Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are genetic disorders caused by impaired hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC), which can transform to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS typically occurs in the ageing population, however MDS can also manifest as a result of inherited germline mutations in younger individuals. Mutations in the DEAD/H-box helicase gene DDX41 are among the most common alterations associated with inherited MDS. Inherited DDX41 mutations are heterozygous and are typically frameshifts, suggesting that these mutations result in loss of DDX41 function. DDX41 mutations are also observed in de novo MDS and AML, and are typically missense mutations frequently resulting in the amino acid substitution R525H. DDX41 is an RNA helicase that hydrolyzes ATP, and can function as an innate immune sensor, RNA splicing factor, and ribosome regulator. The precise mechanism(s) by which DDX41 mutations alter HSPC function and contribute to MDS/AML remains unknown. As such, the proposed project will define the role of DDX41 mutations in the pathogenesis of MDS/AML. To mimic the frameshift mutations observed in human MDS and determine the role of DDX41 in normal hematopoiesis, we generated hematopoietic-specific and conditional Ddx41-deficient mice. Our preliminary data has revealed that DDX41-deficiency (complete knockout) is not compatible with HSPC function and hematopoiesis, whereas DDX41 heterozygosity increases BM HPSC. In addition, through integrative proteomic and biochemical approaches we identified a novel DDX41-interacting protein in leukemic cells, SAMHD1, a dNTPase and host defense factor, which controls cellular pools of dNTPs. Collectively, our preliminary data indicate that DDX41 has a critical role in hematopoiesis and HSPC function. We hypothesize that diminished DDX41 expression and/or function contributes to ineffective hematopoiesis and to the pathogenesis of MDS and AML, in part due to increased SAMHD1 activity and altered cellular dNTP pools. Therefore, the objectives of this proposal are to model somatic and germline DDX41 mutations in normal and malignant hematopoiesis, and to elucidate the molecular function of DDX41 required for HSPC function. Through extensive hematopoietic approaches, we will define the role of DDX41 deficiency and R525H expression in MDS incidence and progression to AML (Aim 1). Since DNMT3A and DDX41 mutations commonly co-occur in MDS patients that have progressed to AML, we will determine whether DDX41 heterozygosity or R525H expression combined with DNMT3A-deficient mice will result in high-risk MDS or overt AML. Reduced cellular dNTP pools impair cell cycle progression and result in genomic instability; therefore, we will determine the role of SAMHD1 activity in DDX41-deficient HSPC or mutant MDS, and whether diminished cellular dNTPs pools lead to genomic instability and development of AML (Aim 2). By elucidating the function of DDX41 malignant hematopoiesis, we predict to uncover novel mechanisms underlying inherited and de novo MDS.
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are blood diseases caused by mutations that impair hematopoietic stem cell function and can transform into overt acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Inherited and de novo mutations in DDX41 have been shown to contribute to MDS and AML development in late adulthood by an unknown mechanism, which this proposal seeks to define. The identification of disease-causing functions lost or gained by DDX41 mutation will enhance our understanding of MDS pathogenesis in general and could lead to novel drug targets for the treatment of MDS and/or AML.
