Archival single-cell genomics reveals persistent subclones during DCIS progression.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a common precursor of invasive breast cancer. Our understanding of its genomic progression to recurrent disease remains poor, partly due to challenges associated with the genomic profiling of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) materials. Here, we developed Arc-well, a high-throughput single-cell DNA-sequencing method that is compatible with FFPE materials. We validated our method by profiling 40,330 single cells from cell lines, a frozen tissue, and 27 FFPE samples from breast, lung, and prostate tumors stored for 3-31 years. Analysis of 10 patients with matched DCIS and cancers that recurred 2-16 years later show that many primary DCIS had already undergone whole-genome doubling and clonal diversification and that they shared genomic lineages with persistent subclones in the recurrences. Evolutionary analysis suggests that most DCIS cases in our cohort underwent an evolutionary bottleneck, and further identified chromosome aberrations in the persistent subclones that were associated with recurrence.

Simple oligonucleotide-based multiplexing of single-cell chromatin accessibility.

Microdroplet single-cell ATAC-seq is widely used to measure chromatin accessibility, however, highly scalable and simple sample multiplexing procedures are not available. Here, we present a transposome-assisted single nucleus barcoding approach for ATAC-seq (SNuBar-ATAC) that utilizes a single oligonucleotide adaptor for multiplexing samples during the existing tagmentation step and does not require a pre-labeling procedure. The accuracy and scalability of SNuBar-ATAC was evaluated using cell line mixture experiments. We applied SNuBar-ATAC to investigate treatment-induced chromatin accessibility dynamics by multiplexing 28 mice with lung tumors that received different combinations of chemo, radiation, and targeted immunotherapy. We also applied SNuBar-ATAC to study spatial epigenetic heterogeneity by multiplexing 32 regions from a human breast tissue. Additionally, we show that SNuBar can multiplex single cell ATAC and RNA multiomic assays in cell lines and human breast tissue samples. Our data show that SNuBar is a highly accurate, easy-to-use, and scalable system for multiplexing scATAC-seq and scATAC and RNA co-assay experiments.

MicroRNAs and metastasis: small RNAs play big roles.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs regulating post-transcriptional gene expression. They play important roles in many biological processes under physiological or pathological conditions, including development, metabolism, tumorigenesis, metastasis, and immune response. Over the past 15 years, significant insights have been gained into the roles of miRNAs in cancer. Depending on the cancer type, miRNAs can act as oncogenes, tumor suppressors, or metastasis regulators. In this review, we focus on the role of miRNAs as components of molecular networks regulating metastasis. These miRNAs, termed metastamiRs, promote or inhibit metastasis through various mechanisms, including regulation of migration, invasion, colonization, cancer stem cell properties, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and microenvironment. Some of these metastamiRs represent attractive therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

The role of deubiquitinases in breast cancer.

Although growing numbers of oncoproteins and pro-metastatic proteins have been extensively characterized, many of these tumor-promoting proteins are not good drug targets, which represent a major barrier to curing breast cancer and other cancers. There is a need, therefore, for alternative therapeutic approaches to destroying cancer-promoting proteins. The human genome encodes approximately 100 deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs, also called deubiquitinases), which are amenable to pharmacologic inhibition by small molecules. By removing monoubiquitin or polyubiquitin chains from the target protein, DUBs can modulate the degradation, localization, activity, trafficking, and recycling of the substrate, thereby contributing substantially to the regulation of cancer proteins and pathways. Targeting certain DUBs may lead to destabilization or functional inactivation of some key oncoproteins or pro-metastatic proteins, including non-druggable ones, which will provide therapeutic benefits to cancer patients. In breast cancer, growing numbers of DUBs are found to be aberrantly expressed. Depending on their substrates, specific DUBs can either promote or suppress mammary tumors. In this article, we review the role and mechanisms of action of DUBs in breast cancer and discuss the potential of targeting DUBs for cancer treatment.

mTORC1 couples cyst(e)ine availability with GPX4 protein synthesis and ferroptosis regulation.

Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) utilizes glutathione (GSH) to detoxify lipid peroxidation and plays an essential role in inhibiting ferroptosis. As a selenoprotein, GPX4 protein synthesis is highly inefficient and energetically costly. How cells coordinate GPX4 synthesis with nutrient availability remains unclear. In this study, we perform integrated proteomic and functional analyses to reveal that SLC7A11-mediated cystine uptake promotes not only GSH synthesis, but also GPX4 protein synthesis. Mechanistically, we find that cyst(e)ine activates mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and promotes GPX4 protein synthesis at least partly through the Rag-mTORC1-4EBP signaling axis. We show that pharmacologic inhibition of mTORC1 decreases GPX4 protein levels, sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis, and synergizes with ferroptosis inducers to suppress patient-derived xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Together, our results reveal a regulatory mechanism to coordinate GPX4 protein synthesis with cyst(e)ine availability and suggest using combinatorial therapy of mTORC1 inhibitors and ferroptosis inducers in cancer treatment.

H2A Monoubiquitination Links Glucose Availability to Epigenetic Regulation of the Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Response and Cancer Cell Death.

Epigenetic regulation of gene transcription has been shown to coordinate with nutrient availability, yet the mechanisms underlying this coordination remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that glucose starvation suppresses histone 2A K119 monoubiquitination (H2Aub), a histone modification that correlates with gene repression. Glucose starvation suppressed H2Aub levels independently of energy stress-mediated AMP-activated protein kinase activation and possibly through NADPH depletion and subsequent inhibition of BMI1, an integral component of polycomb-repressive complex 1 (PRC1) that catalyzes H2Aub on chromatin. Integrated transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses linked glucose starvation-mediated H2Aub repression to the activation of genes involved in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. We further showed that this epigenetic mechanism has a role in glucose starvation-induced cell death and that pharmacologic inhibition of glucose transporter 1 and PRC1 synergistically promoted ER stress and suppressed tumor growth in vivo. Together, these results reveal a hitherto unrecognized epigenetic mechanism coupling glucose availability to the ER stress response. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings link glucose deprivation and H2A ubiquitination to regulation of the ER stress response in tumor growth and demonstrate pharmacologic susceptibility to inhibition of polycomb and glucose transporters.

USP37 is a SNAI1 deubiquitinase.

SNAI1, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-inducing transcription factor, promotes tumor metastasis and resistance to apoptosis and chemotherapy. SNAI1 protein levels are tightly regulated by proteolytic ubiquitination. Here, we identified USP37 as a SNAI1 deubiquitinase that removes the polyubiquitination chain from SNAI1 and prevents its proteasomal degradation. USP37 directly binds, deubiquitinates, and stabilizes SNAI1. Overexpression of wild-type USP37, but not its catalytically inactive mutant C350S, promotes cancer cell migration. Importantly, depletion of USP37 downregulates endogenous SNAI1 protein and suppresses cell migration, which can be reversed by re-expression of SNAI1. Taken together, our findings suggest that USP37 is a SNAI1 deubiquitinase and a potential therapeutic target to inhibit tumor metastasis.

SKP2 and OTUD1 govern non-proteolytic ubiquitination of YAP that promotes YAP nuclear localization and activity.

Dysregulation of signaling pathways that control organ size, such as the AKT-mTOR and Hippo-YAP pathways, often leads to tumorigenesis and metastasis. The Hippo pathway effector YAP is a transcriptional co-activator overexpressed or activated in human tumors. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that YAP promotes tumor initiation and/or progression in various types of cancer. YAP shuttles between the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the cell. When in the nucleus, YAP binds to transcription factors, such as SMAD, p73, RUNX, and the TEA domain (TEAD) family members, to activate gene transcription. The nuclear localization of YAP can be inhibited by the Hippo phosphorylation cascade and the cytoplasmic binding partners of YAP. In addition, YAP has previously been shown to be ubiquitinated by the SCFß-TRCP complex and degraded by the proteasome. Recently, we discovered a novel mechanism by which non-proteolytic, K63-linked polyubiquitination of YAP promotes its nuclear localization, transcriptional activity, and growth-promoting function (Yao et al. Nat Commun 9:2269). Moreover, by screening ubiquitin E3 ligases implicated in K63-linked ubiquitination and a human deubiquitinase (DUB) library, we identified the SCFSKP2 complex and OTUD1, respectively, as the E3 ligase and the DUB that regulate this non-proteolytic ubiquitination without altering YAP protein level. Interestingly, this ubiquitination-mediated regulation of YAP is independent of Hippo pathway-mediated phosphorylation of YAP.

SKP2- and OTUD1-regulated non-proteolytic ubiquitination of YAP promotes YAP nuclear localization and activity.

Dysregulation of YAP localization and activity is associated with pathological conditions such as cancer. Although activation of the Hippo phosphorylation cascade is known to cause cytoplasmic retention and inactivation of YAP, emerging evidence suggests that YAP can be regulated in a Hippo-independent manner. Here, we report that YAP is subject to non-proteolytic, K63-linked polyubiquitination by the SCFSKP2 E3 ligase complex (SKP2), which is reversed by the deubiquitinase OTUD1. The non-proteolytic ubiquitination of YAP enhances its interaction with its nuclear binding partner TEAD, thereby inducing YAP's nuclear localization, transcriptional activity, and growth-promoting function. Independently of Hippo signaling, mutation of YAP's K63-linkage specific ubiquitination sites K321 and K497, depletion of SKP2, or overexpression of OTUD1 retains YAP in the cytoplasm and inhibits its activity. Conversely, overexpression of SKP2 or loss of OTUD1 leads to nuclear localization and activation of YAP. Altogether, our study sheds light on the ubiquitination-mediated, Hippo-independent regulation of YAP.

Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis.

MALAT1 has previously been described as a metastasis-promoting long noncoding RNA (lncRNA). We show here, however, that targeted inactivation of the Malat1 gene in a transgenic mouse model of breast cancer, without altering the expression of its adjacent genes, promotes lung metastasis, and that this phenotype can be reversed by genetic add-back of Malat1. Similarly, knockout of MALAT1 in human breast cancer cells induces their metastatic ability, which is reversed by re-expression of Malat1. Conversely, overexpression of Malat1 suppresses breast cancer metastasis in transgenic, xenograft, and syngeneic models. Mechanistically, the MALAT1 lncRNA binds and inactivates the prometastatic transcription factor TEAD, preventing TEAD from associating with its co-activator YAP and target gene promoters. Moreover, MALAT1 levels inversely correlate with breast cancer progression and metastatic ability. These findings demonstrate that MALAT1 is a metastasis-suppressing lncRNA rather than a metastasis promoter in breast cancer, calling for rectification of the model for this highly abundant and conserved lncRNA.

ZRANB1 Is an EZH2 Deubiquitinase and a Potential Therapeutic Target in Breast Cancer.

Although EZH2 enzymatic inhibitors have shown antitumor effects in EZH2-mutated lymphoma and ARID1A-mutated ovarian cancer, many cancers do not respond because EZH2 can promote cancer independently of its histone methyltransferase activity. Here we identify ZRANB1 as the EZH2 deubiquitinase. ZRANB1 binds, deubiquitinates, and stabilizes EZH2. Depletion of ZRANB1 in breast cancer cells results in EZH2 destabilization and growth inhibition. Systemic delivery of ZRANB1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) leads to marked antitumor and antimetastatic effects in preclinical models of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Intriguingly, a small-molecule inhibitor of ZRANB1 destabilizes EZH2 and inhibits the viability of TNBC cells. In patients with breast cancer, ZRANB1 levels correlate with EZH2 levels and poor survival. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential for targeting the EZH2 deubiquitinase ZRANB1.

USP51 promotes deubiquitination and stabilization of ZEB1.

ZEB1 is a transcription factor that induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition, tumor metastasis, and therapy resistance. ZEB1 protein is subject to ubiquitination and degradation, but the mechanism by which ZEB1 is stabilized in cells remains unclear. By screening a human deubiquitinase library, we identified USP51 as a deubiquitinase that binds, deubiquitinates, and stabilizes ZEB1. Depletion of USP51 in mesenchymal-like breast cancer cells led to downregulation of ZEB1 protein and mesenchymal markers, upregulation of E-cadherin, and inhibition of cell invasion. Conversely, overexpression of USP51 in epithelial cells resulted in upregulation of ZEB1 and mesenchymal markers. In addition, USP51 is able to regulate the expression of ZEB1 target genes. Importantly, USP51 is overexpressed in breast cancer patients and correlates with poor survival. Taken together, our findings suggest that USP51 is a ZEB1 deubiquitinase that may serve as an alternative pathway for targeting the cancer-promoting transcriptional factor ZEB1.

Methyl jasmonate induces apoptosis and pro-apoptotic autophagy via the ROS pathway in human non-small cell lung cancer.

Methyl jasmonate (MJ) is a botanical hormone that serves as a signal transduction intermediate and regulates cell death in stressed plants. MJ induces cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and non-apoptotic cell death selectively in cancer cells. However, the underlying mechanism of MJ-induced apoptosis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the molecular mechanism through which MJ induces apoptosis in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found that MJ triggered apoptosis via the DDIT3-TNFRSF10B-CASP axis. MJ treatment significantly decreased the expression of CFLAR (CASP8 and FADD-like apoptosis regulator, an inhibitor of CASP8) in NSCLC cells, and ectopic expression of CFLAR partly protected cells from MJ-induced apoptosis. MJ also induced pro-apoptotic autophagy in NSCLC cells. Importantly, inhibition of ROS suppressed both MJ-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Taken together, MJ induces apoptosis and pro-apoptotic autophagy in NSCLC cells through the ROS pathway. Thus, MJ and its derivative treatment may serve as a novel chemotherapeutic strategy for cancer therapy.