scholarly journals Synergy against PML-RARa: targeting transcription, proteolysis, differentiation, and self-renewal in acute promyelocytic leukemia

2013 ◽  
Vol 210 (13) ◽  
pp. 2793-2802 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Augusto dos Santos ◽  
Lev Kats ◽  
Pier Paolo Pandolfi
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Pml Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Molecular Events

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a hematological malignancy driven by a chimeric oncoprotein containing the C terminus of the retinoic acid receptor-a (RARa) fused to an N-terminal partner, most commonly promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML). Mechanistically, PML-RARa acts as a transcriptional repressor of RARa and non-RARa target genes and antagonizes the formation and function of PML nuclear bodies that regulate numerous signaling pathways. The empirical discoveries that PML-RARa–associated APL is sensitive to both all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO), and the subsequent understanding of the mechanisms of action of these drugs, have led to efforts to understand the contribution of molecular events to APL cell differentiation, leukemia-initiating cell (LIC) clearance, and disease eradication in vitro and in vivo. Critically, the mechanistic insights gleaned from these studies have resulted not only in a better understanding of APL itself, but also carry valuable lessons for other malignancies.

Trivalent Antimonials Induce Degradation of the PML-RAR Oncoprotein and Reorganization of the Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Bodies in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4 Cells

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 4308-4316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Müller ◽  
Wilson H. Miller ◽  
Anne Dejean
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Antimony Trioxide ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Pml Nuclear Bodies

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a specific t(15;17) chromosomal translocation that fuses the genes encoding the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and the retinoic acid receptor  (RAR). The resulting PML-RAR protein induces a block in the differentiation of the myeloid progenitor cells, which can be released by retinoic acid (RA) in vitro and in vivo. The RA-induced differentiation of APL blasts is paralleled by the degradation of the fusion protein and the relocation of wild-type PML from aberrant nuclear structures to its normal localization in nuclear bodies. Recently, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment was proposed as an alternative therapy in APL, because it can induce complete remission in both RA-sensitive and -resistant APL patients. Intriguingly, As2O3 was also shown to induce degradation of the PML-RAR chimera and to reorganize PML nuclear bodies. Here we show that trivalent antimonials also have striking effects on RA-sensitive and RA-resistant APL cells. Treatment of the APL-derived NB4 cells and the RA-resistant subclone NB4R4 with antimony trioxide or potassium antimonyl tartrat triggers the degradation of the fusion protein and the concomitant reorganization of the PML nuclear bodies. In addition, as reported for As2O3, the antimonials provoke apoptosis of NB4 and NB4R4 cells. The mechanism of antimony action is likely to be similar to that of As2O3, notably both substances induce the attachment of the ubiquitin-like SUMO-1 molecule to the PML moiety of PML-RAR. From these data, we propose that, in analogy to As2O3, antimonials might have a beneficial therapeutic effect on APL patients, perhaps with less toxicity than arsenic.

Trivalent Antimonials Induce Degradation of the PML-RAR Oncoprotein and Reorganization of the Promyelocytic Leukemia Nuclear Bodies in Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4 Cells

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
pp. 4308-4316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Müller ◽  
Wilson H. Miller ◽  
Anne Dejean
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Antimony Trioxide ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Pml Nuclear Bodies

Abstract Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a specific t(15;17) chromosomal translocation that fuses the genes encoding the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) and the retinoic acid receptor  (RAR). The resulting PML-RAR protein induces a block in the differentiation of the myeloid progenitor cells, which can be released by retinoic acid (RA) in vitro and in vivo. The RA-induced differentiation of APL blasts is paralleled by the degradation of the fusion protein and the relocation of wild-type PML from aberrant nuclear structures to its normal localization in nuclear bodies. Recently, arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment was proposed as an alternative therapy in APL, because it can induce complete remission in both RA-sensitive and -resistant APL patients. Intriguingly, As2O3 was also shown to induce degradation of the PML-RAR chimera and to reorganize PML nuclear bodies. Here we show that trivalent antimonials also have striking effects on RA-sensitive and RA-resistant APL cells. Treatment of the APL-derived NB4 cells and the RA-resistant subclone NB4R4 with antimony trioxide or potassium antimonyl tartrat triggers the degradation of the fusion protein and the concomitant reorganization of the PML nuclear bodies. In addition, as reported for As2O3, the antimonials provoke apoptosis of NB4 and NB4R4 cells. The mechanism of antimony action is likely to be similar to that of As2O3, notably both substances induce the attachment of the ubiquitin-like SUMO-1 molecule to the PML moiety of PML-RAR. From these data, we propose that, in analogy to As2O3, antimonials might have a beneficial therapeutic effect on APL patients, perhaps with less toxicity than arsenic.

scholarly journals In vivo analysis of the role of aberrant histone deacetylase recruitment and RARα blockade in the pathogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia

2006 ◽  
Vol 203 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromichi Matsushita ◽  
Pier Paolo Scaglioni ◽  
Mantu Bhaumik ◽  
Eduardo M. Rego ◽  
Lu Fan Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Histone Deacetylases ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Dominant Negative

The promyelocytic leukemia–retinoic acid receptor α (PML-RARα) protein of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is oncogenic in vivo. It has been hypothesized that the ability of PML-RARα to inhibit RARα function through PML-dependent aberrant recruitment of histone deacetylases (HDACs) and chromatin remodeling is the key initiating event for leukemogenesis. To elucidate the role of HDAC in this process, we have generated HDAC1–RARα fusion proteins and tested their activity and oncogenicity in vitro and in vivo in transgenic mice (TM). In parallel, we studied the in vivo leukemogenic potential of dominant negative (DN) and truncated RARα mutants, as well as that of PML-RARα mutants that are insensitive to retinoic acid. Surprisingly, although HDAC1-RARα did act as a bona fide DN RARα mutant in cellular in vitro and in cell culture, this fusion protein, as well as other DN RARα mutants, did not cause a block in myeloid differentiation in vivo in TM and were not leukemogenic. Comparative analysis of these TM and of TM/PML−/− and p53−/− compound mutants lends support to a model by which the RARα and PML blockade is necessary, but not sufficient, for leukemogenesis and the PML domain of the fusion protein provides unique functions that are required for leukemia initiation.

scholarly journals FLT3-ITD impedes retinoic acid, but not arsenic, responses in murine acute promyelocytic leukemias

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (13) ◽  
pp. 1495-1506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Esnault ◽  
Ramy Rahmé ◽  
Kim L. Rice ◽  
Caroline Berthier ◽  
Coline Gaillard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Body ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
P53 Signaling ◽  
Pml Nuclear Bodies ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid

Abstract Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is often associated with activating FLT3 signaling mutations. These are highly related to hyperleukocytosis, a major adverse risk factor with chemotherapy-based regimens. APL is a model for oncogene-targeted therapies: all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic both target and degrade its ProMyelocytic Leukemia/Retinoic Acid Receptor α (PML/RARA) driver. The combined ATRA/arsenic regimen now cures virtually all patients with standard-risk APL. Although FLT3-internal tandem duplication (ITD) was an adverse risk factor for historical ATRA/chemotherapy regimens, the molecular bases for this effect remain unknown. Using mouse APL models, we unexpectedly demonstrate that FLT3-ITD severely blunts ATRA response. Remarkably, although the transcriptional output of initial ATRA response is unaffected, ATRA-induced PML/RARA degradation is blunted, as is PML nuclear body reformation and activation of P53 signaling. Critically, the combination of ATRA and arsenic fully rescues therapeutic response in FLT3-ITD APLs, restoring PML/RARA degradation, PML nuclear body reformation, P53 activation, and APL eradication. Moreover, arsenic targeting of normal PML also contributes to APL response in vivo. These unexpected results explain the less favorable outcome of FLT3-ITD APLs with ATRA-based regimens, and stress the key role of PML nuclear bodies in APL eradication by the ATRA/arsenic combination.

scholarly journals Fucoidan enhances the therapeutic potential of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia, in vitro and in vivo

Oncotarget ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (29) ◽  
pp. 46028-46041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Atashrazm ◽  
Ray M. Lowenthal ◽  
Joanne L. Dickinson ◽  
Adele F. Holloway ◽  
Gregory M. Woods
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid

scholarly journals A PML/RARα direct target atlas redefines transcriptional deregulation in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun Tan ◽  
Xiaoling Wang ◽  
Huan Song ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Rongsheng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Chromosome Translocation ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Super Enhancer ◽  
Transcriptional Deregulation

Transcriptional deregulation initiated by oncogenic fusion proteins plays a vital role in leukemia. The prevailing view is that the oncogenic fusion protein PML/RARα, generated by the chromosome translocation t(15;17), functions as a transcriptional repressor in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Here we provide rich evidence of how PML/RARα drives oncogenesis through both repressive and activating functions, particularly the importance of the newly identified activation role for the leukemogenesis of APL. The activating function of PML/RARα is achieved by recruiting both abundant P300 and HDAC1 and by the formation of super-enhancers. All-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide, two widely used drugs in APL therapy, exert synergistic effects on controlling super-enhancer-associated PML/RARα-regulated targets in APL cells. We utilize a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments to demonstrate that PML/RARα-activated target gene GFI1 is necessary for the maintenance of APL cells, and that PML/RARα, likely oligomerized, transactivates GFI1 through chromatin conformation at the super-enhancer region. Finally, we profile GFI1 targets and reveal the interplay between GFI1 and PML/RARα on chromatin in co-regulating target genes. Our study provides genomic insight into the dual role of fusion transcription factors in transcriptional deregulation to drive leukemia development, highlighting the importance of globally dissecting regulatory circuits.

scholarly journals A Retinoid-Resistant Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Subclone Expresses a Dominant Negative PML-RARα Mutation

Blood ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 89 (12) ◽  
pp. 4282-4289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenlin Shao ◽  
Laura Benedetti ◽  
William W. Lamph ◽  
Clara Nervi ◽  
Wilson H. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Regulation Of Gene Expression ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Dominant Negative

Abstract The unique t(15; 17) of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) fuses the PML gene with the retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) gene. Although retinoic acid (RA) inhibits cell growth and induces differentiation in human APL cells, resistance to RA develops both in vitro and in patients. We have developed RA-resistant subclones of the human APL cell line, NB4, whose nuclear extracts display altered RA binding. In the RA-resistant subclone, R4, we find an absence of ligand binding of PML-RARα associated with a point mutation changing a leucine to proline in the ligand-binding domain of the fusion PML-RARα protein. In contrast to mutations in RARα found in retinoid-resistant HL60 cells, in this NB4 subclone, the coexpressed RARα remains wild-type. In vitro expression of a cloned PML-RARα with the observed mutation in R4 confirms that this amino acid change causes the loss of ligand binding, but the mutant PML-RARα protein retains the ability to heterodimerize with RXRα and thus to bind to retinoid response elements (RAREs). This leads to a dominant negative block of transcription from RAREs that is dose-dependent and not relieved by RA. An unrearranged RARα engineered with this mutation also lost ligand binding and inhibited transcription in a dominant negative manner. We then found that the mutant PML-RARα selectively alters regulation of gene expression in the R4 cell line. R4 cells have lost retinoid-regulation of RXRα and RARβ and the RA-induced loss of PML-RARα protein seen in NB4 cells, but retain retinoid-induction of CD18 and CD38. Thus, the R4 cell line provides data supporting the presence of an RARα-mediated pathway that is independent from gene expression induced or repressed by PML-RARα. The high level of retinoid resistance in vitro and in vivo of cells from some relapsed APL patients suggests similar molecular changes may occur clinically.

scholarly journals All-trans retinoic acid as a differentiation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia. I. Clinical results [see comments]

Blood ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 76 (9) ◽  
pp. 1704-1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Castaigne ◽  
C Chomienne ◽  
MT Daniel ◽  
P Ballerini ◽  
R Berger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Complete Response ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Hepatic Transaminases

Abstract Twenty-two patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were treated with all-trans retinoic acid (RA, 45 mg/m2 per day) for 90 days. Of the 22, four patients were previously untreated, two were resistant after conventional chemotherapy, and 16 were in first (n = 11), second (n = 4), or third (n = 1) relapse. We observed 14 complete response, four transient responses, one failure, and three early deaths. Length of hospitalization and number of transfusions were notably reduced in complete responders. Correction of coagulation disorders and an increase of WBCs were the first signs of all-trans RA efficacy. Morphologic analysis performed at days 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 90 showed that complete remissions were obtained without bone marrow (BM) hypoplasia. Presence of Auer rods in the maturing cells confirmed the differentiation effect of the treatment. At remission, the t(15;17) initially present in 20 patients was not found. The in vitro studies showed a differentiation in the presence of all-trans RA in 16 of the 18 tested cases. The single nonresponder to all trans RA in vitro did not respond in vivo. Adverse effects of RA therapy--skin and mucosa dryness, hypertriglyceridemia, and increase of hepatic transaminases-- were frequently noted. We also observed bone pain in 11 patients and hyperleukocytosis in four patients. Whether maintenance treatment consisted of low-dose chemotherapy or all-trans RA, early relapses were observed. Five patients are still in complete remission (CR) at 4 to 13 months. Our study confirms the major efficacy of all-trans RA in M3, even in relapsing patients. Remissions are obtained by a differentiation process.

Combined effect of all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide in acute promyelocytic leukemia cells in vitro and in vivo

Blood ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongkui Jing ◽  
Long Wang ◽  
Lijuan Xia ◽  
Guo-qiang Chen ◽  
Zhu Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Arsenic Trioxide ◽  
Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nb4 Cells ◽  
Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
All Trans Retinoic Acid ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Abstract All-trans retinoic acid (tRA) and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) induce non–cross-resistant complete clinical remission in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia with t(15;17) translocation and target PML-RARα, the leukemogenic protein, by different pathways suggesting a possible therapeutic synergism. To evaluate this possibility, this study examined the effect of As2O3 on tRA-induced differentiation and, conversely, the effect of tRA on As2O3-induced apoptosis. As2O3 at subapoptotic concentrations (0.5 μM) decreased tRA-induced differentiation in NB4 cells but synergized with atRA to induce differentiation in tRA-resistant NB4 subclones MR-2 and R4 cells as measured by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and tRA-inducible genes (TTGII, RARβ, RIG-E). tRA cleaved PML-RARα into distinct fragments in NB4 but not in tRA-resistant MR-2 or R4 cells, whereas As2O3 completely degraded PML-RARα in all 3 cell lines. As2O3-induced apoptosis was decreased by tRA pretreatment of NB4 cells but not of R4 cells and was associated with a strong induction of Bfl-1/A1 expression, a Bcl-2 protein family member. Severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing NB4 cells showed an additive survival effect after sequential treatment, but a toxic effect was observed after simultaneous treatment with tRA and As2O3. These data suggest that combined As2O3 and tRA treatment may be more effective than single agents in tRA-resistant patients. Although in vitro data do not always translate to in vivo response, toxicity and potential drug antagonism may be diminished by decreasing the concentration of As2O3 when given at the same time with therapeutic levels of tRA.

scholarly journals Role of Promyelocytic Leukemia (Pml) Sumolation in Nuclear Body Formation, 11s Proteasome Recruitment, and as2O3-Induced Pml or Pml/Retinoic Acid Receptor α Degradation

2001 ◽  
Vol 193 (12) ◽  
pp. 1361-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valérie Lallemand-Breitenbach ◽  
Jun Zhu ◽  
Francine Puvion ◽  
Marcel Koken ◽  
Nicole Honoré ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Retinoic Acid ◽  
Nuclear Matrix ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Body ◽  
Promyelocytic Leukemia ◽  
Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Acid Receptor ◽  
Pml Nuclear Bodies ◽  
Retinoic Acid Receptor Α

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) is the organizer of nuclear matrix domains, PML nuclear bodies (NBs), with a proposed role in apoptosis control. In acute promyelocytic leukemia, PML/retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α expression disrupts NBs, but therapies such as retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide (As2O3) restore them. PML is conjugated by the ubiquitin-related peptide SUMO-1, a process enhanced by As2O3 and proposed to target PML to the nuclear matrix. We demonstrate that As2O3 triggers the proteasome-dependent degradation of PML and PML/RARα and that this process requires a specific sumolation site in PML, K160. PML sumolation is dispensable for its As2O3-induced matrix targeting and formation of primary nuclear aggregates, but is required for the formation of secondary shell-like NBs. Interestingly, only these mature NBs harbor 11S proteasome components, which are further recruited upon As2O3 exposure. Proteasome recruitment by sumolated PML only likely accounts for the failure of PML-K160R to be degraded. Therefore, studying the basis of As2O3-induced PML/RARα degradation we show that PML sumolation directly or indirectly promotes its catabolism, suggesting that mature NBs could be sites of intranuclear proteolysis and opening new insights into NB alterations found in viral infections or transformation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document