Project description:CUX1, a homeodomain-containing transcription factor, is recurrently deleted or mutated in multiple tumor types. In myeloid neoplasms, CUX1 deletion or mutation carries a poor prognosis. We have previously established that CUX1 functions as a tumor suppressor in hematopoietic cells across multiple organisms. Others, however, have described oncogenic functions of CUX1 in solid tumors, often attributed to truncated CUX1 isoforms, p75 and p110. Given the clinical relevance, it is imperative to clarify these discrepant activities. Herein, we sought to determine the CUX1 isoforms expressed in hematopoietic cells, and find that they express the full-length p200 isoform. Through the course of this analysis, we found no evidence of the p75 alternative transcript in any cell type examined. Using an array of orthogonal approaches, including biochemistry, proteomics, CRISPR/Cas9 genomic editing, and analysis of functional genomics datasets across a spectrum of normal and malignant tissue types, we found no data to support the existence of the CUX1 p75 isoform generated by an alternative transcriptional start site. Based on these results, prior studies of p75 require reevaluation, including the interpretation of oncogenic roles attributed to CUX1.
Project description:Our study investigates the features and anti-tumor function of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from our well described NK cell line - NK3.3 - the only published clonal, normal human cell line to date. Natural killer (NK) cells, critical for proper immune function, destroy tumor cells primarily through the release of granules containing potent cytolytic molecules. NK cells also release these molecules within membrane-bound exosomes and microvesicles collectively known as EVs. We show that NK3.3 EVs contain the cytolytic molecules perforin, granzymes A and B, and granulysin, and an array of common EV proteins. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase identified by our laboratory, natural killer lytic-associated molecule (NKLAM/RNF19b), is localized to NK granules and is essential for maximal NK killing; our current study shows NKLAM situated within the NK3.3 EV membrane. Analysis of NK3.3 EV contents also identified multiple RNA species including miRNAs associated with anti-tumor activity. We demonstrate that treatment of an array of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tumor cell lines with NK3.3 EVs inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis and cell death while leaving normal cells unaffected. Taken together, our study suggests that NK3.3 EVs have the potential to be effective immunotherapeutic agents.
Project description:Our study investigates the features and anti-tumor function of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from our well described NK cell line - NK3.3 - the only published clonal, normal human cell line to date. Natural killer (NK) cells, critical for proper immune function, destroy tumor cells primarily through the release of granules containing potent cytolytic molecules. NK cells also release these molecules within membrane-bound exosomes and microvesicles collectively known as EVs. We show that NK3.3 EVs contain the cytolytic molecules perforin, granzymes A and B, and granulysin, and an array of common EV proteins. We previously showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase identified by our laboratory, natural killer lytic-associated molecule (NKLAM/RNF19b), is localized to NK granules and is essential for maximal NK killing; our current study shows NKLAM situated within the NK3.3 EV membrane. We demonstrate that treatment of an array of hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic tumor cell lines with NK3.3 EVs inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis and cell death while leaving normal cells unaffected. The anti-tumor effects of NK3.3EVs were evaluated via proteomic analysis of K562 leukemia cells treated with NK3.3-derived EVs compared to treatment with non-cytotoxic HEK293 cell-derived EVs or PBS. The results of this analysis suggest strong inhibitory regulation of cell cycle- and cell survival-associated proteins. Taken together, our study suggests that NK3.3 EVs have the potential to be effective immunotherapeutic agents.
Project description:BAP1 has been studied as a tumor suppressor. Our aim was to characterize genes that were altered in various hematopoietic cell types upon deletion of BAP1. BAP1 WT versus KO cells.
Project description:BAP1 has been studied as a tumor suppressor. Our aim was to characterize genes that were altered in various hematopoietic cell types upon deletion of BAP1.