Nuclear DICKKOPF-1 as a biomarker of chemoresistance and poor clinical outcome in colorectal cancer
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ABSTRACT: Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) insurgence and progression depend on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Dickkopf (DKK)-1 is an extracellular inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling that also has undefined β-catenin-independent actions. Here we report for the first time that a proportion of DKK-1 locates within the nucleus of healthy small intestine and colon mucosa, and of CRC cells at specific chromatin sites of active transcription. Moreover, we show that DKK-1 regulates several cancer-related genes including the cancer stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and Ral-binding protein 1-associated Eps domain-containing 2 (REPS2), which are involved in detoxification of chemotherapeutic agents. Nuclear DKK-1 expression is lost along CRC progression; however, it remains high in a subset (15%) of CRC patients (n = 699) and associates with decreased progression-free survival (PFS) after chemotherapy administration and overall survival (OS) [adjusted HR, 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.21; P = 0.002)]. Overexpression of ALDH1A1 and REPS2 associates with nuclear DKK-1 expression in tumors and correlates with decreased OS (P = 0.001 and 0.014) and PFS. In summary, our findings demonstrate a novel location of DKK-1 within the cell nucleus and support a role of nuclear DKK-1 as a predictive biomarker of chemoresistance in colorectal cancer.
Project description:Sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) insurgence and progression depend on the activation of Wnt/?-catenin signaling. Dickkopf (DKK)-1 is an extracellular inhibitor of Wnt/?-catenin signaling that also has undefined ?-catenin-independent actions. Here we report for the first time that a proportion of DKK-1 locates within the nucleus of healthy small intestine and colon mucosa, and of CRC cells at specific chromatin sites of active transcription. Moreover, we show that DKK-1 regulates several cancer-related genes including the cancer stem cell marker aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 (ALDH1A1) and Ral-binding protein 1-associated Eps domain-containing 2 (REPS2), which are involved in detoxification of chemotherapeutic agents. Nuclear DKK-1 expression is lost along CRC progression; however, it remains high in a subset (15%) of CRC patients (n = 699) and associates with decreased progression-free survival (PFS) after chemotherapy administration and overall survival (OS) [adjusted HR, 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23-2.21; P = 0.002)]. Overexpression of ALDH1A1 and REPS2 associates with nuclear DKK-1 expression in tumors and correlates with decreased OS (P = 0.001 and 0.014) and PFS. In summary, our findings demonstrate a novel location of DKK-1 within the cell nucleus and support a role of nuclear DKK-1 as a predictive biomarker of chemoresistance in colorectal cancer. Analysis of DKK-1 location and associated roles in human colon cancer cells and crypts of small and large bowel.
Project description:Spheroids are 3D multi-cell aggregates formed in non-addherent culture conditions. In ovarian cancer (OC), they serve as a vehicle for cancer cell dissemination in the peritoneal cavity. We investigated genes and networks upregulated in three dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions by Affymetrix gene expression profiling and identified ALDH1A1, a cancer stem cell marker as being upregulated in OC spheroids. Network analysis confirmed ALDH1A1 upregulation in spheroids in direct connection with elements of the beta-catenin pathway. A parallel increase in the expression levels of beta-catenin and ALDH1A1 was demonstrated in spheroids vs. monolayers an in successive spheroid generations by using OC cell liness and primary OC cells. The percentage of Aldefluor positive cells was significantly higher in spheroids vs. monolayers in IGROV1, A2780, SKOV3, and primary OC cells. B-catenin knock-down decreased ALDH1A1 expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that beta-catenin directly binds to the ALDH1A1 promoter. Both siRNA mediated beta-catenin knock-down and a novel ALDH1A1 small molecule enzymatic inhibitor described here for the first time, decreased the number of OC spheroids (p<0.001) and cell viability. These data strongly support the role of beta-catenin regulated ALDH1A1 in the maintenance of OC spheroids and of a stem cell phenotype and propose new ALDH1A1 inhibitors targeting this cell population. Different gene profiles were observed in ovarian cancer spheroids versus ovarian cancer monolayers. Nine samples were analyzed in triplicate. Each group is a reference.
Project description:Spheroids are 3D multi-cell aggregates formed in non-addherent culture conditions. In ovarian cancer (OC), they serve as a vehicle for cancer cell dissemination in the peritoneal cavity. We investigated genes and networks upregulated in three dimensional (3D) versus two-dimensional (2D) culture conditions by Affymetrix gene expression profiling and identified ALDH1A1, a cancer stem cell marker as being upregulated in OC spheroids. Network analysis confirmed ALDH1A1 upregulation in spheroids in direct connection with elements of the β-catenin pathway. A parallel increase in the expression levels of β-catenin and ALDH1A1 was demonstrated in spheroids vs. monolayers an in successive spheroid generations by using OC cell liness and primary OC cells. The percentage of Aldefluor positive cells was significantly higher in spheroids vs. monolayers in IGROV1, A2780, SKOV3, and primary OC cells. B-catenin knock-down decreased ALDH1A1 expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated that β-catenin directly binds to the ALDH1A1 promoter. Both siRNA mediated β-catenin knock-down and a novel ALDH1A1 small molecule enzymatic inhibitor described here for the first time, decreased the number of OC spheroids (p<0.001) and cell viability. These data strongly support the role of β-catenin regulated ALDH1A1 in the maintenance of OC spheroids and of a stem cell phenotype and propose new ALDH1A1 inhibitors targeting this cell population.
Project description:Wnt/b-catenin pathway is a key modulator of intestinal homeostasis by regulating stem cell biology during gut organogenesis and in adult life. DICKKOPF (DKK)-1 is a secreted inhibitor of Wnt/b-catenin signaling from plasma membrane receptors. We found that in human intestine, DKK-1 locates within the nucleus of differentiated enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells but not of proliferating and stem cells at the bottom of the crypts. DKK-1 is also nuclear in colon cancer cells locating at sites of active gene transcription. ChIP-seq and transcriptomic analysis both confirmed that DKK-1 binds chromatin and regulates gene expression. Thus, we demonstrate that DKK-1 is a multifunctional protein that inhibits Wnt/b-catenin signaling at plasma membrane and controls specific genes in the nucleus, suggesting that these functions are relevant for intestinal homeostasis. Analysis of DKK-1 location and associated roles in human colon cancer cells and crypts of small and large bowel.
Project description:Occurrence of Colorectal cancer(CRC)is relevant with gut microbiota. However, role of IRF3, a key signaling mediator in innate immune sensing, has been barely investigated in CRC. Here, we unexpectedly found that the IRF3 deficient mice are hyper-susceptible to the development of intestinal tumor in AOM/DSS and Apcmin/+ models. Genetic ablation of IRF3 profoundly promotes the proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells via aberrantly activating Wnt signaling. Mechanically, IRF3 in resting state robustly associates with the active β-catenin in the cytoplasm, thus preventing its nuclear translocation and cell proliferation, which can be relieved upon microbe-induced activation of IRF3. In accordance, the survival of CRC is clinically correlated with the expression level of IRF3. Therefore, our study identifies IRF3 as a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and a potential prognosis marker for Wnt-related tumorigenesis, and describes an intriguing link between gut microbiota and CRC via the IRF3-β-catenin axis.
Project description:Strong activation of the oncogenic Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is a main mechanism of resistance to FOXO3a-induced apoptosis promoted by PI3K and AKT inhibitors in colorectal cancer (CRC). Reducing Wnt/beta-catenin activity would sensitize colorectal tumors to these inhibitors. However, no Wnt/beta-catenin signaling inhibitor has proven clinical potential yet. Recently, inhibitors that block tankyrases were shown to reduce colon cancer cell proliferation by decreasing nuclear beta-catenin. We aim to identify determinants of response to these novel Wnt-inhibitors. Therefore, we treated in vivo three different patient-derived xenograft models (PDX; P2, P5 and P30) growing subcutaneously in NOD SCID mice with the novel tankyrase inhibitor NVP-TNKS656.
Project description:Wnt/b-catenin pathway is a key modulator of intestinal homeostasis by regulating stem cell biology during gut organogenesis and in adult life. DICKKOPF (DKK)-1 is a secreted inhibitor of Wnt/b-catenin signaling from plasma membrane receptors. We found that in human intestine, DKK-1 locates within the nucleus of differentiated enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells but not of proliferating and stem cells at the bottom of the crypts. DKK-1 is also nuclear in colon cancer cells locating at sites of active gene transcription. ChIP-seq and transcriptomic analysis both confirmed that DKK-1 binds chromatin and regulates gene expression. Thus, we demonstrate that DKK-1 is a multifunctional protein that inhibits Wnt/b-catenin signaling at plasma membrane and controls specific genes in the nucleus, suggesting that these functions are relevant for intestinal homeostasis.
Project description:Unrestrained transcriptional activity of β-CATENIN and its binding partner TCF7L2 frequently underlies colorectal tumor initiation and is considered an obligatory oncogenic driver throughout intestinal carcinogenesis. Yet, the TCF7L2 gene carries inactivating mutations in about 10 % of colorectal tumors and is non-essential in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. To determine whether CRC cells acquire TCF7L2-independence through cancer-specific compensation by other T-cell factor (TCF)/lymphoid enhancer‑binding factor (LEF) family members, or rather lose addiction to β-CATENIN/TCF7L2-driven gene expression altogether, we generated multiple CRC cell lines entirely negative for TCF/LEF or β-CATENIN expression. Viability of these cells demonstrates complete β‑CATENIN- and TCF/LEF-independence, albeit one β-CATENIN-deficient cell line eventually became senescent. Absence of TCF/LEF proteins and β-CATENIN consistently impaired CRC cell proliferation, reminiscent of mitogenic effects of WNT/β-CATENIN signaling in the healthy intestine. Despite this common phenotype, β-CATENIN-deficient cells exhibited highly cell-line-specific gene expression changes with little overlap between β-CATENIN- and TCF7L2-dependent transcriptomes. Apparently, β‑CATENIN and TCF7L2 control sizeable fractions of their target genes independently from each other. The observed divergence of β-CATENIN and TCF7L2 transcriptional programs, and the finding that neither β-CATENIN nor TCF/LEF activity is strictly required for CRC cell survival has important implications when evaluating these factors as potential drug targets.
Project description:The lysine methyltransferase EZH2 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and has been found to be positively and negatively correlated with CRC patient survival depending on the study suggesting that EZH2 has a complex role in CRC. Here, we demonstrate that AKT-mediated EZH2 S21 phosphorylation induced EZH2 to trimethylate β-catenin at K49, which increased β-catenin’s binding to the chromatin. Additionally, EZH2-mediated β-catenin trimethylation induced β-catenin’s interaction with TCF1 and RNA polymerase II and resulted in a dramatic gain in genomic regions with β-catenin occupancy. Interestingly, EZH2 catalytic inhibition decreased stemness but increased migratory phenotypes of CRC cells with active AKT. Overall, we demonstrated that EZH2 modulates AKT-induced changes in gene expression through the AKT/EZH2/β-catenin axis in CRC. Our results suggest that EZH2 inhibitors have tumor-inhibiting and promoting effects in CRC as they inhibit EZH2-mediated methylation of histone and non-histone targets like β-catenin.
Project description:The lysine methyltransferase EZH2 is overexpressed in colorectal cancer (CRC) and has been found to be positively and negatively correlated with CRC patient survival depending on the study suggesting that EZH2 has a complex role in CRC. Here, we demonstrate that AKT-mediated EZH2 S21 phosphorylation induced EZH2 to trimethylate β-catenin at K49, which increased β-catenin’s binding to the chromatin. Additionally, EZH2-mediated β-catenin trimethylation induced β-catenin’s interaction with TCF1 and RNA polymerase II and resulted in a dramatic gain in genomic regions with β-catenin occupancy. Interestingly, EZH2 catalytic inhibition decreased stemness but increased migratory phenotypes of CRC cells with active AKT. Overall, we demonstrated that EZH2 modulates AKT-induced changes in gene expression through the AKT/EZH2/β-catenin axis in CRC. Our results suggest that EZH2 inhibitors have tumor-inhibiting and promoting effects in CRC as they inhibit EZH2-mediated methylation of histone and non-histone targets like β-catenin.