Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P43146 (tumour suppressor)
 5,935 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In mammalian cells the product of the human retinoblastoma tumour suppressor gene (pRb) can recruit Rpd3-like histone deacetylases to repress transcription. In this study, we investigated whether this mechanism might also be relevant in plants and found both conserved and distinct features. The expression profiles of the Zea mays Rpd3-type histone deacetylase (ZmRpd3I) and the retinoblastoma-related (ZmRBR1) homologues were analysed during endosperm development. GST pull-down and immunoprecipitation experiments showed a physical interaction between ZmRBRI and ZmRpd3I. Because ZmRpd3I lacks a LXCXE motif, conserved in several pRb-interacting proteins, we have mapped the amino acid domains involved in the ZmRBR1/ZmRpd3I interaction. Furthermore, we observed that ZmRbAp1, a maize member of the MSI/RbAp family, facilitated this protein interaction. Co-transformations of tobacco protoplasts with plasmids expressing ZmRBRI and ZmRpd3I showed that the two proteins cooperate in repressing gene transcription. Our findings represent the first indication that in plants a regulator of important biological processes, ZmRBRI, can recruit a histone deacetylase, ZmRpd3I, to control gene transcription.
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PMID:A maize histone deacetylase and retinoblastoma-related protein physically interact and cooperate in repressing gene transcription. 1260 70

Inhibin was first identified as a gonad-derived regulator of pituitary FSH; however, it has subsequently been shown to be a tumour suppressor in the gonad and adrenal glands. Whereas non-malignant regions of human primary prostate carcinomas express inhibin alpha-subunit (INHA), malignant tissues lack INHA transcript and protein, which is consistent with epigenetic regulation of the inhibin alpha-subunit gene (INHA) promoter. This study investigated whether methylation of the INHA promoter was responsible for inactivation of INHA transcription and translation in the prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP, DU145 and PC3. Methylation of the promoter was revealed by bisulphite genomic sequencing and use of inhibitors of methylation and histone deacetylation resulted in reactivation of the INHA transcription and translation. Significant (P<0.05) downregulation of a luciferase reporter gene downstream from a methylated INHA promoter compared with unmethylated INHA promoter occurred in vitro. The data demonstrate that promoter methylation is associated with downregulation of the INHA gene in prostate cancer cell lines, which is consistent with its tumour suppressive role. Therefore INHA has a significant role in prostate tumorigenesis.
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PMID:Epigenetic regulation of inhibin alpha-subunit gene in prostate cancer cell lines. 1476 92

It has become apparent over the past several years that one of the attractive emerging prevention and therapy targets for cancer is the reversal of aberrant gene silencing mediated by epigenetic events associated with transcriptional repression. Integral to the possibilities for this targeting is the need to dissect the molecular mechanisms which underlie these transcriptional changes. At present, the best studied of the epigenetically silenced genes involved in cancer are those which harbour aberrant DNA promoter region methylation. This growing list includes almost half of all proven tumour suppressor genes and also a rapidly expanding list of genes with candidate roles for antitumour activities as well. Thus, one approach receiving much attention for restoring expression of abnormally silenced cancer genes for therapeutic purposes is utilization of agents such as 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) and 5'-deoxy-azacytidine (DAC), which inhibit the DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) that catalyse DNA methylation. Other approaches, and particularly the notion of utilizing inhibitors of histone de-acetylation, are being suggested by the exploding body of data concerning the role of histone modifications in mediating gene expression status, and especially those parameters that participate in gene silencing. Importantly, these histone parameters, which are the focus of this Novartis Foundation Symposium, are not only tightly linked to mechanisms through which DNA methylation participates in gene silencing, but are also being integrally linked to how abnormal patterns of this DNA modification may actually arise in tumour cells. In this brief review, it is hypothesized that these interactions between DNA methylation and histone modifications may have to be targeted to most effectively exploit the potential for using reversal of gene silencing as an approach to cancer prevention and treatment.
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PMID:Reversal of gene silencing as a therapeutic target for cancer--roles for DNA methylation and its interdigitation with chromatin. 1517 Dec 57

The tumour suppressor p53 has an essential role in maintaining the genomic integrity of the mammalian cell. This is achieved in part through its function as a transcription factor enabling it to induce either growth arrest or apoptosis in response to cellular stress. Changes in gene expression commonly require localized chromatin remodelling and p53 is known to interact in vivo with a variety of transcriptional co-activators and co-repressors with intrinsic histone modifying activities. Here we examine the links between p53 and chromatin structures associated with (i) transcriptional regulation of gene expression, (ii) with DNA repair as part of the process of nucleotide excision repair and (iii) with histone modifications which impact upon chromosomal condensation and ploidy.
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PMID:Remodelling chromatin on a global scale: a novel protective function of p53. 1523 88

The yeast Sir2 (silent information regulator-2) protein functions as an NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase to silence gene expression from the mating-type locus, tolomeres and rDNA and also promotes longevity and genome stability in response to calorie restriction. Homologues of yeast Sir2 have been identified in the three domains of bacteria, archaea and eukaryotes; in mammalian cells, Sir2 proteins also deacetylate non-histone proteins such as the p53 tumour suppressor protein, alpha-tubulin and forkhead transcription factors to mediate diverse biological processes including metabolism, cell motility and cancer. We have determined the X-ray crystal structure of a Sir2 homologue from yeast Hst2 (yHst2), in various liganded forms, including the yHst2/acetyl-Lys-16 histone H4/NAD(+) ternary complex; we have also performed related biochemical studies to address the conserved mode of catalysis by these enzymes as well as the distinguishing features that allow different members of the family to target their respective cognate substrates. These studies have implications for the structure-based design of Sir2-specific small molecule compounds, which might modulate Sir2 function for therapeutic application.
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PMID:Structure and chemistry of the Sir2 family of NAD+-dependent histone/protein deactylases. 1550 20

Histone acetylation appears to play an important role in transcriptional regulation. Inactivation of chromatin by histone deacetylation is involved in the transcriptional repression of several tumour suppressor genes, including p21(WAF1/CIP1). However, the in vivo status of histone acetylation in human cancers, including gastric carcinoma, is not well understood. This study shows that histone H3 in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter region is hypoacetylated and that this hypoacetylation is associated with reduced p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression in gastric carcinoma specimens. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that histone H3 was hypoacetylated in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter and coding regions in 10 (34.5%) and 10 (34.5%) of 29 gastric carcinoma specimens, respectively. Hypoacetylation of histone H4 in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter and coding regions was observed in 6 (20.7%) and 16 (55.2%) of 29 gastric carcinoma specimens, respectively. p21(WAF1/CIP1) mRNA levels were associated with histone H3 acetylation status in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter region (p = 0.047) but not p53 mutation status (p = 0.460). In gastric carcinoma cell lines, expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein was induced by trichostatin A, a histone deacetylase inhibitor. This induction was associated with hyperacetylation of histone H3 in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter region. Hyperacetylation of histone H4 in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter region did not appear to be associated with increased expression. Induction of p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein expression was associated with hyperacetylation of histones H3 and H4 in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) coding region. Expression of a dominant-negative mutant of p53 reduced expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein. Histone H4 acetylation in both the promoter and coding regions of the p21(WAF1/CIP1) gene in cells expressing dominant-negative p53 was less than half of that in cells expressing wild-type p53, whereas histone H3 acetylation in both the promoter and coding regions was slightly reduced (by approximately 20%) in cells expressing the dominant-negative p53. These findings provide evidence that alteration of histone acetylation occurs in human cancer tissue specimens such as those from gastric carcinoma.
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PMID:Histone H3 acetylation is associated with reduced p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression by gastric carcinoma. 1558 62

Aberrant transcriptional repression through chromatin remodelling and histone deacetylation has been postulated to represent a driving force underlying tumorigenesis because histone deacetylase inhibitors have been found to be effective in cancer treatment. However, the molecular mechanisms by which transcriptional derepression would be linked to tumour suppression are poorly understood. Here we identify the transcriptional repressor Pokemon (encoded by the Zbtb7 gene) as a critical factor in oncogenesis. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking Zbtb7 are completely refractory to oncogene-mediated cellular transformation. Conversely, Pokemon overexpression leads to overt oncogenic transformation both in vitro and in vivo in transgenic mice. Pokemon can specifically repress the transcription of the tumour suppressor gene ARF through direct binding. We find that Pokemon is aberrantly overexpressed in human cancers and that its expression levels predict biological behaviour and clinical outcome. Pokemon's critical role in cellular transformation makes it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
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PMID:Role of the proto-oncogene Pokemon in cellular transformation and ARF repression. 1566 16

SLC5A8 is a candidate tumour suppressor gene that is silenced in colon cancer, gastric cancer and possibly other cancers in humans. This gene codes for a transporter belonging to the Na(+)/glucose co-transporter gene family (SLC5). The cancer-associated silencing of the gene involves hypermethylation of CpG islands present in exon 1 of the gene. SLC5A8 is expressed in colon, ileum, kidney and thyroid gland. The protein coded by the gene mediates the Na(+)-coupled and electrogenic transport of a variety of monocarboxylates, including short-chain fatty acids, lactate and nicotinate. It may also transport iodide. The normal physiological function of this transporter in the intestinal tract and kidney is likely to facilitate the active absorption of short-chain fatty acids, lactate and nicotinate. One of the short-chain fatty acids that serves as a substrate for SLC5A8 is butyrate. This fatty acid is an inhibitor of histone deacetylases and is known to induce apoptosis in a variety of tumours including colonic tumour. Since butyrate is produced in the colonic lumen at high concentrations by bacterial fermentation of dietary fibre, we speculate that the ability of SLC5A8 to mediate the entry of this short-chain fatty acid into colonic epithelial cells underlies the potential tumour suppressor function of this transporter.
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PMID:Biological functions of SLC5A8, a candidate tumour suppressor. 1566 16

The Testisin gene (PRSS21) encodes a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked serine protease that exhibits testis tissue-specific expression. Loss of Testisin has been implicated in testicular tumorigenesis, but its role in testis biology and tumorigenesis is not known. Here we have investigated the role of CpG methylation in Testisin gene inactivation and tested the hypothesis that Testisin may act as a tumour suppressor for testicular tumorigenesis. Using sequence analysis of bisulphite-treated genomic DNA, we find a strong relationship between hypermethylation of a 385 bp 5' CpG rich island of the Testisin gene, and silencing of the Testisin gene in a range of human tumour cell lines and in 100% (eight/eight) of testicular germ cell tumours. We show that treatment of Testisin-negative cell lines with demethylating agents and/or a histone deacetylase inhibitor results in reactivation of Testisin gene expression, implicating hypermethylation in Testisin gene silencing. Stable expression of Testisin in the Testisin-negative Tera-2 testicular cancer line suppressed tumorigenicity as revealed by inhibition of both anchorage-dependent cell growth and tumour formation in an SCID mouse model of testicular tumorigenesis. Together, these data show that loss of Testisin is caused, at least in part, by DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation, and suggest a tumour suppressor role for Testisin in testicular tumorigenesis.
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PMID:Hypermethylation of the 5' CpG island of the gene encoding the serine protease Testisin promotes its loss in testicular tumorigenesis. 2662 17

Whilst genetic alterations in oral cancer have long been documented, the appreciation of epigenetic changes is more recent. Epigenetic changes alter expression of tumour suppressor genes without changes in DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone methylation and deacetylation have been shown to silence key genes involved in cell proliferation, differentiation and genome integrity, and clearly have a central role in oral cancer. The pattern of hypermethylation in any individual tumour can now be accurately determined, which may find application in molecular staging. In addition, current trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of agents affecting epigenetic changes in cancer patients which hold some therapeutic promise.
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PMID:The epigenetics of oral cancer. 1615 20


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