Colorectal Cancer Cells Enter a Diapause-like DTP State to Survive Chemotherapy.

Cancer cells enter a reversible drug-tolerant persister (DTP) state to evade death from chemotherapy and targeted agents. It is increasingly appreciated that DTPs are important drivers of therapy failure and tumor relapse. We combined cellular barcoding and mathematical modeling in patient-derived colorectal cancer models to identify and characterize DTPs in response to chemotherapy. Barcode analysis revealed no loss of clonal complexity of tumors that entered the DTP state and recurred following treatment cessation. Our data fit a mathematical model where all cancer cells, and not a small subpopulation, possess an equipotent capacity to become DTPs. Mechanistically, we determined that DTPs display remarkable transcriptional and functional similarities to diapause, a reversible state of suspended embryonic development triggered by unfavorable environmental conditions. Our study provides insight into how cancer cells use a developmentally conserved mechanism to drive the DTP state, pointing to novel therapeutic opportunities to target DTPs.

Regulation, functions and transmission of bivalent chromatin during mammalian development.

Cells differentiate and progress through development guided by a dynamic chromatin landscape that mediates gene expression programmes. During development, mammalian cells display a paradoxical chromatin state: histone modifications associated with gene activation (trimethylated histone H3 Lys4 (H3K4me3)) and with gene repression (trimethylated H3 Lys27 (H3K27me3)) co-occur at promoters of developmental genes. This bivalent chromatin modification state is thought to poise important regulatory genes for expression or repression during cell-lineage specification. In this Review, we discuss recent work that has expanded our understanding of the molecular basis of bivalent chromatin and its contributions to mammalian development. We describe the factors that establish bivalency, especially histone-lysine N-methyltransferase 2B (KMT2B) and Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), and consider evidence indicating that PRC1 shapes bivalency and may contribute to its transmission between generations. We posit that bivalency is a key feature of germline and embryonic stem cells, as well as other types of stem and progenitor cells. Finally, we discuss the relevance of bivalent chromtin to human development and cancer, and outline avenues of future research.

A LINE1-Nucleolin Partnership Regulates Early Development and ESC Identity.

Transposable elements represent nearly half of mammalian genomes and are generally described as parasites, or "junk DNA." The LINE1 retrotransposon is the most abundant class and is thought to be deleterious for cells, yet it is paradoxically highly expressed during early development. Here, we report that LINE1 plays essential roles in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and pre-implantation embryos. In ESCs, LINE1 acts as a nuclear RNA scaffold that recruits Nucleolin and Kap1/Trim28 to repress Dux, the master activator of a transcriptional program specific to the 2-cell embryo. In parallel, LINE1 RNA mediates binding of Nucleolin and Kap1 to rDNA, promoting rRNA synthesis and ESC self-renewal. In embryos, LINE1 RNA is required for Dux silencing, synthesis of rRNA, and exit from the 2-cell stage. The results reveal an essential partnership between LINE1 RNA, Nucleolin, Kap1, and peri-nucleolar chromatin in the regulation of transcription, developmental potency, and ESC self-renewal.

Dephosphorylation of the pre-initiation complex is critical for origin firing.

In eukaryotes, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) ensures that the genome is duplicated exactly once by inhibiting helicase loading factors before activating origin firing. CDK activates origin firing by phosphorylating two substrates, Sld2 and Sld3, forming a transient and limiting intermediate-the pre-initiation complex (pre-IC). Here, we show in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that the CDK phosphorylations of Sld3 and Sld2 are rapidly turned over during S phase by the PP2A and PP4 phosphatases. PP2ARts1 targets Sld3 specifically through an Rts1-interaction motif, and this targeted dephosphorylation is important for origin firing genome-wide, for formation of the pre-IC at origins and for ensuring that Sld3 is dephosphorylated in G1 phase. PP2ARts1 promotes replication in vitro, and we show that targeted Sld3 dephosphorylation is critical for viability. Together, these studies demonstrate that phosphatases enforce the correct ordering of replication factor phosphorylation and in addition to kinases are also key drivers of replication initiation.

Systematic identification of barriers to human iPSC generation.

Reprogramming of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds enormous promise for regenerative medicine. To elucidate endogenous barriers limiting this process, we systematically dissected human cellular reprogramming by combining a genome-wide RNAi screen, innovative computational methods, extensive single-hit validation, and mechanistic investigation of relevant pathways and networks. We identify reprogramming barriers, including genes involved in transcription, chromatin regulation, ubiquitination, dephosphorylation, vesicular transport, and cell adhesion. Specific a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) proteins inhibit reprogramming, and the disintegrin domain of ADAM29 is necessary and sufficient for this function. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis can be targeted with small molecules and opposes reprogramming by positively regulating TGF-ß signaling. Genetic interaction studies of endocytosis or ubiquitination reveal that barrier pathways can act in linear, parallel, or feedforward loop architectures to antagonize reprogramming. These results provide a global view of barriers to human cellular reprogramming.

High-content siRNA screen reveals global ENaC regulators and potential cystic fibrosis therapy targets.

Dysfunction of ENaC, the epithelial sodium channel that regulates salt and water reabsorption in epithelia, causes several human diseases, including cystic fibrosis (CF). To develop a global understanding of molecular regulators of ENaC traffic/function and to identify of candidate CF drug targets, we performed a large-scale screen combining high-content live-cell microscopy and siRNAs in human airway epithelial cells. Screening over 6,000 genes identified over 1,500 candidates, evenly divided between channel inhibitors and activators. Genes in the phosphatidylinositol pathway were enriched on the primary candidate list, and these, along with other ENaC activators, were examined further with secondary siRNA validation. Subsequent detailed investigation revealed ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) as an ENaC modulator and showed that inhibition of (diacylglycerol kinase, iota) DGKι, a protein involved in PiP2 metabolism, downgrades ENaC activity, leading to normalization of both Na+ and fluid absorption in CF airways to non-CF levels in primary human lung cells from CF patients.

Hypertranscription: the invisible hand in stem cell biology.

Stem cells are the fundamental drivers of growth during development and adult organ homeostasis. The properties that define stem cells - self-renewal and differentiation - are highly biosynthetically demanding. In order to fuel this demand, stem and progenitor cells engage in hypertranscription, a global amplification of the transcriptome. While standard normalization methods in transcriptomics typically mask hypertranscription, new approaches are beginning to reveal a remarkable range in global transcriptional output in stem and progenitor cells. We discuss technological advancements to probe global transcriptional shifts, review recent findings that contribute to defining hallmarks of stem cell hypertranscription, and propose future directions in this field.

Altruism and natural selection in a variable environment.

Hamilton's rule provides the cornerstone for our understanding of the evolution of all forms of social behavior, from altruism to spite, across all organisms, from viruses to humans. In contrast to the standard prediction from Hamilton's rule, recent studies have suggested that altruistic helping can be favored even if it does not benefit relatives, as long as it decreases the environmentally induced variance of their reproductive success ("altruistic bet-hedging"). However, previous predictions both rely on an approximation and focus on variance-reducing helping behaviors. We derived a version of Hamilton's rule that fully captures environmental variability. This shows that decreasing (or increasing) the variance in the absolute reproductive success of relatives does not have a consistent effect-it can either favor or disfavor the evolution of helping. We then empirically quantified the effect of helping on the variance in reproductive success across 15 species of cooperatively breeding birds. We found that a) helping did not consistently decrease the variance of reproductive success and often increased it, and b) the mean benefits of helping across environments consistently outweighed other variability components of reproductive success. Altogether, our theoretical and empirical results suggest that the effects of helping on the variability components of reproductive success have not played a consistent or strong role in favoring helping.

Checkpoint inhibition of origin firing prevents DNA topological stress.

A universal feature of DNA damage and replication stress in eukaryotes is the activation of a checkpoint-kinase response. In S-phase, the checkpoint inhibits replication initiation, yet the function of this global block to origin firing remains unknown. To establish the physiological roles of this arm of the checkpoint, we analyzed separation of function mutants in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that allow global origin firing upon replication stress, despite an otherwise normal checkpoint response. Using genetic screens, we show that lack of the checkpoint-block to origin firing results in a dependence on pathways required for the resolution of topological problems. Failure to inhibit replication initiation indeed causes increased DNA catenation, resulting in DNA damage and chromosome loss. We further show that such topological stress is not only a consequence of a failed checkpoint response but also occurs in an unperturbed S-phase when too many origins fire simultaneously. Together we reveal that the role of limiting the number of replication initiation events is to prevent DNA topological problems, which may be relevant for the treatment of cancer with both topoisomerase and checkpoint inhibitors.

Genetic heritage of the Baphuthi highlights an over-ethnicized notion of "Bushman" in the Maloti-Drakensberg, southern Africa.

Using contemporary people as proxies for ancient communities is a contentious but necessary practice in anthropology. In southern Africa, the distinction between the Cape KhoeSan and eastern KhoeSan remains unclear, as ethnicity labels have been changed through time and most communities were decimated if not extirpated. The eastern KhoeSan may have had genetic distinctions from neighboring communities who speak Bantu languages and KhoeSan further away; alternatively, the identity may not have been tied to any notion of biology, instead denoting communities with a nomadic "lifeway" distinct from African agro-pastoralism. The Baphuthi of the 1800s in the Maloti-Drakensberg, southern Africa had a substantial KhoeSan constituency and a lifeway of nomadism, cattle raiding, and horticulture. Baphuthi heritage could provide insights into the history of the eastern KhoeSan. We examine genetic affinities of 23 Baphuthi to discern whether the narrative of KhoeSan descent reflects distinct genetic ancestry. Genome-wide SNP data (Illumina GSA) were merged with 52 global populations, for 160,000 SNPs. Genetic analyses show no support for a unique eastern KhoeSan ancestry distinct from other KhoeSan or southern Bantu speakers. The Baphuthi have strong affinities with early-arriving southern Bantu-speaking (Nguni) communities, as the later-arriving non-Nguni show strong evidence of recent African admixture possibly related to late-Iron Age migrations. The references to communities as "San" and "Bushman" in historic literature has often been misconstrued as notions of ethnic/biological distinctions. The terms may have reflected ambiguous references to non-sedentary polities instead, as seems to be the case for the eastern "Bushman" heritage of the Baphuthi.

Clinical dimensions along the non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia spectrum.

It is debated whether primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS) and progressive agrammatic aphasia (PAA) belong to the same clinical spectrum, traditionally termed non-fluent/agrammatic variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), or exist as two completely distinct syndromic entities with specific pathologic/prognostic correlates. We analysed speech, language and disease severity features in a comprehensive cohort of patients with progressive motor speech impairment and/or agrammatism to ascertain evidence of naturally occurring, clinically meaningful non-overlapping syndromic entities (e.g. PPAOS and PAA) in our data. We also assessed if data-driven latent clinical dimensions with aetiologic/prognostic value could be identified. We included 98 participants, 43 of whom had an autopsy-confirmed neuropathological diagnosis. Speech pathologists assessed motor speech features indicative of dysarthria and apraxia of speech (AOS). Quantitative expressive/receptive agrammatism measures were obtained and compared with healthy controls. Baseline and longitudinal disease severity was evaluated using the Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB). We investigated the data's clustering tendency and cluster stability to form robust symptom clusters and employed principal component analysis to extract data-driven latent clinical dimensions (LCD). The longitudinal CDR-SB change was estimated using linear mixed-effects models. Of the participants included in this study, 93 conformed to previously reported clinical profiles (75 with AOS and agrammatism, 12 PPAOS and six PAA). The remaining five participants were characterized by non-fluent speech, executive dysfunction and dysarthria without apraxia of speech or frank agrammatism. No baseline clinical features differentiated between frontotemporal lobar degeneration neuropathological subgroups. The Hopkins statistic demonstrated a low cluster tendency in the entire sample (0.45 with values near 0.5 indicating random data). Cluster stability analyses showed that only two robust subgroups (differing in agrammatism, executive dysfunction and overall disease severity) could be identified. Three data-driven components accounted for 71% of the variance [(i) severity-agrammatism; (ii) prominent AOS; and (iii) prominent dysarthria]. None of these data-driven LCDs allowed an accurate prediction of neuropathology. The severity-agrammatism component was an independent predictor of a faster CDR-SB increase in all the participants. Higher dysarthria severity, reduced words per minute and expressive and receptive agrammatism severity at baseline independently predicted accelerated disease progression. Our findings indicate that PPAOS and PAA, rather than exist as completely distinct syndromic entities, constitute a clinical continuum. In our cohort, splitting the nfvPPA spectrum into separate clinical phenotypes did not improve clinical-pathological correlations, stressing the need for new biological markers and consensus regarding updated terminology and clinical classification.

Maternal vitamin C regulates reprogramming of DNA methylation and germline development.

Development is often assumed to be hardwired in the genome, but several lines of evidence indicate that it is susceptible to environmental modulation with potential long-term consequences, including in mammals1,2. The embryonic germline is of particular interest because of the potential for intergenerational epigenetic effects. The mammalian germline undergoes extensive DNA demethylation3-7 that occurs in large part by passive dilution of methylation over successive cell divisions, accompanied by active DNA demethylation by TET enzymes3,8-10. TET activity has been shown to be modulated by nutrients and metabolites, such as vitamin C11-15. Here we show that maternal vitamin C is required for proper DNA demethylation and the development of female fetal germ cells in a mouse model. Maternal vitamin C deficiency does not affect overall embryonic development but leads to reduced numbers of germ cells, delayed meiosis and reduced fecundity in adult offspring. The transcriptome of germ cells from vitamin-C-deficient embryos is remarkably similar to that of embryos carrying a null mutation in Tet1. Vitamin C deficiency leads to an aberrant DNA methylation profile that includes incomplete demethylation of key regulators of meiosis and transposable elements. These findings reveal that deficiency in vitamin C during gestation partially recapitulates loss of TET1, and provide a potential intergenerational mechanism for adjusting fecundity to environmental conditions.

Author Correction: Maternal vitamin C regulates reprogramming of DNA methylation and germline development.

An Amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Segmental motor neuron dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Insights from H reflex paradigms.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the role of spinal interneurons in ALS is underrecognized. We aimed to investigate pre- and post-synaptic modulation of spinal motor neuron excitability by studying the H reflex, to understand spinal interneuron function in ALS. METHODS: We evaluated the soleus H reflex, and three different modulation paradigms, to study segmental spinal inhibitory mechanisms. Homonymous recurrent inhibition (H'RI ) was assessed using the paired H reflex technique. Presynaptic inhibition of Ia afferents (H'Pre ) was evaluated using D1 inhibition after stimulation of the common peroneal nerve. We also studied inhibition of the H reflex after cutaneous stimulation of the sural nerve (H'Pos ). RESULTS: Fifteen ALS patients (median age 57.0 years), with minimal signs of lower motor neuron involvement and good functional status, and a control group of 10 healthy people (median age 57.0 years) were studied. ALS patients showed reduced inhibition, compared to controls, in all paradigms (H'RI 0.35 vs. 0.11, p = .036; H'Pre 1.0 vs. 5.0, p = .001; H'Pos 0.0 vs. 2.5, p = .031). The clinical UMN score was a significant predictor of the amount of recurrent and presynaptic inhibition. DISCUSSION: Spinal inhibitory mechanisms are impaired in ALS. We argue that hyperreflexia could be associated with dysfunction of spinal inhibitory interneurons. In this case, an interneuronopathy could be deemed a major feature of ALS.

Upper motor neuron signs in primary lateral sclerosis and hereditary spastic paraplegia.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The frequency and distribution of upper motor neuron (UMN) signs in primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) are unknown. We aimed to study the spectrum of UMN signs in PLS and compare it with hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the frequency of different UMN signs, including hyperreflexia (limbs and jaw), limb and tongue spasticity, Babinski, and Hoffman signs, in PLS patients at first observation and compared this respect to onset region and symptom duration. We also compared PLS versus HSP patients. RESULTS: We included 34 PLS and 20 HSP patients, with a median symptom duration at first visit of 3.0 (interquartile range, IQR = 4.0) and 19.0 (IQR = 22.0) years, respectively. In PLS patients, hyperreflexia of upper (UL) (88.2%) and lower (LL) (91.2%) limbs, and LL spasticity (79.4%) were the most common findings. Spasticity of LL was significantly (p = .012) more frequent in LL-spinal onset subgroup, tongue spasticity in bulbar-onset subgroup (p = .021), and Hoffman sign in UL-spinal onset subgroup (p = .024). The PLS subgroup with shorter disease duration had a higher frequency of abnormal jaw jerk reflex (p = .037). Compared with HSP, PLS patients had a higher frequency of UL hyperreflexia (88.2% vs. 42.1%, p < .001) and UL spasticity (44.1% vs. 0.0%, p < .001). Asymmetric distribution of UMN signs was present in PLS and not in HSP. DISCUSSION: In PLS, UL UMN signs are nearly always present and UMN sign distribution appears to be associated with onset region. At first observation, bulbar involvement, asymmetrical distribution of UMN signs and UL spasticity may indicate PLS versus HSP.

Impact of diabetes mellitus on the respiratory function of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Respiratory insufficiency and its complications are the main cause of death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on respiratory function of ALS patients is uncertain. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. From the 1710 patients with motor neuron disease followed in our unit, ALS and progressive muscular atrophy patients were included. We recorded demographic characteristics, functional ALS rating scale (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised [ALSFRS-R]) and its subscores at first visit, respiratory function tests, arterial blood gases, phrenic nerve amplitude (PhrenAmpl), and mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (SpO2 mean). We excluded patients with other relevant diseases. Two subgroups were analysed: DIAB (patients with DM) and noDIAB (patients without DM). Independent t-test, χ2 , or Fisher exact test was applied. Binomial logistic regression analyses assessed DM effects. Kaplan-Meier analysis assessed survival. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: We included 1639 patients (922 men, mean onset age = 62.5 ± 12.6 years, mean disease duration = 18.1 ± 22.0 months). Mean survival was 43.3 ± 40.7 months. More men had DM (p = 0.021). Disease duration was similar between groups (p = 0.063). Time to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) was shorter in DIAB (p = 0.004); total survival was similar. No differences were seen for ALSFRS-R or its decay rate. At entry, DIAB patients were older (p < 0.001), with lower forced vital capacity (p = 0.001), arterial oxygen pressure (p = 0.01), PhrenAmpl (p < 0.001), and SpO2 mean (p = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: ALS patients with DM had increased risk of respiratory impairment and should be closely monitored. Early NIV allowed for similar survival rate between groups.

Are Environmental Levels of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs a Reason for Concern? Chronic Life-Cycle Effects of Naproxen in Zebrafish.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug naproxen (NPX) is among the most consumed pharmaceuticals worldwide, being detected in surface waters within the ng to µg/L range. Considering the limited chronic ecotoxicity data available for NPX in aquatic ecosystems, the present study aimed at evaluating its impact in the model organism Danio rerio, following a full life-cycle exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1 to 5.0 µg/L). An integration of apical endpoints, i.e., survival, growth, and reproduction, with gonad histopathology and gene transcription (RNA-seq) was performed to provide additional insights into the mode of action (MoA) of NPX. NPX decreased zebrafish growth and reproduction and led to histopathological alterations in gonads at concentrations as low as 0.1 µg/L. At the molecular level, 0.7 µg/L of NPX led to a disruption in gonads transcription of genes involved in several biological processes associated with reproduction, mainly involving steroid hormone biosynthesis and epigenetic/epitranscriptomic machineries. Collectively, these results show that environmentally realistic concentrations of NPX affect zebrafish reproduction and associated signaling pathways, indicating that current hazard and risk assessment data for NPX underestimate the environmental risk of this pharmaceutical.

iPS cells: insights into basic biology.

The discovery that adult somatic cells can be induced to become pluripotent by overexpression of a few key transcription factors provides an exciting new window into the basic biology of pluripotency and differentiation.

Nusinersen in adults with type 3 spinal muscular atrophy: long-term outcomes on motor and respiratory function.

INTRODUCTION: Nusinersen was approved for 5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), irrespective of age, SMA type or functional status. Nonetheless, long-term data on adults with milder phenotypes are scarce. We aimed to characterize evolution on motor and respiratory function in our cohort of adults with type 3 SMA. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective single-center study, including adults (≥18 years) with type 3 SMA under nusinersen for > 22 months. We reported on motor scores and spirometry parameters. RESULTS: Ten patients were included, with a median follow-up of 34 months (range = 22-46). Four patients (40%) were walkers. None used non-invasive ventilation. In Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) and Expanded Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMSE), difference of medians increased at 6, 22 and 46 months comparing to baseline (-0.5 vs. + 1.5 vs. + 2.5 in RULM; + 4.0 vs. + 7.5 vs. + 6.0 in HFMSE). Two (50%) walkers presented a clinically meaningful improvement in 6-min walk distance. We did not report any clinically meaningful decrement in motor scores. Spirometry parameters showed an increasing difference of medians in maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximal expiratory pressure (MEP) (-3 vs. + 13.4 vs. + 28.7 percentage points of predicted value for MIP; + 11.8 vs. + 13.1 vs. 13.3 percentage points of predicted value for MEP). DISCUSSION: Our cohort supports a sustained benefit of nusinersen in adults with type 3 SMA, in motor and respiratory function. Multicentric studies are still warranted.

The role of monitoring skills in mediating the association between parent's hazardous alcohol consumption and adolescents' drinking.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate whether parental monitoring skills mediate the effect of hazardous parental alcohol consumption on adolescents' lifetime alcohol use. METHODS: This three wave longitudinal study was conducted with 884 families (n = 1,768 participants) to evaluate the effectiveness of a family-based drug prevention program for adolescents and parents across 12 Brazilian cities. We used structural equation mediation modeling to analyze the effect of hazardous parental alcohol consumption at baseline on adolescents' lifetime alcohol use at 12-month follow-up, mediated by parental monitoring skills latent dimension at 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: We found a significant indirect effect of parents' hazardous alcohol use on adolescents' alcohol use through parental monitoring (OR:1.18, 95%CI:1.02;1.36). CONCLUSION: Our finding underscores the importance of comprehensive preventive family alcohol approaches targeting adolescent alcohol use, which should consider both parental drinking behavior and monitoring practices.