The Epigenetic Landscape of Promoter Genome-wide Analysis in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease due to its clinico-pathological features and response to therapy. The classification of breast tumors based on their hormone receptor status and pathologic features. Post-translational histone modifications come into prominence for regulation of gene expression in cancer pathogenesis. Here, we analyzed dysregulation of H3K9ac and H3K27me3-enriched subtype-specific genes using ChIP-on-chip assay in breast cancer tumors and matched normal tissue samples. Breast cancer tumors were classified according to St Gallen Consensus 2013. Our results indicated that the promoter regions of genes modified by H3K9ac epi-mark are commonly associated with tumors with HER2-positive and TNBC subtype. H3K27me3-enriched genes were comprised of Luminal A and B1 subtypes. We constructed a network structure to elicit epigenetically regulated genes related with breast cancer progression. The central genes of the network (RUNX1, PAX3, GATA4 and DLX5) were subjected for epigenetically dysregulation in association with different breast cancer subtypes. Our study submits epigenetic mechanisms are crucial to elicit subtype-specific regulation in breast cancer and ChIP-on-chip assay provides a better understanding for breast tumorigenesis and new approaches for prevention and treatment.

H3K4 acetylation, H3K9 acetylation and H3K27 methylation in breast tumor molecular subtypes.

AIM: Here, we investigated how the St Gallen breast molecular subtypes displayed distinct histone H3 profiles. PATIENTS & METHODS: 192 breast tumors divided into five St Gallen molecular subtypes (luminal A, luminal B HER2-, luminal B HER2+, HER2+ and basal-like) were evaluated for their histone H3 modifications on gene promoters. RESULTS: ANOVA analysis allowed to identify specific H3 signatures according to three groups of genes: hormonal receptor genes (ERS1, ERS2, PGR), genes modifying histones (EZH2, P300, SRC3) and tumor suppressor gene (BRCA1). A similar profile inside high-risk cancers (luminal B [HER2+], HER2+ and basal-like) compared with low-risk cancers including luminal A and luminal B (HER2-) were demonstrated. CONCLUSION: The H3 modifications might contribute to clarify the differences between breast cancer subtypes.

Epigenetic Modifications with DZNep, NaBu and SAHA in Luminal and Mesenchymal-like Breast Cancer Subtype Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Numerous studies have shown that breast cancer and epigenetic mechanisms have a very powerful interactive relation. The MCF7 cell line, representative of luminal subtype and the MDA-MB 231 cell line representative of mesenchymal-like subtype were treated respectively with a Histone Methyl Transferase Inhibitors (HMTi), 3-Deazaneplanocin hydrochloride (DZNep), two histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), sodium butyrate (NaBu), and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) for 48 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to observe HDACis (SAHA and NaBu) and HMTi (DZNep) impact on histones and more specifically on H3K27me3, H3K9ac and H3K4ac marks with Q-PCR analysis of BRCA1, SRC3 and P300 genes. Furthermore, the HDACi and HMTi effects on mRNA and protein expression of BRCA1, SRC3 and P300 genes were checked. In addition, statistical analyses were used. RESULTS: In the MCF7 luminal subtype with positive ER, H3k4ac was significantly increased on BRCA1 with SAHA. On the contrary, in the MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cell line, representative of mesenchymal-like subtype with negative estrogen receptor, HDACis had no effect. Also, DZNEP decreased significantly H3K27me3 on BRCA1 in MDA-MB 231. Besides, on SRC3, a significant increase for H3K4ac was obtained in MCF7 treated with SAHA. And DZNEP had no effect in MCF7. Also, in MDA-MB 231 treated with DZNEP, H3K27me3 significantly decreased on SRC3 while H3K4ac was significantly increased in MDA-MB-231 treated with SAHA or NaBu for P300. CONCLUSION: Luminal and mesenchymal-like breast cancer subtype cell lines seemed to act differently to HDACis (SAHA and NaBu) or HMTi (DZNEP) treatments.

Genome-wide DNA methylation modified by soy phytoestrogens: role for epigenetic therapeutics in prostate cancer?

In prostate cancer, DNA methylation is significantly associated with tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. Previous studies have suggested that soy phytoestrogens might regulate DNA methylation at individual candidate gene loci and that they play a crucial role as potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer. The purpose of our study was to examine the modulation effects of phytoestrogens on a genome-wide scale in regards to DNA methylation in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer cell lines DU-145 and LNCaP were treated with 40 µM of genistein and 110 µM of daidzein. DNMT inhibitor 5-azacytidine (2 µM) and the methylating agent budesonide (2 µM) were used to compare their demethylation/methylation effects with phytoestrogens. The regulatory effects of phytoestrogens on DNA methylation were analyzed by using a methyl-DNA immunoprecipitation method coupled with Human DNA Methylation Microarrays (MeDIP-chip). We observed that the methylation profiles of 58 genes were altered by genistein and daidzein treatments in DU-145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells. In addition, the methylation frequencies of the MAD1L1, TRAF7, KDM4B, and hTERT genes were remarkably modified by genistein treatment. Our results suggest that the modulation effects of phytoestrogens on DNA methylation essentially lead to inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. Genome-wide methylation profiling reported here suggests that epigenetic regulation mechanisms and, by extension, epigenetics-driven novel therapeutic candidates warrant further consideration in future "omics" studies of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer: The main risk and protective factors-Epigenetic modifications.

With 13 million new cases worldwide every year, prostate cancer is as a very real public health concern. Prostate cancer is common in over-50s men and the sixth-leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. Like all cancers, prostate cancer is multifactorial - there are non-modifiable risk factors like heredity, ethnicity and geographic location, but also modifiable risk factors such as diet. Diet-cancer linkages have risen to prominence in the last few years, with accruing epidemiological data pointing to between-population incidence differentials in numerous cancers. Indeed, there are correlations between fat-rich diet and risk of hormone-dependent cancers like prostate cancer and breast cancer. Diet is a risk factor for prostate cancer, but certain micronutrients in specific diets are considered protective factors against prostate cancer. Examples include tomato lycopene, green tea epigallocatechin gallate, and soy phytoestrogens. These micronutrients are thought to exert cancer-protective effects via anti-oxidant pathways and inhibition of cell proliferation. Here, we focus in on the effects of phytoestrogens, and chiefly genistein and daidzein, which are the best-researched to date. Soy phytoestrogens are nonsteroid molecules whose structural similarity lends them the ability to mimic the effects of 17ß-estradiol. On top of anti-oxidant effects, there is evidence that soy phytoestrogens can modulate the epigenetic modifications found in prostate cancer. We also studied the impact of phytoestrogens on epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer, with special focus on DNA methylation, miRNA-mediated regulation and histone modifications.

The association between histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and prostate cancer: relationship with clinicopathological parameters.

BACKGROUND: It is well established that genetic and epigenetic alterations are common events in prostate cancer, which may lead to aberrant expression of critical genes. The importance of epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer carcinogenesis is increasingly evident. In this study, the focus will be on histone modifications and the primary objectives are to map H3K27me3 marks and quantify RAR beta 2, ER alpha, SRC3, RGMA, PGR, and EZH2 gene expressions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. In addition, a data analysis was made in connection with the clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: 71 normal specimens and 66 cancer prostate tissues were randomly selected in order to assess the proportion of the repressive H3K27me3 mark and gene expression. H3K27me3 level was evaluated by ChIP-qPCR and mRNA expression using RT-qPCR between prostate cancer and normal tissues. Subsequently, western-blotting was performed for protein detection. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed, and Tukey's test was used to correct for multiple comparisons (p-value threshold of 0.05). The principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant factorial analysis (DFA) were used to explore the association between H3K27me3 level and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that H3K27me3 level was significantly enriched at the RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA promoter regions in prostate cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. After stratification by clinicopathological parameters, the H3K27me3 level was positively correlated with Gleason score, PSA levels and clinical stages for RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA. High H3K27me3 mark was significantly associated with decreased RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR and RGMA gene expressions in prostate cancer sample compared to the normal one. Moreover, the results showed that mRNA level of EZH2, AR and SRC3 are upregulated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate tissues and this correlates positively with Gleason score, PSA levels and clinical stages. Obviously, these observations were confirmed by protein level using western-blot. CONCLUSIONS: This data clearly demonstrated that H3K27me3 level correlated with aggressive tumor features. Also this study revealed that reverse correlation of RAR beta 2, ER alpha, PGR, and RGMA expressions with EZH2, SRC3, and AR expressions in prostate cancer tissues suggests that these genes are the target of EZH2. Therefore, all therapeutic strategies leading to histone demethylation with epigenetic drugs such as histone methyltransferase inhibitor may be relevant treatments against prostate cancer.

Epigenetic mechanisms of breast cancer: an update of the current knowledge.

Epigenetic alterations are heritable changes in gene expression that occur without causing any change in DNA sequence. They are important key factors for cancer development and prognosis. Breast cancer is induced by the accumulation of altered gene regulation. Besides genetic mutations, epigenetics mechanisms have an important role in breast cancer tumorigenesis. Investigations related with aberrant epigenetic regulations in breast cancer focus on initiating molecular mechanisms in cancer development, identification of new biomarkers to predict breast cancer aggressiveness and the potential of epigenetic therapy. In this review, we will summarize the recent knowledge about the role of epigenetic alterations related with DNA methylation and histone modification in breast cancer. In addition, altered regulation of breast cancer specific genes and the potential of epigenetic therapy will be discussed according to epigenetic mechanisms.

Epigenetic modifications in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men in France. Apart from the genetic alterations in prostate cancer, epigenetics modifications are involved in the development and progression of this disease. Epigenetic events are the main cause in gene regulation and the three most epigenetic mechanisms studied include DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA expression. In this review, we summarized epigenetic mechanisms in prostate cancer. Epigenetic drugs that inhibit DNA methylation, histone methylation and histone acetylation might be able to reactivate silenced gene expression in prostate cancer. However, further understanding of interactions of these enzymes and their effects on transcription regulation in prostate cancer is needed and has become a priority in biomedical research. In this study, we summed up epigenetic changes with emphasis on pharmacologic epigenetic target agents.

Comparative effects of soy phytoestrogens and 17ß-estradiol on DNA methylation of a panel of 24 genes in prostate cancer cell lines.

Major phytoestrogens genistein and daidzein have been reported to have the ability to reverse DNA methylation in cancer cell lines. The mechanism by which genistein and daidzein have an inhibiting action on DNA methylation is not well understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soy phytoestrogens and the natural estrogen 17ß-estradiol (E2) to determine whether one of the estrogen receptors is mobilized for the action of these compounds on DNA methylation. We also made a comparative study with a DNA methylation inhibitor (5-azacytidine) and a DNA methylation activator (budesonide). Three prostate cell lines, PC-3, DU-145, and LNCaP, were treated with 40 µM genistein, 110 µM daidzein, 2 µM budesonide, 2 µM 5-azacytidine, and 10 µM E2. In these 3 human prostate cancer cell lines, we performed methylation quantification using methyl-profiler-DNA-methylation analysis. Soy phytoestrogens and E2 induced a demethylation of all the promoter regions studied except for those that were unmethylated in control cells. Our results showed that E2 induces, like soy phytoestrogen, a decrease in DNA methylation in prostate cancer cell lines. This action may be mediated through ERß.

Gene panel model predictive of outcome in patients with prostate cancer.

In men at high risk for prostate cancer, established clinical and pathological parameters provide only limited prognostic information. Here we analyzed a French cohort of 103 prostate cancer patients and developed a gene panel model predictive of outcome in this group of patients. The model comprised of a 15-gene TaqMan Low-Density Array (TLDA) card, with gene expressions compared to a standardized reference. The RQ value for each gene was calculated, and a scoring system was developed. Summing all the binary scores (0 or 1) corresponding to the 15 genes, a global score is obtained between 0 and 15. This global score can be compared to Gleason score (0 to 10) by recalculating it into a 0-10 scaled score. A scaled score ≥2 suggested that the patient is suffering from a prostate cancer, and a scaled score ≥7 flagged aggressive cancer. Statistical analyses demonstrated a strongly significant linear correlation (p=3.50E-08) between scaled score and Gleason score for this prostate cancer cohort (N=103). These results support the capacity of this designed 15 target gene TLDA card approach to predict outcome in prostate cancer, opening up a new avenue for personalized medicine through future independent replication and applications for rapid identification of aggressive prostate cancer phenotypes for early intervention.

Histone lysine trimethylation or acetylation can be modulated by phytoestrogen, estrogen or anti-HDAC in breast cancer cell lines.

AIM: The isoflavones genistein, daidzein and equol (daidzein metabolite) have been reported to interact with epigenetic modifications, specifically hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes. The objective of this study was to analyze and understand the mechanisms by which phytoestrogens act on chromatin in breast cancer cell lines. MATERIALS & METHODS: Two breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231, were treated with genistein (18.5 µM), daidzein (78.5 µM), equol (12.8 µM), 17ß-estradiol (10 nM) and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (1 µM) for 48 h. A control with untreated cells was performed. 17ß-estradiol and an anti-HDAC were used to compare their actions with phytoestrogens. The chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with quantitative PCR was used to follow soy phytoestrogen effects on H3 and H4 histones on H3K27me3, H3K9me3, H3K4me3, H4K8ac and H3K4ac marks, and we selected six genes (EZH2, BRCA1, ERα, ERß, SRC3 and P300) for analysis. RESULTS: Soy phytoestrogens induced a decrease in trimethylated marks and an increase in acetylating marks studied at six selected genes. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated that soy phytoestrogens tend to modify transcription through the demethylation and acetylation of histones in breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer: mechanisms involved in action of phytoestrogens and epigenetic changes.

In this review, we consider phytoestrogens and different epigenetic modifications in breast cancer. Epigenetic phenomena are mediated by several molecular mechanisms comprising histone modifications, small non-coding or anti-sense RNA and DNA methylation. These different modifications are closely interrelated. De-regulation of gene expression is a hallmark of cancer. Although genetic lesions have been the focus of cancer research for many years, it has become increasingly recognized that aberrant epigenetic modifications also play major roles in breast carcinogenesis. The incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer are high in the Western world compared with countries in Asia. There are also differences in the breast cancer incidence rates in different Western countries. This could be related to phytoestrogens.