Project description:Endocrine therapy is the most important treatment modality of breast cancer patients whose tumors express the estrogen receptor (ER). The androgen receptor (AR) is also expressed in the vast majority (80-90%) of ER-positive tumors. However, AR-targeting drugs are not used in clinical practice, but have been evaluated in multiple trials and preclinical studies. We performed a genome-wide study to identify genetic context-dependent AR signaling induced by either AR agonist (dihydrotestosterone [DHT]), or AR antagonist (enzalutamide [Enz]), known as pharmacogenomic expression quantitative expression loci (PGx-eQTLs), utilizing a previously well characterized lymphoblastic cell line panel.
Project description:Search for SNPs associated with the pharmacogenomic profile of Benzidazole adverse reactions in Chagas Disease Homo sapiens patients.
Project description:Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are widely expressed in eukaryotes and highly regulated in a myriad of biological processes. While many studies indicate their activity as miRNA and protein sponges, little is known about their ability to directly control mRNA homeostasis. We show that a widely expressed circRNA, circZNF609, directly interacts with several mRNAs and increases their stability and/or translation by favouring the recruitment of the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1. Specifically, the interaction with Ckap5 mRNA, that interestingly overlaps the back-splicing junction, regulates microtubule homeostasis in several cancer cell lines and sustains cell-cycle progression. Finally, we show that circZNF609 downregulation increases the sensitivity to several microtubule-targeting cancer drugs in the regulation of microtubule metabolism and that LNA protectors against the Ckap5 pairing region on circZNF609 phenocopies such activity. These data set an example of how the small effects tuned by circZNF609/Ckap5 mRNA interaction might have potent output in tumour growth and drug response.
Project description:MI-773 is a recently developed small-molecule inhibitor of the Mouse Double Minute 2 (MDM2) proto-oncogene. Here we report an integrative pharmacogenomic study to gain further insights into the therapeutic potential of the compound.
Project description:At the cellular level, α-tubulin acetylation alters the structure of microtubules to render them mechanically resistant to compressive forces. How this biochemical property of microtubule acetylation relates to mechanosensation remains unknown, though prior studies have shown that microtubule acetylation influences touch perception. Here, we identify the major Drosophila α-tubulin acetylase (dTAT) and show that it plays key roles in several forms of mechanosensation. dTAT is highly expressed in the larval peripheral nervous system (PNS), but is largely dispensable for neuronal morphogenesis. Mutation of the acetylase gene or the K40 acetylation site in α-tubulin impairs mechanical sensitivity in sensory neurons and behavioral responses to gentle touch, harsh touch, gravity, and vibration stimuli, but not noxious thermal stimulus. Finally, we show that dTAT is required for mechanically-induced activation of NOMPC, a microtubule-associated transient receptor potential channel, and functions to maintain integrity of the microtubule cytoskeleton in response to mechanical stimulation.
Project description:Activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), essential for brain formation, is a frequent autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-mutated gene. ADNP associates with microtubule end binding proteins (EBs) through its SxIP motif, to regulate dendritic spine formation and brain plasticity. Here, we reveal SKIP, a novel 4 amino acid peptide representing an EB-binding site, as a replacement therapy in an outbred Adnp-deficient mouse model. We discovered, for the first time, axonal transport deficits in Adnp+/- mice (measured by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging), with significant male-female differences. Furthermore, the Adnp+/- mice exhibited impaired hippocampal expression of key ASD-linked genes including the serotonin transporter (Slc6a4), the calcium channel (VDCC) and the autophagy regulator, BECN1 (Beclin1), in a sex-dependent manner. RNA-seq evaluations corroborated, in part, immunohistochemical and functional results. Intranasal SKIP treatment normalized social memory in 8-9-month-old Adnp+/--treated mice to placebo-control levels, while protecting axonal transport and ameliorating changes in ASD-like gene expression. SKIP presents a novel lead compound for ASD drug development, a prevalent unmet medical need.