Project description:Epigenetically silenced Ink4a-Arf locus is activated by loss of H3K27me3 in cellular senescence, where secreted factor expression is also involved. Here we analyzed epigenome and transcriptome alteration during Ras-induced senescence using mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF). Seventeen genes with H3K27me3 loss and H3K4me3 gain showed marked upregulation, including p16Ink4a and Bmp2, a secreted factor for BMP/SMAD signal. Smad6, specific BMP/SMAD pathway inhibitor, was identified as the only one gene showing de novo H3K27 trimethylation with H3K4me3, resulting in strong repression. Ras-activated cells senesced with SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation, and they escaped from senescence with decreased SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation when introducing Smad6 or knocking-down Bmp2.
Project description:Acute Pten loss initiates prostate tumorigenesis characterized by cellular senescence response. Here we examine the cellular senescence response in epithelial individual cells, by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) in Ptenpc-/- and Ptenpc-/-; Timp1-/- GEMMs. ScRNAseq analysis determines a cluster of senescent cells expressing the senescence-related genes. A significant positive correlation is observed between the senescence score and Bcl2 expression. This provides the rational for targeting senescent cells using Bcl2 inhibitor.
