RESUMEN

Ewing sarcoma is a cancer of bone and soft tissue in children and young adults primarily driven by the EWS-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein, which has been undruggable. Here, we report that Ewing sarcoma depends on secreted sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1), a ceramide-generating enzyme, and ceramide. We find that G-protein-coupled receptor 64 (GPR64)/adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor G2 (ADGRG2) responds to ceramide and mediates critical growth signaling in Ewing sarcoma. We show that ceramide induces the cleavage of the C-terminal intracellular domain of GPR64, which translocates to the nucleus and restrains the protein levels of RIF1 in a manner dependent on SPOP, a substrate adaptor of the Cullin3-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase. We demonstrate that both SMPD1 and GPR64 are transcriptional targets of EWS-FLI1, indicating that SMPD1 and GPR64 are EWS-FLI1-induced cytokine-receptor dependencies. These results reveal the SMPD1-ceramide-GPR64 pathway, which drives Ewing sarcoma growth and is amenable to therapeutic intervention.

Asunto(s)

Ceramidas , Proteína Proto-Oncogénica c-fli-1 , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G , Sarcoma de Ewing , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/patología , Humanos , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/metabolismo , Ceramidas/metabolismo , Proteína Proto-Oncogénica c-fli-1/metabolismo , Línea Celular Tumoral , Esfingomielina Fosfodiesterasa/metabolismo , Proteínas de Fusión Oncogénica/metabolismo , Proteínas de Fusión Oncogénica/genética , Animales , Proteína EWS de Unión a ARN/metabolismo , Proteína EWS de Unión a ARN/genética , Transducción de Señal , Dominios Proteicos , Ratones

RESUMEN

Ewing sarcoma is a cancer of bone and soft tissue in children and young adults that is driven by the EWS-ETS fusion transcription factor, most commonly EWS-FLI1. We previously reported that Ewing sarcoma harbors two populations of cells, the CD133high population displaying higher growth rate and the CD133low population displaying chemotherapy resistance. We now find that the ubiquitin-specific protease 1 (USP1) is a transcriptional target of the EWS-FLI1 fusion oncoprotein, expressed at high and low levels in the CD133high and the CD133low populations, respectively, and determines chemo-sensitivity. We also find that USP1 inhibits cdc42, increases EWS-FLI1 transcriptional output, and simulates Ewing sarcoma growth. We show that chemo-sensitization by USP1 is independent of cdc42. A pharmacological inhibitor of USP1 was able to activate cdc42 and inhibit Ewing sarcoma growth. These results uncover critical roles for USP1 in Ewing sarcoma, which regulates growth and chemo-sensitivity via distinct mechanisms.

RESUMEN

Retinoblastoma is a cancer of the infant retina primarily driven by loss of the Rb tumor suppressor gene, which is undruggable. Here, we report an autocrine signaling, mediated by secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2), which suppresses nitric oxide and enables retinoblastoma growth. We show that coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CXADR) is the cell-surface receptor for SFRP2 in retinoblastoma cells; that CXADR functions as a "dependence receptor," transmitting a growth-inhibitory signal in the absence of SFRP2; and that the balance between SFRP2 and CXADR determines nitric oxide production. Accordingly, high SFRP2 RNA expression correlates with high-risk histopathologic features in retinoblastoma. Targeting SFRP2 signaling by SFRP2-binding peptides or by a pharmacological inhibitor rapidly induces nitric oxide and profoundly inhibits retinoblastoma growth in orthotopic xenograft models. These results reveal a cytokine signaling pathway that regulates nitric oxide production and retinoblastoma cell proliferation and is amenable to therapeutic intervention.

Asunto(s)

Neoplasias de la Retina , Retinoblastoma , Humanos , Óxido Nítrico , Proteínas Relacionadas con Frizzled Secretadas , Transducción de Señal

RESUMEN

Ewing sarcoma is a cancer of bone and soft tissue in children driven by EWS::ETS fusion, most commonly EWS::FLI1. Because current cytotoxic chemotherapies are not improving the survival of those with metastatic or recurrent Ewing sarcoma cases, there is a need for novel and more effective targeted therapies. While EWS::FLI1 is the major driver of Ewing sarcoma, EWS::FLI1 has been difficult to target. A promising alternative approach is to identify and target the molecular vulnerabilities created by EWS::FLI1. Here we report that EWS::FLI1 induces the expression of Slit2, the ligand of Roundabout (Robo) receptors implicated in axon guidance and multiple other developmental processes. EWS::FLI1 binds to the Slit2 gene promoter and stimulates the expression of Slit2. Slit2 inactivates cdc42 and stabilizes the BAF chromatin remodeling complexes, enhancing EWS::FLI1 transcriptional output. Silencing of Slit2 strongly inhibited anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth of Ewing sarcoma cells. Silencing of Slit2 receptors, Robo1 and Robo2, inhibited Ewing sarcoma growth as well. These results uncover a new role for Slit2 signaling in stimulating Ewing sarcoma growth and suggest that this pathway can be targeted therapeutically.

RESUMEN

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone and soft tissue in children. It is characterized by the chromosomal translocation between EWS and an Ets family transcription factor, most commonly FLI1. We recently reported that Ewing sarcoma depends on the autocrine signaling mediated by a cytokine, NELL2. NELL2 signaling stimulates the transcriptional output of EWS-FLI1 through the BAF chromatin remodeling complexes. While studying the impact of NELL2 silencing on Ewing sarcoma, we found that suppression of NELL2 signaling induces the expression of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) and LINE-1 retrotransposons, an interferon response, and growth arrest. We determined that a histone methyltransferase, EZH2, is the critical downstream target of NELL2 signaling in suppressing ERVs, LINE-1, an interferon response, and growth arrest. We show that EZH2 inhibitors induce ERVs, LINE-1, and an interferon response in a variety of cancer types. These results uncover the role for NELL2-EZH2 signaling in suppressing endogenous virus-like agents and an antiviral response, and suggest the potential utility of EZH2 inhibitors in enhancing anti-tumor immunity.

RESUMEN

BAF chromatin remodeling complexes play important roles in chromatin regulation and cancer. Here, we report that Ewing sarcoma cells are dependent on the autocrine signaling mediated by NELL2, a secreted glycoprotein that has been characterized as an axon guidance molecule. NELL2 uses Robo3 as the receptor to transmit critical growth signaling. NELL2 signaling inhibits cdc42 and upregulates BAF complexes and EWS-FLI1 transcriptional output. We demonstrate that cdc42 is a negative regulator of BAF complexes, inducing actin polymerization and complex disassembly. Furthermore, we identify NELL2highCD133highEWS-FLI1high and NELL2lowCD133lowEWS-FLI1low populations in Ewing sarcoma, which display phenotypes consistent with high and low NELL2 signaling, respectively. We show that NELL2, CD133, and EWS-FLI1 positively regulate each other and upregulate BAF complexes and cell proliferation in Ewing sarcoma. These results reveal a signaling pathway regulating critical chromatin remodeling complexes and cancer cell proliferation.

Asunto(s)

Complejos Multiproteicos/metabolismo , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/patología , Transducción de Señal , Proteína de Unión al GTP cdc42/metabolismo , Antígeno AC133/metabolismo , Actinas/metabolismo , Animales , Línea Celular Tumoral , Proliferación Celular , Ensamble y Desensamble de Cromatina , Regulación hacia Abajo , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Humanos , Ratones SCID , Proteínas de Fusión Oncogénica/metabolismo , Fenotipo , Polimerizacion , Subunidades de Proteína/metabolismo , Proteómica , Proteína Proto-Oncogénica c-fli-1/metabolismo , Proteína EWS de Unión a ARN/metabolismo , Receptores de Superficie Celular/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/genética , Regulación hacia Arriba

RESUMEN

We report here that the autocrine signaling mediated by growth and differentiation factor 6 (GDF6), a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family of cytokines, maintains Ewing sarcoma growth by preventing Src hyperactivation. Surprisingly, Ewing sarcoma depends on the prodomain, not the BMP domain, of GDF6. We demonstrate that the GDF6 prodomain is a ligand for CD99, a transmembrane protein that has been widely used as a marker of Ewing sarcoma. The binding of the GDF6 prodomain to the CD99 extracellular domain results in recruitment of CSK (C-terminal Src kinase) to the YQKKK motif in the intracellular domain of CD99, inhibiting Src activity. GDF6 silencing causes hyperactivation of Src and p21-dependent growth arrest. We demonstrate that two GDF6 prodomain mutants linked to Klippel-Feil syndrome are hyperactive in CD99-Src signaling. These results reveal a cytokine signaling pathway that regulates the CSK-Src axis and cancer cell proliferation and suggest the gain-of-function activity for disease-causing GDF6 mutants.

Asunto(s)

Antígeno 12E7/metabolismo , Factor 6 de Diferenciación de Crecimiento/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/metabolismo , Sarcoma de Ewing/patología , Transducción de Señal , Familia-src Quinasas/metabolismo , Animales , Proteína Tirosina Quinasa CSK/metabolismo , Proliferación Celular , Regulación hacia Abajo , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica , Factor 6 de Diferenciación de Crecimiento/química , Humanos , Síndrome de Klippel-Feil/genética , Ratones SCID , Mutación/genética , Proteínas de Fusión Oncogénica/metabolismo , Dominios Proteicos , Proteoma/metabolismo , Proteómica , Proteína Proto-Oncogénica c-fli-1/metabolismo , Proteína EWS de Unión a ARN/metabolismo , Transcripción Genética

RESUMEN

Growing evidence supports a general hypothesis that aging and cancer are diseases related to energy metabolism. However, the involvement of Fanconi Anemia (FA) signaling, a unique genetic model system for studying human aging or cancer, in energy metabolism remains elusive. Here, we report that FA complementation group D2 protein (FANCD2) functionally impacts mitochondrial ATP production through its interaction with ATP5α, whereas this relationship was not observed in the mutant FANCD2 (K561R)-carrying cells. Moreover, while ATP5α is present within the mitochondria in wild-type cells, it is instead located mostly outside in cells that carry the non-monoubiquitinated FANCD2. In addition, mitochondrial ATP production is significantly reduced in these cells, compared to those cells carrying wtFANCD2. We identified one region (AA42-72) of ATP5α, contributing to the interaction between ATP5α and FANCD2, which was confirmed by protein docking analysis. Further, we demonstrated that mtATP5α (∆AA42-72) showed an aberrant localization, and resulted in a decreased ATP production, similar to what was observed in non-monoubiquitinated FANCD2-carrying cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates a novel role of FANCD2 in governing cellular ATP production, and advances our understanding of how defective FA signaling contributes to aging and cancer at the energy metabolism level.

Asunto(s)

Adenosina Trifosfato/química , Metabolismo Energético/genética , Proteína del Grupo de Complementación D2 de la Anemia de Fanconi/química , Mitocondrias/genética , ATPasas de Translocación de Protón Mitocondriales/química , Adenosina Trifosfato/biosíntesis , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Sitios de Unión , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Proteína del Grupo de Complementación D2 de la Anemia de Fanconi/genética , Proteína del Grupo de Complementación D2 de la Anemia de Fanconi/metabolismo , Expresión Génica , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Mitocondrias/metabolismo , ATPasas de Translocación de Protón Mitocondriales/genética , ATPasas de Translocación de Protón Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Simulación del Acoplamiento Molecular , Mutación , Osteoblastos/citología , Osteoblastos/metabolismo , Unión Proteica , Conformación Proteica en Hélice alfa , Conformación Proteica en Lámina beta , Dominios y Motivos de Interacción de Proteínas , ARN Interferente Pequeño/genética , ARN Interferente Pequeño/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/química , Proteínas Recombinantes/genética , Proteínas Recombinantes/metabolismo , Termodinámica

RESUMEN

Fanconi Anemia (FA) complementation group D2 protein (FANCD2) is the center of the FA tumor suppressor pathway, which has become an important field of investigation in human aging and cancer. Here we report an overlooked central player in the FA pathway, FANCD2 variant 2 (FANCD2-V2), which appears to perform more potent tumor suppressor-function compared to the known variant of FANCD2, namely, FANCD2-V1. Detailed analysis of the FANCD2 gene structure indicated a proximal and distal polyadenylation site (PAS), associated with V2 and V1 transcripts accordingly. RNA polymerase II Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) targeting the two PAS-regions determined lesser binding of RNA pol II to DNA fragments in the distal PAS region in non-malignant cells compared to malignant cells. Conversely, the opposite occurred in the proximal PAS region. Moreover, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) identified that U2 snRNP, a major component of RNA splicing complex that interacts with the 3'end of an intron, showed greater binding to the last intron of the FANCD2-V1 transcript in malignant cells compared to the non-malignant cells. Importantly, our data showed that in human tissue samples, the ratio of V2 /V1 expression in lung, bladder, or ovarian cancer correlates inversely with the tumor stages/grades. Therefore, these findings provide a previously unrecognized central player FANCD2-V2 and thus novel insights into human tumorigenesis, and indicate that V2/V1 can act as an effective biomarker in assisting the recognition of tumor malignance.

Asunto(s)

Biomarcadores de Tumor/genética , Proteína del Grupo de Complementación D2 de la Anemia de Fanconi/genética , Anemia de Fanconi/genética , Neoplasias Pulmonares/genética , Neoplasias Ováricas/genética , Proteínas Supresoras de Tumor/genética , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/genética , Empalme Alternativo , Carcinogénesis/genética , Anemia de Fanconi/diagnóstico , Anemia de Fanconi/patología , Femenino , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Humanos , Neoplasias Pulmonares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Pulmonares/patología , Estadificación de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Ováricas/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Ováricas/patología , Poliadenilación/genética , Transcriptoma , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/diagnóstico , Neoplasias de la Vejiga Urinaria/patología

RESUMEN

Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone and soft tissue in children with poor prognosis. It is characterized by the chromosomal translocation between EWS and an Ets family transcription factor, most commonly FLI-1. EWS-FLI-1 fusion accounts for 85% of Ewing sarcoma cases. EWS-FLI-1 regulates the expression of a number of genes important for sarcomagenesis, can transform NIH3T3 and C3H10T1/2 cells, and is necessary for proliferation and tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma cells, suggesting that EWS-FLI-1 is the causative oncoprotein. Here we report that EWS-FLI-1 induces the expression of pappalysin-1 (PAPPA), a cell surface protease that degrades IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) and increases the bioavailability of IGF. EWS-FLI-1 binds to the pappalysin-1 gene promoter and stimulates the expression of pappalysin-1, leading to degradation of IGFBPs and enhanced IGF signaling. Silencing of pappalysin-1 strongly inhibited anchorage-dependent and anchorage-independent growth as well as xenograft tumorigenicity of Ewing sarcoma cells. These results suggest that EWS-FLI-1 creates a cell surface microenvironment conducive to IGF signaling by inducing pappalysin-1, which emerged as a novel target to inhibit IGF signaling in Ewing sarcoma.