Project description:The ID family of proteins (ID1-4), which bind to basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors and prevent bHLH-directed transcription, are critical regulators of the differentiation and chemoresistance of cancer cells derived from multiple cellular lineages. ID2 was previously shown to impair the in vitro differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. However, the functional role, if any, of ID2 in regulating differentiation, developmental pathways, and the oncogenic phenotype of Ewing sarcoma tumors is unknown. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout ID2 in Ewing sarcoma cell lines and identified that the loss of ID2 significantly decreases cell growth in vitro and in vivo in a xenograft experiment. Using RNA-seq and gene set enrichment analysis with ID2-knockout and ID2-Knockout-Rescue cell lines we identified that ID2 regulates genes related to differentiation and development in Ewing sarcoma cell lines.
Project description:We identify and validate an Ewing sarcoma-specific CRC, which is under control of EWS-FLI1. Formed by KLF15, TCF4 and NKX2-2, this CRC apparatus coordinates the gene expression programs in Ewing sarcoma cells. These data advance the understanding of the mechanistic basis of transactional dysregulation in Ewing sarcoma, and provide potential novel therapeutic strategies against this malignancy.
Project description:We identified slow-cycling cells (SCCs) in Ewing sarcoma using a label retention assay with CFSE. We labeled cells of SK-ES-1, an Ewing sarcoma cell line, with CFSE. After 5 days culture, we isolated cells retaining strong fluorescence (upper, ~10%) as SCCs and other cells (lower, ~90%) as non-slow-cycling cells (non-SCCs) using FACS AriaTM Ⅲ cell sorter.
Project description:Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which is composed of RRM1 and RRM2 subunits, is the rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleotides and required for DNA replication and DNA damage repair. We used a conditional knockout (CRISPR/Cas9) and rescue approach to target RRM1 in Ewing sarcoma cells and identify downstream pathways impacted by the loss of RNR activity. RNA-seq analysis was performed at times 0 and 48 hours after removal of doxycycline from cell culture media, which results in loss of the RRM1 protein.
Project description:This SuperSeries is composed of the following subset Series: GSE36857: Goldengate Methylation analysis: Ewing Sarcoma GSE36858: 5- AZA treatment of EWS cell lines Refer to individual Series
Project description:Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive pediatric small round cell tumor that predominantly occurs in bone. Approximately 85% of Ewing sarcomas harbor the EWS/FLI fusion protein, which arises from a chromosomal translocation, t(11:22)(q24:q12). EWS/FLI interacts with numerous lineage-essential transcription factors to maintain mesenchymal progenitors in an undifferentiated state. We previously showed that EWS/FLI binds the osteogenic transcription factor RUNX2 and prevents osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the role of another Runt-domain protein, RUNX3, in Ewing sarcoma. RUNX3 participates in mesenchymal-derived bone formation and is a context dependent tumor suppressor and oncogene. RUNX3 was detected in all Ewing sarcoma cells examined, whereas RUNX2 was detected in only 73% of specimens. Like RUNX2, RUNX3 binds to EWS/FLI via its Runt domain. EWS/FLI prevented RUNX3 from activating the transcription of a RUNX-responsive reporter, p6OSE2. Stable suppression of RUNX3 expression in the Ewing sarcoma cell line A673 delayed colony growth in anchorage independent soft agar assays and reversed expression of EWS/FLI-responsive genes. These results demonstrate an important role for RUNX3 in Ewing sarcoma. RNA-seq to compare transcriptiome of control A673 ewing sarcoma cells stably expression a non-target or RUNX3 shRNA
Project description:Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an adolescent and young adult sarcoma characterized by chromosome translocations between members of the FET family of RNA binding proteins and members of the ETS family of transcription factors, the most frequent fusion being EWS-FLI1. EWS-FLI1 acts as a pioneer factor, creating de novo enhancers and activating genes located in the vicinity of EWS-FLI1-bound microsatellite sequences. recent results from our lab indicate that EWS-FLI1, which activates transcription through binding to the DNA at specific sites, can generate fully novel, unconventional transcription units in regions of the genome that are fully quiescent in normal cells (manuscript in preparation). The hypothesis of the project is that the open reading frames (ORFs) of these transcripts may encode peptides presented at the cell surface by HLA class I molecules and hence be recognized as non-self by the immune system. The aim of this study is to detect Ewing-specific neo-peptides/proteins using proteomics approach.
Project description:Tumor: tumor microenvironment (TME) interactions are critical for tumor progression and the composition and structure of the local extracellular matrix (ECM) are key determinants of tumor metastasis. We recently reported that activation of Wnt/beta- catenin signaling in Ewing sarcoma cells induces widespread transcriptional changes that are associated with acquisition of a metastatic tumor phenotype. Significantly, ECM protein-encoding genes were found to be enriched among Wnt/beta-catenin induced transcripts, leading us to hypothesize that activation of canonical Wnt signaling might induce changes in the Ewing sarcoma secretome. To address this hypothesis, conditioned media from Ewing sarcoma cell lines cultured in the presence or absence of Wnt3a was collected for proteomic analysis. Label-free mass spectrometry was used to identify and quantify differentially secreted proteins. We then used in silico databases to identify only proteins annotated as secreted. Comparison of the secretomes of two Ewing sarcoma cell lines revealed numerous shared proteins, as well as a degree of heterogeneity, in both basal and Wnt-stimulated conditions. Gene set enrichment analysis of secreted proteins revealed that Wnt stimulation reproducibly resulted in increased secretion of proteins involved in ECM organization, ECM receptor interactions, and collagen formation. In particular, Wnt-stimulated Ewing sarcoma cells upregulated secretion of structural collagens, as well as matricellular proteins, such as the metastasis-associated protein, tenascin C (TNC). Interrogation of published databases confirmed reproducible correlations between Wnt/beta-catenin activation and TNC and COL1A1 expression in patient tumors. In summary, this first study of the Ewing sarcoma secretome reveals that Wnt/beta-catenin activated tumor cells upregulate secretion of ECM proteins. Such Wnt/beta-catenin mediated changes are likely to impact on tumor: TME interactions that contribute to metastatic progression.
Project description:We identified miR-31 as strongest downregulated miRNA in the bone tumor Ewing sarcoma. To identify miR-31 targets in ES genome-wide gene expression profiles of TC71 cells transfected with miR-31 mimics or negative control (Life Technologies) generated in three independent experiments (a, b, c). Total RNA was isolated from cells after 72 h incubation in serum-reduced medium (1% FCS) and three transfections. Fifteen upregulated and 14 downregulated genes were detected with a 2 fold change cut-off (FDR <0.05).