The role of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) in cancer cell proliferation: regulation on c-Myc

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play fundamental roles in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression and contribute to the growth, differentiation, and apoptosis of cancer cells. Although HDACs are recognized to be closely related to cancer development and altered expression of certain HDACs is observed in tumor samples, the arcane characters of HDACs in tumorigenesis have not been fully illustrated. Herein, we report that HDAC7 is a crucial player in cancer cell proliferation. Knockdown of HDAC7 resulted in significant G₁/S arrest in different cancer cell lines. Subsequent investigations indicated that HDAC7 silencing blocked cell cycle progression through suppressing c-Myc expression and increasing p21 and p27 protein levels. The ectopic expression of c-Myc in turn antagonized the cell cycle arrest and repressed the elevation of p21 and p27 in HDAC7 silencing setting. Of note, HDAC7 deficiency was further identified to induce cellular senescence program, which was also reversed by c-Myc re-expression. Further chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that HDAC7 directly binds with c-Myc gene and HDAC7 silencing decreased c-Myc mRNA level via reducing histone H3/H4 acetylation and repressing the association of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) with c-Myc gene. Taken together, our findings highlight for the first time an unrecognized link between HDAC7 and c-Myc and offer a novel mechanistic insight into the contribution of HDAC7 to tumor progression.     

Histone deacetylase 3 inhibits expression of PUMA in gastric cancer cells

During cancer development, tumor suppressor genes were silenced by promoter methylation or histone deacetylation. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are important to maintain histone deacetylation. HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) were thus proposed as a new therapeutic approach to cancer. The current study aims to understand the effect and molecular mechanisms of HDACis on gastric cancer cells. Trichostatin A (TSA) significantly inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells by inducing apoptosis. Gene profiling results showed PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis) as one of 122 genes upregulated in TSA-treated gastric cancer cells. PUMA was downregulated in gastric cancer cell lines and primary gastric carcinoma tissues. Patients with low PUMA expression had significant decreases in overall survival (HR, 2.04; p?=?0.047). Ectopic PUMA expression inhibited the growth of gastric cancer cells while PUMA depletion promoted cellular growth. The knockdown of HDAC3 but not other HDACs upregulated PUMA expression. HDAC3 could bind to PUMA promoter, which was abrogated after TSA treatment. In contrast to TSA and SB, HDAC3 siRNA failed to upregulate p53 expression but promoted the interaction of p53 with PUMA promoter. In summary, proapoptotic PUMA was downregulated in gastric cancer and its mRNA expression level is a valuable prognosis factor for gastric cancer. HDAC3 is important to downregulate PUMA expression in gastric cancer and HDACis, like TSA, promoted PUMA expression through stabilizing p53 in addition to HDAC3 inhibition. In combination with chemotherapy, targeting HDAC3 might be a promising strategy to induce apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.     

HDAC Inhibitors： A Potential New Category of Anti-Tumor Agents

Over the past years, it has been found that the epigenetic silence of tumor suppressor genes induced by overexpression of histone deacetylases （HDACs） plays an important role in carcinogenesis. Thus, HDAC inhibitors have emerged as the accessory therapeutic agents for multiple human cancers, since they can block the activity of specific HDACs, restore the expression of some tumor suppressor genes and induce cell differentiation, growth arrest and apoptosis. To date, the precise mechanisms by which HDAC inhibitors induce cell death have not yet been fully elucidated and the roles of individual HDAC inhibitors have not been identified. Moreover, the practical uses of HDAC inhibitors in cancer therapy, as well as their synergistic effects with other therapeutic strategies are yet to be evaluated. In this review article, we discuss briefly the recent advances in studies of the developments of anti-cancer HDAC inhibitors and their potential clinical value.     

Intratumoral heterogeneity in the self-renewal and tumorigenic differentiation of ovarian cancer

Resistance to anticancer therapy has been attributed to interindividual differences in gene expression pathways among tumors, and to the existence within tumors of cancer stem cells with self-renewal capacity. In previous studies, we have demonstrated that the human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived cellular microenvironment in immunocompromised mice enables functional distinction of heterogeneous tumor cells, including cells that do not grow into a tumor in conventional direct tumor xenograft platform. In the current study, we use clonally expanded subpopulations derived from ovarian clear cell carcinoma of a single tumor, to demonstrate striking intratumoral phenotypic heterogeneity that is dynamically dependent on the tumor growth microenvironment. Each of six clonally expanded subpopulations displays a different level of morphologic and tumorigenic differentiation, wherein growth in the hESC-derived microenvironment favors growth of CD44+ aldehyde dehydrogenase positive pockets of self-renewing cells that sustain tumor growth through a process of tumorigenic differentiation into CD44- aldehyde dehydrogenase negative derivatives. Strikingly, these derivative cells display microenvironment-dependent plasticity with the capacity to restore self-renewal and CD44 expression. Such intratumoral heterogeneity and plasticity at the level of the key properties of self-renewal and tumorigenic differentiation suggests that a paradigm shift is needed in the approach to anticancer therapy, with the aim of turning malignant growth into a chronic manageable disorder, based on continual monitoring of these tumor growth properties. The hESC-based in vivo model renders intratumoral heterogeneity in the self-renewal and tumorigenic differentiation amenable to biological analysis as well as anticancer therapy testing.     

Identification of Hypermethylation in Hepatocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule Gene Promoter Region in Bladder Carcinoma

Background: Epigenetic regulation such as aberrant hypermethylation of CpG islands in promoter plays a key role in tumorigenesis. 5-Aza-2''-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) which is a potent inhibitor of DNA methylation can reverse the abnormal hypermethylation of the silenced tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). It has been reported that hepatocyte cell adhesion molecule (hepaCAM) acts as a tumor suppressor gene and expression of its mRNA and protein were down-regulated in bladder cancer. Over-expression of hepaCAM can inhibit cancer growth and arrest renal cancer cells at G0/G1 phase. In this study, we investigated the methylation status of hepaCAM gene, as well as the influence of 5-aza-CdR on expression of hepaCAM gene in bladder cancer cells. Methods: CpG islands in hepaCAM promoter and methprimers were predicted and designed using bioinformatics program. Methylation status of hepaCAM promoter was evaluated in bladder cancer tissues and two cell lines (T24 and BIU-87) by Methylation-specific PCR; Western blot and Immunofluorescence were used to detect expression of hepaCAM protein after 5-aza-CdR treatment; Flow cytometry assay was performed to determine effectiveness of 5-aza-CdR on cell cycle profile. Results: CpG island in promoter of hepaCAM gene was hyper-methylated both in bladder carcinoma tissues and cell lines (T24 and BIU-87). Otherwise, aberrant methylation of its promoter was associated with its decreased expression. Hypermethylation of hepaCAM gene was reversed and expression of its mRNA and protein were re-activated in two cell lines by DNA methyltransferases inhibitor 5-aza-CdR. Flow cytometry assay demonstrated that 5-aza-CdR can inhibit growth of cancer cells by arresting cancer cells at G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: Abnormal hypermethylation in CpG island of hepaCAM promoter is involved in absence of hepaCAM gene expression when bladder cancer occurs. Re-activation of hepaCAM gene by 5-aza-CdR can inhibit growth of cancer cells and arrest cells at G0/G1 phase.     

Histone deacetylases in virus‐associated cancers

Oncogenic viruses are one of the most important causes of cancer worldwide. The pathogens contribute to the establishment of human malignancies by affecting various cellular events. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modification methylation/demethylation, are one of the most critical events manipulated by oncogenic viruses to drive tumorigenesis. Histone modifications are mediated by histone acetylation and deacetylation, regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs), respectively. Dysregulation of HDACs activity affects viral tumorigenesis in several ways, such as manipulating tumor suppressor and viral gene expression. The present review aims to describe the vital interactions between both cancer‐caused/associated viruses and the HDAC machinery, particularly by focusing on those viruses involved in gastrointestinal tumors, as some of the most common viral‐mediated cancers.     

Epigenetic regulation of nervous system development by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation

Alterations in the epigenetic modulation of gene expression have been implicated in several developmental disorders, cancer, and recently, in a variety of mental retardation and complex psychiatric disorders. A great deal of effort is now being focused on why the nervous system may be susceptible to shifts in activity of epigenetic modifiers. The answer may simply be that the mammalian nervous system must first produce the most complex degree of developmental patterning in biology and hardwire cells functionally in place postnatally, while still allowing for significant plasticity in order for the brain to respond to a rapidly changing environment. DNA methylation and histone deacetylation are two major epigenetic modifications that contribute to the stability of gene expression states. Perturbing DNA methylation, or disrupting the downstream response to DNA methylation – methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBDs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) – by genetic or pharmacological means, has revealed a critical requirement for epigenetic regulation in brain development, learning, and mature nervous system stability, and has identified the first distinct gene sets that are epigenetically regulated within the nervous system. Epigenetically modifying chromatin structure in response to different stimuli appears to be an ideal mechanism to generate continuous cellular diversity and coordinate shifts in gene expression at successive stages of brain development – all the way from deciding which kind of a neuron to generate, through to how many synapses a neuron can support. Here, we review the evidence supporting a role for DNA methylation and histone deacetylation in nervous system development and mature function, and present a basis from which to understand how the clinical use of HDAC inhibitors may impact nervous system function.     

ABCE1基因沉默对人宫颈癌XB1702细胞生物学特性的影响

背景：随着基因工程以及肿瘤生物分子学等新兴学科的发展壮大,基因治疗肿瘤成为一种新的治疗模式。 目的：探讨ABCE1基因沉默对人宫颈癌XB1702细胞的生长、增殖及迁移等方面的影响。 方法：设计及合成ABCE1的siRNA序列,LipofectamineTM 2000转染XB1702细胞。以转染NC siRNA载体细胞为对照组,未转染的宫颈癌XB1702细胞为空白组。通过RT-PCR、Western blot检测RNA干扰后ABCE1 mRNA和蛋白的表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期,并通过CCK-8增殖实验、划痕愈合实验、细胞侵袭实验评价沉默ABCE1基因对人宫颈癌XB1702细胞增殖、迁移以及侵袭能力的影响。 结果与结论：实验组ABCE1 mRNA和蛋白表达明显低于对照组和空白组(P < 0.05)。实验组细胞的生长速度明显减慢,细胞被阻滞在G0/G1期,S期细胞数减少。与对照组和空白组相比,实验组XB1702细胞的增殖受到明显抑制、迁移能力和侵袭能力显著下降(P < 0.05)。结果表明特异性干扰ABCE1基因表达可抑制人宫颈癌XB1702细胞的迁移能力,并抑制肿瘤细胞增殖,因此,ABCE1的siRNA序列可能成为治疗宫颈癌的有效靶点。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

Histone deacetylases 1 and 2 are expressed at distinct stages of neuro-glial development

The deacetylation of histone proteins, catalyzed by histone deacetylases (HDACs), is a common epigenetic modification of chromatin, associated with gene silencing. Although HDAC inhibitors are used clinically to treat nervous system disorders, such as epilepsy, very little is known about the expression pattern of the HDACs in the central nervous system. Identifying the cell types and developmental stages that express HDAC1 and HDAC2 within the brain is important for determining the therapeutic mode of action of HDAC inhibitors, and evaluating potential side effects. Here, we examined the expression of HDAC1 and HDAC2 in the murine brain at multiple developmental ages. HDAC1 is expressed in neural stem cells/progenitors and glia. In contrast, HDAC2 is initiated in neural progenitors and is up-regulated in post-mitotic neuroblasts and neurons, but not in fully differentiated glia. These results identify key developmental stages of HDAC expression and suggest transitions of neural development that may utilize HDAC1 and/or HDAC2.     

肿瘤细胞中基因选择性剪接的研究进展

选择性剪接是高等真核细胞在转录后水平调控基因表达以及产生蛋白质组多样性的重要机制。选择性剪接过程受多种顺式作用元件和反式作用因子相互作用调节。肿瘤癌基因、抑癌基因、肿瘤转移抑制基因可发生选择性剪接，与肿瘤发生发展关系密切，其蛋白异构体参与基因转录、细胞周期和凋亡等生命过程，对肿瘤生长有一定作用。以选择性剪接蛋白异构体为靶点或干预选择性剪接过程，可望进行肿瘤的分子治疗。     

Inhibition of urinary bladder cancer cell proliferation by silibinin

Silibinin, a natural compound extracted from milk thistle, has demonstrated antitumor properties in urinary bladder cancer cells; however, the role of TP53 gene in these effects is unclear. In order to better understand the molecular and antiproliferative mechanisms of this compound, urinary bladder cancer cells with different TP53 gene status, RT4 (low-grade tumor, wild TP53 gene), 5637 (high-grade tumor, Grade 2, mutated TP53 gene), and T24 (high-grade tumor, Grade 3, mutated TP53 gene) were treated with several concentrations of silibinin (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 150 μM). Cytotoxicity, prooxidant effect, morphological changes, cell migration, cell cycle progression, global methylation profile, and relative expression of HOXB3, c-MYC, PLK1, SMAD4, SRC, HAT, HDAC, and RASSF1A genes were evaluated. The silibinin presented cytotoxic and prooxidant effects in the three cell lines. In mutated TP53 cells, significant interference in cell migration and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase was observed. Additionally, silibinin induced global DNA hypomethylation in the highest grade tumor cells. For wild-type TP53 cells, a sub-G1 apoptotic population was present. Furthermore, there was modulation of gene expression responsible for cell growth (SMAD and c-MYC), migration (SRC), cell cycle kinetics (PLK1), angiogenesis (HOXB3), and of genes associated with epigenetic events such as DNA acetylation (HAT) and deacetylation (HDAC). In conclusion, the silibinin inhibited the urinary bladder tumor cell proliferation independently of TP53 status; however, cell cycle effects, gene expression changes, and alteration of cell migration are dependent on TP53 status. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.