| 1. |
- Ciesla, Maciej, et al.
(author)
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m6A-driven SF3B1 translation control steers splicing to direct genome integrity and leukemogenesis
- 2023
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In: Molecular Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1097-2765 .- 1097-4164. ; 83:7, s. 11-1179
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- SF3B1 is the most mutated splicing factor (SF) in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs), which are clonal hematopoietic disorders with variable risk of leukemic transformation. Although tumorigenic SF3B1 mutations have been extensively characterized, the role of “non-mutated” wild-type SF3B1 in cancer remains largely unresolved. Here, we identify a conserved epitranscriptomic program that steers SF3B1 levels to counteract leukemogenesis. Our analysis of human and murine pre-leukemic MDS cells reveals dynamic regulation of SF3B1 protein abundance, which affects MDS-to-leukemia progression in vivo. Mechanistically, ALKBH5-driven 5′ UTR m6A demethylation fine-tunes SF3B1 translation directing splicing of central DNA repair and epigenetic regulators during transformation. This impacts genome stability and leukemia progression in vivo, supporting an integrative analysis in humans that SF3B1 molecular signatures may predict mutational variability and poor prognosis. These findings highlight a post-transcriptional gene expression nexus that unveils unanticipated SF3B1-dependent cancer vulnerabilities.
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| 2. |
- Desai, Trishna A., et al.
(author)
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Identifying proteomic risk factors for overall, aggressive, and early onset prostate cancer using Mendelian Randomisation and tumour spatial transcriptomics
- 2024
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier. - 2352-3964. ; 105
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Understanding the role of circulating proteins in prostate cancer risk can reveal key biological pathways and identify novel targets for cancer prevention. Methods We investigated the association of 2002 genetically predicted circulating protein levels with risk of prostate cancer overall, and of aggressive and early onset disease, using cis- pQTL Mendelian randomisation (MR) and colocalisation. Findings for proteins with support from both MR, after correction for multiple -testing, and colocalisation were replicated using two independent cancer GWAS, one of European and one of African ancestry. Proteins with evidence of prostate -speci fi c tissue expression were additionally investigated using spatial transcriptomic data in prostate tumour tissue to assess their role in tumour aggressiveness. Finally, we mapped risk proteins to drug and ongoing clinical trials targets. Findings We identi fi ed 20 proteins genetically linked to prostate cancer risk (14 for overall [8 speci fi c], 7 for aggressive [3 speci fi c], and 8 for early onset disease [2 speci fi c]), of which the majority replicated where data were available. Among these were proteins associated with aggressive disease, such as PPA2 [Odds Ratio (OR) per 1 SD increment = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.54 - 2.93], PYY [OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.43 - 2.44] and PRSS3 [OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73 - 0.89], and those associated with early onset disease, including EHPB1 [OR = 2.89, 95% CI: 1.99 - 4.21], POGLUT3 [OR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67 - 0.86] and TPM3 [OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.34 - 0.64]. We con fi rmed an inverse association of MSMB with prostate cancer overall [OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.80 - 0.82], and also found an inverse association with both aggressive [OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.82 - 0.86] and early onset disease [OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.68 - 0.74]. Using spatial transcriptomics data, we identi fi ed MSMB as the genome-wide top -most predictive gene to distinguish benign regions from high grade cancer regions that comparatively had fi ve -fold lower MSMB expression. Additionally, ten proteins that were associated with prostate cancer risk also mapped to existing therapeutic interventions. Interpretation Our fi ndings emphasise the importance of proteomics for improving our understanding of prostate cancer aetiology and of opportunities for novel therapeutic interventions. Additionally, we demonstrate the added bene fi t of in-depth functional analyses to triangulate the role of risk proteins in the clinical aggressiveness of prostate tumours. Using these integrated methods, we identify a subset of risk proteins associated with aggressive and early onset disease as priorities for investigation for the future prevention and treatment of prostate cancer.
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| 3. |
- Guzzi, Nicola, et al.
(author)
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Pseudouridine-modified tRNA fragments repress aberrant protein synthesis and predict leukaemic progression in myelodysplastic syndrome
- 2022
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In: Nature Cell Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-7392 .- 1476-4679. ; 24:3, s. 299-306
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are emerging small noncoding RNAs that, although commonly altered in cancer, have poorly defined roles in tumorigenesis1. Here we show that pseudouridylation (Ψ) of a stem cell-enriched tRF subtype2, mini tRFs containing a 5′ terminal oligoguanine (mTOG), selectively inhibits aberrant protein synthesis programmes, thereby promoting engraftment and differentiation of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Building on evidence that mTOG-Ψ targets polyadenylate-binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1), we employed isotope exchange proteomics to reveal critical interactions between mTOG and functional RNA-recognition motif (RRM) domains of PABPC1. Mechanistically, this hinders the recruitment of translational co-activator PABPC1-interacting protein 1 (PAIP1)3 and strongly represses the translation of transcripts sharing pyrimidine-enriched sequences (PES) at the 5′ untranslated region (UTR), including 5′ terminal oligopyrimidine tracts (TOP) that encode protein machinery components and are frequently altered in cancer4. Significantly, mTOG dysregulation leads to aberrantly increased translation of 5′ PES messenger RNA (mRNA) in malignant MDS-HSPCs and is clinically associated with leukaemic transformation and reduced patient survival. These findings define a critical role for tRFs and Ψ in difficult-to-treat subsets of MDS characterized by high risk of progression to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
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| 4. |
- Guzzi, Nicola, et al.
(author)
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Pseudouridylation of tRNA-Derived Fragments Steers Translational Control in Stem Cells
- 2018
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In: Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 0092-8674 .- 1097-4172. ; 173:5, s. 26-1216
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pseudouridylation (Ψ) is the most abundant and widespread type of RNA epigenetic modification in living organisms; however, the biological role of Ψ remains poorly understood. Here, we show that a Ψ-driven posttranscriptional program steers translation control to impact stem cell commitment during early embryogenesis. Mechanistically, the Ψ “writer” PUS7 modifies and activates a novel network of tRNA-derived small fragments (tRFs) targeting the translation initiation complex. PUS7 inactivation in embryonic stem cells impairs tRF-mediated translation regulation, leading to increased protein biosynthesis and defective germ layer specification. Remarkably, dysregulation of this posttranscriptional regulatory circuitry impairs hematopoietic stem cell commitment and is common to aggressive subtypes of human myelodysplastic syndromes. Our findings unveil a critical function of Ψ in directing translation control in stem cells with important implications for development and disease. Translational control in stem cells is orchestrated by pseudouridylation of specific tRNA-derived fragments, impacting stem cell commitment during key developmental processes.
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| 5. |
- Karalexi, Maria A., et al.
(author)
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Gender-affirming hormone treatment and cognitive function in transgender young adults : a systematic review and meta-analysis
- 2020
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In: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-4530 .- 1873-3360. ; 119
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Previous studies have examined whether steroid hormone treatment in transgender individuals may affect cognitive function; yet, their limited power does not allow firm conclusions to be drawn. We leveraged data from to-date literature aiming to explore the effect of gender-affirming hormone administration on cognitive function in transgender individuals.Methods: A search strategy of MEDLINE was developed (through June 1, 2019) using the key terms transgender, hormone therapy and cognitive function. Eligible were (i) cohort studies examining the longitudinal effect of hormone therapy on cognition, and (ii) cross-sectional studies comparing the cognitive function between treated and non-treated individuals. Standardized mean differences (Hedges' g) were pooled using random-effects models. Study quality was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Outcomes: Ten studies (seven cohort and three cross-sectional) were eligible representing 234 birth-assigned males (aM) and 150 birth-assigned females (aF). The synthesis of cohort studies (n = 5) for visuospatial ability following hormone treatment showed a statistically significant enhancement among aF (g = 0.55, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.29, 0.82) and an improvement with a trend towards statistical significance among aM (g = 0.28, 95%CI: -0.01, 0.58). By contrast, no adverse effects of hormone administration were shown. No heterogeneity was evident in most meta-analyses.Interpretation: Current evidence does not support an adverse impact of hormone therapy on cognitive function, whereas a statistically significant enhancing effect on visuospatial ability was shown in aF. New longitudinal studies with longer follow-up should explore the long-term effects of hormone therapy, especially the effects on younger individuals, where there is greater scarcity of data.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Mälarstig, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Evaluation of circulating plasma proteins in breast cancer using Mendelian randomisation
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer may complement population screening approaches to enable earlier and more precise treatment. The blood proteome is an important source for biomarker discovery but so far, few proteins have been identified with breast cancer risk. Here, we measure 2929 unique proteins in plasma from 598 women selected from the Karolinska Mammography Project to explore the association between protein levels, clinical characteristics, and gene variants, and to identify proteins with a causal role in breast cancer. We present 812 cis-acting protein quantitative trait loci for 737 proteins which are used as instruments in Mendelian randomisation analyses of breast cancer risk. Of those, we present five proteins (CD160, DNPH1, LAYN, LRRC37A2 and TLR1) that show a potential causal role in breast cancer risk with confirmatory results in independent cohorts. Our study suggests that these proteins should be further explored as biomarkers and potential drug targets in breast cancer.
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| 8. |
- Smith-Byrne, Karl, et al.
(author)
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Identifying therapeutic targets for cancer among 2074 circulating proteins and risk of nine cancers
- 2024
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 15:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Circulating proteins can reveal key pathways to cancer and identify therapeutic targets for cancer prevention. We investigate 2,074 circulating proteins and risk of nine common cancers (bladder, breast, endometrium, head and neck, lung, ovary, pancreas, kidney, and malignant non-melanoma) using cis protein Mendelian randomisation and colocalization. We conduct additional analyses to identify adverse side-effects of altering risk proteins and map cancer risk proteins to drug targets. Here we find 40 proteins associated with common cancers, such as PLAUR and risk of breast cancer [odds ratio per standard deviation increment: 2.27, 1.88-2.74], and with high-mortality cancers, such as CTRB1 and pancreatic cancer [0.79, 0.73-0.85]. We also identify potential adverse effects of protein-altering interventions to reduce cancer risk, such as hypertension. Additionally, we report 18 proteins associated with cancer risk that map to existing drugs and 15 that are not currently under clinical investigation. In sum, we identify protein-cancer links that improve our understanding of cancer aetiology. We also demonstrate that the wider consequence of any protein-altering intervention on well-being and morbidity is required to interpret any utility of proteins as potential future targets for therapeutic prevention.
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| 9. |
- Tobiasson, Magnus, et al.
(author)
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Patient-Specific Measurable Residual Disease Markers Predict Outcome in Patients With Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Related Diseases After Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplantation
- 2024
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In: Journal of Clinical Oncology. - : American Society of Clinical Oncology. - 0732-183X .- 1527-7755. ; 42:12, s. 1378-1390
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: Clinical relapse is the major threat for patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT). Early detection of measurable residual disease (MRD) would enable preemptive treatment and potentially reduced relapse risk.METHODS: Patients with MDS planned for HSCT were enrolled in a prospective, observational study evaluating the association between MRD and clinical outcome. We collected bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood samples until relapse, death, or end of study 24 months after HSCT. Patient-specific mutations were identified with targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel and traced using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR).RESULTS: Of 266 included patients, estimated relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates 3 years after HSCT were 59% and 64%, respectively. MRD results were available for 221 patients. Relapse was preceded by positive BM MRD in 42/44 relapses with complete MRD data, by a median of 71 (23-283) days. Of 137 patients in continuous complete remission, 93 were consistently MRD-negative, 39 reverted from MRD+ to MRD-, and five were MRD+ at last sampling. Estimated 1 year-RFS after first positive MRD was 49%, 39%, and 30%, using cutoff levels of 0.1%, 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively. In a multivariate Cox model, MRD (hazard ratio [HR], 7.99), WHO subgroup AML (HR, 4.87), TP53 multi-hit (HR, 2.38), NRAS (HR, 3.55), and acute GVHD grade III-IV (HR, 4.13) were associated with shorter RFS. MRD+ was also independently associated with shorter OS (HR, 2.65). In a subgroup analysis of 100 MRD+ patients, presence of chronic GVHD was associated with longer RFS (HR, 0.32).CONCLUSION: Assessment of individualized MRD using NGS + ddPCR is feasible and can be used for early detection of relapse. Positive MRD is associated with shorter RFS and OS (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02872662).
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| 10. |
- Todisco, Gabriele, et al.
(author)
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Integrated Genomic and Transcriptomic Analysis Improves Disease Classification and Risk Stratification of MDS with Ring Sideroblasts
- 2023
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In: Clinical Cancer Research. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 29:20, s. 4256-4267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Ring sideroblasts (RS) define the low-risk myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) subgroup with RS but may also reflect erythroid dysplasia in higher risk myeloid neoplasm. The benign behavior of MDS with RS (MDSRSþ) is limited to SF3B1-mutated cases without additional high-risk genetic events, but one third of MDSRSþ carry no SF3B1 mutation, suggesting that different molecular mechanisms may underlie RS formation. We integrated genomic and transcriptomic analyses to evaluate whether transcriptome profiles may improve current risk stratification. Experimental Design: We studied a prospective cohort of MDSRSþ patients irrespective of World Health Organization (WHO) class with regard to somatic mutations, copy-number alterations, and bone marrow CD34þ cell transcriptomes to assess whether transcriptome profiles add to prognostication and provide input on disease classification. Results: SF3B1, SRSF2, or TP53 multihit mutations were found in 89% of MDSRSþ cases, and each mutation category was associated with distinct clinical outcome, gene expression, and alternative splicing profiles. Unsupervised clustering analysis identified three clusters with distinct hemopoietic stem and progenitor (HSPC) composition, which only partially overlapped with mutation groups. IPSS-M and the transcriptome-defined proportion of megakaryocyte/erythroid progenitors (MEP) independently predicted survival in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: These results provide essential input on the molecular basis of SF3B1-unmutated MDSRSþ and propose HSPC quantification as a prognostic marker in myeloid neoplasms with RS.
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