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Lama D, Vosselman T, Sahin C, Liaño-Pons J, Cerrato CP, Nilsson L, Teilum K, Lane DP, Landreh M, Arsenian Henriksson M. A druggable conformational switch in the c-MYC transactivation domain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1865. [PMID: 38424045 PMCID: PMC10904854 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45826-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The c-MYC oncogene is activated in over 70% of all human cancers. The intrinsic disorder of the c-MYC transcription factor facilitates molecular interactions that regulate numerous biological pathways, but severely limits efforts to target its function for cancer therapy. Here, we use a reductionist strategy to characterize the dynamic and structural heterogeneity of the c-MYC protein. Using probe-based Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations and machine learning, we identify a conformational switch in the c-MYC amino-terminal transactivation domain (termed coreMYC) that cycles between a closed, inactive, and an open, active conformation. Using the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) to modulate the conformational landscape of coreMYC, we show through biophysical and cellular assays that the induction of a closed conformation impedes its interactions with the transformation/transcription domain-associated protein (TRRAP) and the TATA-box binding protein (TBP) which are essential for the transcriptional and oncogenic activities of c-MYC. Together, these findings provide insights into structure-activity relationships of c-MYC, which open avenues towards the development of shape-shifting compounds to target c-MYC as well as other disordered transcription factors for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilraj Lama
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Thibault Vosselman
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cagla Sahin
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmine P Cerrato
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lennart Nilsson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, SE-14813, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kaare Teilum
- Department of Biology, Structural Biology and NMR Laboratory and the Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - David P Lane
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Cell- and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, SE-751 24, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Marie Arsenian Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, Biomedicum, SE-17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, SE-221 00, Lund, Sweden.
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Yuan Y, Alzrigat M, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Wang X, Bexelius TS, Johnsen JI, Arsenian-Henriksson M, Liaño-Pons J, Bedoya-Reina OC. Target Genes of c-MYC and MYCN with Prognostic Power in Neuroblastoma Exhibit Different Expressions during Sympathoadrenal Development. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4599. [PMID: 37760568 PMCID: PMC10527308 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the MYC family of transcription factors c-MYC (encoded by MYC), MYCN, and MYCL is prevalent in most human cancers, with an impact on tumor initiation and progression, as well as response to therapy. In neuroblastoma (NB), amplification of the MYCN oncogene and over-expression of MYC characterize approximately 40% and 10% of all high-risk NB cases, respectively. However, the mechanism and stage of neural crest development in which MYCN and c-MYC contribute to the onset and/or progression of NB are not yet fully understood. Here, we hypothesized that subtle differences in the expression of MYCN and/or c-MYC targets could more accurately stratify NB patients in different risk groups rather than using the expression of either MYC gene alone. We employed an integrative approach using the transcriptome of 498 NB patients from the SEQC cohort and previously defined c-MYC and MYCN target genes to model a multigene transcriptional risk score. Our findings demonstrate that defined sets of c-MYC and MYCN targets with significant prognostic value, effectively stratify NB patients into different groups with varying overall survival probabilities. In particular, patients exhibiting a high-risk signature score present unfavorable clinical parameters, including increased clinical risk, higher INSS stage, MYCN amplification, and disease progression. Notably, target genes with prognostic value differ between c-MYC and MYCN, exhibiting distinct expression patterns in the developing sympathoadrenal system. Genes associated with poor outcomes are mainly found in sympathoblasts rather than in chromaffin cells during the sympathoadrenal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Yuan
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mohammad Alzrigat
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xueyao Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tomas Sjöberg Bexelius
- Paediatric Oncology Unit, Astrid Lindgren’s Children Hospital, SE-171 64 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - John Inge Johnsen
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar C. Bedoya-Reina
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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Sainero-Alcolado L, Mushtaq M, Liaño-Pons J, Rodriguez-Garcia A, Yuan Y, Liu T, Ruiz-Pérez MV, Schlisio S, Bedoya-Reina O, Arsenian-Henriksson M. Expression and activation of nuclear hormone receptors result in neuronal differentiation and favorable prognosis in neuroblastoma. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2022; 41:226. [PMID: 35850708 PMCID: PMC9295514 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02399-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroblastoma (NB), a childhood tumor derived from the sympathetic nervous system, presents with heterogeneous clinical behavior. While some tumors regress spontaneously without medical intervention, others are resistant to therapy, associated with an aggressive phenotype. MYCN-amplification, frequently occurring in high-risk NB, is correlated with an undifferentiated phenotype and poor prognosis. Differentiation induction has been proposed as a therapeutic approach for high-risk NB. We have previously shown that MYCN maintains an undifferentiated state via regulation of the miR-17 ~ 92 microRNA cluster, repressing the nuclear hormone receptors (NHRs) estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). METHODS Cell viability was determined by WST-1. Expression of differentiation markers was analyzed by Western blot, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence analysis. Metabolic phenotypes were studied using Agilent Extracellular Flux Analyzer, and accumulation of lipid droplets by Nile Red staining. Expression of angiogenesis, proliferation, and neuronal differentiation markers, and tumor sections were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Gene expression from NB patient as well as adrenal gland cohorts were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (v.8) and GSEA (v4.0.3), while pseudo-time progression on post-natal adrenal gland cells from single-nuclei transcriptome data was computed using scVelo. RESULTS Here, we show that simultaneous activation of GR and ERα potentiated induction of neuronal differentiation, reduced NB cell viability in vitro, and decreased tumor burden in vivo. This was accompanied by a metabolic reprogramming manifested by changes in the glycolytic and mitochondrial functions and in lipid droplet accumulation. Activation of the retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARα) with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) further enhanced the differentiated phenotype as well as the metabolic switch. Single-cell nuclei transcriptome analysis of human adrenal glands indicated a sequential expression of ERα, GR, and RARα during development from progenitor to differentiated chromaffin cells. Further, in silico analysis revealed that patients with higher combined expression of GR, ERα, and RARα mRNA levels had elevated expression of neuronal differentiation markers and a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION Together, our findings suggest that combination therapy involving activation of several NHRs could be a promising pharmacological approach for differentiation treatment of NB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Sainero-Alcolado
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Muhammad Mushtaq
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.440526.10000 0004 0609 3164Present address: Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Informatics, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, 87300 Pakistan
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ye Yuan
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tong Liu
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Present address: Department of Medicine, Center for Molecular Medicine (CMM), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Victoria Ruiz-Pérez
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Susanne Schlisio
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oscar Bedoya-Reina
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
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4
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Sainero-Alcolado L, Liaño-Pons J, Ruiz-Pérez MV, Arsenian-Henriksson M. Targeting mitochondrial metabolism for precision medicine in cancer. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1304-1317. [PMID: 35831624 PMCID: PMC9287557 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-01022-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During decades, the research field of cancer metabolism was based on the Warburg effect, described almost one century ago. Lately, the key role of mitochondria in cancer development has been demonstrated. Many mitochondrial pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid, glutamine, and one carbon metabolism are altered in tumors, due to mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as in metabolic enzymes. This results in metabolic reprogramming that sustains rapid cell proliferation and can lead to an increase in reactive oxygen species used by cancer cells to maintain pro-tumorigenic signaling pathways while avoiding cellular death. The knowledge acquired on the importance of mitochondrial cancer metabolism is now being translated into clinical practice. Detailed genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analysis of tumors are necessary to develop more precise treatments. The successful use of drugs targeting metabolic mitochondrial enzymes has highlighted the potential for their use in precision medicine and many therapeutic candidates are in clinical trials. However, development of efficient personalized drugs has proved challenging and the combination with other strategies such as chemocytotoxic drugs, immunotherapy, and ketogenic or calorie restriction diets is likely necessary to boost their potential. In this review, we summarize the main mitochondrial features, metabolic pathways, and their alterations in different cancer types. We also present an overview of current inhibitors, highlight enzymes that are attractive targets, and discuss challenges with translation of these approaches into clinical practice. The role of mitochondria in cancer is indisputable and presents several attractive targets for both tailored and personalized cancer therapy. ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Sainero-Alcolado
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Victoria Ruiz-Pérez
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Liaño-Pons J, Arsenian-Henriksson M, León J. The Multiple Faces of MNT and Its Role as a MYC Modulator. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:4682. [PMID: 34572909 PMCID: PMC8465425 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13184682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
MNT is a crucial modulator of MYC, controls several cellular functions, and is activated in most human cancers. It is the largest, most divergent, and most ubiquitously expressed protein of the MXD family. MNT was first described as a MYC antagonist and tumor suppressor. Indeed, 10% of human tumors present deletions of one MNT allele. However, some reports show that MNT functions in cooperation with MYC by maintaining cell proliferation, promoting tumor cell survival, and supporting MYC-driven tumorigenesis in cellular and animal models. Although MAX was originally considered MNT's obligate partner, our recent findings demonstrate that MNT also works independently. MNT forms homodimers and interacts with proteins both outside and inside of the proximal MYC network. These complexes are involved in a wide array of cellular processes, from transcriptional repression via SIN3 to the modulation of metabolism through MLX as well as immunity and apoptosis via REL. In this review, we discuss the present knowledge of MNT with a special focus on its interactome, which sheds light on the complex and essential role of MNT in cell biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Liaño-Pons
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Marie Arsenian-Henriksson
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 65 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Javier León
- Departmento de Biología Molecular and Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, 39011 Santander, Spain;
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6
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Liaño-Pons J, Lafita-Navarro MC, García-Gaipo L, Colomer C, Rodríguez J, von Kriegsheim A, Hurlin PJ, Ourique F, Delgado MD, Bigas A, Espinosa L, León J. Correction: A novel role of MNT as a negative regulator of REL and the NF-κB pathway. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:57. [PMID: 34341326 PMCID: PMC8329001 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-021-00346-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Judit Liaño-Pons
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lorena García-Gaipo
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Carlota Colomer
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Edinburgh Cancer Research Center, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter J Hurlin
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Research Center, Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Fabiana Ourique
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Dept. of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - M Dolores Delgado
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Anna Bigas
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluis Espinosa
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier León
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
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7
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Liaño-Pons J, Lafita-Navarro MC, García-Gaipo L, Colomer C, Rodríguez J, von Kriegsheim A, Hurlin PJ, Ourique F, Delgado MD, Bigas A, Espinosa L, León J. A novel role of MNT as a negative regulator of REL and the NF-κB pathway. Oncogenesis 2021; 10:5. [PMID: 33419981 PMCID: PMC7794610 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00298-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
MNT, a transcription factor of the MXD family, is an important modulator of the oncoprotein MYC. Both MNT and MYC are basic-helix-loop-helix proteins that heterodimerize with MAX in a mutually exclusive manner, and bind to E-boxes within regulatory regions of their target genes. While MYC generally activates transcription, MNT represses it. However, the molecular interactions involving MNT as a transcriptional regulator beyond the binding to MAX remain unexplored. Here we demonstrate a novel MAX-independent protein interaction between MNT and REL, the oncogenic member of the NF-κB family. REL participates in important biological processes and it is altered in a variety of tumors. REL is a transcription factor that remains inactive in the cytoplasm in an inhibitory complex with IκB and translocates to the nucleus when the NF-κB pathway is activated. In the present manuscript, we show that MNT knockdown triggers REL translocation into the nucleus and thus the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Meanwhile, MNT overexpression results in the repression of IκBα, a bona fide REL target. Both MNT and REL bind to the IκBα gene on the first exon, suggesting its regulation as an MNT-REL complex. Altogether our data indicate that MNT acts as a repressor of the NF-κB pathway by two mechanisms: (1) retention of REL in the cytoplasm by MNT interaction, and (2) MNT-driven repression of REL-target genes through an MNT-REL complex. These results widen our knowledge about MNT biological roles and reveal a novel connection between the MYC/MXD and NF-κB pathways, two of the most prominent pathways in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Liaño-Pons
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC), Biomedicum B7, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lorena García-Gaipo
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Carlota Colomer
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Rodríguez
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Edinburgh Cancer Research Center, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Peter J Hurlin
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Research Center, Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology and Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Fabiana Ourique
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
- Dept. of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - M Dolores Delgado
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Anna Bigas
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluis Espinosa
- Cancer Research Program, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques, CIBERONC, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier León
- Departmento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
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8
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Lafita-Navarro MC, Liaño-Pons J, Quintanilla A, Varela I, Blanco R, Ourique F, Bretones G, Aresti J, Molina E, Carroll P, Hurlin P, Romero OA, Sanchez-Céspedes M, Eisenman RN, Delgado MD, León J. The MNT transcription factor autoregulates its expression and supports proliferation in MYC-associated factor X (MAX)-deficient cells. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:2001-2017. [PMID: 31919096 PMCID: PMC7029127 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The MAX network transcriptional repressor (MNT) is an MXD family transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) family. MNT dimerizes with another transcriptional regulator, MYC-associated factor X (MAX), and down-regulates genes by binding to E-boxes. MAX also dimerizes with MYC, an oncogenic bHLH transcription factor. Upon E-box binding, the MYC-MAX dimer activates gene expression. MNT also binds to the MAX dimerization protein MLX (MLX), and MNT-MLX and MNT-MAX dimers co-exist. However, all MNT functions have been attributed to MNT-MAX dimers, and no functions of the MNT-MLX dimer have been described. MNT's biological role has been linked to its function as a MYC oncogene modulator, but little is known about its regulation. We show here that MNT localizes to the nucleus of MAX-expressing cells and that MNT-MAX dimers bind and repress the MNT promoter, an effect that depends on one of the two E-boxes on this promoter. In MAX-deficient cells, MNT was overexpressed and redistributed to the cytoplasm. Interestingly, MNT was required for cell proliferation even in the absence of MAX. We show that in MAX-deficient cells, MNT binds to MLX, but also forms homodimers. RNA-sequencing experiments revealed that MNT regulates the expression of several genes even in the absence of MAX, with many of these genes being involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. Of note, MNT-MNT homodimers regulated the transcription of some genes involved in cell proliferation. The tight regulation of MNT and its functionality even without MAX suggest a major role for MNT in cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Andrea Quintanilla
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Ignacio Varela
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Rosa Blanco
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Fabiana Ourique
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Gabriel Bretones
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Julia Aresti
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Ester Molina
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Patrick Carroll
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - Peter Hurlin
- Shriners Hospitals for Children Research Center, and Department of Cell, Developmental and Cancer Biology, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Octavio A Romero
- Genes and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Montse Sanchez-Céspedes
- Genes and Cancer Group, Cancer Epigenetics and Biology Program (PEBC), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute-IDIBELL, 08908 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Robert N Eisenman
- Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109
| | - M Dolores Delgado
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
| | - Javier León
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), Universidad de Cantabria-CSIC, and Department of Molecular Biology, Universidad de Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain.
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Lafita-Navarro MDC, Blanco R, Mata-Garrido J, Liaño-Pons J, Tapia O, García-Gutiérrez L, García-Alegría E, Berciano MT, Lafarga M, León J. MXD1 localizes in the nucleolus, binds UBF and impairs rRNA synthesis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:69536-69548. [PMID: 27588501 PMCID: PMC5342496 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 08/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
MXD1 is a protein that interacts with MAX, to form a repressive transcription factor. MXD1-MAX binds E-boxes. MXD1-MAX antagonizes the transcriptional activity of the MYC oncoprotein in most models. It has been reported that MYC overexpression leads to augmented RNA synthesis and ribosome biogenesis, which is a relevant activity in MYC-mediated tumorigenesis. Here we describe that MXD1, but not MYC or MNT, localizes to the nucleolus in a wide array of cell lines derived from different tissues (carcinoma, leukemia) as well as in embryonic stem cells. MXD1 also localizes in the nucleolus of primary tissue cells as neurons and Sertoli cells. The nucleolar localization of MXD1 was confirmed by co-localization with UBF. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments showed that MXD1 interacted with UBF and proximity ligase assays revealed that this interaction takes place in the nucleolus. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that MXD1 was bound in the transcribed rDNA chromatin, where it co-localizes with UBF, but also in the ribosomal intergenic regions. The MXD1 involvement in rRNA synthesis was also suggested by the nucleolar segregation upon rRNA synthesis inhibition by actinomycin D. Silencing of MXD1 with siRNAs resulted in increased synthesis of pre-rRNA while enforced MXD1 expression reduces it. The results suggest a new role for MXD1, which is the control of ribosome biogenesis. This new MXD1 function would be important to curb MYC activity in tumor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Carmen Lafita-Navarro
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Present address: Department of Cell Biology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Rosa Blanco
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Jorge Mata-Garrido
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Cantabria-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Judit Liaño-Pons
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Olga Tapia
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Cantabria-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Lucía García-Gutiérrez
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Eva García-Alegría
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.,Present address: Stem Cell Hematopoiesis Group, Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - María T Berciano
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Cantabria-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Miguel Lafarga
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Centro de Investigación en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), University of Cantabria-IDIVAL, Santander, Spain
| | - Javier León
- Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria (IBBTEC), CSIC-Universidad de Cantabria, and Department of Molecular Biology, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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