Regulation Of Cell Cycle Control Research Articles

Dynamic phosphorylation of Hcm1 promotes fitness in chronic stress.

Cell survival depends upon the ability to adapt to changing environments. Environmental stressors trigger an acute stress response program that rewires cell physiology, downregulates proliferation genes and pauses the cell cycle until the cell adapts. Here, we show that dynamic phosphorylation of the yeast cell cycle-regulatory transcription factor Hcm1 is required to maintain fitness in chronic stress. Hcm1 is activated by cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) and inactivated by the phosphatase calcineurin (CN) in response to stressors that signal through increases in cytosolic Ca2+. Expression of a constitutively active, phosphomimetic Hcm1 mutant reduces fitness in stress, suggesting Hcm1 inactivation is required. However, a comprehensive analysis of Hcm1 phosphomutants revealed that Hcm1 activity is also important to survive stress, demonstrating that Hcm1 activity must be toggled on and off to promote gene expression and fitness. These results suggest that dynamic control of cell cycle regulators is critical for survival in stressful environments.

Identification of CDT1 as a prognostic marker in human lung adenocarcinoma using bioinformatics approaches.

Lung cancer has the highest cancer-related mortality worldwide. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Chromatin licensing and DNA replication factor 1 (CDT1), a key regulator of cell cycle control and replication in eukaryotic cells, has been implicated in various cancer-related processes. Given its significant role in cancer, the focus on CDT1 in this study is justified as it holds promise as a potential biomarker or therapeutic target for cancer treatment. However, its prognostic value in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted using data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were utilized to predict biological processes and signaling pathways, respectively. The LinkedOmics database was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with CDT1. Nomograms and Kaplan-Meier plots were generated to assess the survival rates of patients with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). To determine the RNA and protein expression levels of CDT1 in LUAD and adjacent normal tissues, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry techniques were employed, respectively. CDT1 was upregulated in the vast majority of cancer tissues, based on pan-cancer analysis in TCGA and GEO datasets, as to lung cancer, the level of CDT1 expression was much higher in LUAD tissue than in healthy lung tissue. Our clinical data supported these findings. In our study, we used a specific cutoff value to dichotomize the patient samples into high and low CDT1 expression groups. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed poor survival rates in CDT1 high expression group than the low expression group. To determine if CDT1 expression was an independent risk factor in LUAD patients, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. The result showed that CDT1 was a potential novel prognosis factor for LUAD patients, whose prognosis was poorer when CDT1 expression was higher. Based on functional enrichment analysis, highly expressed DEGs of CDT1-high patients were predicted to be involved in the cell cycle. According to our analysis of immune infiltration, CDT1 exhibited a strong correlation with specific immune cell subsets and was found to be a significant predictor of poor survival in patients with LUAD. Our research found that CDT1 was upregulated in LUAD and that high CDT1 expression predicted poor prognosis. We comprehensively and systematically analyzed the expression level in the datasets as well as in our own clinical samples, we also evaluated the prognostic and diagnostic value of CDT1, and finally, the potential mechanisms of CDT1 in the progression of LUAD. These results suggested that CDT1 may be a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

MIB2 promotes the progression of non-small cell lung cancer by regulating cell cycle control pathways.

Although numerous measures have been used to improve the outcome of lung cancer patients, lung cancer, as the second most common diagnosed cancer, is still the main cause of cancer death. It becomes increasingly urgent for us to deeply deplore the molecular mechanism of lung cancer and to discover the potential therapeutic targets. In our study, we are dedicated to discovering the role of MIB2 in lung cancer development. The public databases were used to compare the expression level of MIB2 in cancer and non-cancer tissue. We analyzed the expression of MIB2 in lung cancer samples by performing Rt-PCR and western blot. We carried out CCK8 and clone assays to study the influence of MIB2 in lung cancer proliferation. The transwell assays and wound healing assays were implemented to study the function of MIB2 in metastasis and invasion. Proteins of cell cycle control pathways are detected to verify the potential mechanism of MIB2 in lung cancer progression. MIB2 is up regulated in lung cancer tissue compared to adjacent normal lung tissue according to both public databases and our clinical lung cancer samples. Knockdown of MIB2 inhibits proliferation, metastasis, and invasion of lung cancer cell lines. Cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDK) including CDK2, CDK4, and cyclinB1 were down regulated in MIB2 knockdown cells. Our results prove that MIB2 acts as a driver in NSCLC tumorigenesis by regulating cell cycle control pathways.

The role of cytokeratin 19 levels in the determination of endometriosis stages

Objective/Aim Endometrisosis, one of the most common gynecological disease, is characterized by the presence of endometriotic tissue outside of uterine cavity. The development and the validation of a simple blood biomarker specific and sensitive for endometriosis may facilitate the rapid and the accurate diagnosis of the disease and thus early treatment. Cytokeratin expression changes during epithelial differentiation and this expression is important for the modulation and the control of cell cycle regulation, tumor cell motility and apoptosis. Cytokeratin 19 (CK-19) is expressed in most simple epithelial cells and their malignant counterparts. The aim of this study is to investigate serum CK-19 expression levels in patients with endometriosis and to determine the diagnostic role of CK-19 levels in differentiating various stage of endometriosis. Methods Ctytokeratin-19 expression and level were studied in 70 endometriosis patients and 50 volunteers by ELISA and RT-PCR. ROC analysis was performed by comparing all stages with each other and with the control group. Results The CK-19 levels were significantly higher in the endometriosis groups than that of the control group by ELISA and RT-PCR. A significant (p < .05) difference was observed in endometriosis patients according to the stages. Conclusion Based on our data, it suggests that Cytokeratin-19 may have a potential role in the development of endometriosis.

The Transcription Factor YY1 Is Essential for Normal DNA Repair and Cell Cycle in Human and Mouse β-Cells.

Identifying the mechanisms behind the β-cell adaptation to failure is important to develop strategies to manage type 2 diabetes (T2D). Using db/db mice at early stages of the disease process, we took advantage of unbiased RNA sequencing to identify genes/pathways regulated by insulin resistance in β-cells. We demonstrate herein that islets from 4-week-old nonobese and nondiabetic leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice exhibited downregulation of several genes involved in cell cycle regulation and DNA repair. We identified the transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) as a common gene between both pathways. The expression of YY1 and its targeted genes was decreased in the db/db islets. We confirmed the reduction in YY1 expression in β-cells from diabetic db/db mice, mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), and individuals with T2D. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing profiling in EndoC-βH1 cells, a human pancreatic β-cell line, indicated that YY1 binding regions regulate cell cycle control and DNA damage recognition and repair. We then generated mouse models with constitutive and inducible YY1 deficiency in β-cells. YY1-deficient mice developed diabetes early in life due to β-cell loss. β-Cells from these mice exhibited higher DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, and cell death as well as decreased maturation markers. Tamoxifen-induced YY1 deficiency in mature β-cells impaired β-cell function and induced DNA damage. In summary, we identified YY1 as a critical factor for β-cell DNA repair and cell cycle progression.

Sertoli cell PUMILIO proteins modulate mouse testis size through translational control of cell cycle regulators.

Testis size determination is an important question of reproductive biology. Sertoli cells are known to be a key determinant of mammalian testis size but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Previously we showed that highly conserved germ cell RNA-binding proteins, PUMILIO1(PUM1) and PUMILIO2 (PUM2), control mouse organ and body size through translational regulation, but how different cell types of the organs contribute to their organ size regulation has not been established. Here, we report a somatic role of PUM in gonad size determination. PUM1 is highly expressed in the Sertoli cells of the developing testis from embryonic and postnatal mice as well as in germ cells. Removal of Sertoli cell, but not germ cell, Pum1 gene, led to reduced testis size without significantly affecting sperm number or fertility. Knockout of PUM1 target, Cdkn1b, rescued the phenotype of reduced testis size, supporting a key role of Sertoli cell PUM1 mediated Cdkn1b repression in the testis size control. Furthermore, removal of Pum2 or both Pum1 and Pum2 in the Sertoli cells also only affected the testis size, not sperm development, with the biggest size reduction in Pum1/2 double knockout mice. We propose that PUM1 and PUM2 modulate the testis size through their synergistic translational regulation of cell cycle regulators in the Sertoli cell. Further investigation of the ovary or other organs could reveal if PUM-mediated translational control of cell proliferation of the supporting cell represents a general mechanism for organ size modulation.

Relevance of pRB Loss in Human Malignancies.

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (pRB) is a known regulator of cell-cycle control; however, recent studies identified critical functions for pRB in regulating cancer-associated gene networks that influence the DNA damage response, apoptosis, and cell metabolism. Understanding the impact of these pRB functions on cancer development and progression in the clinical setting will be essential, given the prevalence of pRB loss of function across disease types. Moreover, the current state of evidence supports the concept that pRB loss results in pleiotropic effects distinct from tumor proliferation. Here, the implications of pRB loss (and resultant pathway deregulation) on disease progression and therapeutic response will be reviewed, based on clinical observation. Developing a better understanding of the pRB-regulated pathways that underpin the aggressive features of pRB-deficient tumors will be essential for further developing pRB as a biomarker of disease progression and for stratifying pRB-deficient tumors into more effective treatment regimens.

MIB2 Promotes the Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating Cell Cycle Control Pathways

MIB2 Promotes the Progression of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Regulating Cell Cycle Control Pathways

Human Papillomaviruses-Associated Cancers: An Update of Current Knowledge.

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which are small, double-stranded, circular DNA viruses infecting human epithelial cells, are associated with various benign and malignant lesions of mucosa and skin. Intensive research on the oncogenic potential of HPVs started in the 1970s and spread across Europe, including Croatia, and worldwide. Nowadays, the causative role of a subset of oncogenic or high-risk (HR) HPV types, led by HPV-16 and HPV-18, of different anogenital and head and neck cancers is well accepted. Two major viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, are directly involved in the development of HPV-related malignancies by targeting synergistically various cellular pathways involved in the regulation of cell cycle control, apoptosis, and cell polarity control networks as well as host immune response. This review is aimed at describing the key elements in HPV-related carcinogenesis and the advances in cancer prevention with reference to past and on-going research in Croatia.

Definition of a Prognostic Risk-Classifier Based on SNPs Array Analysis of Copy Number Alterations in Newly Diagnosed Transplant-Eligible Multiple Myeloma Patients

BACKGROUND. The genomic heterogeneity that characterizes all Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients (pts) is the consequence of an evolutionary process operating during the pre-neoplastic phase of the disease. Whatever genomic event occurs, it accounts for the de-regulated expression of either one of the cyclin D or other key regulators of cell cycle progression. Therefore, a deficient regulation of cell cycle control is considered as a hallmark of MM. Moreover, among the MM genomic heterogeneity, several lesions are recurrent and their presence significantly impacts the prognosis.AIM. To deeply characterize the MM clone of newly diagnosed MM pts by means of a genomic approach, aimed to identify Copy Number Alterations (CNAs) affecting clinical outcomes.PATIENTS AND METHODS. We analyzed 247 pts who were enrolled in the EMN02/HO95 phase III study and were eligible for randomization to receive standard dose intensification therapy with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP) (n=93) or high dose intensification therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (n=154) after a V-based induction. Genomic data were obtained from all the pts, whose highly purified CD138+ BM plasma cells were profiled by SNPs array. Any CNA ≥50kb was evaluated. At a median follow-up of 34 months (m), the estimated progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was 63% and 85%, respectively.RESULTS. In order to identify genetically homogeneous subgroups of pts, we first dissected the genomic complexity observed in the overall population. As expected, most pts had a complex genomic background, while occasionally few of them (23/247, 9%) carried only one of the following alterations: CN losses (L) on chr. 13q, CN gains (G) on chr.1q, hyperdiploidy and any IgH translocations. Remarkably, these 4 alterations were also the most frequently observed across the overall pt population, and their combination identified 16 subgroups harbouring a progressively more complex genomic profile. This suggests that these 4 alterations - either combined or alone - are both necessary and sufficient to describe the genomic background of the whole population. Indeed, all the other observed CNAs have a lower frequency and were randomly scattered among the 16 subgroups.When the clinical outcomes of these subgroups were analyzed, it was found that those with inferior outcomes carried at the same time both CN-L on chr.13q and CN-G on chr.1q, regardless of others genomic lesions. Based on this, we re-stratified pts according to the absence or presence of 1 or both of these lesions, to define the following 3 groups: group 1 (64 pts), carrying both CN-L on chr.13q and CN-G on chr.1q; group 2 (94 pts), carrying either CN-L on chr.13q or CN-G on chr.1q; group 3 (89 pts), lacking both these lesions.Providing that pts included in these groups were correctly randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either VMP or ASCT, we observed that the 34-m estimates of PFS was significantly shorter in group 1 (48%, 61% and 72% respectively; p=0.0021). OS rates were 72% in group 1 vs 88% in group 2 and 91% in group 3 (p=0.0001).PFS hazard ratio (HR) of pts in group 1 (HR=2,51, 95%CI: 1.48-4.25, p=0.0006) was comparable to that of pts carrying either del(17p) (HR=2.09, 95%CI: 1.20-3.65) or t(4;14) (HR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.14-2.99), resulting as an independent factor in predicting PFS in a Cox multivariate analysis (both from del(17p) and t(4;14), p=0.01). PFS benefit correlated with ASCT in comparison with VMP was statistically significant in groups 2 and 3, while only a trend was observed in group 1 (table 1).The genomic background of pts belonging to group 1 was characterized by the presence of several genomic aberrations, which overall severely compromise genes involved in the control of cell cycle progression (Rb1, CKS1B, MDM4, MCL1, genes coding for the DREAM-complex components, YAP1, MYC, FANCA).CONCLUSIONS. Based on an evolutionary rationale, we proposed a simply, CNAs-based risk-classifier, which was able to segregate our cohort of pts with newly diagnosed MM into 3 well-populated groups, thus recapitulating most of the genomic aberrations commonly described in MM. The 3 groups have different clinical outcomes and PFS benefit imparted from ASCT as compared to VMP. According to the observed genomic background, a strong de-regulation of cell cycle control might be responsible of the dismal outcome of pts carrying both CN-L on chr.13 and CN-G on chr. 1q.Supported by AIRC, Fond. del Monte Bo e Ra [Display omitted] DisclosuresLarocca:Janssen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria. Martinelli:Ariad/Incyte: Consultancy; Pfizer: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; Johnson&Johnson: Consultancy; Roche: Consultancy. Sonneveld:Celgene, Amgen, Janssen, Karyopharm, Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene Corporation, Amgen, Janssen, Karyopharm, PharmaMar, SkylineDx: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation, Amgen, Janssen, Karyopharm, SkylineDx, PharmaMar: Consultancy.

Abstract 2541: MicroRNA-497~195 cluster suppresses acute lymphoblastic leukemia growth by targeting CCND3/CDK4 and inhibiting cell cycle progression

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common malignancy of childhood. Relapse is associated with poor prognosis, requiring further investigation on high-risk leukemias. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of physiological processes. Deregulated miRNAs have been described to play a role in the initiation and progression of leukemia. Here, we investigated miRNA expression profiles comparing leukemia samples of patients with good and poor outcome, also characterized by slow or rapid engraftment, respectively, upon transplantation into NOD/SCID mice. We found downregulation of the miR-497~195 cluster in B-cell precursor (BCP)-ALL patient-derived xenograft samples with rapid engraftment and early relapse. Accordingly, in an independent cohort, patients with a high expression of miR-497 or miR-195 showed higher event-free survival. We identified promoter methylation as the mechanism responsible for miR-497~195 downregulation, as it was associated with low miR-497~195 levels in xenografts and treatment with the demethylating agent Decitabine increased miR-497~195 expression in BCP-ALL cell lines. To study the role of miR-497~195 in BCP-ALL, we stably overexpressed the cluster in three xenograft samples. MiR-497~195 overexpression impaired engraftment of leukemic cells in NOD/SCID mice, as compared to control cells, prolonging recipient survival. Gene expression profiling and ex vivo analysis of miR-497~195 overexpressing xenograft cells showed that inhibition of cell proliferation is a mechanism responsible for the miRNA cluster tumor suppressive role. Mechanistically, CDK4 and CCND3 were downregulated at mRNA and protein levels upon miR-497~195 overexpression, leading to decreased RB1 phosphorylation, reduced transcription of E2F target genes, and inhibition of the entry in S phase. CDK4 mediated G1/S transition is also inhibited by CDKN2A and CDKN2B, which are deleted in 20% of BCP-ALL. Deletion of CDKN2A/B and concomitant low miR-497~195 expression were particularly associated with a high proportion of early relapse cases in our cohort, indicating that impaired regulation of G1/S transition is critical for ALL aggressiveness. Importantly, targeting this pathway with the CDK4/CDK6 inhibitor Palbociclib impaired ex vivo growth of BCP-ALL xenograft samples, indicating a possible therapeutic strategy. Altogether, we showed that the tumor-suppressive cluster miR-497~195 is downregulated by epigenetic repression in BCP-ALL and that low expression is associated with early relapse and rapid engraftment. Low miR-497~195 expression might cooperate with deletion of CDKN2A/B promoting tumor progression, through loss of CCND3/CDK4-dependent control of cell cycle regulation. Citation Format: Elena Boldrin, Enrico Gaffo, Judith Boer, Salih Demir, Julia Zinngrebe, Rainer Claus, Christoph Plass, Monique L. den Boer, Klaus-Michael Debatin, Geertruy te Kronnie, Stefania Bortoluzzi, Lüder Hinrich Meyer. MicroRNA-497~195 cluster suppresses acute lymphoblastic leukemia growth by targeting CCND3/CDK4 and inhibiting cell cycle progression [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2541.

MiR-30a inhibits androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer via targeting MYBL2, FOXD1, and SOX4.

Castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an aggressive and lethal disease. The pathogenesis of CRPC is not fully understood and novel therapeutic targets need to be identified to improve the patients' prognosis. MicroRNA-30a (miR-30a) has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor in many types of solid malignancies. However, its role in androgen-independent (AI) growth of prostate cancer (PCa) received limited attention as yet. The clinical association of miR-30a and its potential targets with AI growth was characterized by bioinformatics analyses. Regulation of cell proliferation and colony formation rates by miR-30a were tested using PCa cell models. Xenograft models were used to measure the regulation of prostate tumor growth by miR-30a. The real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to validate whether miR-30a and its targets regulate cell cycle control genes and androgen receptor (AR)-dependent transcription. Bioinformatics tools, Western blot, and luciferase reporter assays were utilized to identify miR-30a targets. Bioinformatic analysis showed that low expression of miR-30a is associated with castration resistance of PCa patients and poor outcomes. Transfection of miR-30a mimics inhibited the AI growth of PCa cells in vitro and in vivo. Upregulation of miR-30a in 22RV1 cells altered the expression of cell cycle control genes and AR-mediated transcription, while downregulation of miR-30a in LNCaP cells had the opposite effects to AR-mediated transcription. MYBL2, FOXD1, and SOX4 were identified as miR-30a targets. Downregulation of MYBL2, FOXD1, and SOX4 affected the expression of cell cycle control genes and AR-mediated transcription and suppressed the AI growth of 22RV1 cells. Our results suggest that miR-30a inhibits AI growth of PCa by targeting MYBL2, FOXD1, and SOX4. They provide novel insights into developing new treatment strategies for CRPC.

Effect of SNPs in genes regulating cell cycle control, apoptosis and inflammation on lung cancer susceptibility of northern Thai population

Effect of SNPs in genes regulating cell cycle control, apoptosis and inflammation on lung cancer susceptibility of northern Thai population

Epigenetic Regulation of p21cip1/waf1 in Human Cancer.

p21cip1/waf1 is a central regulator of cell cycle control and survival. While mutations are rare, it is commonly dysregulated in several human cancers due to epigenetic mechanisms influencing its transcriptional control. These mechanisms include promoter hypermethylation as well as additional pathways such as histone acetylation or methylation. The epigenetic regulators include writers, such as DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs); histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone lysine methyltransferases; erasers, such as histone deacetylases (HDACs); histone lysine demethylases [e.g., the Lysine Demethylase (KDM) family]; DNA hydroxylases; readers, such as the methyl-CpG-binding proteins (MBPs); and bromodomain-containing proteins, including the bromo- and extraterminal domain (BET) family. We further discuss the roles that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) play in the epigenetic control of p21cip1/waf1 expression and its function in human cancers.

The Role of HMGB1, a Nuclear Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern Molecule, in the Pathogenesis of Lung Diseases.

Significance: High-mobility group protein box 1 (HMGB1), a ubiquitous nuclear protein, regulates chromatin structure and modulates the expression of many genes involved in the pathogenesis of lung cancer and many other lung diseases, including those that regulate cell cycle control, cell death, and DNA replication and repair. Extracellular HMGB1, whether passively released or actively secreted, is a danger signal that elicits proinflammatory responses, impairs macrophage phagocytosis and efferocytosis, and alters vascular remodeling. This can result in excessive pulmonary inflammation and compromised host defense against lung infections, causing a deleterious feedback cycle. Recent Advances: HMGB1 has been identified as a biomarker and mediator of the pathogenesis of numerous lung disorders. In addition, post-translational modifications of HMGB1, including acetylation, phosphorylation, and oxidation, have been postulated to affect its localization and physiological and pathophysiological effects, such as the initiation and progression of lung diseases. Critical Issues: The molecular mechanisms underlying how HMGB1 drives the pathogenesis of different lung diseases and novel therapeutic approaches targeting HMGB1 remain to be elucidated. Future Directions: Additional research is needed to identify the roles and functions of modified HMGB1 produced by different post-translational modifications and their significance in the pathogenesis of lung diseases. Such studies will provide information for novel approaches targeting HMGB1 as a treatment for lung diseases.

Abstract 3546: miRNA expression of spontaneous non-small cell lung cancers in p53 mutant transgenic mice following exposure to PRIMA-1

Abstract The tumor suppressor protein p53 is a key regulator of cell cycle control, apoptosis, and genomic stability in response to various cellular stresses. Loss of function of p53 causes an inability by the cell to regulate these important processes and results in uncontrolled cell proliferation, which leads to tumor growth. Mutations in the TP53 gene are commonly associated with cancers, and for this reason TP53/p53 is one of the most important genes in cancer research. PRIMA-1 targets mutated p53 protein and has been shown to restore its wild type function and to induce apoptosis in human tumor cells, but the underlying mechanisms behind it are still not well understood. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules that act as gene expression regulators. The involvement of miRNA in restoring tumor suppressor function of mutant p53 by Prima-1 remains unclear. The aim of this research is to investigate the associations between expression of miRNA and the PRIMA-1 anticancer treatment. We have developed a lung tumor model in transgenic mice in which the human mutant p53(273H) is expressed in a lung specific manner, under the control of the surfactant protein C promoter. These mice developed lung adenocarcinomas at an age range of 12-15 months. A micro-CT scanner was used on the mice to screen for lung tumors. To evaluate feasibility and preliminary activity of PRIMA-1 on the murine spontaneous lung tumor, we treated 4 lung tumor bearing mice via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection with PRIMA-1 at a dose of 100 mg/kg in 0.2 ml PBS every other day for two weeks. A control group containing 3 tumor bearing mice was treated with PBS only. After two weeks of treatment, all mice were then sacrificed for tissue collection. Total RNA was isolated with Trizol method from the frozen lung tumor tissues and matching lung tissues. miRNA array was carried out with a NanoString counter. miRNA expression level was compared between the treated and control groups. After comparing 599 miRNA expressions in lung tumor tissue between PRIMA-1 treated and non-treated mice, 26 miRNAs were changed at least 3-fold. From these 26, 23 of were decreased and only 3 were increased. Of particular interest was that 9 miRNAs changed at least 6 folds post Prima-1 treatment as comparing to control group. These were miR-194, miR-1937a, 1937b, miR-34c, miR-192, miR-1949, miR-2135, miR-3472, miR-712, and miR-1931. Because PRIMA-1 restores the tumor suppression function of mutant p53 and to induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in tumor cells containing mutant p53, PRIMA-1 may act as an anti-cancer drug through regulating miRNAs. Because the great majority of the miRNA expression levels among the miRNA with bigger expression changes in PRIMA-1 treated group comparing to the non-treated controls are reduced, it implies that these miRNAs may promote tumor development. Mir-194, for example, has been reported to have tumor suppressor function in lung tissue. Citation Format: Javier A. Feito, Abeer Almiman, Li Gao, Shirley Tang, Kathleen Dotts, Miguel Villalona-Calero, Wenrui Duan. miRNA expression of spontaneous non-small cell lung cancers in p53 mutant transgenic mice following exposure to PRIMA-1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3546.

KLF1 mutation E325K induces cell cycle arrest in erythroid cells differentiated from congenital dyserythropoietic anemia patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells

Krüppel-like factor 1 (KLF1), a transcription factor controlling definitive erythropoiesis, is involved in sequential control of terminal cell division and enucleation via fine regulation of key cell cycle regulator gene expression in erythroid lineage cells. Type IV congenital dyserythropoietic anemia (CDA) is caused by a monoallelic mutation at the second zinc finger of KLF1 (c.973G>A, p.E325K). We recently diagnosed a female patient with type IV CDA with the identical missense mutation. To understand the mechanism underlying the dyserythropoiesis caused by the mutation, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from the CDA patient (CDA-iPSCs). The erythroid cells that differentiated from CDA-iPSCs (CDA-erythroid cells) displayed multinucleated morphology, absence of CD44, and dysregulation of the KLF1 target gene expression. In addition, uptake of bromodeoxyuridine by CDA-erythroid cells was significantly decreased at the CD235a+/CD71+ stage, and microarray analysis revealed that cell cycle regulator genes were dysregulated, with increased expression of negative regulators such as CDKN2C and CDKN2A. Furthermore, inducible expression of the KLF1 E325K, but not the wild-type KLF1, caused a cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase in CDA-erythroid cells. Microarray analysis of CDA-erythroid cells and real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the KLF1 E325K inducible expression system also revealed altered expression of several KLF1 target genes including erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1 (EPB41), EPB42, glutathione disulfide reductase (GSR), glucose phosphate isomerase (GPI), and ATPase phospholipid transporting 8A1 (ATP8A1). Our data indicate that the E325K mutation in KLF1 is associated with disruption of transcriptional control of cell cycle regulators in association with erythroid membrane or enzyme abnormalities, leading to dyserythropoiesis.

Sialyllactose and Galactooligosaccharides Promote Epithelial Barrier Functioning and Distinctly Modulate Microbiota Composition and Short Chain Fatty Acid Production In Vitro.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) and prebiotic oligosaccharides are proposed to confer several health benefits to the infant. They shape the microbiota, have anti-inflammatory properties, and support epithelial barrier functioning. However, in order to select the best oligosaccharides for inclusion in infant formulas, there is a need to increase our understanding of the specific effects of HMO and prebiotics on the host immune system. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the HMO sialyllactose (SL), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on epithelial barrier functioning, microbiota composition, and SCFA production. The effect of GOS and SL on epithelial barrier functioning and microbiota composition was investigated using in vitro models. Epithelial barrier function was investigated by transcriptome analysis of fully polarized Caco-2 cells exposed for 6 h to SL or GOS. In addition, epithelial cell growth, alkaline phosphatase production, and re-epithelization was studied. Further, we investigated the effect of SL and GOS on microbiota composition and SCFA production using in vitro fecal batch cultures. Transcriptome analysis showed that SL and GOS both induced pathways that regulate cell cycle control. This gene-expression profile translated to a phenotype of halted proliferation and included the induction of alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker of epithelial cell differentiation. SL and GOS also promoted re-epithelialization in an in vitro epithelial wound repair assay. SL and GOS did show distinct modulation of microbiota composition, promoting the outgrowth of Bacteroides and bifidobacteria, respectively, which resulted in distinct changes in SCFA production profiles. Our results show that SL and GOS can both modulate epithelial barrier function by inducing differentiation and epithelial wound repair, but differentially promote the growth of specific genera in the microbiota, which is associated with differential changes in SCFA profiles.

Karyopherin Msn5 is involved in a novel mechanism controlling the cellular level of cell cycle regulators Cln2 and Swi5

ABSTRACT The yeast β-karyopherin Msn5 controls the SBF cell-cycle transcription factor, responsible for the periodic expression of CLN2 cyclin gene at G1/S, and the nuclear export of Cln2 protein. Here we show that Msn5 regulates Cln2 by an additional mechanism. Inactivation of Msn5 causes a severe reduction in the cellular content of Cln2. This occurs by a post-transcriptional mechanism, since CLN2 mRNA level is not importantly affected in asynchronous cultures. Cln2 stability is not significantly altered in msn5 cells and inactivation of Msn5 causes a reduction in protein level even when Cln2 is stabilized. Therefore, the reduced amount of Cln2 in msn5 cells is mainly due not to a higher rate of protein degradation but to a defect in Cln2 synthesis. In fact, analysis of polysome profiles indicated that Msn5 inactivation causes a shift of CLN2 and SWI5 mRNAs from heavy-polysomal to light-polysomal and non-polysomal fractions, supporting a defect in Cln2 and Swi5 protein synthesis in the msn5 mutant. The analysis of truncated versions of Cln2 and of chimeric cyclins combining distinct domains from Cln2 and the related Cln1 cyclin identified an internal region in Cln2 from 181 to 225 residues that when fused to GFP is able to confer Msn5-dependent regulation of protein cellular content. Finally, we showed that a high level of Cln2 is toxic in the absence of Msn5. In summary, we described that Msn5 is required for the proper protein synthesis of specific proteins, introducing a new level of control of cell cycle regulators.

Mammalian Pum1 and Pum2 Control Body Size via Translational Regulation of the Cell Cycle Inhibitor Cdkn1b

SUMMARYBody and organ size regulation in mammals involves multiple signaling pathways and remains largely enigmatic. Here, we report that Pum1 and Pum2, which encode highly conserved PUF RNA-binding proteins, regulate mouse body and organ size by post-transcriptional repression of the cell cycle inhibitor Cdkn1b. Binding of PUM1 or PUM2 to Pumilio binding elements (PBEs) in the 3’ UTR of Cdkn1b inhibits translation, promoting G1-S transition and cell proliferation. Mice with null mutations in Pum1 and Pum2 exhibit gene dosage-dependent reductions in body and organ size, and deficiency for Cdkn1b partially rescues postnatal growth defects in Pum1−/− mice. We propose that coordinated tissue-specific expression of Pum1 and Pum2, which involves auto-regulatory and reciprocal post-transcriptional repression, contributes to the precise regulation of body and organ size. Hence PUM-mediated post-transcriptional control of cell cycle regulators represents an additional layer of control in the genetic regulation of organ and body size.