RESUMO
Identifying master epigenetic factors controlling proliferation and survival of cancer cells allows to discover new molecular targets exploitable to overcome resistance to current pharmacological regimens. In breast cancer (BC), resistance to endocrine therapy (ET) arises from aberrant Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) signaling caused by genetic and epigenetic events still mainly unknown. Targeting key upstream components of the ERα pathway provides a way to interfere with estrogen signaling in cancer cells independently from any other downstream event. By combining computational analysis of genome-wide 'drop-out' screenings with siRNA-mediated gene knock-down (kd), we identified a set of essential genes in luminal-like, ERα + BC that includes BRPF1, encoding a bromodomain-containing protein belonging to a family of epigenetic readers that act as chromatin remodelers to control gene transcription. To gather mechanistic insights into the role of BRPF1 in BC and ERα signaling, we applied chromatin and transcriptome profiling, gene ablation and targeted pharmacological inhibition coupled to cellular and functional assays. Results indicate that BRPF1 associates with ERα onto BC cell chromatin and its blockade inhibits cell cycle progression, reduces cell proliferation and mediates transcriptome changes through the modulation of chromatin accessibility. This effect is elicited by a widespread inhibition of estrogen signaling, consequent to ERα gene silencing, in antiestrogen (AE) -sensitive and -resistant BC cells and pre-clinical patient-derived models (PDOs). Characterization of the functional interplay of BRPF1 with ERα reveals a new regulator of estrogen-responsive BC cell survival and suggests that this epigenetic factor is a potential new target for treatment of these tumors.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , Proliferação de Células , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/metabolismo , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , Feminino , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Genes Essenciais , Antineoplásicos Hormonais/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos Hormonais/uso terapêutico , Células MCF-7 , Cromatina/metabolismo , Cromatina/genética , Epigênese Genética , Transdução de Sinais/efeitos dos fármacos , Perfilação da Expressão GênicaRESUMO
In the complex and articulated machinery of the human genome, less than 2% of the transcriptome encodes for proteins, while at least 75% is actively transcribed into non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Among the non-coding transcripts, those ≥200 nucleotides long (lncRNAs) are receiving growing attention for their involvement in human diseases, particularly cancer. Genomic studies have revealed the multiplicity of processes, including neoplastic transformation and tumor progression, in which lncRNAs are involved by regulating gene expression at epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels by mechanism(s) that still need to be clarified. In breast cancer, several lncRNAs were identified and demonstrated to have either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles. The functional understanding of the mechanisms of lncRNA action in this disease could represent a potential for translational applications, as these molecules may serve as novel biomarkers of clinical use and potential therapeutic targets. This review highlights the relationship between lncRNAs and the principal hallmark of the luminal breast cancer phenotype, estrogen receptor α (ERα), providing an overview of new potential ways to inhibit estrogenic signaling via this nuclear receptor toward escaping resistance to endocrine therapy.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama , RNA Longo não Codificante , Humanos , Feminino , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/genética , RNA Longo não Codificante/metabolismo , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/genética , Receptor alfa de Estrogênio/metabolismo , Transcriptoma , Hormônios , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão GênicaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) represent a heterogeneous class of rare tumors with increasing incidence. They are characterized by the ability to secrete peptide hormones and biogenic amines but other reliable biomarkers are lacking, making diagnosis and identification of the primary site very challenging. While in some NENs, such as the pancreatic ones, next generation sequencing technologies allowed the identification of new molecular hallmarks, our knowledge of the molecular profile of NENs from other anatomical sites is still poor. METHODS: Starting from the concept that NENs from different organs may be clinically and genetically correlated, we applied a multi-omics approach by combining multigene panel testing, CGH-array, transcriptome and miRNome profiling and computational analyses, with the aim to highlight common molecular and functional signatures of gastroenteropancreatic (GEP)-NENs and medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) that could aid diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. RESULTS: By comparing genomic and transcriptional profiles, ATM-dependent signaling emerged among the most significant pathways at multiple levels, involving gene variations and miRNA-mediated regulation, thus representing a novel putative druggable pathway in these cancer types. Moreover, a set of circulating miRNAs was also selected as possible diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers useful for clinical management of NENs. CONCLUSIONS: These findings depict a complex molecular and functional landscape of NENs, shedding light on novel therapeutic targets and disease biomarkers to be exploited.