The next new target in leukemia: The embryonic stem cell gene SALL4.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Wang F
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4428154 | biostudies-other | 2014
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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Project description:Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells are defined by continuous self-renewal and pluripotency. A diverse repertoire of protein isoforms arising from alternative splicing is expressed in ES cells without defined biological roles. Sall4, a transcription factor essential for pluripotency, exists as two isoforms (Sall4a and Sall4b). Both isoforms can form homodimers and a heterodimer with each other, and each can interact with Nanog. By genomewide location analysis, we determined that Sall4a and Sall4b have overlapping, but not identical binding sites within the ES cell genome. In addition, Sall4b, but not Sall4a, binds preferentially to highly expressed loci in ES cells. Sall4a and Sall4b binding sites are distinguished by both epigenetic marks at target loci and their clustering with binding sites of other pluripotency factors. When ES cells expressing a single isoform of Sall4 are generated, Sall4b alone could maintain the pluripotent state, although it could not completely suppress all differentiation markers. Sall4a and Sall4b collaborate in maintenance of the pluripotent state but play distinct roles. Our work is novel in establishing such isoform-specific differences in ES cells.
| S-EPMC2976381 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Aggressive cancers and embryonic stem (ES) cells share a common gene expression signature. Identifying the key factors/pathway(s) within this ES signature responsible for the aggressiveness of cancers can lead to a potential cure. In this study, we find that SALL4, a gene involved in the maintenance of ES cell self-renewal, is aberrantly expressed in 47.7% of primary human endometrial cancer samples. It is not expressed in normal or hyperplastic endometrial. More importantly, SALL4 expression is positively correlated with worse patient survival and aggressive features such as metastasis in endometrial carcinoma. Further functional studies have shown that loss of SALL4 inhibits endometrial cancer cell growth in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo, as a result of inhibition of cell proliferation and increased apoptosis. In addition, downregulation of SALL4 significantly impedes the migration and invasion properties of endometrial cancer cells in vitro and their metastatic potential in vivo. Furthermore, manipulation of SALL4 expression can affect drug sensitivity of endometrial cancer cells to carboplatin. Moreover, we show that SALL4 specifically binds to the c-Myc promoter region in endometrial cancer cells. While downregulation of SALL4 leads to a decreased expression of c-Myc at both protein and mRNA levels, ectopic SALL4 overexpression causes increased c-Myc protein and mRNA expression, indicating that c-Myc is one of the SALL4 downstream targets in endometrial tumorigenesis. In summary, we are the first to demonstrate that SALL4 has functional role(s) in metastasis and drug resistance in aggressive endometrial cancer. As a consequence of its functional roles in cancer cell and absence in normal tissue, SALL4 is a potential novel therapeutic target for the high-risk endometrial cancer patient population.
| S-EPMC4059794 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The stem cell protein SALL4 plays a vital role in maintaining stem cell identity and governing stem cell self-renewal through transcriptional repression. To explore SALL4-mediated mechanisms involved in transcriptional repression, we investigated DNA modifications underlying its regulatory activities. By a luciferase activity assay, we found that both histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) and DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-azaC) specifically reversed the repression effect of SALL4 on its own as well as other Sal gene promoter activities. Cotreatment of VPA with 5-azaC in cells almost completely blocked this repression effect. Further co-immunoprecipitation assay and enzyme activity analysis demonstrated that SALL4 protein directly interacted with different DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and purified DNMT enzymatic activities from nuclear extracts. In addition, SALL4 isoforms co-occupied the same regions of its own promoter as DNMT corepressors, and ectopic overexpression of SALL4 led to increased CpG island promoter methylation of silenced genes in various cell types. These included primary hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, fibroblasts, and NB4 leukemic cells. In NB4 cells, treatment of cells with 5-azaC also caused decreased amounts of methylated alleles of SALL4 and PTEN and dramatically increased their mRNA expression. Our studies identify a new mechanism by which SALL4 represses gene expression through interaction with DNMTs. Furthermore, DNMTs and histone deacetylase repressors synergistically contribute to the regulatory effects of SALL4. These findings provide new insights into stem cell self-renewal mediated by SALL4 via epigenetic machinery.
| S-EPMC3265879 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundSall4 is a key factor for the maintenance of pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Our previous studies have shown that Sall4 is a robust stimulator for human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSC/HPC) expansion. The purpose of the current study is to further evaluate how Sall4 may affect HSC/HPC activities in a murine system.MethodsLentiviral vectors expressing Sall4A or Sall4B isoform were used to transduce mouse bone marrow Lin-/Sca1+/c-Kit+ (LSK) cells and HSC/HPC self-renewal and differentiation were evaluated.ResultsForced expression of Sall4 isoforms led to sustained ex vivo proliferation of LSK cells. In addition, Sall4 expanded HSC/HPCs exhibited increased in vivo repopulating abilities after bone marrow transplantation. These activities were associated with dramatic upregulation of multiple HSC/HPC regulatory genes including HoxB4, Notch1, Bmi1, Runx1, Meis1 and Nf-ya. Consistently, downregulation of endogenous Sall4 expression led to reduced LSK cell proliferation and accelerated cell differentiation. Moreover, in myeloid progenitor cells (32D), overexpression of Sall4 isoforms inhibited granulocytic differentiation and permitted expansion of undifferentiated cells with defined cytokines, consistent with the known functions of Sall4 in the ES cell system.ConclusionSall4 is a potent regulator for HSC/HPC self-renewal, likely by increasing self-renewal activity and inhibiting differentiation. Our work provides further support that Sall4 manipulation may be a new model for expanding clinically transplantable stem cells.
| S-EPMC3184628 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The stem cell factor spalt-like transcription factor 4 (SALL4) plays important roles in normal hematopoiesis and also in leukemogenesis. We previously reported that SALL4 exerts its effect by recruiting important epigenetic factors such as DNA methyltransferases DNMT1 and lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1/KDM1A). Both of these proteins are critically involved in mixed lineage leukemia (MLL)-rearranged (MLL-r) leukemia, which has a very poor clinical prognosis. Recently, SALL4 has been further linked to the functions of MLL and its target gene homeobox A9 (HOXA9). However, it remains unclear whether SALL4 is indeed a key player in MLL-r leukemia pathogenesis.Using a mouse bone marrow retroviral transduction/ transplantation approach combined with tamoxifen-inducible, CreERT2-mediated Sall4 gene deletion, we studied SALL4 functions in leukemic transformation that was induced by MLL-AF9-one of the most common MLL-r oncoproteins found in patients. In addition, the underlying transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms were explored using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) sequencing (ChIP-Seq), mRNA microarray, qRT-PCR, histone modification, co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), cell cycle, and apoptosis assays. The effects of SALL4 loss on normal hematopoiesis in mice were also investigated.In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that SALL4 expression is critically required for MLL-AF9-induced leukemic transformation and disease progression in mice. Loss of SALL4 in MLL-AF9-transformed cells induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G1. ChIP-Seq assay identified that Sall4 binds to key MLL-AF9 target genes and important MLL-r or non-MLL-r leukemia-related genes. ChIP-PCR assays indicated that SALL4 affects the levels of the histone modification markers H3K79me2/3 and H3K4me3 at MLL-AF9 target gene promoters by physically interacting with DOT1-like histone H3K79 methyltransferase (DOT1l) and LSD1/KDM1A, and thereby regulates transcript expression. Surprisingly, normal Sall4 f/f /CreERT2 mice treated with tamoxifen or vav-Cre-mediated (hematopoietic-specific) Sall4 -/- mice were healthy and displayed no significant hematopoietic defects.Our findings indicate that SALL4 critically contributes to MLL-AF9-induced leukemia, unraveling the underlying transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms in this disease and suggesting that selectively targeting the SALL4 pathway may be a promising approach for managing human MLL-r leukemia.
| S-EPMC5627455 | biostudies-other
Project description:Mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are genetically more stable than somatic cells, thereby preventing the passage of genomic abnormalities to their derivatives including germ cells. The underlying mechanisms, however, remain largely unclear. In this paper, we show that the stemness factor Sall4 is required for activating the critical Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM)-dependent cellular responses to DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs) in mouse ESCs and confer their resistance to DSB-induced cytotoxicity. Sall4 is rapidly mobilized to the sites of DSBs after DNA damage. Furthermore, Sall4 interacts with Rad50 and stabilizes the Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 complex for the efficient recruitment and activation of ATM. Sall4 also interacts with Baf60a, a member of the SWI/SNF (switch/sucrose nonfermentable) ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complex, which is responsible for recruiting Sall4 to the site of DNA DSB damage. Our findings provide novel mechanisms to coordinate stemness of ESCs with DNA damage response, ensuring genomic stability during the expansion of ESCs.
| S-EPMC4347641 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSALL4 is a member of the SALL gene family that encodes a group of putative developmental transcription factors. Murine Sall4 plays a critical role in maintaining embryonic stem cell (ES cell) pluripotency and self-renewal. We have shown that Sall4 activates Oct4 and is a master regulator in murine ES cells. Other SALL gene members, especially Sall1 and Sall3 are expressed in both murine and human ES cells, and deletions of these two genes in mice lead to perinatal death due to developmental defects. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling the regulation of expressions of SALL4 or other SALL gene family members.Methodology/principal findingsThis report describes a novel SALL4/OCT4 regulator feedback loop in ES cells in balancing the proper expression dosage of SALL4 and OCT4 for the maintenance of ESC stem cell properties. While we have observed that a positive feedback relationship is present between SALL4 and OCT4, the strong self-repression of SALL4 seems to be the "break" for this loop. In addition, we have shown that SALL4 can repress the promoters of other SALL family members, such as SALL1 and SALL3, which competes with the activation of these two genes by OCT4.Conclusions/significanceOur findings, when taken together, indicate that SALL4 is a master regulator that controls its own expression and the expression of OCT4. SALL4 and OCT4 work antagonistically to balance the expressions of other SALL gene family members. This novel SALL4/OCT4 transcription regulation feedback loop should provide more insight into the mechanism of governing the "stemness" of ES cells.
| S-EPMC2874005 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Adult mammalian cardiomyocytes (CMs) retain a limited proliferative ability, which is insufficient for the repair of CM loss in ischemic cardiac injury. Regulation of the Hippo signaling pathway to promote endogenous CM proliferation has emerged as a promising strategy for heart regeneration. Previous studies have shown that the microRNA cluster miR302-367 negatively regulates the Hippo pathway, promoting CM proliferation. In this study, we identified another microRNA, miR-10b, that regulates the Hippo pathway and promotes cell proliferation in human embryonic stem cell-derived CMs (hESC-CMs). We observed that miR-10b expression was enriched in the early stage of CMs, but its expression was reduced over time. Overexpression of miR-10b promoted CM proliferation, while knockdown of miR-10b suppressed CM proliferation. Moreover, miR-10b protected CMs against apoptosis. miR-10b functions, in part, by directly targeting LATS1, which is a major component of the Hippo pathway. Our study suggests that miR-10b has promising potential for heart regeneration.
| S-EPMC6948266 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Treatment for high-risk pediatric and adult acute B cell lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains challenging. Exploring novel pathways in B-ALL could lead to new therapy. Our previous study has shown that stem cell factor SALL4 is aberrantly expressed in B-ALL, but its functional roles and the mechanism that accounts for its upregulation in B-ALL remain unexplored. To address this question, we first surveyed the existing B-ALL cell lines and primary patient samples for SALL4 expression. We then selected the B-ALL cell lines with the highest SALL4 expression for functional studies. RNA interference was used to downregulate SALL4 expression in these cell lines. When compared with control cells, SALL4 knockdown cells exhibited decreased cell proliferation, increased apoptosis in vitro, and decreased engraftment in a xenotransplant model in vivo. Gene expression analysis showed that in SALL4 knockdown B-ALL cells, multiple caspase members involved in cell apoptosis pathway were upregulated. Next, we explored the mechanisms of aberrant SALL4 expression in B-ALL. We found that hypomethylation of the SALL4 CpG islands was correlated with its high expression. Furthermore, treatment of low SALL4-expressing B-ALL cell lines with DNA methylation inhibitor led to demethylation of the SALL4 CpG and increased SALL4 expression. In summary, to our knowledge, we are the first to show that the aberrant expression of SALL4 in B-ALL is associated with hypomethylation, and that SALL4 plays a key role in B-ALL cell survival and could be a potential novel target in B-ALL treatment.
| S-EPMC4135469 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Melanoma cells rely on developmental programs during tumor initiation and progression. Here we show that the embryonic stem cell (ESC) factor Sall4 is re-expressed in the Tyr::NrasQ61K; Cdkn2a-/- melanoma model and that its expression is necessary for primary melanoma formation. Surprisingly, while Sall4 loss prevents tumor formation, it promotes micrometastases to distant organs in this melanoma-prone mouse model. Transcriptional profiling and in vitro assays using human melanoma cells demonstrate that SALL4 loss induces a phenotype switch and the acquisition of an invasive phenotype. We show that SALL4 negatively regulates invasiveness through interaction with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) 2 and direct co-binding to a set of invasiveness genes. Consequently, SALL4 knock down, as well as HDAC inhibition, promote the expression of an invasive signature, while inhibition of histone acetylation partially reverts the invasiveness program induced by SALL4 loss. Thus, SALL4 appears to regulate phenotype switching in melanoma through an HDAC2-mediated mechanism.
| S-EPMC8379183 | biostudies-literature