RESUMO
Upregulation of a cyclin D gene determined by expression microarrays is an almost universal event in multiple myeloma (MM), but this finding has not been properly confirmed at the protein level. For this reason, we carried out a quantitative analysis of cyclin D proteins using a capillary electrophoresis nanoimmunoassay in newly diagnosed MM patients. Exclusive expression of cyclin D1 and D2 proteins was detected in 54 of 165 (33%) and 30 of 165 (18%) of the MM patients, respectively. Of note, cyclin D1 or D2 proteins were undetectable in 41% of the samples. High levels of cyclin D1 protein were strongly associated with the presence of t(11;14) or 11q gains. Cyclin D2 protein was detected in all the cases bearing t(14;16), but in only 24% of patients with t(4;14). The presence of cyclin D2 was associated with shorter overall survival (hazard ratio =2.14; P=0.017), although patients expressing cyclin D2 protein, but without 1q gains, had a favorable prognosis. In conclusion, although one of the cyclins D is overexpressed at the mRNA level in almost all MM patients, in approximately half of the patients this does not translate into detectable protein. This suggests that cyclins D could not play an oncogenic role in a proportion of patients with MM (clinicaltrials gov. identifier: NCT01916252).
Assuntos
Ciclina D1 , Mieloma Múltiplo , Humanos , Ciclina D1/genética , Ciclina D2/genética , Mieloma Múltiplo/diagnóstico , Mieloma Múltiplo/genética , Perfilação da Expressão Gênica , Ciclina DRESUMO
Mutations in the VAV1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 have been recently found in peripheral T cell lymphoma and nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To understand their pathogenic potential, we generated a gene-edited mouse model that expresses a VAV1 mutant protein that recapitulates the signalling alterations present in the VAV1 mutant subclass most frequently found in tumours. We could not detect any overt tumourigenic process in those mice. However, the concurrent elimination of the Trp53 tumour suppressor gene in them drives T cell lymphomagenesis. This process represents an exacerbation of the normal functions that wild-type VAV1 plays in follicular helper T cells. We also found that, in combination with the Kras oncogene, the VAV1 mutant version favours progression of NSCLC. These data indicate that VAV1 mutations play critical, although highly cell-type-specific, roles in tumourigenesis. They also indicate that such functions are contingent on the mutational landscape of the tumours involved.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav , Animais , Edição de Genes , Camundongos , Proteínas Mutantes/metabolismo , Mutação/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas p21(ras)/metabolismoRESUMO
The APC/C-Cdh1 ubiquitin ligase complex drives proteosomal degradation of cell cycle regulators and other cellular proteins during the G1 phase of the cycle. The complex serves as an important modulator of the G1/S transition and prevents premature entry into S phase, genomic instability, and tumor development. Additionally, mounting evidence supports a role for this complex in cell differentiation, but its relevance in erythropoiesis has not been addressed so far. Here we show, using mouse models of Cdh1 deletion, that APC/C-Cdh1 activity is required for efficient terminal erythroid differentiation during fetal development as well as postnatally. Consistently, Cdh1 ablation leads to mild but persistent anemia from birth to adulthood. Interestingly, loss of Cdh1 seems to affect both, steady-state and stress erythropoiesis. Detailed analysis of Cdh1-deficient erythroid populations revealed accumulation of DNA damage in maturing erythroblasts and signs of delayed G2/M transition. Moreover, through direct assessment of replication dynamics in fetal liver cells, we uncovered slow fork movement and increased origin usage in the absence of Cdh1, strongly suggesting replicative stress to be the underlying cause of DNA lesions and cell cycle delays in erythroblasts devoid of Cdh1. In turn, these alterations would restrain full maturation of erythroblasts into reticulocytes and reduce the output of functional erythrocytes, leading to anemia. Our results further highlight the relevance of APC/C-Cdh1 activity for terminal differentiation and underscore the need for precise control of replication dynamics for efficient supply of red blood cells.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Ciclo Celular , Eritroblastos , Ciclossomo-Complexo Promotor de Anáfase/metabolismo , Animais , Proteínas Cdh1/metabolismo , Ciclo Celular , Proteínas de Ciclo Celular/metabolismo , Eritroblastos/citologia , Eritroblastos/metabolismo , Fase G1 , CamundongosRESUMO
Mutations in VAV1, a gene that encodes a multifunctional protein important for lymphocytes, are found at different frequencies in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL), non-small cell lung cancer, and other tumors. However, their pathobiological significance remains unsettled. After cataloguing 51 cancer-associated VAV1 mutations, we show here that they can be classified in five subtypes according to functional impact on the three main VAV1 signaling branches, GEF-dependent activation of RAC1, GEF-independent adaptor-like, and tumor suppressor functions. These mutations target new and previously established regulatory layers of the protein, leading to quantitative and qualitative changes in VAV1 signaling output. We also demonstrate that the most frequent VAV1 mutant subtype drives PTCL formation in mice. This process requires the concurrent engagement of two downstream signaling branches that promote the chronic activation and transformation of follicular helper T cells. Collectively, these data reveal the genetic constraints associated with the lymphomagenic potential of VAV1 mutant subsets, similarities with other PTCL driver genes, and potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Assuntos
Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/patologia , Linfoma de Células T Periférico/genética , Mutação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genética , Animais , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/fisiologia , Linfócitos T CD4-Positivos/transplante , Células COS , Proliferação de Células/genética , Chlorocebus aethiops , Humanos , Células Jurkat , Linfoma de Células T Periférico/patologia , Camundongos Transgênicos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
Guanosine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) are responsible for catalyzing the transition of small GTPases from the inactive (GDP-bound) to the active (GTP-bound) states. RHO GEFs, including VAV proteins, play essential signaling roles in a wide variety of fundamental cellular processes and in human diseases. Although the most widespread archetype in the field is that RHO GEFs exert proactive functions in cancer, recent studies in mice and humans are providing new insights into the in vivo function of these proteins in cancer. These results suggest a more complex scenario where the role of GEFs is not so clearly defined. For example, VAV1 can unexpectedly play non-catalytic tumor suppressor functions in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) by controlling the levels of the active form of NOTCH1 (ICN1). This review focuses on emerging work unveiling tumor suppressor roles for these proteins that should prompt a reevaluation of the role of VAV GEF family in tumor biology.
RESUMO
Non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma (NSCLC) bearing K-RasG12D mutations is one of the most prevalent types of lung cancer worldwide. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) expression varies in human lung tumors and has been associated with either increased or reduced lung metastasis. In the mouse, Ahr also adjusts lung regeneration upon injury by limiting the expansion of resident stem cells. Here, we show that the loss of Ahr enhances K-RasG12D-driven NSCLC in mice through the amplification of stem cell subpopulations. Consistent with this, we show that K-RasG12D;Ahr-/- lungs contain larger numbers of cells expressing markers for both progenitor Clara (SCGB1A1 and CC10) and alveolar type-II (SFTPC) cells when compared to K-RasG12D;Ahr+/+-driven tumors. They also have elevated numbers of cells positive for pluripotent stem cells markers such as SOX2, ALDH1, EPCAM, LGR5 and PORCN. Typical pluripotency genes Nanog, Sox2 and c-Myc were also upregulated in K-RasG12D;Ahr-/- lung tumors as found by RNAseq analysis. In line with this, purified K-RasG12D/+;Ahr-/- lung cells generate larger numbers of organoids in culture that can subsequently differentiate into bronchioalveolar structures enriched in both pluripotency and stemness genes. Collectively, these data indicate that Ahr antagonizes K-RasG12D-driven NSCLC by restricting the number of cancer-initiating stem cells. They also suggest that Ahr expression might represent a good prognostic marker to determine the progression of K-RasG12D-positive NSCLC patients.
RESUMO
Regenerative proliferation capacity and poor differentiation are histological features usually linked to poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (hnSCC). However, the pathways that regulate them remain ill-characterized. Here, we show that those traits can be triggered by the RHO GTPase activator VAV2 in keratinocytes present in the skin and oral mucosa. VAV2 is also required to maintain those traits in hnSCC patient-derived cells. This function, which is both catalysis- and RHO GTPase-dependent, is mediated by c-Myc- and YAP/TAZ-dependent transcriptomal programs associated with regenerative proliferation and cell undifferentiation, respectively. High levels of VAV2 transcripts and VAV2-regulated gene signatures are both associated with poor hnSCC patient prognosis. These results unveil a druggable pathway linked to the malignancy of specific SCC subtypes.
Assuntos
Proliferação de Células , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço/metabolismo , Animais , Diferenciação Celular , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Epiderme/metabolismo , Epiderme/patologia , GTP Fosfo-Hidrolases , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/genética , Neoplasias de Cabeça e Pescoço/patologia , Humanos , Hiperplasia/patologia , Queratinócitos/patologia , Camundongos , Camundongos Knockout , Mucosa/metabolismo , Prognóstico , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeça e Pescoço/patologia , TranscriptomaRESUMO
The current paradigm holds that the inhibition of Rho guanosine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), the enzymes that stimulate Rho GTPases, can be a valuable therapeutic strategy to treat Rho-dependent tumors. However, formal validation of this idea using in vivo models is still missing. In this context, it is worth remembering that many Rho GEFs can mediate both catalysis-dependent and independent responses, thus raising the possibility that the inhibition of their catalytic activities might not be sufficient per se to block tumorigenic processes. On the other hand, the inhibition of these enzymes can trigger collateral side effects that could preclude the practical implementation of anti-GEF therapies. To address those issues, we have generated mouse models to mimic the effect of the systemic application of an inhibitor for the catalytic activity of the Rho GEF Vav2 at the organismal level. Our results indicate that lowering the catalytic activity of Vav2 below specific thresholds is sufficient to block skin tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. They also reveal that the negative side effects typically induced by the loss of Vav2 can be bypassed depending on the overall level of Vav2 inhibition achieved in vivo. These data underscore the pros and cons of anti-Rho GEF therapies for cancer treatment. They also support the idea that Vav2 could represent a viable drug target.
Assuntos
Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genética , Fatores de Troca de Nucleotídeo Guanina Rho/genética , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/genética , Animais , Biocatálise , Células COS , Carcinogênese/genética , Chlorocebus aethiops , Cricetinae , Humanos , Camundongos Knockout , Camundongos Transgênicos , Mutação , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/química , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Fatores de Troca de Nucleotídeo Guanina Rho/metabolismo , Proteínas rac1 de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismo , Proteínas rho de Ligação ao GTP/metabolismoRESUMO
Rationale: The characterization of new genetic alterations is essential to assign effective personalized therapies in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Furthermore, finding stratification biomarkers is essential for successful personalized therapies. Molecular alterations of YES1, a member of the SRC (proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src) family kinases (SFKs), can be found in a significant subset of patients with lung cancer.Objectives: To evaluate YES1 (v-YES-1 Yamaguchi sarcoma viral oncogene homolog 1) genetic alteration as a therapeutic target and predictive biomarker of response to dasatinib in NSCLC.Methods: Functional significance was evaluated by in vivo models of NSCLC and metastasis and patient-derived xenografts. The efficacy of pharmacological and genetic (CRISPR [clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats]/Cas9 [CRISPR-associated protein 9]) YES1 abrogation was also evaluated. In vitro functional assays for signaling, survival, and invasion were also performed. The association between YES1 alterations and prognosis was evaluated in clinical samples.Measurements and Main Results: We demonstrated that YES1 is essential for NSCLC carcinogenesis. Furthermore, YES1 overexpression induced metastatic spread in preclinical in vivo models. YES1 genetic depletion by CRISPR/Cas9 technology significantly reduced tumor growth and metastasis. YES1 effects were mainly driven by mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling. Interestingly, cell lines and patient-derived xenograft models with YES1 gene amplifications presented a high sensitivity to dasatinib, an SFK inhibitor, pointing out YES1 status as a stratification biomarker for dasatinib response. Moreover, high YES1 protein expression was an independent predictor for poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer.Conclusions: YES1 is a promising therapeutic target in lung cancer. Our results provide support for the clinical evaluation of dasatinib treatment in a selected subset of patients using YES1 status as predictive biomarker for therapy.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/genética , Proliferação de Células/genética , Dasatinibe/farmacologia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-yes/genética , Células A549 , Animais , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Carcinoma Pulmonar de Células não Pequenas/tratamento farmacológico , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Dasatinibe/uso terapêutico , Amplificação de Genes , Técnicas de Silenciamento de Genes , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Prognóstico , Proto-Oncogene Mas , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-yes/antagonistas & inibidores , Transdução de Sinais , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de XenoenxertoRESUMO
The bidirectional regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) is key in tumorigenesis. Rho GTPases regulate this process via canonical pathways that impinge on the stability of cell-to-cell contacts, cytoskeletal dynamics, and cell invasiveness. Here, we report that the Rho GTPase activators Vav2 and Vav3 utilize a new Rac1-dependent and miR-200c-dependent mechanism that maintains the epithelial state by limiting the abundance of the Zeb2 transcriptional repressor in breast cancer cells. In parallel, Vav proteins engage a mir-200c-independent expression prometastatic program that maintains epithelial cell traits only under 3D culture conditions. Consistent with this, the depletion of endogenous Vav proteins triggers mesenchymal features in epithelioid breast cancer cells. Conversely, the ectopic expression of an active version of Vav2 promotes mesenchymal-epithelial transitions using E-cadherin-dependent and independent mechanisms depending on the mesenchymal breast cancer cell line used. In silico analyses suggest that the negative Vav anti-EMT pathway is operative in luminal breast tumors. Gene signatures from the Vav-associated proepithelial and prometastatic programs have prognostic value in breast cancer patients.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , MicroRNAs/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismo , Animais , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Transição Epitelial-Mesenquimal/genética , Feminino , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/genética , Xenoenxertos , Humanos , Camundongos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genéticaRESUMO
RHO GDP/GTP exchange factors, including VAV1, are considered key protumorigenic factors. Against this paradigm, we have found that VAV1 plays tumor suppressor roles by buffering NOTCH1 signals in thymocytes. The silencing of this pathway contributes to the pathogenesis of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia of the early cortical, TLX+ subtype.
RESUMO
Through multiple cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, epithelial and endothelial sheets form tight barriers. Modulators of the cytoskeleton contribute to barrier stability and act as rheostats of vascular permeability. In this study, we sought to identify cytoskeletal regulators that underlie barrier diversity across vessels. To achieve this, we correlated functional and structural barrier features to gene expression of endothelial cells (ECs) derived from different vascular beds. Within a subset of identified candidates, we found that the guanosine nucleotide exchange factor Vav3 was exclusively expressed by microvascular ECs and was closely associated with a high-resistance barrier phenotype. Ectopic expression of Vav3 in large artery and brain ECs significantly enhanced barrier resistance and cortical rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton. Mechanistically, we found that the barrier effect of Vav3 is dependent on its Dbl homology domain and downstream activation of Rap1. Importantly, inactivation of Vav3 in vivo resulted in increased vascular leakage, highlighting its function as a key regulator of barrier stability.
Assuntos
Citoesqueleto/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/fisiologia , Animais , Células Endoteliais/citologia , Células Endoteliais/metabolismo , Humanos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microvasos/citologia , Microvasos/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas c-vav/metabolismoRESUMO
One of the current models of cancer proposes that oncogenes activate a DNA damage response (DDR), which would limit the growth of the tumor in its earliest stages. In this context, and in contrast to studies focused on the acute responses to a one-time genotoxic insult, understanding how cells respond to a persistent source of DNA damage might become critical for future studies in the field. We here report the discovery of a novel damage-responsive pathway, which involves p27(Kip1) and retinoblastoma tumor suppressors and is only implemented after a persistent exposure to clastogens. In agreement with its late activation, we show that this pathway is critical for the maintenance, but not the initiation, of the cell cycle arrest triggered by DNA damage. Interestingly, this late response is independent of the canonical ataxia telangiectasia mutated-dependent and ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related-dependent DDR but downstream of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Our results might help to reconcile the oncogene-induced DNA damage model with the clinical evidence that points to non-DDR members as the most important tumor suppressors in human cancer.
Assuntos
Ciclo Celular/fisiologia , Transformação Celular Neoplásica/metabolismo , Dano ao DNA/fisiologia , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/metabolismo , Transdução de Sinais/fisiologia , Western Blotting , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Inibidor de Quinase Dependente de Ciclina p27 , Imunofluorescência , Humanos , Proteínas Quinases Ativadas por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Interferência de RNARESUMO
Unrepaired DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a major cause for genomic instability. Therefore, upon detection of a DSB a rapid response must be assembled to coordinate the proper repair/signaling of the lesion or the elimination of cells with unsustainable amounts of DNA damage. Three members of the PIKK family of protein kinases -ATM, ATR and DNA-PKcs- take the lead and initiate the signaling cascade emanating from DSB sites. Whereas DNA-PKcs activity seems to be restricted to the phosphorylation of targets involved in DNA repair, ATM and ATR phosphorylate a broad spectrum of cell cycle regulators and DNA repair proteins. In the canonical model, ATM and ATR are activated by two different types of lesions and signal through two independent and alternate pathways. Specifically, ATR is activated by various forms of DNA damage, including DSBs, arising at stalled replication forks ("replication stress"), and ATM is responsible for the signaling of DSBs that are not associated with the replication machinery throughout the cell cycle. Recent evidence suggests that this model might be oversimplified and that coordinated crosstalk between ATM and ATR activation routes goes on at the core of the DNA damage response.
RESUMO
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are among the most deleterious lesions that can challenge genomic integrity. Concomitant to the repair of the breaks, a rapid signaling cascade must be coordinated at the lesion site that leads to the activation of cell cycle checkpoints and/or apoptosis. In this context, ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and ATM and Rad-3-related (ATR) protein kinases are the earliest signaling molecules that are known to initiate the transduction cascade at damage sites. The current model places ATM and ATR in separate molecular routes that orchestrate distinct pathways of the checkpoint responses. Whereas ATM signals DSBs arising from ionizing radiation (IR) through a Chk2-dependent pathway, ATR is activated in a variety of replication-linked DSBs and leads to activation of the checkpoints in a Chk1 kinase-dependent manner. However, activation of the G2/M checkpoint in response to IR escapes this accepted paradigm because it is dependent on both ATM and ATR but independent of Chk2. Our data provides an explanation for this observation and places ATM activity upstream of ATR recruitment to IR-damaged chromatin. These data provide experimental evidence of an active cross talk between ATM and ATR signaling pathways in response to DNA damage.