TET2 binds the androgen receptor and loss is associated with prostate cancer.

Genetic alterations associated with prostate cancer (PCa) may be identified by sequencing metastatic tumour genomes to identify molecular markers at this lethal stage of disease. Previously, we characterized somatic alterations in metastatic tumours in the methylcytosine dioxygenase ten-eleven translocation 2 (TET2), which is altered in 5-15% of myeloid, kidney, colon and PCas. Genome-wide association studies previously identified non-coding risk variants associated with PCa and melanoma. We perform fine-mapping of PCa risk across TET2 using genotypes from the PEGASUS case-control cohort and identify six new risk variants in introns 1 and 2. Oligonucleotides containing two risk variants are bound by the transcription factor octamer-binding protein 1 (Oct1/POU2F1) and TET2 and Oct1 expression are positively correlated in prostate tumours. TET2 is expressed in normal prostate tissue and reduced in a subset of tumours from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Small interfering RNA-mediated TET2 knockdown (KD) increases LNCaP cell proliferation, migration and wound healing, verifying loss drives a cancer phenotype. Endogenous TET2 bound the androgen receptor (AR) and AR-coactivator proteins in LNCaP cell extracts, and TET2 KD increases prostate-specific antigen (KLK3/PSA) expression. Published data reveal TET2 binding sites and hydroxymethylcytosine proximal to KLK3. A gene co-expression network identified using TCGA prostate tumour RNA-sequencing identifies co-regulated cancer genes associated with 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) and succinate metabolism, including TET2, lysine demethylase (KDM) KDM6A, BRCA1-associated BAP1, and citric acid cycle enzymes IDH1/2, SDHA/B, and FH. The co-expression signature is conserved across 31 TCGA cancers suggesting a putative role for TET2 as an energy sensor (of 2-OG) that modifies aspects of androgen-AR signalling. Decreased TET2 mRNA expression in TCGA PCa tumours is strongly associated with reduced patient survival, indicating reduced expression in tumours may be an informative biomarker of disease progression and perhaps metastatic disease.

Molecular analysis of urothelial cancer cell lines for modeling tumor biology and drug response.

The utility of tumor-derived cell lines is dependent on their ability to recapitulate underlying genomic aberrations and primary tumor biology. Here, we sequenced the exomes of 25 bladder cancer (BCa) cell lines and compared mutations, copy number alterations (CNAs), gene expression and drug response to BCa patient profiles in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We observed a mutation pattern associated with altered CpGs and APOBEC-family cytosine deaminases similar to mutation signatures derived from somatic alterations in muscle-invasive (MI) primary tumors, highlighting a major mechanism(s) contributing to cancer-associated alterations in the BCa cell line exomes. Non-silent sequence alterations were confirmed in 76 cancer-associated genes, including mutations that likely activate oncogenes TERT and PIK3CA, and alter chromatin-associated proteins (MLL3, ARID1A, CHD6 and KDM6A) and established BCa genes (TP53, RB1, CDKN2A and TSC1). We identified alterations in signaling pathways and proteins with related functions, including the PI3K/mTOR pathway, altered in 60% of lines; BRCA DNA repair, 44%; and SYNE1-SYNE2, 60%. Homozygous deletions of chromosome 9p21 are known to target the cell cycle regulators CDKN2A and CDKN2B. This loci was commonly lost in BCa cell lines and we show the deletions extended to the polyamine enzyme methylthioadenosine (MTA) phosphorylase (MTAP) in 36% of lines, transcription factor DMRTA1 (27%) and antiviral interferon epsilon (IFNE, 19%). Overall, the BCa cell line genomic aberrations were concordant with those found in BCa patient tumors. We used gene expression and copy number data to infer pathway activities for cell lines, then used the inferred pathway activities to build a predictive model of cisplatin response. When applied to platinum-treated patients gathered from TCGA, the model predicted treatment-specific response. Together, these data and analysis represent a valuable community resource to model basic tumor biology and to study the pharmacogenomics of BCa.

Genomic copy number alterations in clear cell renal carcinoma: associations with case characteristics and mechanisms of VHL gene inactivation.

Array comparative genomic hybridization was used to identify copy number alterations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patient tumors to identify associations with patient/clinical characteristics. Of 763 ccRCC patients, 412 (54%) provided frozen biopsies. Clones were analyzed for significant copy number differences, adjusting for multiple comparisons and covariates in multivariate analyses. Frequent alterations included losses on: 3p (92.2%), 14q (46.8%), 8p (38.1%), 4q (35.4%), 9p (32.3%), 9q (31.8%), 6q (30.8%), 3q (29.4%), 10q (25.7%), 13q (24.5%), 1p (23.5%) and gains on 5q (60.2%), 7q (39.6%), 7p (30.6%), 5p (26.5%), 20q (25.5%), 12q (24.8%), 12p (22.8%). Stage and grade were associated with 1p, 9p, 9q, 13q and 14q loss and 12q gain. Males had more alterations compared with females, independent of stage and grade. Significant differences in the number/types of alterations were observed by family cancer history, age at diagnosis and smoking status. Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene inactivation was associated with 3p loss (P

Inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor leads to selective expression of a human endogenous retrovirus in kidney cancer.

A human endogenous retrovirus type E (HERV-E) was recently found to be selectively expressed in most renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). Importantly, antigens derived from this provirus are immunogenic, stimulating cytotoxic T cells that kill RCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show HERV-E expression is restricted to the clear cell subtype of RCC (ccRCC) characterized by an inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor-suppressor gene with subsequent stabilization of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs)-1α and -2α. HERV-E expression in ccRCC linearly correlated with HIF-2α levels and could be silenced in tumor cells by either transfection of normal VHL or small interfering RNA inhibition of HIF-2α. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we demonstrated that HIF-2α can serve as transcriptional factor for HERV-E by binding with HIF response element (HRE) localized in the proviral 5' long terminal repeat (LTR). Remarkably, the LTR was found to be hypomethylated only in HERV-E-expressing ccRCC while other tumors and normal tissues possessed a hypermethylated LTR preventing proviral expression. Taken altogether, these findings provide the first evidence that inactivation of a tumor suppressor gene can result in aberrant proviral expression in a human tumor and give insights needed for translational research aimed at boosting human immunity against antigenic components of this HERV-E.

miR-23b targets proline oxidase, a novel tumor suppressor protein in renal cancer.

Proline oxidase (POX) is a novel mitochondrial tumor suppressor that can suppress proliferation and induce apoptosis through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decreasing hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling. Recent studies have shown the absence of expression of POX in human cancer tissues, including renal cancer. However, the mechanism for the loss of POX remains obscure. No genetic or epigenetic variation of POX gene was found. In this study, we identified the upregulated miR-23b in renal cancer as an important regulator of POX. Ectopic overexpression of miR-23b in normal renal cells resulted in striking downregulation of POX, whereas POX expression increased markedly when endogenous miR-23b was knocked down by its antagomirs in renal cancer cells. Consistent with the POX-mediated tumor suppression pathway, these antagomirs induced ROS, inhibited HIF signaling and increased apoptosis. Furthermore, we confirmed the regulation of miR-23b on POX and its function in the DLD1 Tet-off POX cell system. Using a luciferase reporter system, we verified the direct binding of miR-23b to the POX mRNA 3'-untranslated region. In addition, pairs of human renal carcinoma and normal tissues showed a negative correlation between miR-23b and POX protein expression, providing its clinical corroboration. Taken together, our results suggested that miR-23b, by targeting POX, could function as an oncogene; decreasing miR-23b expression may prove to be an effective way of inhibiting kidney tumor growth.

Loss of PL6 protein expression in renal clear cell carcinomas and other VHL-deficient tumours.

Mutations in the von Hippel-Lindau tumour suppressor gene (VHL) cause the VHL hereditary cancer syndrome and occur in most sporadic clear cell renal cell cancers (CC-RCCs). The mechanisms by which VHL loss of function promotes tumour development in the kidney are not fully elucidated. Here, we analyse expression of PL6, one of the potential tumour suppressor genes from the critical 3p21.3 region involved in multiple common cancers. We classify PL6 as a Golgi-resident protein based on its perinuclear co-localization with GPP130 in all cells and tissues analysed. We show that PL6 RNA and protein expression is completely or partially lost in all analysed CC-RCCs and other VHL-deficient tumours studied, including the early precancerous lesions in VHL disease. The restoration of VHL function in vitro in the VHL-deficient CC-RCC cell lines was found to reinstate PL6 expression, thus establishing a direct link between VHL and PL6. Insensitivity of PL6 to hypoxia suggested that PL6 is regulated by VHL via a HIF-1-independent pathway. We ruled out mutations and promoter methylation as possible causes of PL6 down-regulation in CC-RCC. We hypothesize that loss of a putative PL6 secretory function due to VHL deficiency is an early and important event that may promote tumour initiation and growth.

Multiple transcripts of a gene for a leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase from morning glory (Ipomoea nil) originate from different TATA boxes in a tissue-specific manner.

TATA boxes are the most common regulatory elements found in the promoters of eukaryotic genes because they are associated with basal transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II. Often only a single TATA element is found in a given promoter, and tissue-, stage- and/or stimulus-specific expression occurs because the TATA box is associated with other cis -acting elements that enhance or repress transcription. We used software tools for gene analysis to assist in locating potential TATA box(es) in an AT-rich region of the promoter of a gene, inrpk1, which codes for a leucine-rich receptor protein kinase in morning glory (Ipomoea nil). Through the use of RT-PCR and various combinations of forward primers bracketing most of the promoter region we were able to define the 5'-ends of transcripts in this region. The region was then targeted for analysis by RNA Ligase-Mediated-5' Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RLM-5' RACE) to identify the transcript initiation site(s). Positioning of initiation sites with respect to TATA boxes identified by gene analysis tools allowed us to identify three operational TATA elements which regulate basal transcription from this gene. Two TATA boxes were responsible for all of the inrpk1 transcripts found in leaves and cotyledons, and about 25-30% of the transcripts in roots. A third TATA box was involved only in expression in roots and accounted for the remaining 50-70% of root transcripts. RNAs expressed from this element lack two potentially functional upstream AUG codons, and may be translated more efficiently than transcripts originating from the other TATA boxes.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome, a genodermatosis associated with spontaneous pneumothorax and kidney neoplasia, maps to chromosome 17p11.2.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), an inherited autosomal genodermatosis characterized by benign tumors of the hair follicle, has been associated with renal neoplasia, lung cysts, and spontaneous pneumothorax. To identify the BHD locus, we recruited families with cutaneous lesions and associated phenotypic features of the BHD syndrome. We performed a genomewide scan in one large kindred with BHD and, by linkage analysis, localized the gene locus to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 17p, with a LOD score of 4.98 at D17S740 (recombination fraction 0). Two-point linkage analysis of eight additional families with BHD produced a maximum LOD score of 16.06 at D17S2196. Haplotype analysis identified critical recombinants and defined the minimal region of nonrecombination as being within a <4-cM distance between D17S1857 and D17S805. One additional family, which had histologically proved fibrofolliculomas, did not show evidence of linkage to chromosome 17p, suggesting genetic heterogeneity for BHD. The BHD locus lies within chromosomal band 17p11.2, a genomic region that, because of the presence of low-copy-number repeat elements, is unstable and that is associated with a number of diseases. Identification of the gene for BHD may reveal a new genetic locus responsible for renal neoplasia and for lung and hair-follicle developmental defects.

Random mutagenesis-PCR to introduce alterations into defined DNA sequences for validation of SNP and mutation detection methods.

Sensitive and high throughput techniques are required for the detection of DNA sequence variants such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and mutations. One problem, common to all methods of SNP and mutation detection, is that experimental conditions required for detection of DNA sequence variants depend on the specific DNA sequence to be analyzed. Although algorithms and other calculations have been developed to predict the experimental conditions required to detect DNA sequence variation in a specific DNA sequence, these algorithms do not always provide reliable information and experimental conditions for SNP and mutation detection must be devised empirically. Determination of experimental conditions for detection of DNA sequence variation is difficult when samples containing only wild type sequence are available. When patient derived positive controls are used, increasingly there are valid concerns about commercial ownership and patient privacy. This report presents a rapid and efficient method, employing random mutagenesis-PCR (RM-PCR) using low fidelity DNA polymerase, to randomly introduce single and multiple base substitutions and deletions into DNA sequences of interest. Clones with sequence changes were used to validate denaturing HPLC (DHPLC) algorithm predictions, optimize conditions for mutation detection in exon 15 of the tyrosine kinase domain of the MET proto-oncogene, and to confirm the association between specific DNA sequence changes and unique DHPLC chromatographic profiles (signatures). Finally, DNA from 33 papillary renal carcinoma (PRC) patients was screened for mutations in exon 15 of MET using "validated" DHPLC conditions as a proof of principle application of RM-PCR. Use of RM-PCR for DHPLC and other SNP/mutation detection methods is discussed along with challenges associated with detecting sequence alterations in mixed tumor/normal tissue, pooled samples, and from regions of the genome that have been amplified during tumorigenesis or duplicated during evolution. Hum Mutat 17:210-219, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Alternative transcript initiation and novel post-transcriptional processing of a leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase gene that responds to short-day photoperiodic floral induction in morning glory (Ipomoea nil).

A gene (inrpk1) encoding a putative receptor-like protein kinase was isolated from the Japanese morning glory, Ipo-moea (Pharbitis) nil Roth. cv. Violet. The receptor-like portion of the largest derived polypeptide contains 26 direct leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) in a single block, and the catalytic portion has all the conserved amino acid residues characteristic of Ser/Thr protein kinases. RNA blot analysis detected multiple transcripts in cotyledons. The largest (4.4 kb) transcript encodes the predicted full length polypeptide (INRPK1), whereas a 1.6 kb transcript apparently originates from a secondary transcription initiation site within the gene and potentially encodes a protein kinase identical to INRPK1 but lacking most of the LRRs. Two transcripts (ca. 2.7 and 2.6 kb) are created by alternative 3'-splicing of a large (ca. 1.4-1.5 kb) cryptic intron in the LRR region, creating one transcript (2.6 kb) potentially encoding a small, secretable polypeptide. The larger transcript encoding a polypeptide identical to INRPK1, but lacking 21 LRRs, predominates in vegetative roots. Competitive PCR indicates that inrpk1 mRNA increases 20-fold in cotyledons in response to a previously given single floral-inducing short-day (SD). No differences of this magnitude were detected in any other organs examined from plants similarly treated. This pattern of expression and differential processing suggests a role for inrpk1 in some aspect of SD photoperiodic-induced flowering in morning glory.

Signature-based analysis of MET proto-oncogene mutations using DHPLC.

Research tools which improve mutation detection, SNP discovery, and allele characterization will facilitate studies of cancer, inherited disease, and genomic evolution. Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) is a recently developed methodology for detection of heteroduplexes formed in DNA samples containing mismatches between wild type and mutant strands. In an effort to develop a rapid, sensitive mutation detection method for studies of families with inherited kidney cancer, we evaluated DHPLC for detection and analysis of MET proto-oncogene mutations in papillary renal carcinomas (PRC). We found DHPLC to be 100% accurate in detecting 15 known disease-associated MET mutations. Significantly, each MET mutation and two novel SNPs generated a characteristic chromatographic profile or signature with reproducible distinguishing features. Standardization of DHPLC reagents and improved methods design were critical to the reliability and accuracy of mutation prediction. Improvements included addition of a 75% acetonitrile wash followed by a rejuvenating gradient, and detailed analysis of signature shape, retention time (RT), RT differences (DeltaRT), and temperature-dependent (melt) profiling. We used signatures to predict mutations in new PRC samples, mutation carriers in asymptomatic hereditary PRC family members, and in a blind study of previously characterized DNAs. Application to SNP discovery is discussed. Wiley-Liss, Inc.