Epigenetic dysregulation and genetic mutations both contribute to cancer development. While genetic mutations such as gain-of-function mutations in oncogenes and loss-of-function mutations in tumor suppressors have been extensively studied, the mechanisms by which epigenetic dysregulation arises and causes cancers remain obscure. This project investigates the molecular mechanisms by which oncoproteins induce heterochromatin destabilization, thereby epigenetically causing tumor formation. We propose to use the epigenetic effects of JAK/STAT activation in Drosophila as a paradigm to study the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic causes of tumorigenesis. Aberrant activation of JAK/STAT signaling is associated with many types of human cancers, and gain-of-function mutations in JAK have been identified that cause human leukemia. The effects of JAK/STAT signaling have been attributed largely to direct transcriptional regulation by STAT of specific target genes that promote tumor cell proliferation and/or survival. We have recently shown in a Drosophila hematopoietic tumor model, however, that JAK overactivation globally disrupts heterochromatin formation, which leads to derepression of genes that are not necessarily direct targets of STAT. We have further shown that heterochromatin levels greatly influence oncogenic JAK-induced tumor formation and cell overproliferation. These results suggest that global epigenetic dysregulation in the form of heterochromatin destabilization may play an essential role in cancer initiation and/or progression. We hypothesize that proper heterochromatin formation constitutes an epigenetic tumor suppression mechanism, and that overactivation of JAK/STAT signaling induces tumor formation in part by globally disrupting heterochromatin. To test this hypothesis, we will take advantage of the Drosophila genetic system to carry out genetic and biochemical experiments to determine the molecular mechanisms by which JAK/STAT activation leads to heterochromatin instability, and the causal role of heterochromatin destabilization in tumor formation. Results from these studies should advance our knowledge of how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms cooperate in cancer development in humans and should also lead to new therapeutic targets for human cancer treatment.

Public Health Relevance

Epigenetic dysregulation has received increasing attention in recent years as playing important roles in tumor initiation and progression. The overall goal of this project is to elucidate the molecular mechanism by which oncoprotein-induced heterochromatin instability epigenetically causes cancer development. Results from these studies should advance our knowledge of how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms cooperate in cancer formation in humans and could also lead to new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
4R01CA131326-03
Application #
8193217
Study Section
Cellular Signaling and Regulatory Systems Study Section (CSRS)
Program Officer
Okano, Paul
Project Start
2009-07-01
Project End
2013-11-30
Budget Start
2011-12-16
Budget End
2012-11-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$316,883
Indirect Cost
$109,383
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Tsurumi, Amy; Zhao, Connie; Li, Willis X (2017) Canonical and non-canonical JAK/STAT transcriptional targets may be involved in distinct and overlapping cellular processes. BMC Genomics 18:718
Hu, Xiaoyu; Dutta, Pranabananda; Tsurumi, Amy et al. (2013) Unphosphorylated STAT5A stabilizes heterochromatin and suppresses tumor growth. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110:10213-8
Gaur, Kriti; Li, Jinghong; Wang, Dakun et al. (2013) The Birt-Hogg-Dube tumor suppressor Folliculin negatively regulates ribosomal RNA synthesis. Hum Mol Genet 22:284-99
Larson, Kimberly; Yan, Shian-Jang; Tsurumi, Amy et al. (2012) Heterochromatin formation promotes longevity and represses ribosomal RNA synthesis. PLoS Genet 8:e1002473
Tsurumi, Amy; Li, Willis X (2012) Global heterochromatin loss: a unifying theory of aging? Epigenetics 7:680-8
Ting, Huei-Ju; Yasmin-Karim, Sayeda; Yan, Shian-Jang et al. (2012) A positive feedback signaling loop between ATM and the vitamin D receptor is critical for cancer chemoprevention by vitamin D. Cancer Res 72:958-68
Tsurumi, Amy; Xia, Fan; Li, Jinghong et al. (2011) STAT is an essential activator of the zygotic genome in the early Drosophila embryo. PLoS Genet 7:e1002086
Yan, Shian-Jang; Li, Willis X (2011) Using Drosophila larval imaginal discs to study low-dose radiation-induced cell cycle arrest. Methods Mol Biol 782:93-103
Yan, Shian-Jang; Lim, Su Jun; Shi, Song et al. (2011) Unphosphorylated STAT and heterochromatin protect genome stability. FASEB J 25:232-41
Yan, Shian-Jang; Zartman, Jeremiah J; Zhang, Minjie et al. (2009) Bistability coordinates activation of the EGFR and DPP pathways in Drosophila vein differentiation. Mol Syst Biol 5:278