RESUMO
Despite the successes of immunotherapy in cancer treatment over recent decades, less than <10%-20% cancer cases have demonstrated durable responses from immune checkpoint blockade. To enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies, combination therapies suppressing multiple immune evasion mechanisms are increasingly contemplated. To better understand immune cell surveillance and diverse immune evasion responses in tumor tissues, we comprehensively characterized the immune landscape of more than 1,000 tumors across ten different cancers using CPTAC pan-cancer proteogenomic data. We identified seven distinct immune subtypes based on integrative learning of cell type compositions and pathway activities. We then thoroughly categorized unique genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic changes associated with each subtype. Further leveraging the deep phosphoproteomic data, we studied kinase activities in different immune subtypes, which revealed potential subtype-specific therapeutic targets. Insights from this work will facilitate the development of future immunotherapy strategies and enhance precision targeting with existing agents.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Proteogenômica , Humanos , Terapia Combinada , Genômica , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Proteômica , Evasão TumoralRESUMO
The integration of mass spectrometry-based proteomics with next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing profiles tumors more comprehensively. Here this "proteogenomics" approach was applied to 122 treatment-naive primary breast cancers accrued to preserve post-translational modifications, including protein phosphorylation and acetylation. Proteogenomics challenged standard breast cancer diagnoses, provided detailed analysis of the ERBB2 amplicon, defined tumor subsets that could benefit from immune checkpoint therapy, and allowed more accurate assessment of Rb status for prediction of CDK4/6 inhibitor responsiveness. Phosphoproteomics profiles uncovered novel associations between tumor suppressor loss and targetable kinases. Acetylproteome analysis highlighted acetylation on key nuclear proteins involved in the DNA damage response and revealed cross-talk between cytoplasmic and mitochondrial acetylation and metabolism. Our results underscore the potential of proteogenomics for clinical investigation of breast cancer through more accurate annotation of targetable pathways and biological features of this remarkably heterogeneous malignancy.
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Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/patologia , Carcinogênese/genética , Carcinogênese/patologia , Terapia de Alvo Molecular , Proteogenômica , Desaminases APOBEC/metabolismo , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Neoplasias da Mama/imunologia , Neoplasias da Mama/terapia , Estudos de Coortes , Dano ao DNA , Reparo do DNA , Feminino , Humanos , Imunoterapia , Metabolômica , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutagênese/genética , Fosforilação , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Proteínas Quinases/metabolismo , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Proteína do Retinoblastoma/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral/imunologiaRESUMO
To explore the biology of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and identify new therapeutic opportunities, we performed comprehensive proteogenomic characterization of 110 tumors and 101 matched normal adjacent tissues (NATs) incorporating genomics, epigenomics, deep-scale proteomics, phosphoproteomics, and acetylproteomics. Multi-omics clustering revealed four subgroups defined by key driver mutations, country, and gender. Proteomic and phosphoproteomic data illuminated biology downstream of copy number aberrations, somatic mutations, and fusions and identified therapeutic vulnerabilities associated with driver events involving KRAS, EGFR, and ALK. Immune subtyping revealed a complex landscape, reinforced the association of STK11 with immune-cold behavior, and underscored a potential immunosuppressive role of neutrophil degranulation. Smoking-associated LUADs showed correlation with other environmental exposure signatures and a field effect in NATs. Matched NATs allowed identification of differentially expressed proteins with potential diagnostic and therapeutic utility. This proteogenomics dataset represents a unique public resource for researchers and clinicians seeking to better understand and treat lung adenocarcinomas.
Assuntos
Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/tratamento farmacológico , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Proteogenômica , Adenocarcinoma de Pulmão/imunologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Biomarcadores Tumorais/metabolismo , Carcinogênese/genética , Carcinogênese/patologia , Variações do Número de Cópias de DNA/genética , Metilação de DNA/genética , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/imunologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutação/genética , Proteínas de Fusão Oncogênica , Fenótipo , Fosfoproteínas/metabolismo , Proteoma/metabolismoRESUMO
We conducted comprehensive integrative molecular analyses of the complete set of tumors in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), consisting of approximately 10,000 specimens and representing 33 types of cancer. We performed molecular clustering using data on chromosome-arm-level aneuploidy, DNA hypermethylation, mRNA, and miRNA expression levels and reverse-phase protein arrays, of which all, except for aneuploidy, revealed clustering primarily organized by histology, tissue type, or anatomic origin. The influence of cell type was evident in DNA-methylation-based clustering, even after excluding sites with known preexisting tissue-type-specific methylation. Integrative clustering further emphasized the dominant role of cell-of-origin patterns. Molecular similarities among histologically or anatomically related cancer types provide a basis for focused pan-cancer analyses, such as pan-gastrointestinal, pan-gynecological, pan-kidney, and pan-squamous cancers, and those related by stemness features, which in turn may inform strategies for future therapeutic development.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/patologia , Aneuploidia , Cromossomos/genética , Análise por Conglomerados , Ilhas de CpG , Metilação de DNA , Bases de Dados Factuais , Humanos , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Mutação , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/genética , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismoRESUMO
Cancer progression involves the gradual loss of a differentiated phenotype and acquisition of progenitor and stem-cell-like features. Here, we provide novel stemness indices for assessing the degree of oncogenic dedifferentiation. We used an innovative one-class logistic regression (OCLR) machine-learning algorithm to extract transcriptomic and epigenetic feature sets derived from non-transformed pluripotent stem cells and their differentiated progeny. Using OCLR, we were able to identify previously undiscovered biological mechanisms associated with the dedifferentiated oncogenic state. Analyses of the tumor microenvironment revealed unanticipated correlation of cancer stemness with immune checkpoint expression and infiltrating immune cells. We found that the dedifferentiated oncogenic phenotype was generally most prominent in metastatic tumors. Application of our stemness indices to single-cell data revealed patterns of intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity. Finally, the indices allowed for the identification of novel targets and possible targeted therapies aimed at tumor differentiation.
Assuntos
Desdiferenciação Celular/genética , Aprendizado de Máquina , Neoplasias/patologia , Carcinogênese , Metilação de DNA , Bases de Dados Genéticas , Epigênese Genética , Humanos , MicroRNAs/metabolismo , Metástase Neoplásica , Neoplasias/genética , Células-Tronco/citologia , Células-Tronco/metabolismo , Transcriptoma , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from normal somatic cells could be utilized to study tumorigenesis through overexpression of specific oncogenes, downregulation of tumor suppressors and dysregulation of other factors thought to promote tumorigenesis. Therefore, effective approaches that provide direct modifications of induced pluripotent stem cell genome are extremely needed. Emerging strategies are expected to provide the ability to more effectively introduce diverse genetic alterations, from as small as single-nucleotide modifications to whole gene amplification or deletion, all with a high degree of target specificity. To date, several techniques have been applied in stem cell studies to directly edit cell genome (ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR/Cas9). In this review, we summarize specific gene delivery strategies that were applied to stem cell studies together with genome editing techniques, which enable a direct modification of endogenous DNA sequences in the context of cancer studies.
RESUMO
As soon as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogramming of somatic cells were developed, the discovery attracted the attention of scientists, offering new perspectives for personalized medicine and providing a powerful platform for drug testing. The technology was almost immediately applied to cancer studies. As presented in this review, direct reprogramming of cancer cells with enforced expression of pluripotency factors have several basic purposes, all of which aim to explain the complex nature of cancer development and progression, therapy-resistance and relapse, and ultimately lead to the development of novel anti-cancer therapies. Here, we briefly present recent advances in reprogramming methodologies as well as commonalities between cell reprogramming and carcinogenesis and discuss recent outcomes from the implementation of induced pluripotency into cancer research.
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Since the first discovery in 1996, the engagement of TRIM28 in distinct aspects of cellular biology has been extensively studied resulting in identification of a complex nature of TRIM28 protein. In this review, we summarize core biological functions of TRIM28 that emerge from TRIM28 multi-domain structure and possessed enzymatic activities. Moreover, we will discuss whether the complexity of TRIM28 engagement in cancer biology makes TRIM28 a possible candidate for targeted anti-cancer therapy. Briefly, we will demonstrate the role of TRIM28 in regulation of target gene transcription, response to DNA damage, downregulation of p53 activity, stimulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, stemness sustainability, induction of autophagy and regulation of retrotransposition, to provide the answer whether TRIM28 functions as a stimulator or inhibitor of tumorigenesis. To date, number of studies demonstrate significant upregulation of TRIM28 expression in cancer tissues which correlates with worse overall patient survival, suggesting that TRIM28 supports cancer progression. Here, we present distinct aspects of TRIM28 involvement in regulation of cancer cell homeostasis which collectively imply pro-tumorigenic character of TRIM28. Thorough analyses are further needed to verify whether TRIM28 possess the potential to become a new anti-cancer target.
Assuntos
Carcinogênese/genética , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Neoplasias/genética , Células Neoplásicas Circulantes/metabolismo , Proteína 28 com Motivo Tripartido/genética , Homeostase , Humanos , Proteína 28 com Motivo Tripartido/metabolismoRESUMO
The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a public funded project that aims to catalogue and discover major cancer-causing genomic alterations to create a comprehensive "atlas" of cancer genomic profiles. So far, TCGA researchers have analysed large cohorts of over 30 human tumours through large-scale genome sequencing and integrated multi-dimensional analyses. Studies of individual cancer types, as well as comprehensive pan-cancer analyses have extended current knowledge of tumorigenesis. A major goal of the project was to provide publicly available datasets to help improve diagnostic methods, treatment standards, and finally to prevent cancer. This review discusses the current status of TCGA Research Network structure, purpose, and achievements.
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Recent advancements in proteomics have enhanced our understanding of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC). Utilizing a combination of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) followed by immunohistochemical validation, we investigated the expression levels of UCHL1, PAK4, and SNRNP200 in high-grade CCRCC samples. Our analysis also integrated Reactome pathway enrichment to elucidate the roles of these proteins in cancer-related pathways. Our results revealed significant upregulation of UCHL1 and SNRNP200 and downregulation of PAK4 in high-grade CCRCC tissues compared to non-cancerous tissues. UCHL1, a member of the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase family, showed variable expression across different tissues and was notably involved in the Akt signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in cellular survival in various cancers. SNRNP200, a key component of the RNA splicing machinery, was found to be essential for proper cell cycle progression and possibly linked to autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. PAK4's role was noted as critical in RCC cell proliferation and invasion and its expression correlated significantly with poor progression-free survival in CCRCC. Additionally, the expression patterns of these proteins suggested potential as prognostic markers for aggressive disease phenotypes. This study confirms the upregulation of UCHL1, SNRNP200, and PAK4 as significant factors in the progression of high-grade CCRCC, linking their enhanced expression to poor clinical outcomes. These findings propose these proteins as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in CCRCC, offering novel insights into the molecular landscape of this malignancy and highlighting the importance of targeted therapeutic interventions.
RESUMO
Although genomic anomalies in glioblastoma (GBM) have been well studied for over a decade, its 5-year survival rate remains lower than 5%. We seek to expand the molecular landscape of high-grade glioma, composed of IDH-wildtype GBM and IDH-mutant grade 4 astrocytoma, by integrating proteomic, metabolomic, lipidomic, and post-translational modifications (PTMs) with genomic and transcriptomic measurements to uncover multi-scale regulatory interactions governing tumor development and evolution. Applying 14 proteogenomic and metabolomic platforms to 228 tumors (212 GBM and 16 grade 4 IDH-mutant astrocytoma), including 28 at recurrence, plus 18 normal brain samples and 14 brain metastases as comparators, reveals heterogeneous upstream alterations converging on common downstream events at the proteomic and metabolomic levels and changes in protein-protein interactions and glycosylation site occupancy at recurrence. Recurrent genetic alterations and phosphorylation events on PTPN11 map to important regulatory domains in three dimensions, suggesting a central role for PTPN11 signaling across high-grade gliomas.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Encefálicas , Glioma , Proteína Tirosina Fosfatase não Receptora Tipo 11 , Transdução de Sinais , Humanos , Neoplasias Encefálicas/genética , Neoplasias Encefálicas/patologia , Neoplasias Encefálicas/metabolismo , Proteína Tirosina Fosfatase não Receptora Tipo 11/genética , Proteína Tirosina Fosfatase não Receptora Tipo 11/metabolismo , Glioma/genética , Glioma/patologia , Glioma/metabolismo , Mutação , Proteômica/métodos , Processamento de Proteína Pós-Traducional , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Glioblastoma/genética , Glioblastoma/patologia , Glioblastoma/metabolismo , Fosforilação , Gradação de Tumores , Isocitrato Desidrogenase/genética , Isocitrato Desidrogenase/metabolismoRESUMO
One key barrier to improving efficacy of personalized cancer immunotherapies that are dependent on the tumor antigenic landscape remains patient stratification. Although patients with CD3+CD8+ T cell-inflamed tumors typically show better response to immune checkpoint inhibitors, it is still unknown whether the immunopeptidome repertoire presented in highly inflamed and noninflamed tumors is substantially different. We surveyed 61 tumor regions and adjacent nonmalignant lung tissues from 8 patients with lung cancer and performed deep antigen discovery combining immunopeptidomics, genomics, bulk and spatial transcriptomics, and explored the heterogeneous expression and presentation of tumor (neo)antigens. In the present study, we associated diverse immune cell populations with the immunopeptidome and found a relatively higher frequency of predicted neoantigens located within HLA-I presentation hotspots in CD3+CD8+ T cell-excluded tumors. We associated such neoantigens with immune recognition, supporting their involvement in immune editing. This could have implications for the choice of combination therapies tailored to the patient's mutanome and immune microenvironment.
Assuntos
Neoplasias Pulmonares , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/terapia , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patologia , Antígenos de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Imunoterapia , Inflamação , Microambiente TumoralRESUMO
DNA methylation plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining cellular identity. However, it is frequently dysregulated during tumor development and is closely intertwined with other genetic alterations. Here, we leveraged multi-omic profiling of 687 tumors and matched non-involved adjacent tissues from the kidney, brain, pancreas, lung, head and neck, and endometrium to identify aberrant methylation associated with RNA and protein abundance changes and build a Pan-Cancer catalog. We uncovered lineage-specific epigenetic drivers including hypomethylated FGFR2 in endometrial cancer. We showed that hypermethylated STAT5A is associated with pervasive regulon downregulation and immune cell depletion, suggesting that epigenetic regulation of STAT5A expression constitutes a molecular switch for immunosuppression in squamous tumors. We further demonstrated that methylation subtype-enrichment information can explain cell-of-origin, intra-tumor heterogeneity, and tumor phenotypes. Overall, we identified cis-acting DNA methylation events that drive transcriptional and translational changes, shedding light on the tumor's epigenetic landscape and the role of its cell-of-origin.
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Metilação de DNA , Neoplasias do Endométrio , Feminino , Humanos , Epigênese Genética , Multiômica , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Neoplasias do Endométrio/genéticaRESUMO
Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is a critical activator of multiple prosurvival and oncogenic protein kinases and has garnered considerable interest as an oncology drug target. Despite progress characterizing PDK1 as a therapeutic target, pharmacological support is lacking due to the prevalence of nonspecific inhibitors. Here, we benchmark literature and newly developed inhibitors and conduct parallel genetic and pharmacological queries into PDK1 function in cancer cells. Through kinase selectivity profiling and x-ray crystallographic studies, we identify an exquisitely selective PDK1 inhibitor (compound 7) that uniquely binds to the inactive kinase conformation (DFG-out). In contrast to compounds 1-5, which are classical ATP-competitive kinase inhibitors (DFG-in), compound 7 specifically inhibits cellular PDK1 T-loop phosphorylation (Ser-241), supporting its unique binding mode. Interfering with PDK1 activity has minimal antiproliferative effect on cells growing as plastic-attached monolayer cultures (i.e. standard tissue culture conditions) despite reduced phosphorylation of AKT, RSK, and S6RP. However, selective PDK1 inhibition impairs anchorage-independent growth, invasion, and cancer cell migration. Compound 7 inhibits colony formation in a subset of cancer cell lines (four of 10) and primary xenograft tumor lines (nine of 57). RNAi-mediated knockdown corroborates the PDK1 dependence in cell lines and identifies candidate biomarkers of drug response. In summary, our profiling studies define a uniquely selective and cell-potent PDK1 inhibitor, and the convergence of genetic and pharmacological phenotypes supports a role of PDK1 in tumorigenesis in the context of three-dimensional in vitro culture systems.
Assuntos
Proteínas de Neoplasias/antagonistas & inibidores , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias/enzimologia , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/química , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/antagonistas & inibidores , Regulação Alostérica/efeitos dos fármacos , Regulação Alostérica/genética , Animais , Domínio Catalítico/genética , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Proliferação de Células/efeitos dos fármacos , Cristalografia por Raios X , Cães , Ensaios de Seleção de Medicamentos Antitumorais/métodos , Humanos , Proteínas de Neoplasias/genética , Proteínas de Neoplasias/metabolismo , Neoplasias/genética , Fosforilação/efeitos dos fármacos , Fosforilação/genética , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/genética , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinases/metabolismo , Piruvato Desidrogenase Quinase de Transferência de AcetilRESUMO
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are probably the best understood somatic stem cells and often serve as a paradigm for other stem cells. Nevertheless, most current techniques to genetically manipulate them in vivo are either constitutive and/or induced in settings of hematopoietic stress such as after irradiation. Here, we present a conditional expression system that allows for externally controllable transgenesis and knockdown in resident HSCs, based on a lentiviral vector containing a tet-O sequence and a transgenic mouse line expressing a doxycyclin-regulated tTR-KRAB repressor protein. HSCs harvested from tTR-KRAB mice are transduced with the lentiviral vector containing a cDNA (i.e., Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)) and/or shRNA (i.e., p53) of interest and then transplanted into lethally irradiated recipients. While the vector is effectively repressed by tTR-KRAB during homing and engraftment, robust GFP/shp53 expression is induced on doxycyclin treatment in HSCs and their progeny. Doxycylin-controllable transcription is maintained on serial transplantation, indicating that repopulating HSCs are stably modified by this approach. In summary, this easy to implement conditional system provides inducible and reversible overexpression or knock down of genes in resident HSCs in vivo using a drug devoid of toxic or activating effects.
Assuntos
Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/citologia , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/metabolismo , RNA Interferente Pequeno/fisiologia , Animais , Apoptose/efeitos dos fármacos , Apoptose/genética , Ciclo Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciclo Celular/genética , Proliferação de Células , Células Cultivadas , Doxiciclina/farmacologia , Feminino , Citometria de Fluxo , Expressão Gênica/efeitos dos fármacos , Expressão Gênica/genética , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Transplante de Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas , Células-Tronco Hematopoéticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Lentivirus/genética , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Transgênicos , RNA Interferente Pequeno/genética , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Via Transcriptase Reversa , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genéticaRESUMO
TRIM28, a multi-domain protein, is crucial in the development of mouse embryos and the maintenance of embryonic stem cells' (ESC) self-renewal potential. As the epigenetic factor modulating chromatin structure, TRIM28 regulates the expression of numerous genes and is associated with progression and poor prognosis in many types of cancer. Because of many similarities between highly dedifferentiated cancer cells and normal pluripotent stem cells, we applied human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) as a model for stemness studies. For the first time in hiPSC, we analyzed the function of individual TRIM28 domains. Here we demonstrate the essential role of a really interesting new gene (RING) domain and plant homeodomain (PHD) in regulating pluripotency maintenance and self-renewal capacity of hiPSC. Our data indicate that mutation within the RING or PHD domain leads to the loss of stem cell phenotypes and downregulation of the FGF signaling. Moreover, impairment of RING or PHD domain results in decreased proliferation and impedes embryoid body formation. In opposition to previous data indicating the impact of phosphorylation on TRIM28 function, our data suggest that TRIM28 phosphorylation does not significantly affect the pluripotency and self-renewal maintenance of hiPSC. Of note, iPSC with disrupted RING and PHD functions display downregulation of genes associated with tumor metastasis, which are considered important targets in cancer treatment. Our data suggest the potential use of RING and PHD domains of TRIM28 as targets in cancer therapy.
Assuntos
Diferenciação Celular , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/metabolismo , Dedos de Zinco PHD , Domínios RING Finger , Proteína 28 com Motivo Tripartido/metabolismo , Autorrenovação Celular , Células Cultivadas , Epigênese Genética , Humanos , Células-Tronco Pluripotentes Induzidas/fisiologia , Transdução de SinaisRESUMO
Efforts to precisely identify tumor human leukocyte antigen (HLA) bound peptides capable of mediating T cell-based tumor rejection still face important challenges. Recent studies suggest that non-canonical tumor-specific HLA peptides derived from annotated non-coding regions could elicit anti-tumor immune responses. However, sensitive and accurate mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteogenomics approaches are required to robustly identify these non-canonical peptides. We present an MS-based analytical approach that characterizes the non-canonical tumor HLA peptide repertoire, by incorporating whole exome sequencing, bulk and single-cell transcriptomics, ribosome profiling, and two MS/MS search tools in combination. This approach results in the accurate identification of hundreds of shared and tumor-specific non-canonical HLA peptides, including an immunogenic peptide derived from an open reading frame downstream of the melanoma stem cell marker gene ABCB5. These findings hold great promise for the discovery of previously unknown tumor antigens for cancer immunotherapy.
Assuntos
Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Melanoma/genética , Melanoma/imunologia , Peptídeos/genética , Proteogenômica , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Bases de Dados de Proteínas , Regulação Neoplásica da Expressão Gênica , Antígenos de Histocompatibilidade Classe I/metabolismo , Humanos , Peptídeos/química , RNA/genética , RNA/metabolismo , Linfócitos T/metabolismoRESUMO
Lentivector-mediated transgenesis is increasingly used, whether for basic studies as an alternative to pronuclear injection of naked DNA or to test candidate gene therapy vectors. In an effort to characterize the genetic features of this approach, we first measured the frequency of germ line transmission of individual proviruses established by infection of fertilized mouse oocytes. Seventy integrants from 11 founder (G0) mice were passed to 111 first generation (G1) pups, for a total of 255 events corresponding to an average rate of transmission of 44%. This implies that integration had most often occurred at the one- or two-cell stage and that the degree of genotypic mosaicism in G0 mice obtained through this approach is generally minimal. Transmission analysis of eight individual proviruses in 13 G2 mice obtained by a G0-G1 cross revealed only 8% of proviral homozygosity, significantly below the 25% expected from purely Mendelian transmission, suggesting counter-selection due to interference with the functions of targeted loci. Mapping of 239 proviral integration sites in 49 founder animals revealed that about 60% resided within annotated genes, with a marked tendency for clustering in the middle of the transcribed region, and that integration was not influenced by the transcriptional orientation. Transcript levels of a set of arbitrarily chosen target genes were significantly higher in two-cell embryos than in embryonic stem cells or adult somatic cells, suggesting that, as previously noted in other settings, lentiviral vectors integrate preferentially into regions of the genome that are transcriptionally active or poised for activation.
Assuntos
Vetores Genéticos , Lentivirus/genética , Camundongos Transgênicos/virologia , Integração Viral , Animais , Mapeamento Cromossômico , Camundongos , Mosaicismo , Provírus/genética , TestamentosRESUMO
Mildly affected individuals from xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group G (XP-G) possess single amino acid substitutions in the XPG protein that adversely affects its 3' endonuclease function in nucleotide excision repair. More serious mutations in the XPG gene generate truncated or unstable XPG proteins and result in a particularly early and severe form of the combined XP/CS complex. Following UV irradiation, cells from such XP-G/CS patients enter apoptosis more readily than other DNA repair-deficient cells. Here, we explore the mechanisms by which UV triggers the apoptotic cell death program in XP-G and XP-G/CS primary fibroblasts. Activation of the CD95 signalling pathway occurs within minutes and it is the earliest detectable post-UV event in such cells. This is rapidly followed by activation of caspase-8 then caspase-3. Several hours later caspase-9 becomes activated and the mitochondrial membrane potential drops, but without any obvious prior release of cytochrome c. Although p53 accumulates in XPG-deficient cells after UV irradiation, use of RNA interference demonstrates that p53 is not required for their UV-induced apoptotic response. p53 ablation of wild-type fibroblasts reduces MDM2 mRNA levels, inhibits accumulation of the 90kDa/92kDa Mdm2 isoforms, and prevents the nuclear relocalisation of Mdm2 after UV treatment. The same post-UV effects occur in XPG-deficient cells that express normal p53 levels. These results emphasise the importance of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway and aberrant Mdm2 events for the severe UV-induced apoptosis of XPG-deficient primary fibroblasts. XP-G/CS cells constitutively overexpress the pro-apoptotic Bax protein and a long isoform of the E2F1 transcription factor that controls S phase entry, which may prime them to enter apoptosis very readily after UV irradiation.