Showing papers on "Promyelocytic leukemia protein published in 2016"

SUMO5, a Novel Poly-SUMO Isoform, Regulates PML Nuclear Bodies.

Abstract: Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) are PML-based nuclear structures that regulate various cellular processes. SUMOylation, the process of covalently conjugating small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs), is required for both the formation and the disruption of PML-NBs. However, detailed mechanisms of how SUMOylation regulates these processes remain unknown. Here we report that SUMO5, a novel SUMO variant, mediates the growth and disruption of PML-NBs. PolySUMO5 conjugation of PML at lysine 160 facilitates recruitment of PML-NB components, which enlarges PML-NBs. SUMO5 also increases polySUMO2/3 conjugation of PML, resulting in RNF4-mediated disruption of PML-NBs. The acute promyelocytic leukemia oncoprotein PML-RARα blocks SUMO5 conjugation of PML, causing cytoplasmic displacement of PML and disruption of PML-NBs. Our work not only identifies a new member of the SUMO family but also reveals the mechanistic basis of the PML-NB life cycle in human cells.

Targeting the mTOR Pathway in Leukemia

Abstract: Optimal function of multiple intracellular signaling pathways is essential for normal regulation of cellular transcription, translation, growth, proliferation, and survival. Dysregulation or aberrant activation of such cascades can lead to inappropriate cell survival and abnormal cell proliferation in leukemia. Successful treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the BCR-ABL fusion gene is a prime example of effectively inhibiting intracellular signaling cascades. However, even in these patients resistance can develop via emergence of mutations or feedback activation of other pathways that cause refractory disease. Constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway has been observed in different types of leukemia, including CML, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Abnormal mTOR activity may contribute to chemotherapy resistance, while it may also be effectively targeted via molecular means and/or development of specific pharmacological inhibitors. This review discusses the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR dysre-gulation in leukemia and summarizes the emergence of preliminary data for the development of novel therapeutic approaches. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1745-1752, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cytoplasmic PML promotes TGF-β-associated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and invasion in prostate cancer

Abstract: Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key event that is involved in the invasion and dissemination of cancer cells. Although typically considered as having tumour-suppressive properties, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signalling is altered during cancer and has been associated with the invasion of cancer cells and metastasis. In this study, we report a previously unknown role for the cytoplasmic promyelocytic leukaemia (cPML) tumour suppressor in TGF-β signalling-induced regulation of prostate cancer-associated EMT and invasion. We demonstrate that cPML promotes a mesenchymal phenotype and increases the invasiveness of prostate cancer cells. This event is associated with activation of TGF-β canonical signalling pathway through the induction of Sma and Mad related family 2 and 3 (SMAD2 and SMAD3) phosphorylation. Furthermore, the cytoplasmic localization of promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) is mediated by its nuclear export in a chromosomal maintenance 1 (CRM1)-dependent manner. This was clinically tested in prostate cancer tissue and shown that cytoplasmic PML and CRM1 co-expression correlates with reduced disease-specific survival. In summary, we provide evidence of dysfunctional TGF-β signalling occurring at an early stage in prostate cancer. We show that this disease pathway is mediated by cPML and CRM1 and results in a more aggressive cancer cell phenotype. We propose that the targeting of this pathway could be therapeutically exploited for clinical benefit.

SUMO Ligase Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT1 (PIAS1) Is a Constituent Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Body Protein That Contributes to the Intrinsic Antiviral Immune Response to Herpes Simplex Virus 1

Abstract: Aspects of intrinsic antiviral immunity are mediated by promyelocytic leukemia nuclear body (PML-NB) constituent proteins. During herpesvirus infection, these antiviral proteins are independently recruited to nuclear domains that contain infecting viral genomes to cooperatively promote viral genome silencing. Central to the execution of this particular antiviral response is the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) signaling pathway. However, the participating SUMOylation enzymes are not fully characterized. We identify the SUMO ligase protein inhibitor of activated STAT1 (PIAS1) as a constituent PML-NB protein. We show that PIAS1 localizes at PML-NBs in a SUMO interaction motif (SIM)-dependent manner that requires SUMOylated or SUMOylation-competent PML. Following infection with herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), PIAS1 is recruited to nuclear sites associated with viral genome entry in a SIM-dependent manner, consistent with the SIM-dependent recruitment mechanisms of other well-characterized PML-NB proteins. In contrast to that of Daxx and Sp100, however, the recruitment of PIAS1 is enhanced by PML. PIAS1 promotes the stable accumulation of SUMO1 at nuclear sites associated with HSV-1 genome entry, whereas the accumulation of other evaluated PML-NB proteins occurs independently of PIAS1. We show that PIAS1 cooperatively contributes to HSV-1 restriction through mechanisms that are additive to those of PML and cooperative with those of PIAS4. The antiviral mechanisms of PIAS1 are counteracted by ICP0, the HSV-1 SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase, which disrupts the recruitment of PIAS1 to nuclear domains that contain infecting HSV-1 genomes through mechanisms that do not directly result in PIAS1 degradation. IMPORTANCE Adaptive, innate, and intrinsic immunity cooperatively and efficiently restrict the propagation of viral pathogens. Intrinsic immunity mediated by constitutively expressed cellular proteins represents the first line of intracellular defense against infection. PML-NB constituent proteins mediate aspects of intrinsic immunity to restrict herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) as well as other viruses. These proteins repress viral replication through mechanisms that rely on SUMO signaling. However, the participating SUMOylation enzymes are not known. We identify the SUMO ligase PIAS1 as a constituent PML-NB antiviral protein. This finding distinguishes a SUMO ligase that may mediate signaling events important in PML-NB-mediated intrinsic immunity. Moreover, this research complements the recent identification of PIAS4 as an intrinsic antiviral factor, supporting a role for PIAS proteins as both positive and negative regulators of host immunity to virus infection.

Characterization of Recombinant Human Cytomegaloviruses Encoding IE1 Mutants L174P and 1-382 Reveals that Viral Targeting of PML Bodies Perturbs both Intrinsic and Innate Immune Responses.

Abstract: PML is the organizer of cellular structures termed nuclear domain 10 (ND10) or PML-nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) that act as key mediators of intrinsic immunity against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and other viruses. The antiviral function of ND10 is antagonized by viral regulatory proteins such as the immediate early protein IE1 of HCMV. IE1 interacts with PML through its globular core domain (IE1 CORE ) and induces ND10 disruption in order to initiate lytic HCMV infection. Here, we investigate the consequences of a point mutation (L174P) in IE1 CORE , which was shown to abrogate the interaction with PML, for lytic HCMV infection. We found that a recombinant HCMV encoding IE1-L174P displays a severe growth defect similar to that of an IE1 deletion virus. Bioinformatic modeling based on the crystal structure of IE1 CORE suggested that insertion of proline into the highly alpha-helical domain severely affects its structural integrity. Consistently, L174P mutation abrogates the functionality of IE1 CORE and results in degradation of the IE1 protein during infection. In addition, our data provide evidence that IE1 CORE as expressed by a recombinant HCMV encoding IE1 1-382 not only is required to antagonize PML-mediated intrinsic immunity but also affects a recently described function of PML in innate immune signaling. We demonstrate a coregulatory role of PML in type I and type II interferon-induced gene expression and provide evidence that upregulation of interferon-induced genes is inhibited by IE1 CORE . In conclusion, our data suggest that targeting PML by viral regulatory proteins represents a strategy to antagonize both intrinsic and innate immune mechanisms. IMPORTANCE PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which represent nuclear multiprotein complexes consisting of PML and additional proteins, represent important cellular structures that mediate intrinsic resistance against many viruses, including human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). During HCMV infection, the major immediate early protein IE1 binds to PML via a central globular domain (IE1 CORE ), and we have shown previously that this is sufficient to antagonize intrinsic immunity. Here, we demonstrate that modification of PML by IE1 CORE not only abrogates intrinsic defense mechanisms but also attenuates the interferon response during infection. Our data show that PML plays a novel coregulatory role in type I as well as type II interferon-induced gene expression, which is antagonized by IE1 CORE . Importantly, our finding supports the view that targeting of PML-NBs by viral regulatory proteins has evolved as a strategy to inhibit both intrinsic and innate immune defense mechanisms.

Dynamic Response of IFI16 and Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Body Components to Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection

Abstract: Intrinsic immunity is an aspect of antiviral defense that operates through diverse mechanisms at the intracellular level through a wide range of constitutively expressed cellular proteins. In the case of herpesviruses, intrinsic resistance involves the repression of viral gene expression during the very early stages of infection, a process that is normally overcome by viral tegument and/or immediate-early proteins. Thus, the balance between cellular repressors and virus-counteracting proteins determines whether or not a cell becomes productively infected. One aspect of intrinsic resistance to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is conferred by components of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML NBs), which respond to infection by accumulating at sites that are closely associated with the incoming parental HSV-1 genomes. Other cellular proteins, including IFI16, which has been implicated in sensing pathogen DNA and initiating signaling pathways that lead to an interferon response, also respond to viral genomes in this manner. Here, studies of the dynamics of the response of PML NB components and IFI16 to invading HSV-1 genomes demonstrated that this response is extremely rapid, occurring within the first hour after addition of the virus, and that human Daxx (hDaxx) and IFI16 respond more rapidly than PML. In the absence of HSV-1 regulatory protein ICP0, which counteracts the recruitment process, the newly formed, viral-genome-induced PML NB-like foci can fuse with existing PML NBs. These data are consistent with a model involving viral genome sequestration into such structures, thereby contributing to the low probability of initiation of lytic infection in the absence of ICP0. IMPORTANCE Herpesviruses have intimate interactions with their hosts, with infection leading either to the productive lytic cycle or to a quiescent infection in which viral gene expression is suppressed while the viral genome is maintained in the host cell nucleus. Whether a cell becomes lytically or quiescently infected can be determined through the competing activities of cellular repressors and viral activators, some of which counteract cell-mediated repression. Therefore, the events that occur within the earliest stages of infection can be of crucial importance. This paper describes the extremely rapid response to herpes simplex virus 1 infection of cellular protein IFI16, a sensor of pathogen DNA, and also of the PML nuclear body proteins PML and hDaxx, as revealed by live-cell microscopy. The data imply that these proteins can accumulate on or close to the viral genomes in a sequential manner which may lead to their sequestration and repression.

Overexpression of lncRNA NEAT1 mitigates multidrug resistance by inhibiting ABCG2 in leukemia.

Abstract: Leukemia is a heterogeneous clonal disorder in which early hematopoietic cells fail to differentiate and do not undergo programmed cell death or apoptosis. Less than one-third of adult patients with leukemia are managed using current therapies due to the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR), emphasizing the need for newer and more robust approaches. Recent reports have suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to selective gene expression and, hence, could be manipulated effectively to halt the progression of cancer. However, little is known regarding the role of lncRNA in leukemia. Nuclear paraspeckle assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) is a nuclear-restricted lncRNA involved in the pathogenesis of certain types of cancer. Deregulated expression of NEAT1 has been reported in a number of human malignancies, including leukemia and other solid tumors. The present study aimed to characterize the role of NEAT1 in the regulation of MDR in leukemia. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, it was demonstrated that NEAT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels were significantly downregulated in leukemia patient samples compared with those from healthy donors. Furthermore, NEAT1 mRNA expression was repressed in a number of leukemia cell lines, including K562, THP-1, HL-60 and Jurkat cells, compared with peripheral white blood control cells, consistent with the expression observed in patients with leukemia. In addition, the transfection of a NEAT1 overexpression plasmid into K562 and THP-1 leukemia cell lines alleviated MDR induced by cytotoxic agents, such as Alisertib and Bortezomib, through inhibition of ATP-binding cassette G2. Although more robust studies are warranted, the current findings provide the basis for the use of NEAT1 as a novel promising target in the treatment of leukemia.

The interferon-induced antiviral protein PML (TRIM19) promotes the restriction and transcriptional silencing of lentiviruses in a context-specific, isoform-specific fashion

Abstract: The promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein, a type I interferon (IFN-I)-induced gene product and a member of the tripartite motif (TRIM) family, modulates the transcriptional activity of viruses belonging to various families. Whether PML has an impact on the replication of HIV-1 has not been fully addressed, but recent studies point to its possible involvement in the restriction of HIV-1 in human cells and in the maintenance of transcriptional latency in human cell lines in which HIV-1 is constitutively repressed. We investigated further the restriction of HIV-1 and a related lentivirus, SIVmac, by PML in murine cells and in a lymphocytic human cell line. In particular, we studied the relevance of PML to IFN-I-mediated inhibition and the role of individual human isoforms. We demonstrate that both human PML (hPML) and murine PML (mPML) inhibit the early post-entry stages of the replication of HIV-1 and a related lentivirus, SIVmac. In addition, HIV-1 was transcriptionally silenced by mPML and by hPML isoforms I, II, IV and VI in MEFs. This PML-mediated transcriptional repression was attenuated in presence of the histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA. In contrast, depletion of PML had no effect on HIV-1 gene expression in a human T cell line. PML was found to contribute to the inhibition of HIV-1 by IFN-I. Specifically, IFN-α and IFN-β treatments of MEFs enhanced the PML-dependent inhibition of HIV-1 early replication stages. We show that PML can inhibit HIV-1 and other lentiviruses as part of the IFN-I-mediated response. The restriction takes place at two distinct steps, i.e. reverse transcription and transcription, and in an isoform-specific, cellular context-specific fashion. Our results support a model in which PML activates innate immune antilentiviral effectors. These data are relevant to the development of latency reversal-inducing pharmacological agents, since PML was previously proposed as a pharmacological target for such inhibitors. This study also has implications for the development of murine models of HIV-1.

PML plays both inimical and beneficial roles in HSV-1 replication

Abstract: After entry into the nucleus, herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA is coated with repressive proteins and becomes the site of assembly of nuclear domain 10 (ND10) bodies These small (01–1 μM) nuclear structures contain both constant [eg, promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML), Sp100, death-domain associated protein (Daxx), and so forth] and variable proteins, depending on the function of the cells or the stress to which they are exposed The amounts of PML and the number of ND10 structures increase in cells exposed to IFN-β On initiation of HSV-1 gene expression, ICP0, a viral E3 ligase, degrades both PML and Sp100 The earlier report that IFN-β is significantly more effective in blocking viral replication in murine PML+/+ cells than in sibling PML−/− cells, reproduced here with human cells, suggests that PML acts as an effector of antiviral effects of IFN-β To define more precisely the function of PML in HSV-1 replication, we constructed a PML−/− human cell line We report that in PML−/− cells, Sp100 degradation is delayed, possibly because colocalization and merger of ICP0 with nuclear bodies containing Sp100 and Daxx is ineffective, and that HSV-1 replicates equally well in parental HEp-2 and PML−/− cells infected at 5 pfu wild-type virus per cell, but poorly in PML−/− cells exposed to 01 pfu per cell Finally, ICP0 accumulation is reduced in PML−/− infected at low, but not high, multiplicities of infection In essence, the very mechanism that serves to degrade an antiviral IFN-β effector is exploited by HSV-1 to establish an efficient replication domain in the nucleus

Translational control of PML contributes to TNFα-induced apoptosis of MCF7 breast cancer cells and decreased angiogenesis in HUVECs.

Abstract: The tumor suppressor protein promyelocytic leukemia (PML) is a key regulator of inflammatory responses and tumorigenesis and functions through the assembly of subnuclear structures known as PML nuclear bodies (NBs). The inflammation-related cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) is known to induce PML protein accumulation and PML NB formation that mediate TNFα-induced cell death in cancer cells and inhibition of migration and capillary tube formation in endothelial cells (ECs). In this study, we uncover a novel mechanism of PML gene regulation in which the p38 MAPK and its downstream kinase MAP kinase-activated protein kinase 1 (MNK1) mediate TNFα-induced PML protein accumulation and PML NB formation. The mechanism includes the presence of an internal ribosome entry site (IRES) found within the well-conserved 100 nucleotides upstream of the PML initiation codon. The activity of the PML IRES is induced by TNFα in a manner that involves MNK1 activation. It is proposed that the p38-MNK1-PML network regulates TNFα-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells and TNFα-mediated inhibition of migration and capillary tube formation in ECs.

Novel Role for Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT 4 (PIAS4) in the Restriction of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 by the Cellular Intrinsic Antiviral Immune Response

Abstract: Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) is used by the intrinsic antiviral immune response to restrict viral pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Despite characterization of the host factors that rely on SUMOylation to exert their antiviral effects, the enzymes that mediate these SUMOylation events remain to be defined. We show that unconjugated SUMO levels are largely maintained throughout infection regardless of the presence of ICP0, the HSV-1 SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligase. Moreover, in the absence of ICP0, high-molecular-weight SUMO-conjugated proteins do not accumulate if HSV-1 DNA does not replicate. These data highlight the continued importance for SUMO signaling throughout infection. We show that the SUMO ligase protein inhibitor of activated STAT 4 (PIAS4) is upregulated during HSV-1 infection and localizes to nuclear domains that contain viral DNA. PIAS4 is recruited to sites associated with HSV-1 genome entry through SUMO interaction motif (SIM)-dependent mechanisms that are destabilized by ICP0. In contrast, PIAS4 accumulates in replication compartments through SIM-independent mechanisms irrespective of ICP0 expression. Depletion of PIAS4 enhances the replication of ICP0-null mutant HSV-1, which is susceptible to restriction by the intrinsic antiviral immune response. The mechanisms of PIAS4-mediated restriction are synergistic with the restriction mechanisms of a characterized intrinsic antiviral factor, promyelocytic leukemia protein, and are antagonized by ICP0. We provide the first evidence that PIAS4 is an intrinsic antiviral factor. This novel role for PIAS4 in intrinsic antiviral immunity contrasts with the known roles of PIAS proteins as suppressors of innate immunity. IMPORTANCE Posttranslational modifications with small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins regulate multiple aspects of host immunity and viral replication. The protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) family of SUMO ligases is predominantly associated with the suppression of innate immune signaling. We now identify a unique and contrasting role for PIAS proteins as positive regulators of the intrinsic antiviral immune response to herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection. We show that PIAS4 relocalizes to nuclear domains that contain viral DNA throughout infection. Depletion of PIAS4, either alone or in combination with the intrinsic antiviral factor promyelocytic leukemia protein, significantly impairs the intrinsic antiviral immune response to HSV-1 infection. Our data reveal a novel and dynamic role for PIAS4 in the cellular-mediated restriction of herpesviruses and establish a new functional role for the PIAS family of SUMO ligases in the intrinsic antiviral immune response to DNA virus infection.

Restoration of tumor suppression in prostate cancer by targeting the E3 ligase E6AP.

Abstract: Restoration of tumor suppression is an attractive onco-therapeutic approach. It is particularly relevant when a tumor suppressor is excessively degraded by an overactive oncogenic E3 ligase. We previously discovered that the E6-associated protein (E6AP; as classified in the human papilloma virus context) is an E3 ligase that has an important role in the cellular stress response, and it directly targets the tumor-suppressor promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) for proteasomal degradation. In this study, we have examined the role of the E6AP–PML axis in prostate cancer (PC). We show that knockdown (KD) of E6AP expression attenuates growth of PC cell lines in vitro. We validated this finding in vivo using cell line xenografts, patient-derived xenografts and mouse genetics. We found that KD of E6AP attenuates cancer cell growth by promoting cellular senescence in vivo, which correlates with restoration of tumor suppression by PML. In addition, we show that KD of E6AP sensitizes cells to radiation-induced death. Overall, our findings demonstrate a role for E6AP in the promotion of PC and support E6AP targeting as a novel approach for PC treatment, either alone or in combination with radiation.

New variant of acute promyelocytic leukemia with IRF2BP2–RARA fusion

Abstract: We present an acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patient with two subtypes of IRF2BP2-RARA, in which the IRF2BP2 gene showed completely new breakpoints. Bone marrow examination revealed morphologic features indicative of APL. However, promyelocytic leukemia-RARA fusion was not detected. A paired-end mRNA sequencing followed by RT-PCR and direct sequencing revealed two types of fusion transcripts between exon 1B of IRF2BP2 and exon 3 of RARA. The patient received all-trans retinoic acid and conventional chemotherapy, but showed resistance. This is the second report of IRF2BP2 involvement in APL, and we describe various breakpoints for the IRF2BP2-RARA fusion gene.

MiR-139-5p is a potent tumor suppressor in adult acute myeloid leukemia.

Abstract: Hematopoiesis depends on a tightly controlled balance of selfrenewal, proliferation, cell death and differentiation. Although the disturbance of this equilibrium creates a predisposition to leukemogenesis, targeted manipulation or modulation can in turn lead to therapeutic advances. In addition to chromosomal aberrations and frequently mutated genes such as NPM1 and FLT3, dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is now recognized as having an important role in leukemogenesis. Distinct miRNA expression profiles can classify AML subgroups and miRNAs have recently emerged as novel therapeutic targets in hematopoietic malignancies. Building on our previous efforts to resolve potential involvement of miRNAs in hematopoiesis, we identified miR-139-5p as a myeloid-specific miRNA with expression being restricted to neutrophils and macrophages (Supplementary Figure S1A). This distinct expression profile during normal hematopoiesis pointed towards a possible deregulation in malignant hematopoiesis. In order to relate miR-139-5p expression to distinct genetic subgroups and clinical outcome in adult AML patients, we analyzed the published miRNA sequencing dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A trend for prolonged overall survival (OS) was observed for patients with miR-139-5p levels above the median independent of cytogenetic subgroup (P= 0.07, Figure 1a left panel), whereas AML patients with normal karyotype (CN-AML) exhibited a significantly better OS (P= 0.02, Figure 1a right panel). Our findings were further corroborated in CN-AML by comparing the expression quartiles, demonstrating that low miR-139-5p expressors (q3 and q4) are associated with an unfavorable OS (Supplementary Figure S1B). In addition, no effect could be demonstrated for the less abundant miR-139-3p (Supplementary Figure S1C), indicating that miR-139-5p is the active strand. Our findings are in line with Emmrich et al., who associated high miR-139-5p levels with a favorable outcome in pediatric AML. Further analysis of the TCGA dataset revealed a significant downregulation of miR-139-5p in CN-AML patients harboring mutated FLT3 (P= 0.03 and P= 0.001, respectively) compared with the total AML population. (Figure 1b left panel). Considering the poor prognosis of CN-AML patients with mutated FLT3, our findings reinforce the unfavorable outcome of CN-AML patients with low miR-139-5p levels. In contrast, miR-139-5p was upregulated in patients carrying an inv(16) (P= 0.001) translocation, a prognostically favorable AML subgroup (Figure 1b left panel). No differences were found for miR-139-5p levels in AML patients with t(15;17) and MLL rearrangements, indicating that miR-139-5p levels are associated with specific genetic subtypes rather than with the degree of differentiation. These findings were validated by qRT-PCR in an independent cohort consisting of 49 adult AML patients and 4 healthy donors of total bone marrow (bm) referred to as the Ulm cohort with uniform treatment procedure. All patient samples from the Ulm cohort were collected from adult patients enroled on German-Austrian AML Study Group (AMLSG) treatment protocols for younger adults (AMLSG-HD98A (NCT00146120) and AMLSG 07-04 (NCT00151242)) and comprised Ficoll gradient purified mononuclear cells mainly from diagnostic bm samples with blast counts of ~ 80% in all analyzed cases. In line with the TCGA dataset, patients harboring mutated FLT3 displayed the lowest miR-139-5p expression among the various cytogenetic subtypes in the Ulm cohort (P= 0.03, Figure 1b right panel). Decreased expression of miR-139 in NPM1-mutated CNAML patients, has been previously reported by Garzon et al. We observed a similar trend within the TCGA dataset (P= 0.06) (Figure 1b left panel), highlighting the robustness of both the datasets. Taken together, we have demonstrated in two independent AML patient cohorts that decreased miR-139-5p levels are associated with mutated FLT3 and with a lower OS in CN-AML in the TCGA dataset. However, it remains to be determined if miR-139-5p is directly or indirectly transcriptionally regulated through activated FLT3. The distinct expression patterns of miR-139-5p in CN-AML imply a tumor suppressor role for this miRNA. In order to further explore the therapeutic potential of miR-139-5p, we used a syngenic bm transplantation AML model based on the transformation of murine bm cells through the combined retroviral overexpression of Hoxa9 and Meis1 (Hoxa9/Meis1), which causes a rapid AML in vivo compared with the pre-leukemic Hoxa9 cells that lead to a long latency AML. Upregulation of HOXA9 and MEIS1 is frequently observed in NPM1-mutated CN-AML and enhances FLT3 signaling. Based on the expression pattern of miR-139-5p in AML patients, we further hypothesized that miR-139-5p would be downregulated in Hoxa9/Meis1 cells compared with untransformed wild-type bm cells. Indeed, miR-139-5p was significantly downregulated in Hoxa9/Meis1 cells compared with untransduced bm cells as measured by qRT-PCR (Supplementary Figure S1D), highlighting the relevance of this in vivo model. To validate the putative tumor suppressor function of miR-139-5p, its expression levels were restored through ectopic lentiviral coexpression of miR-139 and GFP as reported in Hoxa9/Meis1-transformed bm cells. Hoxa9/Meis1/miR-139-5p bm or Hoxa9/Meis1 cells overexpressing an empty control vector (miR-ctrl) were FACS-sorted for GFP, followed by transplantation of 2 × 10 cells per arm into lethally irradiated recipient mice. Restoration of miR-139 levels significantly delayed Hoxa9/Meis1-mediated leukemogenesis (P= 0.0003, Figure 2a) in two independent experiments, highlighting its tumor suppressor activity in a primary transplantation model. Bm cells of deceased mice retained overexpression of miR-139-5p compared with the control arm as quantified by qRT-PCR (Supplementary Figure S1E). Lentiviral expression of miR-139-5p in Hoxa9/Meis1 cells restored miR-139-5p at similar levels compared with untransduced bm cells (Supplementary Figures 1D and E), minimizing possible artefacts of ectopic expression. Notably, we detected no endogenous expression of miR-139-3p in the Hoxa9/Meis1/miR-ctrl bm and overexpression of miR-139 generated lower levels of miR-139-3p in comparison with miR-139-5p, highlighting miR-139-5p as the active strand (Supplementary Figure S1F). Recently, Gibbs et al. demonstrated that Hoxa9/Meis1 cells harbor three, immunophenotypically distinct compartments with varying tumor-initiating activity. Therefore, bm cells of deceased mice were analyzed by flow cytometry for their respective immunophenotype (Figure 2b). We found a significant reduction Citation: Blood Cancer Journal (2016) 6, e508; doi:10.1038/bcj.2016.110

PML is required for telomere stability in non-neoplastic human cells

Abstract: Telomeres interact with numerous proteins, including components of the shelterin complex, whose alteration, similarly to proliferation-induced telomere shortening, initiates cellular senescence. In tumors, telomere length is maintained by Telomerase activity or by the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres mechanism, whose hallmark is the telomeric localization of the promyelocytic leukemia (PML) protein. Whether PML contributes to telomeres maintenance in normal cells is unknown. We show that in normal human fibroblasts the PML protein associates with few telomeres, preferentially when they are damaged. Proliferation-induced telomere attrition or their damage due to alteration of the shelterin complex enhances the telomeric localization of PML, which is increased in human T-lymphocytes derived from patients genetically deficient in telomerase. In normal fibroblasts, PML depletion induces telomere damage, nuclear and chromosomal abnormalities, and senescence. Expression of the leukemia protein PML/RARα in hematopoietic progenitors displaces PML from telomeres and induces telomere shortening in the bone marrow of pre-leukemic mice. Our work provides a novel view of the physiologic function of PML, which participates in telomeres surveillance in normal cells. Our data further imply that a diminished PML function may contribute to cell senescence, genomic instability, and tumorigenesis.

Study of Arsenic Sulfide in Solid Tumor Cells Reveals Regulation of Nuclear Factors of Activated T-cells by PML and p53.

Abstract: Arsenic sulfide (AS) has excellent cytotoxic activity in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) but its activity in solid tumors remains to be explored. Here we show that AS and cyclosporine A (CsA) exerted synergistic inhibitory effect on cell growth and c-Myc expression in HCT116 cells. AS inhibited the expression of PML, c-Myc, NFATc1, NFATc3, and NFATc4, while stimulating the expression of p53 and NFATc2. Knockdown of PML reduced NFATc1, NFATc2, NFATc3 and NFATc4 expression while overexpression of p53 stimulated NFATc2-luciferase activity that was further augmented by AS by binding to a set of p53 responsive elements (PREs) on the NFATc2 promoter. Additionally, overexpression of p53 suppressed NFATc3 and NFATc4. Reciprocally, NFATc3 knockdown enhanced p53 while reducing MDM2 expression indicating that NFATc3 is a negative regulator of p53 while a positive regulator of MDM2, consistent with its tumor-promoting property as knockdown of NFATc3 retarded cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in xenograft. In patients with colon cancer, tumor expression of NFATc2 correlated with superior survival, while nuclear NFATc1 with inferior survival. These results indicate that AS differentially regulates NFAT pathway through PML and p53 and reveal an intricate reciprocal regulatory relationship between NFAT proteins and p53 pathway.

Arsenite inhibits the function of CD133 + CD13 + liver cancer stem cells by reducing PML and Oct4 protein expression

Abstract: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) can form new tumors and contribute to post-operative recurrence and metastasis. We showed that CD133+CD13+ hepatocytes isolated from HuH7 cells and primary HCC cells display biochemical and functional characteristics typical of CSCs, suggesting that CD133+CD13+ hepatocytes in primary HCC tumors function as CSCs. We also found that arsenite treatment reduced the viability and stemness of CD133+CD13+ hepatocytes, enhanced the sensitivity of HuH7 cells to pirarubicin, and reduced the tumorigenicity of CD133+CD13+ hepatocytes xenografts in mice. The effects of sodium arsenite treatment in CD133+CD13+ hepatocytes were mediated by the post-transcriptional suppression of PML expression and the inhibition of Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4 expression at the transcriptional level. Incomplete rescue of Oct4 expression in arsenic-treated cells ectopically expressing an siRNA-resistant PML transcript suggested that OCT4 regulation in liver CSCs involves other factors in addition to PML. Our findings provide evidence of a specific role for PML in regulating Oct4 levels in liver CSCs and highlight the clinical importance of arsenic for improving the efficacy of other chemotherapeutic agents and the prevention of post-operative HCC recurrence and metastasis.

Co-operative leukemogenesis in acute myeloid leukemia and acute promyelocytic leukemia reveals C/EBPα as a common target of TRIB1 and PML/RARA.

Abstract: The PML/RARA fusion protein occurs as a result of the t(15;17) translocation in the acute promyelocytic leukemia subtype of human acute myeloid leukemia. Gain of chromosome 8 is the most common chromosomal gain in human acute myeloid leukemia, including acute promyelocytic leukemia. We previously demonstrated that gain of chromosome 8-containing MYC is of central importance in trisomy 8, but the role of the nearby TRIB1 gene has not been experimentally addressed in this context. We have now tested the hypothesis that both MYC and TRIB1 have functional roles underlying leukemogenesis of trisomy 8 by using retroviral vectors to express MYC and TRIB1 in wild-type bone marrow and in marrow that expressed a PML/RARA transgene. Interestingly, although MYC and TRIB1 readily co-operated in leukemogenesis for wild-type bone marrow, TRIB1 provided no selective advantage to cells expressing PML/RARA. We hypothesized that this lack of co-operation between PML/RARA and TRIB1 reflected a common pathway for their effect: both proteins targeting the myeloid transcription factor C/EBPα. In support of this idea, TRIB1 expression abrogated the all-trans retinoic acid response of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo Our data delineate the common and redundant inhibitory effects of TRIB1 and PML/RARA on C/EBPα providing a potential explanation for the lack of selection of TRIB1 in human acute promyelocytic leukemia, and highlighting the key role of C/EBPs in acute promyelocytic leukemia pathogenesis and therapeutic response. In addition, the co-operativity we observed between MYC and TRIB1 in the absence of PML/RARA show that, outside of acute promyelocytic leukemia, gain of both genes may drive selection for trisomy 8.

Mutations affecting both the rearranged and the unrearranged PML alleles in refractory acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Abstract: Acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is characterized by the PML/RARA fusion transcript. PML and RARA mutations have been shown to directly respond to arsenic trioxide (ATO) and all-trans retinoic (ATRA). We analysed the prevalence of PML mutations in 32 patients with de novo or therapy-related APL (t-APL; n = 5), treated with ATO. We identified one ATO-resistant t-APL patient, who presented a PML A216T mutation in both the rearranged and unrearranged PML alleles, and two mutations in the rearranged RARA gene. In this patient, subclones with different PML and RARA mutations acquired clonal dominance during the disease course, probably leading to treatment resistance.

Galectin-12 inhibits granulocytic differentiation of human NB4 promyelocytic leukemia cells while promoting lipogenesis

Abstract: As a member of the galectin family of animal lectins, galectin-12 is preferentially expressed in adipocytes and leukocytes. In adipocytes, galectin-12 is associated with lipid droplets and regulates lipid metabolism and energy balance, whereas its role in leukocytes is not clear. Analysis of galectin-12 expression in a public data set of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) samples revealed that it is selectively overexpressed in the M3 subtype, which is also known as acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). To investigate the role of galectin-12 in APL cells, we manipulated its expression in the APL cell line, NB4, and measured resultant effects on all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced granulocytic differentiation. With a doxycycline-inducible gene knockdown system, we found that suppression of galectin-12 promoted ATRA-induced neutrophil differentiation but inhibited lipid droplet formation. Our results indicate that overexpression of galectin-12 contributes to a differentiation block in APL cells, and suppression of galectin-12 facilitates granulocytic differentiation. Furthermore, these data suggest that lipogenesis and other aspects of myeloid differentiation can be differentially regulated. Taken together, these findings suggest that galectin-12 may be a target for treatment of the ATRA-resistant subset of APL.

The progress of early growth response factor 1 and leukemia.

Abstract: Early growth response gene-1 (EGR1) widely exists in the cell nucleus of such as, zebrafish, mice, chimpanzees and humans, an it also can be observed in the cytoplasm of some tumors. EGR1 was named just after its brief and rapid expression of different stimuli. Accumulating studies have extensively demonstrated that the widespread dysregulation of EGR1 is involved in hematological malignancies such as human acute myeloid leukemia (AML), chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and B cell lymphoma. With the deep research on EGR1, its expression, function and regulatory mechanism has been gradually elucidated, and provides more possibilities for treatment strategies of patients with leukemia. Herein, we summarize the roles of EGR1 in its biological function and relationship with leukemia.

LIN28B is over-expressed in specific subtypes of pediatric leukemia and regulates lncRNA H19

Abstract: LIN28B is an RNA-binding protein with an oncofetal expression pattern. High LIN28B expression is crucial during human embryogenesis and is down-regulated in most tissues after birth.[1][1] However, reactivation during oncogenesis is common in a plethora of adult cancers, including leukemia, and was

Viral FGARAT Homolog ORF75 of Rhesus Monkey Rhadinovirus Effects Proteasomal Degradation of the ND10 Components SP100 and PML.

Abstract: Nuclear domain 10 (ND10) components restrict herpesviral infection, and herpesviruses antagonize this restriction by a variety of strategies, including degradation or relocalization of ND10 proteins. The rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) shares many key biological features with the closely related Kaposi9s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV; human herpesvirus 8) and readily infects cells of both human and rhesus monkey origin. We used the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9) technique to generate knockout (ko) cells for each of the four ND10 components, PML, SP100, DAXX, and ATRX. These ko cells were analyzed with regard to permissiveness for RRV infection. In addition, we analyzed the fate of the individual ND10 components in infected cells by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Knockout of the ND10 component DAXX markedly increased RRV infection, while knockout of PML or SP100 had a less pronounced effect. In line with these observations, RRV infection resulted in rapid degradation of SP100, followed by degradation of PML and the loss of ND10 structures, whereas the protein levels of ATRX and DAXX remained constant. Notably, inhibition of the proteasome but not inhibition of de novo gene expression prevented the loss of SP100 and PML in cells that did not support lytic replication, compatible with proteasomal degradation of these ND10 components through the action of a viral tegument protein. Expression of the RRV FGARAT homolog ORF75 was sufficient to effect the loss of SP100 and PML in transfected or transduced cells, implicating ORF75 as the viral effector protein. IMPORTANCE Our findings highlight the antiviral role of ND10 and its individual components and further establish the viral FGARAT homologs of the gammaherpesviruses to be important viral effectors that counteract ND10-instituted intrinsic immunity. Surprisingly, even closely related viruses like KSHV and RRV evolved to use different strategies to evade ND10-mediated restriction. RRV first targets SP100 for degradation and then targets PML with a delayed kinetic, a strategy which clearly differs from that of other gammaherpesviruses. Despite efficient degradation of these two major ND10 components, RRV is still restricted by DAXX, another abundant ND10 component, as evidenced by a marked increase in RRV infection and replication upon knockout of DAXX. Taken together, our findings substantiate PML, SP100, and DAXX as key antiviral proteins, in that the first two are targeted for degradation by RRV and the last one still potently restricts replication of RRV.

Replication of Merkel cell polyomavirus induces reorganization of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies.

Abstract: Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) is associated with Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare but aggressive skin cancer. The virus is highly prevalent: 60–80 % of adults are seropositive; however, cells permissive for MCPyV infection are unknown. Consequently, very little information about the MCPyV life cycle is available. Until recently, MCPyV replication could only be studied using a semi-permissive in vitro replication system (Neumann et al., 2011; Feng et al., 2011, Schowalter et al., 2011). MCPyV replication most likely depends on subnuclear structures such as promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which are known to play regulatory roles in the infection of many DNA viruses. Here, we investigated PML-NB components as candidate host factors to control MCPyV DNA replication. We showed that PML-NBs change in number and size in cells actively replicating MCPyV proviral DNA. We observed a significant increase in PML-NBs in cells positive for MCPyV viral DNA replication. Interestingly, a significant amount of cells actively replicating MCPyV did not show any Sp100 expression. While PML and Daxx had no effect on MCPyV DNA replication, MCPyV replication was increased in cells depleted for Sp100, strongly suggesting that Sp100 is a negative regulator of MCPyV DNA replication.

A network including PU.1, Vav1 and miR-142-3p sustains ATRA-induced differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells - a short report

Abstract: Reduced expression of miR-142-3p has been found to be associated with the development of various subtypes of myeloid leukemia, including acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). In APL-derived cells, miR-142-3p expression can be restored by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), which induces the completion of their maturation program. Here, we aimed to assess whether PU.1, essential for ATRA-induced gene transcription, regulates the expression of miR-142-3p in APL-derived cells and, based on the established cooperation between PU.1 and Vav1 in modulating gene expression, to evaluate the role of Vav1 in restoring the expression of miR-142-3p. ATRA-induced increases in PU.1 and Vav1 expression in APL-derived NB4 cells were counteracted with specific siRNAs, and the expression of miR-142-3p was measured by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The recruitment of PU.1 and/or Vav1 to the regulatory region of miR-142 was assessed by quantitative chromatin immunoprecipitation (Q-ChIP). Synthetic inhibitors or mimics for miR-142-3p were used to assess whether this miRNA plays a role in regulating the expression of PU.1 and/or Vav1. We found that the expression of miR-142-3p in differentiating APL-derived NB4 cells is dependent on PU.1, and that Vav1 is essential for the recruitment of this transcription factor to its cis-binding element on the miR-142 promoter. In addition, we found that in ATRA-treated NB4 cells miR-142-3p sustains agonist-induced increases in both PU.1 and Vav1. Our results suggest the existence of a Vav1/PU.1/miR-142-3p network that supports ATRA-induced differentiation in APL-derived cells. Since selective regulation of miRNAs may play a role in the future treatment of hematopoietic malignancies, our results may provide a basis for the development of new therapeutic strategies to restore the expression of miR-142-3p.