The Ten-eleven translocation (Tet) proteins (including Tet1/2/3) have been recently identified as critical regulators in epigenetic regulation through converting 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5- hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), leading to active or passive DNA demethylation. Although TET1, the founding member of the TET gene family, was first identified as a fusion partner of the mixed lineage leukemia (MLL) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), its pathological role in leukemia is unknown. In contrast to the down-regulation and potential tumor suppressor roles of all three TET genes reported in various solid tumors and the frequent loss-of-function mutations of TET2 in hematopoietic malignancies, we recently found that TET1 (but not TET2 /3) was significantly up-regulated in MLL-rearranged AML; MLL fusions bind to the promoter region of TET1 and promote its expression directly, which is associated with an increased level of 5hmC. Depletion of Tet1 expression by small hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or genetic knockout significantly inhibits MLL-AF9-mediated cell transformation in vitro and leukemogenesis in vivo. In addition, knockdown of TET1 expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligos significantly decreases viability/growth and increases apoptosis of human MLL- AF9 leukemic cells. Furthermore, we showed that several essential downstream direct targets of MLL fusions, such as HOXA9, MEIS1, and PBX3 that have been shown to be critical for the induction/maintenance and leukemia stem cells (LSCs) self-renewal of MLL-rearranged AML, are also direct target genes of TET1. Hypothesis: TET1 plays an essential oncogenic role in the pathogenesis of MLL-rearranged leukemia through promoting expression of a group of oncogenic target genes and repressing expression of a group of tumor- suppressor target genes, and thus TET1 is a viable therapeutic target in treating MLL-rearranged leukemia.
Specific Aims : 1) To determine the essential role of Tet1 in both development and maintenance of MLL- rearranged leukemia as well as in the self-renewal of relevant leukemia stem cells (LSCs); 2) To identify critical target genes of Tet1 in MLL-rearranged leukemic cells. Study Design: 1) First, we will perform in vitro binding and transcriptional studies to validate that TET1 is a direct target of all five major MLL-fusions (i.e, MLL-AF9, -AF6, -AF10, -ELL and -ENL). Next, we will use Tet1 knockout/knockdown models coupled with MLL-fusion bone marrow transplantation models to determine the essential role of Tet1 in both development and maintenance of all five major subtypes of MLL-rearranged AML and in the self-renewal of relevant LSCs. We will also use xeno-transplantation models to determine whether targeting TET1 is a potential therapeutic approach to treat MLL-rearranged AML (Aim 1). 2) We will perform Chip-Seq, single-base resolution 5hmC/5mC-Seq, and RNA-Seq to identify critical potential targets of Tet1, followed by the validation and functional studis of a group of selected targets of Tet1 in MLL-rearranged leukemia in order to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms (Aim 2).

Public Health Relevance

Around 10% of acute leukemias, including ~80% of all infant acute leukemia, carrying a chromosomal rearrangement involving the MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene located on human chromosome 11, are usually associated with poor survival and the majority of patients cannot be cured with contemporary treatment; thus, better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of MLL- rearranged leukemia, and development of effective novel therapeutic strategies based on such understanding, are urgently needed. The major goal of this proposal is to determine whether expression of TET1, a gene involving genomic DNA modification and relevant epigenetic gene regulation, is required for both development and maintenance of MLL-rearranged leukemia and for the self-renewal of relevant leukemia stem cells (LSCs), whether targeting TET1 is a potential therapeutic approach to treat MLL-rearranged leukemia, and what genes (including both protein-coding genes and microRNAs) are critical downstream direct targets of TET1 in MLL- rearranged leukemia. The success of this project will not only shed new light on our understanding of the pathological role of TET1 (an epigenetic regulator) and of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development, maintenance, and LSC self-renewal of MLL-rearranged leukemia, but also may lead to the ultimate development of specific and effective novel therapeutic approaches to treat this presently therapy- resistant disease through targeting of TET1 and/or its critical downstream target genes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA178454-04
Application #
9032458
Study Section
Cancer Molecular Pathobiology Study Section (CAMP)
Program Officer
Mufson, R Allan
Project Start
2014-04-01
Project End
2019-03-31
Budget Start
2016-04-01
Budget End
2017-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Cincinnati
Department
Anatomy/Cell Biology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
041064767
City
Cincinnati
State
OH
Country
United States
Zip Code
45221
Jiang, Xi; Hu, Chao; Ferchen, Kyle et al. (2018) Author Correction: Targeted inhibition of STAT/TET1 axis as a therapeutic strategy for acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Commun 9:670
Huang, Huilin; Weng, Hengyou; Sun, Wenju et al. (2018) Recognition of RNA N6-methyladenosine by IGF2BP proteins enhances mRNA stability and translation. Nat Cell Biol 20:285-295
Weng, Hengyou; Huang, Huilin; Wu, Huizhe et al. (2018) METTL14 Inhibits Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Differentiation and Promotes Leukemogenesis via mRNA m6A Modification. Cell Stem Cell 22:191-205.e9
Deng, Xiaolan; Su, Rui; Weng, Hengyou et al. (2018) RNA N6-methyladenosine modification in cancers: current status and perspectives. Cell Res 28:507-517
Deng, Xiaolan; Su, Rui; Stanford, Savanna et al. (2018) Critical Enzymatic Functions of FTO in Obesity and Cancer. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 9:396
Su, Rui; Dong, Lei; Li, Chenying et al. (2018) R-2HG Exhibits Anti-tumor Activity by Targeting FTO/m6A/MYC/CEBPA Signaling. Cell 172:90-105.e23
Deng, Xiaolan; Su, Rui; Feng, Xuesong et al. (2018) Role of N6-methyladenosine modification in cancer. Curr Opin Genet Dev 48:1-7
Jiang, Xi; Hu, Chao; Ferchen, Kyle et al. (2017) Targeted inhibition of STAT/TET1 axis as a therapeutic strategy for acute myeloid leukemia. Nat Commun 8:2099
Li, Zejuan; Weng, Hengyou; Su, Rui et al. (2017) FTO Plays an Oncogenic Role in Acute Myeloid Leukemia as a N6-Methyladenosine RNA Demethylase. Cancer Cell 31:127-141
Li, Jing; Volk, Andrew; Zhang, Jun et al. (2017) Sensitizing leukemia stem cells to NF-?B inhibitor treatment in vivo by inactivation of both TNF and IL-1 signaling. Oncotarget 8:8420-8435

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications