SLFN5-mediated chromatin dynamics sculpt higher-order DNA repair topology.

Repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) elicits three-dimensional (3D) chromatin topological changes. A recent finding reveals that 53BP1 assembles into a 3D chromatin topology pattern around DSBs. How this formation of a higher-order structure is configured and regulated remains enigmatic. Here, we report that SLFN5 is a critical factor for 53BP1 topological arrangement at DSBs. Using super-resolution imaging, we find that SLFN5 binds to 53BP1 chromatin domains to assemble a higher-order microdomain architecture by driving damaged chromatin dynamics at both DSBs and deprotected telomeres. Mechanistically, we propose that 53BP1 topology is shaped by two processes: (1) chromatin mobility driven by the SLFN5-LINC-microtubule axis and (2) the assembly of 53BP1 oligomers mediated by SLFN5. In mammals, SLFN5 deficiency disrupts the DSB repair topology and impairs non-homologous end joining, telomere fusions, class switch recombination, and sensitivity to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor. We establish a molecular mechanism that shapes higher-order chromatin topologies to safeguard genomic stability.

Tandem Deubiquitination and Acetylation of SPRTN Promotes DNA-Protein Crosslink Repair and Protects against Aging.

DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs) are highly toxic DNA lesions that threaten genomic integrity. Recent findings highlight that SPRTN, a specialized DNA-dependent metalloprotease, is a central player in proteolytic cleavage of DPCs. Previous studies suggest that SPRTN deubiquitination is important for its chromatin association and activation. However, the regulation and consequences of SPRTN deubiquitination remain unclear. Here we report that, in response to DPC induction, the deubiquitinase VCPIP1/VCIP135 is phosphorylated and activated by ATM/ATR. VCPIP1, in turn, deubiquitinates SPRTN and promotes its chromatin relocalization. Deubiquitination of SPRTN is required for its subsequent acetylation, which promotes SPRTN relocation to the site of chromatin damage. Furthermore, Vcpip1 knockout mice are prone to genomic instability and premature aging. We propose a model where two sequential post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate SPRTN chromatin accessibility to repair DPCs and maintain genomic stability and a healthy lifespan.

An Overview of Advances in Rare Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment.

Cancer stands as the leading global cause of mortality, with rare cancer comprising 230 distinct subtypes characterized by infrequent incidence. Despite the inherent challenges in addressing the diagnosis and treatment of rare cancers due to their low occurrence rates, several biomedical breakthroughs have led to significant advancement in both areas. This review provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques that encompass new-generation sequencing and multi-omics, coupled with the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning, that have revolutionized rare cancer diagnosis. In addition, this review highlights the latest innovations in rare cancer therapeutic options, comprising immunotherapy, targeted therapy, transplantation, and drug combination therapy, that have undergone clinical trials and significantly contribute to the tumor remission and overall survival of rare cancer patients. In this review, we summarize recent breakthroughs and insights in the understanding of rare cancer pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic modalities, as well as the challenges faced in the development of rare cancer diagnosis data interpretation and drug development.

DOCK7 protects against replication stress by promoting RPA stability on chromatin.

RPA is a critical factor for DNA replication and replication stress response. Surprisingly, we found that chromatin RPA stability is tightly regulated. We report that the GDP/GTP exchange factor DOCK7 acts as a critical replication stress regulator to promote RPA stability on chromatin. DOCK7 is phosphorylated by ATR and then recruited by MDC1 to the chromatin and replication fork during replication stress. DOCK7-mediated Rac1/Cdc42 activation leads to the activation of PAK1, which subsequently phosphorylates RPA1 at S135 and T180 to stabilize chromatin-loaded RPA1 and ensure proper replication stress response. Moreover, DOCK7 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer and depleting DOCK7 sensitizes cancer cells to camptothecin. Taken together, our results highlight a novel role for DOCK7 in regulation of the replication stress response and highlight potential therapeutic targets to overcome chemoresistance in cancer.

DNA Damage and Its Role in Cancer Therapeutics.

DNA damage is a double-edged sword in cancer cells. On the one hand, DNA damage exacerbates gene mutation frequency and cancer risk. Mutations in key DNA repair genes, such as breast cancer 1 (BRCA1) and/or breast cancer 2 (BRCA2), induce genomic instability and promote tumorigenesis. On the other hand, the induction of DNA damage using chemical reagents or radiation kills cancer cells effectively. Cancer-burdening mutations in key DNA repair-related genes imply relatively high sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiotherapy because of reduced DNA repair efficiency. Therefore, designing specific inhibitors targeting key enzymes in the DNA repair pathway is an effective way to induce synthetic lethality with chemotherapy or radiotherapy in cancer therapeutics. This study reviews the general pathways involved in DNA repair in cancer cells and the potential proteins that could be targeted for cancer therapeutics.

Maintaining Genome Integrity: Protein Kinases and Phosphatases Orchestrate the Balancing Act of DNA Double-Strand Breaks Repair in Cancer.

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most lethal DNA damages which lead to severe genome instability. Phosphorylation is one of the most important protein post-translation modifications involved in DSBs repair regulation. Kinases and phosphatases play coordinating roles in DSB repair by phosphorylating and dephosphorylating various proteins. Recent research has shed light on the importance of maintaining a balance between kinase and phosphatase activities in DSB repair. The interplay between kinases and phosphatases plays an important role in regulating DNA-repair processes, and alterations in their activity can lead to genomic instability and disease. Therefore, study on the function of kinases and phosphatases in DSBs repair is essential for understanding their roles in cancer development and therapeutics. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of kinases and phosphatases in DSBs repair regulation and highlight the advancements in the development of cancer therapies targeting kinases or phosphatases in DSBs repair pathways. In conclusion, understanding the balance of kinase and phosphatase activities in DSBs repair provides opportunities for the development of novel cancer therapeutics.

The deubiquitinase USP36 Regulates DNA replication stress and confers therapeutic resistance through PrimPol stabilization.

PrimPol has been recently identified as a DNA damage tolerant polymerase that plays an important role in replication stress response. However, the regulatory mechanisms of PrimPol are not well defined. In this study, we identify that the deubiquitinase USP36 interferes with degradation of PrimPol to regulate the replication stress response. Mechanistically, USP36 is deubiquitinated following DNA replication stress, which in turn facilitates its upregulation and interaction with PrimPol. USP36 deubiquitinates K29-linked polyubiquitination of PrimPol and increases its protein stability. Depletion of USP36 results in replication stress-related defects and elevates cell sensitivity to DNA-damage agents, such as cisplatin and olaparib. Moreover, USP36 expression positively correlates with the level of PrimPol protein and poor prognosis in patient samples. These findings indicate that the regulation of PrimPol K29-linked ubiquitination by USP36 plays a critical role in DNA replication stress and chemotherapy response.

ZNF423 modulates the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway and metformin response in a single nucleotide polymorphisms, estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulator dependent fashion.

OBJECTIVES: We previously discovered that the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) rs9940645 in the ZNF423 gene regulate ZNF423 expression and serve as a potential biomarker for response to selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Here we explored pathways involved in ZNF423-mediated SERMs response and drugs that potentially sensitize SERMs. METHODS: RNA sequencing and label-free quantitative proteomics were performed to identify genes and pathways that are regulated by ZNF423 and the ZNF423 SNP. Both cultured cells and mouse xenograft models with different ZNF423 SNP genotypes were used to study the cellular responses to metformin. RESULTS: We identified ribosome and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling as potential pathways regulated by ZNF423 or ZNF423 rs9940645 SNP. Moreover, using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9-engineered ZR75-1 breast cancer cells with different ZNF423 SNP genotypes, striking differences in cellular responses to metformin, either alone or in the combination of tamoxifen, were observed in both cell culture and the mouse xenograft model. CONCLUSIONS: We found that AMPK signaling is modulated by the ZNF423 rs9940645 SNP in estrogen and SERM-dependent fashion. The ZNF423 rs9940645 SNP affects metformin response in breast cancer and could be a potential biomarker for tailoring the metformin treatment.

Mixed-lineage leukemia protein modulates the loading of let-7a onto AGO1 by recruiting RAN.

Not available.

A High Full Well Capacity CMOS Image Sensor for Space Applications.

This paper presents a high full well capacity (FWC) CMOS image sensor (CIS) for space applications. The proposed pixel design effectively increases the FWC without inducing overflow of photo-generated charge in a limited pixel area. An MOS capacitor is integrated in a pixel and accumulated charges in a photodiode are transferred to the in-pixel capacitor multiple times depending on the maximum incident light intensity. In addition, the modulation transfer function (MTF) and radiation damage effect on the pixel, which are especially important for space applications, are studied and analyzed through fabrication of the CIS. The CIS was fabricated using a 0.11 µm 1-poly 4-metal CIS process to demonstrate the proposed techniques and pixel design. A measured FWC of 103,448 electrons and MTF improvement of 300% are achieved with 6.5 µm pixel pitch.

CCAR2/DBC1 and Hsp60 Positively Regulate Expression of Survivin in Neuroblastoma Cells.

CCAR2 (cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 2) controls a variety of cellular functions; however, its main function is to regulate cell survival and cell death in response to genotoxic and metabolic stresses. Recently, we reported that CCAR2 protects cells from apoptosis following mitochondrial stress, possibly by co-operating with Hsp60. However, it is not clear how CCAR2 and Hsp60 control cell survival and death. Here, we found that depleting CCAR2 and Hsp60 downregulated expression of survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family. Survivin expression in neuroblastoma tissues and human cancer cell lines correlated positively with expression of CCAR2 and Hsp60. Furthermore, high expression of CCAR2, Hsp60, and survivin was associated with poor survival of neuroblastoma patients. In summary, both CCAR2 and Hsp60 are required for expression of survivin, and both promote cancer cell survival, at least in part, by maintaining survivin expression. Therefore, CCAR2, Hsp60, and survivin are candidate tumor biomarkers and prognostic markers in neuroblastomas.

The Protein Phosphatase PPM1G Destabilizes HIF-1α Expression.

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are key regulators of hypoxic responses, and their stability and transcriptional activity are controlled by several kinases. However, the regulation of HIF by protein phosphatases has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we found that overexpression of Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent protein phosphatase 1 gamma (PPM1G), one of Ser/Thr protein phosphatases, downregulated protein expression of ectopic HIF-1α under normoxic or acute hypoxic conditions. In addition, the deficiency of PPM1G upregulated protein expression of endogenous HIF-1α under normoxic or acute oxidative stress conditions. PPM1G decreased expression of HIF-1α via the proteasomal pathway. PPM1G-mediated HIF-1α degradation was dependent on prolyl hydroxylase (PHD), but independent of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL). These data suggest that PPM1G is critical for the control of HIF-1α-dependent responses.

Mitochondrial CCAR2/DBC1 is required for cell survival against rotenone-induced mitochondrial stress.

CCAR2 (cell cycle and apoptosis regulator protein 2; formerly DBC1, deleted in breast cancer 1) functions in diverse cellular processes including responses to genotoxic and metabolic stresses. However, its role in the mitochondrial stress response has not been fully elucidated. To investigate how CCAR2 regulates stress response, we purified CCAR2-containing complexes. Interestingly, the results revealed that CCAR2 localized to the mitochondria, and also bound Hsp60 (heat shock protein 60), a mitochondrial chaperone. The binding of CCAR2 to Hsp60 increased following rotenone-induced mitochondrial stress. The deficiencies in CCAR2 and Hsp60 also disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby promoting apoptosis following mitochondrial stress. In summary, the CCAR2-Hsp60 complex promoted cell survival during mitochondrial stress-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that CCAR2 is critical for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis in response to stress.

CCAR2 deficiency augments genotoxic stress-induced apoptosis in the presence of melatonin in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

Melatonin exhibits oncostatic activity in several cancers but does not lead to cytotoxicity in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). In an effort to overcome the melatonin resistance of these cancers, we investigated whether cell cycle and apoptosis regulator 2 (CCAR2) depletion would promote apoptosis following genotoxic stress in melatonin-resistant cancer cells. Ordinarily, the NSCLC cell lines A549 and A427 did not undergo cell death following melatonin treatment for short period. These cell lines were irradiated with UV, a source of genotoxic damage, to trigger apoptotic signaling. Treatment with melatonin prior to irradiation did not produce any significant change in apoptosis. By contrast, in CCAR2-deficient cells, melatonin treatment increased apoptosis induced by genotoxic stress; this effect was dependent on the dose of melatonin. The increase in apoptosis in CCAR2-deficient cells was not dependent on SIRT1. The results indicate that CCAR2 is critical for maintaining cell survival in the presence of melatonin under genotoxic stress. Furthermore, CCAR2 is overexpressed in NSCLC; therefore, melatonin could be used as a potential supplement to classical anticancer drugs in therapies against CCAR2-deficient cancers.

ANKRD1 Promotes Breast Cancer Metastasis by Activating NF-κB-MAGE-A6 Pathway.

Early detection and surgical excision of tumors have helped improve the survival rate of patients with breast cancer. However, patients with metastatic cancer typically have a poor prognosis. In this study, we propose that ANKRD1 promotes metastasis of breast cancer. ANKRD1 was found to be highly expressed in the MDA-MB-231 and MDA-LM-2 highly metastatic breast cancer cell lines compared to the non-metastatic breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, ZR-75-30, T47D) and normal breast cancer cells (MCF-10A). Furthermore, high-grade tumors showed increased levels of ANKRD1 compared to low-grade tumors. Both in vitro and in vivo functional studies demonstrated the essential role of ANKRD1 in cancer cell migration and invasion. The previous studies have suggested a significant role of NF-κB and MAGE-A6 in breast cancer metastasis, but the upstream regulators of this axis are not well characterized. Our study suggests that ANKRD1 promotes metastasis of breast cancer by activating NF-κB as well as MAGE-A6 signaling. Our findings show that ANKRD1 is a potential therapeutic target and a diagnostic marker for breast cancer metastasis.

The Role of CENPK Splice Variant in Abiraterone Response in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Most patients with metastatic prostate cancer eventually develop resistance to primary androgen deprivation therapy. To identify predictive biomarker for Abiraterone acetate/prednisone resistance, we screened alternative splice variants between responders and non-responders from the PROMOTE clinical study and pinned down the most significant variant, CENPK-delta8. Through preclinical patient-derived mouse xenograft (PDX) and 3D organoids obtained from responders and non-responders, as well as in vitro models, aberrant CENPK-delta8 expression was determined to link to drug resistance via enhanced migration and proliferation. The FLNA and FLOT1 were observed to specifically bind to CENK-delta8 rather than wild-type CENPK, underscoring the role of CENPK-delta8 in cytoskeleton organization and cell migration. Our study, leveraging data from the PROMOTE study, TCGA, and TCGA SpliceReq databases, highlights the important function of alternative splice variants in drug response and their potential to be prognostic biomarkers for improving individual therapeutic outcomes in precision medicine.

Deficiency of H3K79 histone methyltransferase Dot1-like protein (DOT1L) inhibits cell proliferation.

Dot1-like protein (DOT1L) is an evolutionarily conserved histone methyltransferase that methylates lysine 79 of histone H3 (H3K79). Mammalian DOT1L participates in the regulation of transcription, development, erythropoiesis, differentiation, and proliferation of normal cells. However, the role of DOT1L in cancer cell proliferation has not been fully elucidated. DOT1L siRNA-transfected A549 or NCI-H1299 lung cancer cells displayed a nonproliferating multinucleated phenotype. DOT1L-deficient cells also showed abnormal mitotic spindle formation and centrosome number, suggesting that DOT1L deficiency leads to chromosomal missegregation. This chromosomal instability in DOT1L-deficient cells led to cell cycle arrest at the G(1) phase and induced senescence as determined by enhanced activity of senescence-associated ß-galactosidase activity. Meanwhile, overexpression of a catalytically active DOT1L, not an inactive mutant, restored DOT1L siRNA-induced phenotypes. Overall, these data imply that down-regulation of DOT1L-mediated H3K79 methylation disturbs proliferation of human cells. In addition, although H3K79 methylation is down-regulated in aged tissues, it is up-regulated in lung cancer cell lines and tumor tissues of lung cancer patients. Therefore, H3K79 methylation is a critical histone modification that regulates cell proliferation and would be a novel histone mark for aging and cancer.

Targeting the DNA repair pathway for breast cancer therapy: Beyond the molecular subtypes.

DNA repair is a vital mechanism in cells that protects against DNA damage caused by internal and external factors. It involves a network of signaling pathways that monitor and transmit damage signals, activating various cellular activities to repair DNA damage and maintain genomic integrity. Dysfunctions in this repair pathway are strongly associated with the development and progression of cancer. However, they also present an opportunity for targeted therapy in breast cancer. Extensive research has focused on developing inhibitors that play a crucial role in the signaling pathway of DNA repair, particularly due to the remarkable success of PARP1 inhibitors (PARPis) in treating breast cancer patients with BRCA1/2 mutations. In this review, we summarize the current research progress and clinical implementation of BRCA and BRCAness in targeted treatments for the DNA repair pathway. Additionally, we present advancements in diverse inhibitors of DNA repair, both as individual and combined approaches, for treating breast cancer. We also discuss the clinical application of DNA repair-targeted therapy for breast cancer, including the rationale, indications, and summarized clinical data for patients with different breast cancer subtypes. We assess their influence on cancer progression, survival rates, and major adverse reactions. Last, we anticipate forthcoming advancements in targeted therapy for cancer treatment and emphasize prospective areas of development.

Biomarkers for Predicting Abiraterone Treatment Outcome and Selecting Alternative Therapies in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Approximately one-third of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) exhibited primary abiraterone resistance. To identify alternative treatment for abiraterone nonresponders, we performed drug discovery analyses using the L1000 database using differentially expressed genes identified in tumor biopsies and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors between abiraterone responders and nonresponders enrolled in PROMOTE trial. This approach identified 3 drugs, including topoisomerase II (TOP2) inhibitor mitoxantrone, CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib, and pan-CDK inhibitor PHA-793887. These drugs significantly suppressed the growth of abiraterone-resistant cell lines and PDX models. Moreover, we identified 11 genes targeted by all 3 drugs that were associated with worse outcomes in both the PROMOTE and Stand Up To Cancer cohorts. This 11-gene panel might also function as biomarkers to select the 3 alternative therapies for this subgroup of patients with CRPC, warranting further clinical investigation.

METTL16 antagonizes MRE11-mediated DNA end resection and confers synthetic lethality to PARP inhibition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers. Characterization of genetic alterations will improve our understanding and therapies for this disease. Here, we report that PDAC with elevated expression of METTL16, one of the 'writers' of RNA N6-methyladenosine modification, may benefit from poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) treatment. Mechanistically, METTL16 interacts with MRE11 through RNA and this interaction inhibits MRE11's exonuclease activity in a methyltransferase-independent manner, thereby repressing DNA end resection. Upon DNA damage, ATM phosphorylates METTL16 resulting in a conformational change and autoinhibition of its RNA binding. This dissociates the METTL16-RNA-MRE11 complex and releases inhibition of MRE11. Concordantly, PDAC cells with high METTL16 expression show increased sensitivity to PARPi, especially when combined with gemcitabine. Thus, our findings reveal a role for METTL16 in homologous recombination repair and suggest that a combination of PARPi with gemcitabine could be an effective treatment strategy for PDAC with elevated METTL16 expression.