Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of genomic loci, whose single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predispose to prostate cancer (PCa). However, the biological functions of these common genetic variants and the mechanisms to increase disease risk are largely unknown. We integrated chromatin-IP coupled sequencing (ChIP-seq) and microarray expression profiling in the TMPRSS2-ERG gene rearrangement positive DuCaP cell model with the NHGRI GWAS PCa risk SNPs catalog, in an attempt to identify disease susceptibility SNPs localized within functional androgen receptor binding sites (ARBSs). Among the 48 GWAS index SNPs and 2,702 linked SNPs defined by the 1000G project 104 were found to be localized in the AR ChIP-seq peaks. Of these risk SNPs, rs11891426 T/G in the 7th intron of its host gene melanophilin (MLPH) was found located within a putative auxiliary ARE motif, which we found enriched in the neighborhood of canonical ARE motifs. Exchange of T to G attenuated the transcriptional activity of the MLPH-ARBS in a reporter gene assay. The expression of MLPH protein in tissue samples from prostate cancer patients was significantly lower in those with the G compared to the T allele. Moreover, a significant positive correlation of AR and MLPH protein expression levels was also confirmed in tissue samples. These results unravel a hidden link between AR and a functional PCa risk SNP rs11891426, whose allele alteration affects androgen regulation of its host gene MLPH. This study shows the power of integrative studies to pin down functional risk SNPs and justifies further investigations.
Putative Prostate Cancer Risk SNP in an Androgen Receptor-Binding Site of the Melanophilin Gene Illustrates Enrichment of Risk SNPs in Androgen Receptor Target Sites.
Cell line, Treatment, Time
View SamplesWe analyzed samples from 770 male human subjects who are part of the METSIM study. Ethics Committee of the Northern Savo Hospital District approved the study. All participants gave written informed consent. The population-based cross-sectional METSIM study included 10 197 men, aged from 45 to 73 years, who were randomly selected from the population register of the Kuopio town in eastern Finland (population 95000). Every participant had a 1-day outpatient visit to the Clinical Research Unit at the University of Kuopio, including an interview on the history of previous diseases and current drug treatment and an evaluation of glucose tolerance and cardiovascular risk factors. After 12 h of fasting, a 2 h oral 75 g glucose tolerance test was performed and the blood samples were drawn at 0, 30 and 120 min. Plasma glucose was measured by enzymatic hexokinase photometric assay (Konelab Systems reagents; Thermo Fischer Scientific, Vantaa, Finland). Insulin was determined by immunoassay (ADVIA Centaur Insulin IRI no. 02230141; Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY, USA). Height and weight were measured to the nearest 0.5 cm and 0.1 kg, respectively. Waist circumference (at the midpoint between the lateral iliac crest and lowest rib) and hip circumference (at the level of the trochanter major) were measured to the nearest 0.5 cm. Body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance (RJL Systems) in subjects in the supine position.
Genetic Regulation of Adipose Gene Expression and Cardio-Metabolic Traits.
Sex, Age, Specimen part
View SamplesWe used microarrays to assess the global gene expression profiles of cancer stem cells which were isolated from cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas which developed when WT, TGF beta receptor II ko, FAK KO, and TGF beta receptor II/FAK double KO were subjected to continuous DMBA treatment.
Tumor-initiating stem cells of squamous cell carcinomas and their control by TGF-β and integrin/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling.
Specimen part
View SamplesHair follicle (HF) regeneration begins when communication between quiescent epithelial stem cells (SCs) and underlying mesenchymal dermal papillae (DP) generates sufficient activating cues to overcome repressive BMP signals from surrounding niche cells. We uncovered a hitherto unrecognized DP transmitter, TGF2, which activates Smad2/3 transiently in HFSCs concomitant with entry into tissue regeneration.
Paracrine TGF-β signaling counterbalances BMP-mediated repression in hair follicle stem cell activation.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesWe report downstream gene expression changes in stem cells of the adult mouse hair follicle upon conditional ablating of the transcription factor Forkhead Box C1 transcription factor (FOXC1). Hair follicles undergo cycles of rest (telogen; Tel) and regeneration (anagen; Ana). As such, we performed our analysis on these two different stages of hair follicles. Overall design: mRNA-sequencing of WT vs. Foxc1-conditional or inducible KO (Foxc1-cKO or iKO) hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) purified from mouse dorsal back skin by flow-activated cell sorting (FACS).
FOXC1 maintains the hair follicle stem cell niche and governs stem cell quiescence to preserve long-term tissue-regenerating potential.
Specimen part, Cell line, Subject
View SamplesHair follicle matrix, outer root sheath, dermal papilla cells and melanocytes and a dermal fraction enriched in fibroblasts were FACS isolated from 4d backskins. Targets from two biological replicates of each were generated and the expression profiles were determined using Affymetrix Mouse Genechip 430A arrays. Comparisons between the sample groups allow the identification of cell-type specific genes.
Molecular dissection of mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the hair follicle.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesCanonical WNT-signaling is essential for placode formation irrespective of appendage type. At sites of placode initiation, Although WNT-signaling occurs in both epithelium and mesenchyme, the site of most intense activity as revealed by the WNT reporter Axin2-LacZ was in a zone just below the epithelial-mesenchymal interface. In ventral foot-skin, this WNT activity peaked at E17.5, concomitant with sweat bud fate commitment, while in dorsal back-skin, it began at E14.5, concomitant with HF fate specification. Overall design: To address whether WNT-signaling within this zone might regionally influence the transcriptional landscape of body-site mesenchymes to support distinct epithelial fates, we transcriptionally profiled the Axin2-positive and Axin2-negative dermal cells following their FACS-purification from E17.5 ventral foot-skin and E14.5 dorsal back-skin
Spatiotemporal antagonism in mesenchymal-epithelial signaling in sweat versus hair fate decision.
Specimen part, Subject
View SamplesWe performed RNA-seq on purified squamous cell carcinoma stem cells (SCC-SCs) from primary mouse skin tumors transduced with TGF-beta reporter. Overall design: SCC-SCs were purified based on cell surface marker expression integrin alpha6 and CD44, after lineage negative selection, and separated by fluorescent TGF-beta reporter expression.
TGF-β promotes heterogeneity and drug resistance in squamous cell carcinoma.
No sample metadata fields
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Specific microRNAs are preferentially expressed by skin stem cells to balance self-renewal and early lineage commitment.
Sex, Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesDuring development, a polarized sheet of epidermal cells undergoes stratification and differentiation to produce the skin barrier. Through mechanisms poorly understood, the process involves adhesion and Notch signaling. To elucidate how epidermal embryogenesis is governed, we conditionally targeted transcription factor serum response factor (SRF), which has been shown to be essential for proper epidermal differentiation in vitro and in vivo. Seeking mechanism, we identified actomyosin-related genes as well-known SRF targets downregulated shortly after ablation. We show that this results in a diminished cortical actomyosin network which fails to regulate the transition of cells from the basal proliferative layer to the suprabasal differentiating layer resulting in an inability of cells to properly execute stratification and differentiation.
Developmental roles for Srf, cortical cytoskeleton and cell shape in epidermal spindle orientation.
No sample metadata fields
View Samples