Periodic Reporting for period 4 - TSGPs-of-CFSs (Role of Tumour Suppressor Gene Products of Common Fragile Sites in Human Diseases) Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-11-01 do 2021-10-31 Podsumowanie kontekstu i ogólnych celów projektu Common fragile sites (CFSs) are large chromosomal regions identified by conventional cytogenetics as sequences prone to breakage in cells subjected to replication stress. The interest in CFSs stems from their key role in DNA damage, resulting in chromosomal rearrangements. The instability of CFSs was correlated with genome instability in precancerous lesions and during tumor progression. Two opposing views dominate the discussion regarding the role of CFSs. One school of thought suggested that genomic instability during cancer progression causes collateral damage to genes residing within CFSs, such as WWOX and FHIT. These genes are proposed to be unselected ‘‘passenger’’ mutations. The counter argument is that deletions and other genomic alterations in CFSs occur early in cancer development. Cancer cells with deletions in genes that span CFSs are then selectively expanded due to loss of tumor suppressor functions such as protection of genome stability, coordination of cell cycle or apoptosis. We have recently proposed another model by which these two viewpoints of CFS function are not mutually exclusive but rather coexist; when breaks at CFSs are not repaired accurately, this can lead to deletions by which cells acquire growth advantage because of loss of tumor suppressor activities (Hazan et. al. Plos Genetics, 2016). Further investigation clearly suggest that gene products from CFSs play important roles in other human diseases. For example, we have evidence for the involvement of DNA damage and WWOX in neurological disease, particularly in childhood epilepsy. Our project aims to investigate the role of tumor suppressor gene products (TSGPs) of CFSs in human diseases, particularly in cancer, metabolic and in neurological diseases. Three approaches were taken to tackle this question. First, molecular functions of TSGPs of CFSs in several cancer cells was determined using state-of-the-art genetic tools in vitro. Second, novel transgenic mouse tools were used to study CFSs and their associated TSGs in preneoplastic lesions and tumors in vivo, with confirmatory studies in human material. Third, discover potential involvement of CFSs and their TSGPs in metabolic diseases as well as in childhood epilepsy models and systems. Prace wykonane od początku projektu do końca okresu sprawozdawczego oraz najważniejsze dotychczasowe rezultaty In our project we achieved the following:1. Generating engineered knockout (KO) cells of TSGs of CFSs; for example as a prototype for the WWOX gene. Several human cell types including MCF7 breast cancer epithelial cells, MCF10A breast epithelial cells, U2OS osteosarcoma mesenchymal cells, MC3T3 pre-osteoblast mesencymal cells, EndoC acinar pancreatic cells, and neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (FSE) were targeted and WWOX-KO clones were generated and validated. These KO cells together with their control cells were studied at cellular and on some at molecular levels. Tumorigenic traits of these cells were addressed in vitro and if successful their tumorigenic traits were/are examined in vivo (using immunocomprimised mice). Our studies revealed tumor suppressor function of TSGPs in several types of cancer cells. 2. Mapping for DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) at very high resolution and discovering new "hot spots" and CFSs in a cell-type specific manner. Using BLISS (Breaks Labeling In Situ and Sequencing), a method that maps DSBs at very high resolution, we were able to show novel mechanism of gene regulation in cancer cells that involves coupling between transcription and DNA repair. 3. Genetic engineered mouse models modelling loss of Wwox expression in different cell types further confirmed WWOX function as tumor suppressor. We mimicked somatic loss of WWOX in osteoblasts to show its importance in developing osteosarcomas. Somatic loss of WWOX in mammary epithelial cells revealed its icritical function in regulating p53 and Brca1 basal-like breast tumors. In addition, WWOX-specific knockout in hepatocytes revealed its association with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Unpublished data also revealed WWOX function in developing pancreatic adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas. 4. Dissecting WWOX molecular function as a tumor suppressor was pursued using several Omics approaches and revealing importnbat functions in DNA damage response and cellular metabolism. 5. Mouse models mimicking WWOX loss of function in the brain revealed WWOX direct function in childhood epilepsy. Here we developed somatic loss of WWOX in neuronal stem cells and progenitors using Nestin-Cre mice and discovered that these mice resemble Wwox-null mice indicating the central WWOX function in central nervous system (CNS). We next went further to show that specific neuronal deletion of WWOX, but not in astrocytes or oligodendrocytes, phenocopies Wwox null mice. These mouse models displayed a remarkable phenotype of seizures and postnatal lethality, as documented in human WWOX-related epileptic encephalopathy (WOREE) patients. 6. The preceding findings (in 4) led us to propose possible therapeutic strategy using gene therapy of AAV9-WWOX as a possible treatment for WOREE syndrome. 7. Developing a human culture system to study brain development using induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and brain organoids resembling WOREE syndrome phenotypes. Innowacyjność oraz oczekiwany potencjalny wpływ (w tym dotychczasowe znaczenie społeczno-gospodarcze i szersze implikacje społeczne projektu) We have generated new tools (cells and mouse models) and used state-of-the-art technologies to test our hypothesis. This included using of CRISPR/CAS9 technology to generate KO cells and mice and optimisation of BLISS (Breaks Labeling In Situ and Sequencing) to profile DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) in vitro. We are also employing RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry to study molecular changes of manipulated and sorted cells. Our efforts contributed to address the question of whether TSGP of CFSs are playing direct roles not only in the tumorigenesis process but also in other maladies including neurological disorders. Role of common fragile sites and their gene products in cancer development
