Project description:Focal amplifications of 3p13-3p14 occur in about 10% of melanoma and are associated with poor prognosis. The melanoma-specific oncogene MITF resides at the epicenter of this amplicon1. However, whether other loci present in this amplicon also contribute to melanomagenesis is unknown. Here we show that the recently annotated long non-coding RNA gene LINC01212 is consistently co-gained with MITF. In addition to being amplified, LINC01212 is a target of the lineage-specific transcription factor SOX10 and, consequently, it is expressed in more than 90% of human melanomas, but not in normal adult tissues. Whereas exogenous LINC01212 functions in trans to increase melanoma clonogenic potential LINC01212 knock-down dramatically decreases the viability of melanoma cells irrespective of their transcriptional cell state, BRAF, NRAS or TP53 status, diminishes melanoma growth and increases their sensitivity to MAPK-targeting therapeutics both in vitro and in patient-derived melanoma xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, LINC01212 functions as a lineage addiction oncogene by interacting with and modulating the cellular localization and function of two proteins, XRN2 and p32, involved in nucleolar and mitochondrial rRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. LINC01212 targeting, especially in combination with BRAFV600E-inhibitors, is expected to deliver highly effective and tissue-restricted antimelanoma therapeutic responses. Five GapmeR3 treated and four control treated patient derived xenografts were analysed.
Project description:Focal amplifications of 3p13-3p14 occur in about 10% of melanoma and are associated with poor prognosis. The melanoma-specific oncogene MITF resides at the epicenter of this amplicon1 . However, whether other loci present in this amplicon also contribute to melanomagenesis is unknown. Here we show that the recently annotated long non-coding RNA gene LINC01212 is consistently cogained with MITF. In addition to being amplified, LINC01212 is a target of the lineage-specific transcription factor SOX10 and, consequently, it is expressed in more than 90% of human melanomas, but not in normal adult tissues. Whereas exogenous LINC01212 functions in trans to increase melanoma clonogenic potential, LINC01212 knock-down drastically decreases the viability of melanoma cells irrespective of their transcriptional cell state, BRAF, NRAS or TP53 status and increases their sensitivity to MAPK-targeting therapeutics both in vitro and in Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) models. Mechanistically, LINC01212 interacts with p32, a master regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis and metabolism, to increase its mitochondrial targeting and pro-oncogenic function. Our results indicate that targeting the lineage addiction oncogene LINC01212, especially in combination with BRAFV600Einhibitors, disrupts vital mitochondrial functions in a cancer-cell specific manner and is therefore expected to deliver highly effective and tissuerestricted anti-melanoma therapeutic responses.
Project description:Focal amplifications of 3p13-3p14 occur in about 10% of melanoma and are associated with poor prognosis. The melanoma-specific oncogene MITF resides at the epicenter of this amplicon1. However, whether other loci present in this amplicon also contribute to melanomagenesis is unknown. Here we show that the recently annotated long non-coding RNA gene LINC01212 is consistently co-gained with MITF. In addition to being amplified, LINC01212 is a target of the lineage-specific transcription factor SOX10 and, consequently, it is expressed in more than 90% of human melanomas, but not in normal adult tissues. Whereas exogenous LINC01212 functions in trans to increase melanoma clonogenic potential LINC01212 knock-down dramatically decreases the viability of melanoma cells irrespective of their transcriptional cell state, BRAF, NRAS or TP53 status, diminishes melanoma growth and increases their sensitivity to MAPK-targeting therapeutics both in vitro and in patient-derived melanoma xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, LINC01212 functions as a lineage addiction oncogene by interacting with and modulating the cellular localization and function of two proteins, XRN2 and p32, involved in nucleolar and mitochondrial rRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. LINC01212 targeting, especially in combination with BRAFV600E-inhibitors, is expected to deliver highly effective and tissue-restricted antimelanoma therapeutic responses.
Project description:Focal amplifications of 3p13-3p14 occur in about 10% of melanoma and are associated with poor prognosis. The melanoma-specific oncogene MITF resides at the epicenter of this amplicon1. However, whether other loci present in this amplicon also contribute to melanomagenesis is unknown. Here we show that the recently annotated long non-coding RNA gene LINC01212 is consistently co-gained with MITF. In addition to being amplified, LINC01212 is a target of the lineage-specific transcription factor SOX10 and, consequently, it is expressed in more than 90% of human melanomas, but not in normal adult tissues. Whereas exogenous LINC01212 functions in trans to increase melanoma clonogenic potential LINC01212 knock-down dramatically decreases the viability of melanoma cells irrespective of their transcriptional cell state, BRAF, NRAS or TP53 status, diminishes melanoma growth and increases their sensitivity to MAPK-targeting therapeutics both in vitro and in patient-derived melanoma xenograft mouse models. Mechanistically, LINC01212 functions as a lineage addiction oncogene by interacting with and modulating the cellular localization and function of two proteins, XRN2 and p32, involved in nucleolar and mitochondrial rRNA processing, ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. LINC01212 targeting, especially in combination with BRAFV600E-inhibitors, is expected to deliver highly effective and tissue-restricted antimelanoma therapeutic responses.
Project description:Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a significant population of the human transcriptome. Many lncRNAs exhibit cell- and/or tissue/tumor-specific expression, making them excellent candidates for therapeutic applications. In this review we discuss examples of lncRNAs that demonstrate the diversity of their function in various cancer types. We also discuss recent advances in nucleic acid drug development with a focus on oligonucleotide-based therapies as a novel approach to inhibit tumor progression. The increased success rates of nucleic acid therapeutics provide an outstanding opportunity to explore lncRNAs as viable therapeutic targets to combat various aspects of cancer progression.
Project description:Metastatic melanoma of the skin has a high mortality despite the recent introduction of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are defined as transcripts of more than 200 nucleotides in length that lack protein-coding potential. There is growing evidence that lncRNAs play an important role in gene regulation, including oncogenesis. We present 13 lncRNA genes involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma through a variety of pathways and molecular interactions. Some of these lncRNAs are possible biomarkers or therapeutic targets for malignant melanoma.
Project description:Immune checkpoint blockade has revolutionized cancer treatment. Patients developing immune mediated adverse events, such as colitis, appear to particularly benefit from immune checkpoint inhibition. Yet, the contributing mechanisms are largely unknown. We identified a systemic LPS signature in melanoma patients with colitis following anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (anti-CTLA-4) checkpoint inhibitor treatment and hypothesized that intestinal microbiota-derived LPS contributes to therapeutic efficacy. Because activation of immune cells within the tumor microenvironment is considered most promising to effectively control cancer, we analyzed human and murine melanoma for known sentinels of LPS. We identified mast cells (MCs) accumulating in and around melanomas and showed that effective melanoma immune control was dependent on LPS-activated MCs recruiting tumor-infiltrating effector T cells by secretion of CXCL10. Importantly, CXCL10 was also upregulated in human melanomas with immune regression and in patients with colitis induced by anti-CTLA-4 antibody. Furthermore, we demonstrate that CXCL10 upregulation and an MC signature at the site of melanomas are biomarkers for better patient survival. These findings provide conclusive evidence for a "Trojan horse treatment strategy" in which the plasticity of cancer-resident immune cells, such as MCs, is used as a target to boost tumor immune defense.
Project description:Melanoma is the most lethal skin cancer, with increasing incidence worldwide. The molecular events that drive melanoma development and progression have been extensively studied, resulting in significant improvements in diagnostics and therapeutic approaches. However, a high drug resistance to targeted therapies and adverse effects of immunotherapies are still a major challenge in melanoma treatment. Therefore, the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of melanomagenesis and cancer response to treatment is of great importance. Recently, many studies have revealed the close association of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) with the development of many cancers, including melanoma. These RNA molecules are able to regulate a plethora of crucial cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion and apoptosis through diverse mechanisms, and even slight dysregulation of their expression may lead to tumorigenesis. lncRNAs are able to bind to protein complexes, DNA and RNAs, affecting their stability, activity, and localization. They can also regulate gene expression in the nucleus. Several functions of lncRNAs are context-dependent. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the involvement of lncRNAs in melanoma. Their possible role as prognostic markers of melanoma response to treatment and in resistance to therapy is also discussed.
Project description:BackgroundMelanoma is the most aggressive skin cancer that derived from pigment cells, accounting for the majority of the skin-cancer-related deaths. Despite great development and evolution have been made in surgery, radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, the prognosis of melanoma patients exhibited no significant improvement. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently dysregulated and involved in the development of cancers. LncRNA AFAP1-AS1 has been explored in various cancers, whereas its role and regulatory mechanism in melanoma are not well understood.MethodsThe expression of AFAP1-AS1 was detected by qRT-PCR. CCK-8, colony formation, transwell and western blot assays were performed to investigate the biological role of AFAP1-AS1 in melanoma. Male BALB/c nude mice were applied for in vivo experiments. The interaction among AFAP1-AS1, miR-653-5p and RAI14 was investigated by RNA pull down, RIP and luciferase reporter assays.ResultsAFAP1-AS1 was highly expressed in melanoma cell lines. Suppression of AFAP1-AS1 impaired cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT in melanoma. Moreover, AFAP1-AS1 was a ceRNA of RAI14 by competitively binding with miR-653-5p. Besides, miR-653-5p overexpression or RAI14 inhibition could repress tumor growth. Eventually, rescue assays indicated that the function of AFAP1-AS1 in the cellular process of melanoma was dependent on miR-653-5p and RAI14.ConclusionsAFAP1-AS1 exerts its oncogenic function in melanoma by targeting miR-653-5p/RAI14 axis.