XBP1 confers estrogen independence and antiestrogen resistance in breast cancer cell lines
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ABSTRACT: Human X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) is an alternatively spliced transcription factor that participates in the unfolded protein response (UPR), a stress signaling pathway that allows cells to survive the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. We have previously demonstrated that XBP1 expression is increased in antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cell lines, and is co-expressed with estrogen receptor alpha (ER) in breast tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of XBP1 and the UPR in estrogen and antiestrogen responsiveness in breast cancer. Overexpression of spliced XBP1 (XBP1(S)) in ER-positive breast cancer cells leads to estrogen-independent growth and reduced sensitivity to growth inhibition induced by the antiestrogens Tamoxifen and Faslodex in a manner independent of functional p53. Data from gene expression microarray analyses imply that XBP1(S) acts through regulating the expression of ER, the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2, and several other genes associated with control of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Keywords: genetic modification (effect of gene knock-in, stable transfection)
Project description:Human X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) is an alternatively spliced transcription factor that participates in the unfolded protein response (UPR), a stress signaling pathway that allows cells to survive the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. We have previously demonstrated that XBP1 expression is increased in antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cell lines, and is co-expressed with estrogen receptor alpha (ER) in breast tumors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of XBP1 and the UPR in estrogen and antiestrogen responsiveness in breast cancer. Overexpression of spliced XBP1 (XBP1(S)) in ER-positive breast cancer cells leads to estrogen-independent growth and reduced sensitivity to growth inhibition induced by the antiestrogens Tamoxifen and Faslodex in a manner independent of functional p53. Data from gene expression microarray analyses imply that XBP1(S) acts through regulating the expression of ER, the anti-apoptotic gene BCL2, and several other genes associated with control of the cell cycle and apoptosis. Experiment Overall Design: Total RNA was isolated from six independent cultures (cell populations grown on different days from different stocks); three from MCF7/XBP1 cultures and three from the vector control cultures. MIAME 1.1 compliant data were collected as recommended by the Microarray Gene Expression Data (MGED) Society. RNA concentrations were determined by comparing the optical density ratios (260:280 nm) , and data on RNA quality was obtained using an Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer and RNA 6000 LabChip kits (Agilent Technologies, New Castle, DE). RNA quality was assessed by visual inspection of the electropherograms from the Bioanalyzer data, and by the calculated RNA integrity numbers (RIN) and Degradometer values . Only high quality total RNA was labeled and hybridized to U133A Affymetrix GeneChips using manufacturer recommended procedures (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). Standard âspiked-inâ controls also were included in each hybridization.
Project description:The Estrogen Receptor alpha (ERα) controls key cellular functions in hormone responsive breast cancer by assembling in large functional multiprotein complexes. ERα ligands are classified as agonists and antagonist, according to the response they elicit, thus the molecular characterization of the of ERα nuclear iteractome composition following estrogen and antiestrogen stimulation whose is needed to understand their effects on estrogen target tissues, in particular breast cancer. To this aim interaction proteomics coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to map the ERα nuclear interacting partners in MCF7 breast cancer cell nuclei following estrogen and antiestrogen stimuli.
Project description:Emergence of antiestrogen-resistant cells in MCF-7 cells during suppression of estrogen signaling is a widely accepted model of acquired breast cancer resistance to endocrine therapy. To obtain insight into the genomic basis of endocrine therapy resistance, we characterized MCF-7 monoclonal sublines that survived 21-day exposure to tamoxifen (T-series sublines) or fulvestrant (F-series sublines) and sublines unselected by drugs (U-series). All T/F-sublines were resistant to the cytocidal effects of both tamoxifen and fulvestrant. However, their responses to the cytostatic effects of fulvestrant varied greatly, and their remarkably diversified morphology showed no correlation with drug resistance. mRNA expression profiles of the U-sublines differed significantly from those of the T/F-sublines, whose transcriptomal responsiveness to fulvestrant was largely lost. A set of genes strongly expressed in the U-sublines successfully predicted metastasis-free survival of breast cancer patients. Most T/F-sublines shared highly homogeneous genomic DNA aberration patterns that were distinct from those of the U-sublines. Genomic DNA of the U-sublines harbored many aberrations that were not found in the T/F-sublines. These results suggest that the T/F-sublines are derived from a common monoclonal progenitor that lost transcriptomal responsiveness to antiestrogens as a consequence of genetic abnormalities many population doublings ago, not from the antiestrogen-sensitive cells in the same culture during the exposure to antiestrogens. Thus, the apparent acquisition of antiestrogen resistance by MCF-7 cells reflects selection of preexisting drug-resistant subpopulations without involving changes in individual cells. Our results suggest the importance of clonal selection in endocrine therapy resistance of breast cancer.
Project description:we demonstrate that the WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 triggers endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activates the PERK and IRE1α branches of the unfolded protein response (UPR) in TP53 mutant HGSOC cells. Upon AZD1775 treatment, PERK facilitates apoptotic signaling in these cells via activating CHOP, whereas IRE1α-induced spliced XBP1 (XBP1s) confers survival in response to WEE1 inhibition. Our data uncover an important dual role of UPR in TP53 mutant HGSOC cells in response to AZD1775, where additional inhibition of IRE1α-XBP1s signaling may offer synergistic efficacy.
Project description:Signaling pathways that converge on two different transcription factor complexes, NFκB and AP-1, have been identified in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancers resistant to the antiestrogen, tamoxifen. In this study, biomarkers co-ordinately up-regulated by NFKB and AP-1 with prognositic significance are identified in a largely TAM-treated set of ER+ node negative breast cancers. The prognostic value with respect to age is also investigated. Experiment Overall Design: 54 ER+ node negative breast tumors with known clinical outcome were analyzed. Genes co-ordinately regulated by NFKB and AP1from literature are identified from a significant gene set obtained through a minimum variation filter. Biomarker expression is used to dichotomize samples into high vs. low expressors to determine prognostic value
Project description:Homeostatic control mechanisms are essentil to life. One such mechanism, the unfolded protein response (UPR) operates in all eukarytic cells to adjust protein folding capacity of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) according to need. UPR induction in all eurkarytic cells to date involves Ire1 (kinase/endonuclease transmembrane protein) mediated a non-convential splicing of Hac1/XBP1 mRNA, encoding for a potent transcription factor. UPR induction causes a comprehensive transcriptional upregulation of the folding capacity in the ER. Here we studied the global transcriptional profile of the UPR in fission yeast. Fission yeast lacks a clear homolog of Hac1/XBP1. Instead Ire1 maintains ER homeostasis through two post-transciptional programs: selective mRNA decay and processing of Bip1 mRNA (encoding for a major HS70-familiy member in the ER) thereby stabilizing it.
Project description:The significant changes of hematopoietic cells induced by Xbp1S expression indicate that there is global alteration in gene expression. UPR induces transcription of Xbp1, and phosphorylation of the ER transmembrane kinase IRE1 initiates UPR-mediated mRNA splicing of Xbp1, resulting in the production of Xbp1S, an active form of a basic leucine zipper transcription factor. In the present study, Xbp1S retrovirus vector infected 32cl3 cells show cell cycle arrest and myeloid differentiation. Xbp1S may modulate important genes of differentiation and the cell cycle. RNA samples extracted from 32Dcl3 cells with pMIG (empty vector), pMY-Xbp1U (unspliced form) and pMY-Xbp1S (spliced form) retroviral vector transfected cells were subjected to expression profiling using the Affymetrix GeneChip microarray system.
Project description:During cancer progression, carcinoma cells encounter a variety of cytotoxic stresses such as hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and low pH as a result of inadequate vascularization. To maintain survival and growth in the face of these physiologic stressors, a set of adaptive response pathways are induced. One adaptive pathway well studied in other contexts is the unfolded protein response (UPR), of which XBP1 is an important component. We used microarrays to detect transcriptome profile changes after XBP1 knockdown in breast cancer cell lines, and identify genes and pathways regulated by XBP1, which could help elucidate how XBP1 mediates the adaptive response of breast cancer to cytotoxic stresses. We extracted RNA and hybridized it to Affymetrix microarrays in two breast cancer cell lines (T47D and MDA-MB-231) under treated (hypoxia and glucose deprivation) or untreated conditions with XBP1 knockdown or not.
Project description:Partial hepatectomy (PH) imposes increased protein synthesis demands on remaining hepatocytes. Activation of IRE1α, a key sensor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, elicits XBP1 mRNA splicing and production of XBP1 protein, a main trigger of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Using genome-wide ChIPseq analysis we have explored the role of XBP1 during liver regeneration. XBP1 was induced in liver at 6h after PH in an IL-6 dependent manner. After PH, XBP1 silencing caused persistent ER stress, defective acute phase response (APR), increased hepatocellular damage and regenerative delay. At 6h post-PH, XBP1 bound an increased number of genes implicated in proteostasis, APR, metabolism, antioxidant defense and DNA damage response (DDR). ). XBP1 was linked to regulatory sequences containing canonical UPR motifs as well as motifs characteristic of other nuclear factors suggesting molecular interactions during liver regeneration. Upon PH, XBP1 bound the promoter of STAT3, a molecule downregulated in XBP1-silenced livers. XBP1 was indispensable for ser727-STAT3 phosphorylation, a post-translational modification implicated in cell proliferation and DNA damage repair. During active DNA replication XBP1 deficient livers showed high levels of the DNA double-strand break marker γ-H2AX, in association with defective upregulation of Eme1 and Fen1, two main executors of DDR. In conclusion, XBP1 is induced after PH and co-regulates UPR, APR and DDR during liver regeneration.
Project description:Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) leads to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, thereby initiating the unfolded protein response (UPR). When sustained, this response may trigger the inflammation and tubular cell death that acts to aggravate the damage. Here, we show that knockdown of the BET epigenetic reader BRD4 reduces the expression of ATF4 and XBP1 transcription factors under ER stress activation. BRD4 is recruited to the promoter of these highly acetylated genes, initiating gene transcription. Administration of the BET protein inhibitor, JQ1, one hour after renal damage induced by bilateral IRI, reveals reduced expression of ATF4 and XBP1 genes, low KIM-1 and NGAL levels and recovery of the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. To determine the molecular pathways regulated by ATF4 and XBP1, we performed stable knockout of both transcription factors using CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA sequencing. The pathways triggered under ER stress were mainly XBP1-dependent, associated with an adaptive UPR, and partially regulated by JQ1. Meanwhile, treatment with JQ1 downmodulated most of the pathways regulated by ATF4 and related to the pathological processes during exacerbated UPR activation. Thus, BRD4 inhibition could be useful for curbing the maladaptive UPR activation mechanisms, thereby ameliorating the progression of renal disease.