To identify epigenetically silenced genes in multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines and to determine the effects of 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A on gene expression. We treated 3 multiple myeloma cell lines (MM1, NCI-H929, U266) with 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine and/or trichostatin A.
Genome-wide transcriptional response to 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine and trichostatin a in multiple myeloma cells.
Specimen part, Disease, Cell line
View SamplesThe transcription factor c-JUN and its upstream kinase JNK1 have been implicated in BCR-ABL induced leukemogenesis. JNK1 has been shown to regulate BCL2 expression thereby altering leukemogenesis, but the impact of c-JUN remained unclear. In this study we show that JNK1 and c-JUN promote leukemogenesis via separate pathways, since lack of c-JUN impairs proliferation of p185BCR-ABL transformed cells without affecting viability. The decreased proliferation of c-JunD/D cells is associated with the loss of cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) expression. In c-JunD/D cells CDK6 expression becomes down-regulated upon BCR-ABL induced transformation which correlates with CpG island methylation within the 5 region of Cdk6. We verified the impact of Cdk6 deficiency by using Cdk6-/- mice that developed BCR-ABL induced B-lymphoid leukemia with significantly increased latency and an attenuated disease phenotype. In addition we show that re-expression of CDK6 in BCR-ABL transformed c-JunD/D cells reconstitutes proliferation and tumor formation in Nu/Nu mice. In summary, our study reveals a novel function for the AP-1 transcription factor c-JUN in leukemogenesis by antagonizing promoter methylation. Moreover, we identify CDK6 as relevant and critical target of AP-1 regulated DNA methylation upon BCR-ABL induced transformation, thereby accelerating leukemogenesis.
c-JUN promotes BCR-ABL-induced lymphoid leukemia by inhibiting methylation of the 5' region of Cdk6.
Specimen part
View SamplesBackground: The transcription factor EVI1 regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, and contributes to an aggressive course of disease in myeloid leukemias and other malignancies. Notwithstanding, knowledge about the target genes mediating its biological and pathological functions remains limited. We therefore aimed to identify and characterize novel EVI1 target genes in human myeloid cells. Methods: U937T_EVI1, a previously established human myeloid cell line expressing EVI1 in a tetracycline regulable manner, was subjected to genome wide gene expression microarray analysis. qRT-PCR was used to confirm the regulation of MS4A3 by EVI1. Reporter constructs containing various parts of the MS4A3 upstream region were employed in luciferase assays, and direct binding of EVI1 to the MS4A3 promoter was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. U937 derivative cell lines experimentally expressing EVI1 and/or MS4A3 were generated by retroviral transduction, and tested for their tumorigenicity by subcutaneous injection into severe combined immunodeficient mice. Experimental results were tested for statistical significance using ANOVA and Student's t-test (two-tailed). Results: Gene expression microarray analysis identified 27 unique genes that were up-regulated and 29 that were down-regulated in response to EVI1 induction in the human myeloid cell line, U937. The most strongly repressed gene was membrane-spanning-4-domains subfamily-A member-3 (MS4A3), and its down-regulation by EVI1 was confirmed by qRT-PCR in additional, independent experimental model systems. Reporter gene assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that EVI1 regulated MS4A3 via direct binding to a promoter proximal region. Experimental re-expression of MS4A3 in an EVI1 overexpressing cell line counteracted the tumor promoting effect of EVI1 in a murine xenograft model. Conclusions: Our data reveal MS4A3 as a novel direct target of EVI1 in human myeloid cells, and show that its repression plays a role in EVI1 mediated tumor aggressiveness.
EVI1 promotes tumor growth via transcriptional repression of MS4A3.
Cell line, Time
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Genome-wide CpG island methylation analyses in non-small cell lung cancer patients.
Specimen part, Disease, Cell line, Treatment
View SamplesEpigenetic changes largely contribute to the regulation of gene expression in cancer cells. DNA methylation is part of the epigenetic gene regulation complex which is relevant for the pathogenesis of cancer. We performed a genome-wide search for methylated CpG islands in tumors and corresponding non-malignant lung tissue samples of 101 stage I-III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by combining methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and microarray analysis using NimbleGens 385K Human CpG Island plus Promoter arrays. By testing for differences in methylation between tumors and corresponding non-malignant lung tissues, we identified 298 tumor-specifically methylated genes. From many of these genes epigenetic regulation was unknown so far. Gene Ontology analysis revealed an over-representation of genes involved in regulation of gene expression and cell adhesion. Expression of 182 of 298 genes was found to be upregulated after 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine (Aza-dC) and/or trichostatin A (TSA) treatment of 3 NSCLC cell lines by Affymetrix microarray analysis. In addition, methylation of selected genes in primary NSCLCs and corresponding non-malignant lung tissue samples were analyzed by methylation-sensitive high resolution melting analysis (MS-HRM). Our results obtained by MS-HRM analysis confirmed our data obtained by MeDIP-chip analysis. Moreover, by comparing methylation results from MeDIP-chip analysis with clinico-pathological parameters of the patients we observed methylation of HOXA2 as potential parameter for shorter disease-free survival of NSCLC patients. In conclusion, using a genome-wide approach we identified a large number of tumor-specifically methylated genes in NSCLC patients. Our results stress the importance of DNA methylation for the pathogenesis of NSCLCs.
Genome-wide CpG island methylation analyses in non-small cell lung cancer patients.
Cell line, Treatment
View Samples