Project description:The gene coding for RNA binding motif protein 35A (RBM35A) is inactivated by frameshift mutations in an LS180 colon carcinoma cell line and in approximately in 50% of colon tumors with microsatellite instability. To get insight into the mechanism of action of these putative tumor suppressor gene we expressed functional copy of the RBM35A cDNA in the LS180 cells. We analyzed alterations in mRNA profiles in total and in polysomal fraction of mRNA in LS180 cells in response to expressing RBM35A gene under Tet off tetracycline inducible promoter.
Project description:Here we describe the use of multiple forward genetic screens executed in parallel to identify those genes, and their cognate pathways, that when overexpressed, silenced or mutated confer resistance in BRAF mutant colon cancer to a BRAF/MEK/EGFR inhibitor combination. We demonstrate that this resistance landscape is finite, relatively constrained to a small number of pathways and that it is possible to exploit the evolutionary dynamics that underpins the clonal expansion of drug resistant cells therapeutically.
Project description:Colorectal cancer, one of the most frequent types of malignancy in the Western world, develops through a multi-step process. The main pathways establishing transformation of normal mucosa to invasive carcinoma include chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI) or epigenetic silencing through the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP). These pathways have distinct clinical, pathological and genetic characteristics. In general, altered cell surface glycosylation has been linked to colorectal cancer progression, however the impact of MSI-specific pathways on the glycosylation machinery of MSI colon cancer cells has not been investigated yet. In a recent study (Patsos et al., 2009) we have shown that MSI-specific mutations induce marked alterations in cell surface glycosylation, indicating specific changes in the expression of glyco-genes. Therefore the purpose of our experiment is to define these changes by glyco-gene chip analysis.
Project description:In murine models, we find that oncogenic BRAF paradoxically suppresses stem cell renewal and instead promotes differentiation and senescence. This corresponds to inefficient tumor formation in oncogenic BRAF mouse models of colon cancer. By reducing levels of differentiation in the gut via genetic manipulation of either of two distinct differentiation-promoting factors (Smad4 or Cdx2), stem cell activity is restored in BRAFV600E intestines, and the oncogenic capacity of mutant BRAF is amplified. In human patients, we observe that reduced levels of differentiation in normal tissue is associated with increased susceptibility to serrated colon tumors. Together, these findings help resolve the conditions necessary for BRAF-driven colon cancer initiation.
Project description:Despite the connection to distinct mucus-containing colorectal cancer (CRC) histological subtypes, the role of secretory cells, including goblet and enteroendocrine (EEC) cells, in CRC progression has been underexplored. Analysis of TCGA and single cell RNA sequencing data demonstrates that multiple secretory progenitor populations are enriched in BRAF-mutant CRC patient tumors and cell lines. Enrichment of EEC progenitors in BRAF-mutant CRC is maintained by DNA methylation and silencing of NEUROD1, a key gene required for differentiation of EECs. Mechanistically, secretory cells and the factors they secrete, such as Trefoil factor 3, are shown to promote colony formation and activation of cell survival pathways in the entire cell population. We further identify LSD1 as a critical regulator of secretory cell specification in vitro and in a colon orthotopic xenograft model, where LSD1 loss reduces tumor growth and metastasis. This work establishes EEC progenitors, in addition to goblet cells, as targetable populations in BRAF-mutant CRC and identifies LSD1 as a therapeutic target in secretory lineage-containing CRC.
