Afonseca V. A Computational Approach to Predict the Role of Genetic Alterations in Methyltransferase Histones Genes With Implications in Liver Cancer. Cancer Inform 2023; 22:11769351231161480. [PMID: 37008071 PMCID: PMC10064455 DOI: 10.1177/11769351231161480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Histone methyltransferases (HMTs) comprise a subclass of epigenetic regulators. Dysregulation of these enzymes results in aberrant epigenetic regulation, commonly observed in various tumor types, including hepatocellular adenocarcinoma (HCC). Probably, these epigenetic changes could lead to tumorigenesis processes. To predict how histone methyltransferase genes and their genetic alterations (somatic mutations, somatic copy number alterations, and gene expression changes) are involved in hepatocellular adenocarcinoma processes, we performed an integrated computational analysis of genetic alterations in 50 HMT genes present in hepatocellular adenocarcinoma. Biological data were obtained through the public repository with 360 samples from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Through these biological data, we identified 10 HMT genes (SETDB1, ASH1L, SMYD2, SMYD3, EHMT2, SETD3, PRDM14, PRDM16, KMT2C, and NSD3) with a significant genetic alteration rate (14%) within 360 samples. Of these 10 HMT genes, KMT2C and ASH1L have the highest mutation rate in HCC samples, 5.6% and 2.8%, respectively. Regarding somatic copy number alteration, ASH1L and SETDB1 are amplified in several samples, while SETD3, PRDM14, and NSD3 showed a high rate of large deletion. Finally, SETDB1, SETD3, PRDM14, and NSD3 could play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular adenocarcinoma since alterations in these genes lead to a decrease in patient survival, unlike patients who present these genes without genetic alterations. Our computational analysis provides new insights that help to understand how HMTs are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as provide a basis for future experimental investigations using HMTs as genetic targets against hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Isabella Aravena
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Elizabeth Valdés
- Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Nicolás Ayala
- Departamento de Genética, Microbiología y Estadística, Universidad de Barcelona, España
| | - Vívian D’Afonseca
- Departamento de Ciencias Preclínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
- Vívian D’Afonseca, Universidad Católica del Maule, Av. San Miguel 3605, Talca, 3460000, Chile.
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Callis TB, Garrett TR, Montgomery AP, Danon JJ, Kassiou M. Recent Scaffold Hopping Applications in Central Nervous System Drug Discovery. J Med Chem 2022; 65:13483-13504. [PMID: 36206553 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The concept of bioisosterism and the implementation of bioisosteric replacement is fundamental to medicinal chemistry. The exploration of bioisosteres is often used to probe key structural features of candidate pharmacophores and enhance pharmacokinetic properties. As the understanding of bioisosterism has evolved, capabilities to undertake more ambitious bioisosteric replacements have emerged. Scaffold hopping is a broadly used term in the literature referring to a variety of different bioisosteric replacement strategies, ranging from simple heterocyclic replacements to topological structural overhauls. In this work, we have highlighted recent applications of scaffold hopping in the central nervous system drug discovery space. While we have highlighted the benefits of using scaffold hopping approaches in central nervous system drug discovery, these are also widely applicable to other medicinal chemistry fields. We also recommend a shift toward the use of more refined and meaningful terminology within the realm of scaffold hopping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy B Callis
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Taylor R Garrett
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | | | - Jonathan J Danon
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael Kassiou
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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29
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Lee YM. RUNX Family in Hypoxic Microenvironment and Angiogenesis in Cancers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193098. [PMID: 36231060 PMCID: PMC9564080 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is broadly implicated in tumorigenesis, as tumor cells interact with surrounding cells to influence the development and progression of the tumor. Blood vessels are a major component of the TME and are attributed to the creation of a hypoxic microenvironment, which is a common feature of advanced cancers and inflamed premalignant tissues. Runt-related transcription factor (RUNX) proteins, a transcription factor family of developmental master regulators, are involved in vital cellular processes such as differentiation, proliferation, cell lineage specification, and apoptosis. Furthermore, the RUNX family is involved in the regulation of various oncogenic processes and signaling pathways as well as tumor suppressive functions, suggesting that the RUNX family plays a strategic role in tumorigenesis. In this review, we have discussed the relevant findings that describe the crosstalk of the RUNX family with the hypoxic TME and tumor angiogenesis or with their signaling molecules in cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Mie Lee
- Vessel-Organ Interaction Research Center, VOICE (MRC), Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Lab of Molecular Pathophysiology, College of Pharmacy, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-8566; Fax:+82-53-950-8557
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30
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Pogribna M, Word B, Lyn-Cook B, Hammons G. Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on histone modifications and histone modifying enzymes expression in human cell lines. Nanotoxicology 2022; 16:409-424. [DOI: 10.1080/17435390.2022.2085206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Pogribna
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Beverly Word
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - Beverly Lyn-Cook
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
| | - George Hammons
- Division of Biochemical Toxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA
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31
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Yegutkin GG, Boison D. ATP and Adenosine Metabolism in Cancer: Exploitation for Therapeutic Gain. Pharmacol Rev 2022; 74:797-822. [PMID: 35738682 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adenosine is an evolutionary ancient metabolic regulator linking energy state to physiologic processes, including immunomodulation and cell proliferation. Tumors create an adenosine-rich immunosuppressive microenvironment through the increased release of ATP from dying and stressed cells and its ectoenzymatic conversion into adenosine. Therefore, the adenosine pathway becomes an important therapeutic target to improve the effectiveness of immune therapies. Prior research has focused largely on the two major ectonucleotidases, ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase 1/cluster of differentiation (CD)39 and ecto-5'-nucleotidase/CD73, which catalyze the breakdown of extracellular ATP into adenosine, and on the subsequent activation of different subtypes of adenosine receptors with mixed findings of antitumor and protumor effects. New findings, needed for more effective therapeutic approaches, require consideration of redundant pathways controlling intratumoral adenosine levels, including the alternative NAD-inactivating pathway through the CD38-ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase (ENPP)1-CD73 axis, the counteracting ATP-regenerating ectoenzymatic pathway, and cellular adenosine uptake and its phosphorylation by adenosine kinase. This review provides a holistic view of extracellular and intracellular adenosine metabolism as an integrated complex network and summarizes recent data on the underlying mechanisms through which adenosine and its precursors ATP and ADP control cancer immunosurveillance, tumor angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, cancer-associated thrombosis, blood flow, and tumor perfusion. Special attention is given to differences and commonalities in the purinome of different cancers, heterogeneity of the tumor microenvironment, subcellular compartmentalization of the adenosine system, and novel roles of purine-converting enzymes as targets for cancer therapy. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: The discovery of the role of adenosine as immune checkpoint regulator in cancer has led to the development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting extracellular adenosine metabolism and signaling in multiple clinical trials and preclinical models. Here we identify major gaps in knowledge that need to be filled to improve the therapeutic gain from agents targeting key components of the adenosine metabolic network and, on this basis, provide a holistic view of the cancer purinome as a complex and integrated network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gennady G Yegutkin
- MediCity Research Laboratory and InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, Turku, Finland (G.G.Y.); Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson and New Jersey Medical Schools, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey (D.B.); and Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, New Jersey (D.B.)
| | - Detlev Boison
- MediCity Research Laboratory and InFLAMES Flagship, University of Turku, Turku, Finland (G.G.Y.); Department of Neurosurgery, Robert Wood Johnson and New Jersey Medical Schools, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey (D.B.); and Rutgers Brain Health Institute, Piscataway, New Jersey (D.B.)
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32
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Sukocheva OA, Lukina E, Friedemann M, Menschikowski M, Hagelgans A, Aliev G. The crucial role of epigenetic regulation in breast cancer anti-estrogen resistance: Current findings and future perspectives. Semin Cancer Biol 2022; 82:35-59. [PMID: 33301860 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) cell de-sensitization to Tamoxifen (TAM) or other selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERM) is a complex process associated with BC heterogeneity and the transformation of ER signalling. The most influential resistance-related mechanisms include modifications in ER expression and gene regulation patterns. During TAM/SERM treatment, epigenetic mechanisms can effectively silence ER expression and facilitate the development of endocrine resistance. ER status is efficiently regulated by specific epigenetic tools including hypermethylation of CpG islands within ER promoters, increased histone deacetylase activity in the ER promoter, and/or translational repression by miRNAs. Over-methylation of the ER α gene (ESR1) promoter by DNA methyltransferases was associated with poor prognosis and indicated the development of resistance. Moreover, BC progression and spreading were marked by transformed chromatin remodelling, post-translational histone modifications, and expression of specific miRNAs and/or long non-coding RNAs. Therefore, targeted inhibition of histone acetyltransferases (e.g. MYST3), deacetylases (e.g. HDAC1), and/or demethylases (e.g. lysine-specific demethylase LSD1) was shown to recover and increase BC sensitivity to anti-estrogens. Indicated as a powerful molecular instrument, the administration of epigenetic drugs can regain ER expression along with the activation of tumour suppressor genes, which can in turn prevent selection of resistant cells and cancer stem cell survival. This review examines recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of endocrine drug resistance and evaluates novel anti-resistance strategies. Underlying molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation will be discussed, emphasising the utilization of epigenetic enzymes and their inhibitors to re-program irresponsive BCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga A Sukocheva
- Discipline of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia.
| | - Elena Lukina
- Discipline of Biology, College of Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, Australia
| | - Markus Friedemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Albert Hagelgans
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital `Carl Gustav Carus`, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, 119991, Russia; Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, 142432, Russia; Federal State Budgetary Institution «Research Institute of Human Morphology», 3, Tsyurupy Str., Moscow, 117418, Russian Federation; GALLY International Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA.
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33
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Gouda MBY, Zidane MA, Abdelhady AS, Hassan NM. Expression and prognostic significance of chromatin modulators EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b in acute myeloid leukemia. J Cell Biochem 2022; 123:1340-1355. [PMID: 35696556 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics factors are critical for normal cell function and their regulation is sensitive to malignancy development. EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b are key epigenetics players in different cancer types. However, their expression profiles and related consequences in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients have not been known yet. In addition to routine lab work, expression levels of EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b were determined in 110 adult and pediatric patients with De Novo AML. Relations between their expression and patients' clinical data were tested by statistical methods. EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b were highly expressed in AML patients against control cases and associated with the presence of adverse genomic alterations. In response to induction chemotherapy, EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b showed to be significantly high in resistant and relapsed patients in comparison to the complete remission group. KDM2b overexpression was associated with CD11c (integrin alpha X) downregulation. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b overexpression was correlated with poor survival status in AML patients. We conclude that EHMT2/G9a and KDM2b expression levels could be used as independent prognostic factors for AML disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud B Y Gouda
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohammed A Zidane
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Naglaa M Hassan
- Department of Clinical Pathology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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34
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Zhang L, Liang B, Xu H, Gong Y, Hu W, Jin Z, Wu X, Chen X, Li M, Shi L, Shi Y, Wang Y, Yang L. Cinobufagin induces FOXO1-regulated apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting G9a in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 291:115095. [PMID: 35176466 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bufonis (VB), an animal drug called Chansu in China, is the product of the secretion of Bufo gargarizans Cantor or B. melanostictus Schneider. As a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a long time, it has been widely used in the treatment of heart failure, ulcer, pain, and various cancers. Cinobufaginn (CNB), the cardiotonic steroid or bufalene lactone extracted from VB, has the effects of detoxification, detumescence, and analgesia. AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aimed to define the effects of CNB on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and identify the potential molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS A549 cells were treated with cinobufagin and cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were then evaluated using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assays, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, the levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cytokeratin8 (CK8), poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), Caspase3, Caspase8, B-cell lymphoma/lewkmia-2(Bcl-2), Bcl2-Associated X(Bax), forkhead box O1 (FOXO1), and euchromatic histone-lysine N-methyltransferase2 (G9a, EHMT2) in A549 cells were evaluated using qRT-PCR and/or Western blot analysis (WB), Co-IP, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. An in vivo imaging system, TUNEL, Immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were also used to detect proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), Ki67, E-Cadherin(E-Cad), FOXO1, and G9a in mouse xenograft model experiments. RESULTS CNB suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but promoted apoptosis in A549 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, while cinobufagin had no cytotoxic effect on BEAS-2B cells. In vivo, cinobufagin inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells and promoted their apoptosis. The occurrence of the above phenomena was accompanied by an increase in FOXO1 expression and a decrease in G9a expression. In A549 cells, CNB did not reverse the changes in the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of A549 cells after FOXO1 was successfully silenced. CONCLUSION Our study provides the first evidence that cinobufagin suppresses the malignant biological behaviours of NSCLC cells in vivo and in vitro and suggests that mechanistically, this effect may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of the histone methyltransferase G9a and activating the tumour suppressor gene FOXO1. Taken together, our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanism underlying cinobufagin's anticancer activity, and suggest that cinobufagin could be a candidate for targeted cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Zhang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Bing Liang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Huan Xu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanju Gong
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Wangming Hu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhong Jin
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiongbin Chen
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Li
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Liangqin Shi
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yaping Shi
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Lan Yang
- Basic Medicine College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
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35
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Moreira-Silva F, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. From Therapy Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:877379. [PMID: 35686097 PMCID: PMC9170957 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.877379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy among men worldwide. Although early-stage disease is curable, advanced stage PCa is mostly incurable and eventually becomes resistant to standard therapeutic options. Different genetic and epigenetic alterations are associated with the development of therapy resistant PCa, with specific players being particularly involved in this process. Therefore, identification and targeting of these molecules with selective inhibitors might result in anti-tumoral effects. Herein, we describe the mechanisms underlying therapy resistance in PCa, focusing on the most relevant molecules, aiming to enlighten the current state of targeted therapies in PCa. We suggest that selective drug targeting, either alone or in combination with standard treatment options, might improve therapeutic sensitivity of resistant PCa. Moreover, an individualized analysis of tumor biology in each PCa patient might improve treatment selection and therapeutic response, enabling better disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Moreira-Silva
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (He-alth Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
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36
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Ang GCK, Gupta A, Surana U, Yap SXL, Taneja R. Potential Therapeutics Targeting Upstream Regulators and Interactors of EHMT1/2. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14122855. [PMID: 35740522 PMCID: PMC9221123 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14122855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The expression of Euchromatin histone lysine methyltransferase 1 and 2 (EHMT1/2) is deregulated in many cancers. Most studies thus far have focused on the downstream targets and pathways regulated by EHMTs. However, the mechanisms that lead to their deregulated expression, and the interacting proteins that could impact EHMT activity are not well understood. In this review, we summarize our current understanding of the upstream regulators and the interactors that provide alternative therapeutic approaches to tackle EHMT driven malignancies. Abstract Euchromatin histone lysine methyltransferases (EHMTs) are epigenetic regulators responsible for silencing gene transcription by catalyzing H3K9 dimethylation. Dysregulation of EHMT1/2 has been reported in multiple cancers and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Although substantial insights have been gleaned into the downstream targets and pathways regulated by EHMT1/2, few studies have uncovered mechanisms responsible for their dysregulated expression. Moreover, EHMT1/2 interacting partners, which can influence their function and, therefore, the expression of target genes, have not been extensively explored. As none of the currently available EHMT inhibitors have made it past clinical trials, understanding upstream regulators and EHMT protein complexes may provide unique insights into novel therapeutic avenues in EHMT-overexpressing cancers. Here, we review our current understanding of the regulators and interacting partners of EHMTs. We also discuss available therapeutic drugs that target the upstream regulators and binding partners of EHMTs and could potentially modulate EHMT function in cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth Chin Khye Ang
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Amogh Gupta
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
| | - Uttam Surana
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore;
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research A*STAR, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Shirlyn Xue Ling Yap
- Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore;
| | - Reshma Taneja
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117593, Singapore; (G.C.K.A.); (A.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +65-(65)-153-236; Fax: +65-(67)-788-161
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Cheng Y, Chen Y, Wang G, Liu P, Xie G, Jing H, Chen H, Fan Y, Wang M, Zhou J. Protein Methylation in Diabetic Kidney Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:736006. [PMID: 35647002 PMCID: PMC9133329 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.736006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined by persistent urine aberrations, structural abnormalities, or impaired excretory renal function. Diabetes is the leading cause of CKD. Their common pathological manifestation is renal fibrosis. Approximately half of all patients with type 2 diabetes and one-third with type 1 diabetes will develop CKD. However, renal fibrosis mechanisms are still poorly understood, especially post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. And an unmet need remains for innovative treatment strategies for preventing, arresting, treating, and reversing diabetic kidney disease (DKD). People believe that protein methylation, including histone and non-histone, is an essential type of post-translational modification (PTM). However, prevalent reviews mainly focus on the causes such as DNA methylation. This review will take insights into the protein part. Furthermore, by emphasizing the close relationship between protein methylation and DKD, we will summarize the clinical research status and foresee the application prospect of protein methyltransferase (PMT) inhibitors in DKD treatment. In a nutshell, our review will contribute to a more profound understanding of DKD’s molecular mechanism and inspire people to dig into this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Cheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanna Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guodong Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guiling Xie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Jing
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongtao Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Eighth People’s Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Youlin Fan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Guangzhou Panyu Central Hospital of Panyu District, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Gaoming People’s Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Jun Zhou,
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Huang JL, Chen SY, Lin CS. Targeting Cancer Stem Cells through Epigenetic Modulation of Interferon Response. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040556. [PMID: 35455671 PMCID: PMC9027081 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells and are thought to play a critical role in the initiation and maintenance of tumor mass. CSCs exhibit similar hallmarks to normal stem cells, such as self-renewal, differentiation, and homeostasis. In addition, CSCs are equipped with several features so as to evade anticancer mechanisms. Therefore, it is hard to eliminate CSCs by conventional anticancer therapeutics that are effective at clearing bulk cancer cells. Interferons are innate cytokines and are the key players in immune surveillance to respond to invaded pathogens. Interferons are also crucial for adaptive immunity for the killing of specific aliens including cancer cells. However, CSCs usually evolve to escape from interferon-mediated immune surveillance and to shape the niche as a “cold” tumor microenvironment (TME). These CSC characteristics are related to their unique epigenetic regulations that are different from those of normal and bulk cancer cells. In this review, we introduce the roles of epigenetic modifiers, focusing on LSD1, BMI1, G9a, and SETDB1, in contributing to CSC characteristics and discussing the interplay between CSCs and interferon response. We also discuss the emerging strategy for eradicating CSCs by targeting these epigenetic modifiers, which can elevate cytosolic nuclei acids, trigger interferon response, and reshape a “hot” TME for improving cancer immunotherapy. The key epigenetic and immune genes involved in this crosstalk can be used as biomarkers for precision oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jau-Ling Huang
- Department of Bioscience Technology, College of Health Science, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 711, Taiwan;
| | - Si-Yun Chen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Chang-Shen Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Center for Cancer Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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Shen X, Gu X, Ma R, Li X, Wang J. Identification of the Immune Signatures for Ovarian Cancer Based on the Tumor Immune Microenvironment Genes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:772701. [PMID: 35372348 PMCID: PMC8974491 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.772701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer (OV) is a deadly gynecological cancer. The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays a pivotal role in OV development. However, the TIME of OV is not fully known. Therefore, we aimed to provide a comprehensive network of the TIME in OV. Gene expression data and clinical information from OV patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database. Non-negative Matrix Factorization, NMFConsensus, and nearest template prediction algorithms were used to perform molecular clustering. The biological functions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using Metascape, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), gene ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The copy number variations (CNVs), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and tumor mutation burden were analyzed using Gistic 2.0, R package maftools, and TCGA mutations, respectively. Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data and CIBERSORT were utilized to elucidate the TIME. Moreover, external data from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and ArrayExpress databases were used to validate the signature. All 361 samples from the TCGA OV dataset were classified into Immune Class and non-Immune Class with immune signatures. By comparing the two classes, we identified 740 DEGs that accumulated in immune-related, cancer-related, inflammation-related biological functions and pathways. There were significant differences in the CNVs between the Immune and non-Immune Classes. The Immune Class was further divided into immune-activated and immune-suppressed subtypes. There was no significant difference in the top 20 genes in somatic SNPs among the three groups. In addition, the immune-activated subtype had significantly increased proportions of CD4 memory resting T cells, T cells, M1 macrophages, and M2 macrophages than the other two groups. The qRT-PCR results indicated that the mRNA expression levels of RYR2, FAT3, MDN1 and RYR1 were significantly down-regulated in OV compared with normal tissues. Moreover, the signatures of the TIME were validated using ICGC cohort and the ArrayExpress cohort. Our study clustered the OV patients into an immune-activated subtype, immune-suppressed subtype, and non-Immune Class and provided potential clues for further research on the molecular mechanisms and immunotherapy strategies of OV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Shen
- Department of Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Gu
- Department of Oncology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Ruiqiong Ma
- Department of Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Department of Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jianliu Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Jianliu Wang,
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40
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Liao C, Wang Q, An J, Zhang M, Chen J, Li X, Xiao L, Wang J, Long Q, Liu J, Guan X. SPINKs in Tumors: Potential Therapeutic Targets. Front Oncol 2022; 12:833741. [PMID: 35223512 PMCID: PMC8873584 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.833741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine protease inhibitor Kazal type (SPINK) family includes SPINK1-14 and is the largest branch in the serine protease inhibitor family. SPINKs play an important role in pancreatic physiology and disease, sperm maturation and capacitation, Nager syndrome, inflammation and the skin barrier. Evidence shows that the unregulated expression of SPINK1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 13 is closely related to human tumors. Different SPINKs exhibit various regulatory modes in different tumors and can be used as tumor prognostic markers. This article reviews the role of SPINK1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 13 in different human cancer processes and helps to identify new cancer treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Liao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qian Wang
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiaxing An
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Minglin Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Baiyun Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Xiaolan Li
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Microbial Resources and Drug Development Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, Life Sciences Institute, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Linlin Xiao
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Qian Long, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
| | - Jianguo Liu
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Qian Long, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
| | - Xiaoyan Guan
- Department of Orthodontics II, Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Oral Disease Research Key Laboratory of Guizhou Tertiary Institution, School of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Qian Long, ; Xiaoyan Guan, ; Jianguo Liu,
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41
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Casciello F, Kelly GM, Ramarao-Milne P, Kamal N, Stewart TA, Mukhopadhyay P, Kazakoff SH, Miranda M, Kim D, Davis FM, Hayward NK, Vertino PM, Waddell N, Gannon F, Lee JS. Combined inhibition of G9a and EZH2 suppresses tumor growth via synergistic induction of IL24-mediated apoptosis. Cancer Res 2022; 82:1208-1221. [PMID: 35149587 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-21-2218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
G9a and EZH2 are two histone methyltransferases commonly upregulated in several cancer types, yet the precise roles that these enzymes play cooperatively in cancer is unclear. We demonstrate here that frequent concurrent upregulation of both G9a and EZH2 occurs in several human tumors. These methyltransferases cooperatively repressed molecular pathways responsible for tumor cell death. In genetically distinct tumor subtypes, concomitant inhibition of G9a and EZH2 potently induced tumor cell death, highlighting the existence of tumor cell survival dependency at the epigenetic level. G9a and EZH2 synergistically repressed expression of genes involved in the induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and the production of reactive oxygen species. IL24 was essential for the induction of tumor cell death and was identified as a common target of G9a and EZH2. Loss-of-function of G9a and EZH2 activated the IL24-ER stress axis and increased apoptosis in cancer cells while not affecting normal cells. These results indicate that G9a and EZH2 promotes the evasion of ER stress-mediated apoptosis by repressing IL24 transcription, therefore suggesting that their inhibition may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for solid cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Priya Ramarao-Milne
- Transformational Bioinformatics, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
| | - Nabilah Kamal
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | | | | | | | | | - Dorim Kim
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Felicity M Davis
- School of Medical Sciences, EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science
| | | | - Paula M Vertino
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester Medical Center
| | - Nicola Waddell
- Medical Genomics Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Frank Gannon
- Cancer, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
| | - Jason S Lee
- Epigenetics and Disease Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute
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G9a/EHMT2 is a Potential Prognostic Biomarker and Molecular Target in SHH Medulloblastoma. Neuromolecular Med 2022; 24:392-398. [PMID: 35113321 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-022-08702-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Changes in epigenetic programming are associated with cancer development during childhood. Components of the epigenetic machinery involved in normal embryonic development and hijacked by pediatric cancers include enzymes mediating post-translational modifications of DNA and histones that regulate chromatin structure, such as histone methyltransferases (HMTs). Overexpression of the HMT G9a (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2, EHMT2) has been described in several cancer types. Medulloblastoma (MB), the main type of malignant brain tumor afflicting children, is currently classified into four molecular subgroups. Here, we show that expression level of the G9a/Ehmt2 gene is higher in MB tumors belonging to the SHH, Group 3, and Group 4 subgroups, compared to Wnt tumors. Remarkably, high G9a expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival in MB patients. We also present evidence that G9a inhibition dose-dependently reduces MB cell viability. Our findings suggest that higher transcription of G9a may be a predictor of poor prognosis in patients with SHH MB, and that inhibiting G9a activity can display antitumor effects in MB.
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43
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Malbeteau L, Pham HT, Eve L, Stallcup MR, Poulard C, Le Romancer M. How Protein Methylation Regulates Steroid Receptor Function. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:160-197. [PMID: 33955470 PMCID: PMC8755998 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Steroid receptors (SRs) are members of the nuclear hormonal receptor family, many of which are transcription factors regulated by ligand binding. SRs regulate various human physiological functions essential for maintenance of vital biological pathways, including development, reproduction, and metabolic homeostasis. In addition, aberrant expression of SRs or dysregulation of their signaling has been observed in a wide variety of pathologies. SR activity is tightly and finely controlled by post-translational modifications (PTMs) targeting the receptors and/or their coregulators. Whereas major attention has been focused on phosphorylation, growing evidence shows that methylation is also an important regulator of SRs. Interestingly, the protein methyltransferases depositing methyl marks are involved in many functions, from development to adult life. They have also been associated with pathologies such as inflammation, as well as cardiovascular and neuronal disorders, and cancer. This article provides an overview of SR methylation/demethylation events, along with their functional effects and biological consequences. An in-depth understanding of the landscape of these methylation events could provide new information on SR regulation in physiology, as well as promising perspectives for the development of new therapeutic strategies, illustrated by the specific inhibitors of protein methyltransferases that are currently available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Malbeteau
- Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Ha Thuy Pham
- Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Louisane Eve
- Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Michael R Stallcup
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Comprehensive Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Coralie Poulard
- Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
| | - Muriel Le Romancer
- Université de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,Inserm U1052, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France.,CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, F-69000 Lyon, France
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44
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Jin Y, Park S, Park SY, Lee CY, Eum DY, Shim JW, Choi SH, Choi YJ, Park SJ, Heo K. G9a Knockdown Suppresses Cancer Aggressiveness by Facilitating Smad Protein Phosphorylation through Increasing BMP5 Expression in Luminal A Type Breast Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020589. [PMID: 35054776 PMCID: PMC8776044 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic abnormalities affect tumor progression, as well as gene expression and function. Among the diverse epigenetic modulators, the histone methyltransferase G9a has been focused on due to its role in accelerating tumorigenesis and metastasis. Although epigenetic dysregulation is closely related to tumor progression, reports regarding the relationship between G9a and its possible downstream factors regulating breast tumor growth are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to verify the role of G9a and its presumable downstream regulators during malignant progression of breast cancer. G9a-depleted MCF7 and T47D breast cancer cells exhibited suppressed motility, including migration and invasion, and an improved response to ionizing radiation. To identify the possible key factors underlying these effects, microarray analysis was performed, and a TGF-β superfamily member, BMP5, was selected as a prominent target gene. It was found that BMP5 expression was markedly increased by G9a knockdown. Moreover, reduction in the migration/invasion ability of MCF7 and T47D breast cancer cells was induced by BMP5. Interestingly, a G9a-depletion-mediated increase in BMP5 expression induced the phosphorylation of Smad proteins, which are the intracellular signaling mediators of BMP5. Accordingly, we concluded that the observed antitumor effects may be based on the G9a-depletion-mediated increase in BMP5 expression and the consequent facilitation of Smad protein phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kyu Heo
- Correspondence: (S.-J.P.); (K.H.)
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45
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Chen YA, Ho CL, Ku MT, Hwu L, Lu CH, Chiu SJ, Chang WY, Liu RS. Detection of cancer stem cells by EMT-specific biomarker-based peptide ligands. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22430. [PMID: 34789743 PMCID: PMC8599855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01138-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) within tumors, which enables invasion and metastasis, is linked to cancer stem cells (CSCs) with drug and radiation resistance. We used two specific peptides, F7 and SP peptides, to detect EMT derived cells or CSCs. Human tongue squamous carcinoma cell line-SAS transfected with reporter genes was generated and followed by spheroid culture. A small molecule inhibitor-Unc0642 and low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) were used for induction of EMT. Confocal microscopic imaging and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis were performed to evaluate the binding ability and specificity of peptides. A SAS xenograft mouse model with EMT induction was established for assessing the binding affinity of peptides. The results showed that F7 and SP peptides not only specifically penetrated into cytoplasm of SAS cells but also bound to EMT derived cells and CSCs with high nucleolin and vimentin expression. In addition, the expression of CSC marker and the binding of peptides were increased in tumors isolated from Unc0642/IR-treated groups. Our study demonstrates the potential of these peptides for detecting EMT derived cells or CSCs and might provide an alternative isolation method for these subpopulations within the tumor in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-An Chen
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Cheau-Ling Ho
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Min-Tzu Ku
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,PET center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Luen Hwu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hsiu Lu
- Core Laboratory for Phenomics and Diagnostics, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan
| | - Sain-Jhih Chiu
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Yi Chang
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.,PET center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Shyan Liu
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,PET center, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan. .,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, 112, Taiwan.
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46
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Emerging role of G9a in cancer stemness and promises as a therapeutic target. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:76. [PMID: 34775469 PMCID: PMC8590690 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00370-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The histone methyltransferase G9a is well-documented for its implication in neoplastic growth. However, recent investigations have demonstrated a key involvement of this chromatin writer in maintaining the self-renewal and tumor-initiating capacities of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Direct inhibition of G9a’s catalytic activity was reported as a promising therapeutic target in multiple preclinical studies. Yet, none of the available pharmacological inhibitors of G9a activity have shown success at the early stages of clinical testing. Here, we discuss central findings of oncogenic expression and activation of G9a in CSCs from different origins, as well as the impact of the suppression of G9a histone methyltransferase activity in such contexts. We will explore the challenges posed by direct and systemic inhibition of G9a activity in the perspective of clinical translation of documented small molecules. Finally, we will discuss recent advances in drug discovery as viable strategies to develop context-specific drugs, selectively targeting G9a in CSC populations.
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Wdowiak P, Matysiak J, Kuszta P, Czarnek K, Niezabitowska E, Baj T. Quinazoline Derivatives as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Urinary Bladder Cancer Therapy. Front Chem 2021; 9:765552. [PMID: 34805097 PMCID: PMC8595829 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.765552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer diseases remain major health problems in the world despite significant developments in diagnostic methods and medications. Many of the conventional therapies, however, have limitations due to multidrug resistance or severe side effects. Bladder cancer is a complex disorder, and can be classified according to its diverse genetic backgrounds and clinical features. A very promising direction in bladder cancer treatment is targeted therapy directed at specific molecular pathways. Derivatives of quinazolines constitute a large group of chemicals with a wide range of biological properties, and many quinazoline derivatives are approved for antitumor clinical use, e.g.,: erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, lapatinib, and vandetanib. The character of these depends mostly on the properties of the substituents and their presence and position on one of the cyclic compounds. Today, new quinazoline-based compounds are being designed and synthesized as potential drugs of anticancer potency against bladder cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Wdowiak
- Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Joanna Matysiak
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Piotr Kuszta
- Student Research Group at the Department of Human Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Czarnek
- Institute of Health Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ewa Niezabitowska
- Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Multidisciplinary Hospital in Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Baj
- Department of Pharmacognosy with the Medicinal Plant Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Ali A, Shafarin J, Unnikannan H, Al-Jabi N, Jabal RA, Bajbouj K, Muhammad JS, Hamad M. Co-targeting BET bromodomain BRD4 and RAC1 suppresses growth, stemness and tumorigenesis by disrupting the c-MYC-G9a-FTH1axis and downregulating HDAC1 in molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4474-4492. [PMID: 34803511 PMCID: PMC8579449 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BET bromodomain BRD4 and RAC1 oncogenes are considered important therapeutic targets for cancer and play key roles in tumorigenesis, survival and metastasis. However, combined inhibition of BRD4-RAC1 signaling pathways in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer including luminal-A, HER-2 positive and triple-negative breast (TNBC) largely remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated a new co-targeting strategy by combined inhibition of BRD4-RAC1 oncogenic signaling in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer in a context-dependent manner. We show that combined treatment of JQ1 (inhibitor of BRD4) and NSC23766 (inhibitor of RAC1) suppresses cell growth, clonogenic potential, cell migration and mammary stem cells expansion and induces autophagy and cellular senescence in molecular subtypes of breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, JQ1/NSC23766 combined treatment disrupts MYC/G9a axis and subsequently enhances FTH1 to exert antitumor effects. Furthermore, combined treatment targets HDAC1/Ac-H3K9 axis, thus suggesting a role of this combination in histone modification and chromatin modeling. C-MYC depletion and co-treatment with vitamin-C sensitizes different molecular subtypes of breast cancer cells to JQ1/NSC23766 combination and further reduces cell growth, cell migration and mammosphere formation. Importantly, co-targeting RAC1-BRD4 suppresses breast tumor growth in vivo using xenograft mouse model. Clinically, RAC1 and BRD4 expression positively correlates in breast cancer patient's samples and show high expression patterns across different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. Both RAC1 and BRD4 proteins predict poor survival in breast cancer patients. Taken together, our results suggest that combined inhibition of BRD4-RAC1 pathways represents a novel and potential therapeutic approach in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and highlights the importance of co-targeting RAC1-BRD4 signaling in breast tumorigenesis via disruption of C-MYC/G9a/FTH1 axis and down regulation of HDAC1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amjad Ali
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jasmin Shafarin
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hema Unnikannan
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Nour Al-Jabi
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rola Abu Jabal
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khuloud Bajbouj
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jibran Sualeh Muhammad
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mawieh Hamad
- Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, 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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EHMT2/G9a as an Epigenetic Target in Pediatric and Adult Brain Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011292. [PMID: 34681949 PMCID: PMC8539543 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, including post-translational modifications of DNA and histones that influence chromatin structure, regulate gene expression during normal development and are also involved in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The histone methyltransferase G9a (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2, EHMT2), which mostly mediates mono- and dimethylation by histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), influences gene expression involved in embryonic development and tissue differentiation. Overexpression of G9a has been observed in several cancer types, and different classes of G9a inhibitors have been developed as potential anticancer agents. Here, we review the emerging evidence suggesting the involvement of changes in G9a activity in brain tumors, namely glioblastoma (GBM), the main type of primary malignant brain cancer in adults, and medulloblastoma (MB), the most common type of malignant brain cancer in children. We also discuss the role of G9a in neuroblastoma (NB) and the drug development of G9a inhibitors.
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Hou X, Li Q, Yang L, Yang Z, He J, Li Q, Li D. KDM1A and KDM3A promote tumor growth by upregulating cell cycle-associated genes in pancreatic cancer. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2021; 246:1869-1883. [PMID: 34171978 PMCID: PMC8424634 DOI: 10.1177/15353702211023473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant cancer of the pancreas with a very poor prognosis. Methylation of histone lysine residues is essential for regulating cancer physiology and pathophysiology, mediated by a set of methyltransferases (KMTs) and demethylases (KDMs). This study surveyed the expression of methylation regulators functioning at lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9) in pancreatic lesions and explored the underlying mechanisms. We analyzed KDM1A and KDM3A expression in clinical samples by immunohistochemical staining and searching the TCGA PAAD program and GEO datasets. Next, we identified the variation in tumor growth in vitro and in vivo after knockdown of KDM1A or KDM3A and explored the downstream regulators of KDM1A and KDM3A via RNA-seq, and gain- and loss-of-function assays. Eleven H3K9 methylation regulators were highly expressed in pancreatic cancer, and only KDM1A and KDM3A expression positively correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics in pancreatic cancer. High expression of KDM1A or KDM3A positively correlated with pathological grade, lymphatic metastasis, invasion, and clinical stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that a higher level of KDM1A or KDM3A led to a shorter survival period. Knockdown of KDM1A or KDM3A led to markedly impaired tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CCNA2, a cell cycle-associated gene was partially responsible for KDM1A knockdown-mediated effect and CDK6, also a cell cycle-associated gene was partially responsible for KDM3A knockdown-mediated effect on pancreatic cancer cells. Our study demonstrates that KDM1A and KDM3A are highly expressed in pancreatic cancer and are intimately correlated with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The mechanism of action of KDM1A or KDM3A was both linked to the regulation of cell cycle-associated genes, such as CCNA2 or CDK6, respectively, by an H3K9-dependent pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuyang Hou
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Qiuguo Li
- Department of General Surgery, Hunan Chest Hospital, Changsha 410006, China
| | - Leping Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Zhulin Yang
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Qinglong Li
- Department of General Surgery, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
| | - Daming Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China
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