We have demonstrated that the oncogenic activation of B-RAF (using a truncated delta-BRAF-ER version inducible with tamoxifen) in the melan-a melanocyte cell line triggers the activation of Zeb1 and Twist1 at the expanse of Zeb2 and Snail2. Enforced maintenance of Zeb2 or Snail2 expression reduces the B-RAF oncogenic potential while ectopic expression of Zeb1 or Twist1 cooperates with B-RAF in melan-a cell transformation. To get an insight into the properties of these embryonic transcription factors, gene expression profiles of melan-a-derived cell lines either expressing a non-activated B-RAF (- tamoxifen) or an activated BRAF (+ tamoxifen) alone or in combination with Snail2, Zeb2, Twist1 or Zeb1 have been established.
A switch in the expression of embryonic EMT-inducers drives the development of malignant melanoma.
Cell line
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EMT inducers catalyze malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells and drive tumorigenesis towards claudin-low tumors in transgenic mice.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThe newly identified claudin-low subtype of cancer is believed to represent the most primitive breast malignancies, having arisen from transformation of an early epithelial precursor with inherent stemness properties and metaplastic features. Challenging this hypothesis, we show both in vitro and in vivo that transcription factors inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition can drive the development of claudin-low tumors from differentiated mammary epithelial cells, by playing a dual role in cell transformation and dedifferentiation.
EMT inducers catalyze malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells and drive tumorigenesis towards claudin-low tumors in transgenic mice.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThe newly identified claudin-low subtype of cancer is believed to represent the most primitive breast malignancies, having arisen from transformation of an early epithelial precursor with inherent stemness properties and metaplastic features. Challenging this hypothesis, we show both in vitro and in vivo that transcription factors inducing epithelial-mesenchymal transition can drive the development of claudin-low tumors from differentiated mammary epithelial cells, by playing a dual role in cell transformation and dedifferentiation.
EMT inducers catalyze malignant transformation of mammary epithelial cells and drive tumorigenesis towards claudin-low tumors in transgenic mice.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
A stemness-related ZEB1-MSRB3 axis governs cellular pliancy and breast cancer genome stability.
Specimen part, Cell line
View SamplesAberrant cell proliferation, a hallmark of most cancers, requires the escape from intrinsic antitumour barriers. Primary among these is the DNA damage response (DDR). In both cell culture-models and in early stages of tumorigenesis in vivo, activated oncogenes induce DNA replication stress and DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), leading to DDR activation and p53-dependent apoptosis and/or senescence. The means by which tumour-initiating cells, also termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), circumvent this oncosuppressive response is unknown. Here we demonstrate that the ZEB1 transcription factor provides breast CSCs with the ability to withstand an aberrant mitogenic activity. Its forced expression in human mammary epithelial cells is sufficient to alleviate DNA replicative stress and to decrease the production of reactive oxygen species, an important contributor to DDR and oncogene-induced senescence. Consistently, human breast cancer cells with endogenous ZEB1 expression show two characteristic features: low levels of DSBs and DDR markers, reflecting mitigation of the DNA replication stress, and a low p53 mutation frequency, reflecting a weak selective pressure for inactivation. Using high-throughput sequencing analysis of controlled cellular models, we further demonstrate that ZEB1 delays the onset of structural chromosomal instability (CIN), a known consequence of replicative stress and prevents the emergence of chromosome 8p deletions and 8q amplifications, two prevalent abnormalities in high-grade breast cancers. Supporting these findings, ZEB1 expression discriminates human breast tumours by their copy number alterations (CNAs) and chromosome 8 aberrations. We propose that the tumorigenic potential of CSCs relies upon their unique capacity to tolerate oncogenic stimuli through the alleviation of DNA replication stress.
A stemness-related ZEB1-MSRB3 axis governs cellular pliancy and breast cancer genome stability.
Specimen part
View SamplesExpression data from valvular interstitial cells cultured in 2D or 3D PEG hydrogel systems compared to culture on tissue culture polystyrene and freshly isolated cells
Transcriptional profiles of valvular interstitial cells cultured on tissue culture polystyrene, on 2D hydrogels, or within 3D hydrogels.
Specimen part
View SamplesDuring transcription initiation, the TFIIH-kinase Kin28/Cdk7 marks RNA polymerase II (Pol II) by phosphorylating the C-terminal domain (CTD) of its largest subunit. Here we describe a structure-guided chemical approach to covalently and specifically inactivate Kin28 kinase activity in vivo. This method of irreversible inactivation recapitulates both the lethal phenotype and the key molecular signatures that result from genetically disrupting Kin28 function in vivo. Inactivating Kin28 impacts promoter release to differing degrees and reveals a “checkpoint” during the transition to productive elongation. While promoter-proximal pausing is not observed in budding yeast, inhibition of Kin28 attenuates elongation-licensing signals, resulting in Pol II accumulation at the +2 nucleosome and reduced transition to productive elongation. Furthermore, upon inhibition, global stabilization of mRNA masks different degrees of reduction in nascent transcription. This study resolves long-standing controversies on the role of Kin28 in transcription and provides a rational approach to irreversibly inhibit other kinases in vivo. Overall design: Total RNA was collected from wild-type and analog-sensitive Kin28 strains treated with reversible inhibitor 1-NAPP-1, irreversible inhibitor CMK, and solvent control DMSO. Equivalent ratios of S. pombe : S. cerevisiae cells were added to each sample before RNA extraction for normalization of read counts after sequencing. Nascent RNA was purified from total RNA by 4-thiouracil labeling, biotinylation, and streptavidin-pulldown. As a negative control, nascent RNA was also extracted from total RNA from cells that had not been treated with 4-thiouracil.
Engineered Covalent Inactivation of TFIIH-Kinase Reveals an Elongation Checkpoint and Results in Widespread mRNA Stabilization.
Cell line, Treatment, Subject
View SamplesIn order to elucidate the molecular mechanism giving rise to the rare In(Lu) type of Lu(a-b-) blood group phenotype we compared the transcriptome of normal and In(Lu) erythroblasts at different stages of maturation. Many erythroid-specific genes had reduced transcript levels suggesting the phenotype resulted from a transcription factor abnormality. A search for mutations in erythroid transcription factors revealed mutations in the promoter or coding sequence of EKLF in 21 of 24 individuals with the In(Lu) phenotype. In all cases the mutant EKLF allele occurred in the presence of a normal EKLF allele. Individuals with the In(Lu) phenotype have no reported pathology indicating that one functional EKLF allele is sufficient to sustain human erythropoiesis. These data provide the first description of inactivating mutations in human EKLF and the first demonstration of a blood group phenotype resulting from mutations in a transcription factor.
Mutations in EKLF/KLF1 form the molecular basis of the rare blood group In(Lu) phenotype.
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View SamplesFibrotic diseases have significant health impact and have been associated with differentiation of the resident fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. In particular, stiffened extracellular matrix and TGF-1 in fibrotic lesions have been shown to promote pathogenic myofibroblast activation and progression of fibrosis in various tissues. To better understand the roles of mechanical and chemical cues on myofibroblast differentiation and how they may crosstalk, we cultured primary valvular interstitial cells (VICs) isolated from porcine aortic valves and studied how traditional TCPS culture, which presents a non-physiologically stiff environment, and TGF-1 affect native VIC phenotypes.
Hydrogels preserve native phenotypes of valvular fibroblasts through an elasticity-regulated PI3K/AKT pathway.
Specimen part, Treatment
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