Genomic aberrations of Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and CDK4 in neuroblastoma indicate that dysregulation of the G1 entry checkpoint is an important cell cycle aberration in this pediatric tumor. Here we report that analysis of Affymetrix expression data of primary neuroblastic tumors shows an extensive over-expression of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 which correlates with histological subgroups and prognosis respectively. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated an over-expression of Cyclin D1 in neuroblasts and a low Cyclin D1 expression in all cell types in ganglioneuroma. This suggests an involvement of G1 regulating genes in neuronal differentiation processes which we further evaluated using RNA interference against Cyclin D1 and its kinase partner CDK4 in several neuroblastoma cell lines. This resulted in pRb pathway inhibition as shown by an almost complete disappearance of CDK4 specific pRb phosphorylation; reduction of E2F transcriptional activity and a decrease of Cyclin A protein levels. The Cyclin D1 and CDK4 knock-down resulted in a significant reduction in cell proliferation, a G1 specific cell cycle arrest and moreover an extensive neuronal differentiation. Affymetrix microarray profiling of siRNA treated cells revealed a shift in expression profile towards a neuronal phenotype. Several new potential downstream players are identified. We conclude that neuroblastoma functionally depend on over-expression of G1 regulating genes to maintain their undifferentiated phenotype.
Cyclin D1 and CDK4 activity contribute to the undifferentiated phenotype in neuroblastoma.
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View SamplesWhole genome sequencing detected structural rearrangements of TERT in 17/75 high stage neuroblastoma with 5 cases resulting from chromothripsis. Rearrangements were associated with increased TERT expression and targeted immediate up- and down-stream regions of TERT, placing in 7 cases a super-enhancer close to the breakpoints. TERT rearrangements (23%), ATRX deletions (11%) and MYCN amplifications (37%) identify three almost non-overlapping groups of high stage neuroblastoma, each associated with very poor prognosis
TERT rearrangements are frequent in neuroblastoma and identify aggressive tumors.
Specimen part
View SamplesTo study differentially expressed genes in neuro-ectodermal cell lines
Downregulation of Axl in non-MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines reduces migration.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesmRNA profiles of thousands of human tumors are available, but methods to deduce oncogenic signaling networks from these data lag behind. It is especially challenging to identify main-regulatory routes, and to generalize conclusions obtained from experimental models. We designed the bioinformatic platform R2 in parallel with a wet-lab approach of neuroblastoma. Here we demonstrate how R2 facilitates an integrated analysis of our neuroblastoma data. Analysis of the MYCN pathway suggested important regulatory connections to the polyamine synthesis route, the Notch pathway and the BMP/TGF pathway. A network of genes emerged connecting major oncogenes in neuroblastoma. Genes in the network carried strong prognostic values and were essential for tumor cell survival.
Sequencing of neuroblastoma identifies chromothripsis and defects in neuritogenesis genes.
Specimen part
View SamplesProfiling project of a panel of tubular adenoma and serrated adenoma patient material collected in the Academic Medical Center (AMC) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The aim of the study was to compare the expression profiles of different types of colon cancer precursor lesions (tubular versus serrated adenomas) and determine their correspondence with a set of colon cancer patient-derived profiles that have distinct clinical outcomes.
Poor-prognosis colon cancer is defined by a molecularly distinct subtype and develops from serrated precursor lesions.
Specimen part
View SamplesHigh anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein levels may be correlated with an unfavorable prognosis in neuroblastoma (NBL) patients, regardless of ALK mutation status. We therefore examined the correlation between levels of ALK, phosphorylated ALK (pALK) and downstream signaling proteins and response to ALK inhibition in a large panel of both ALK mutated (MUT) and wild type (WT) NBL cell lines. Six of the nineteen NBL cell lines had a point mutation and four an amplification of the ALK gene. ALK amplified cell lines showed similar ALK levels and ALK inhibitor sensitivity as WT cell lines and were therefore co-analyzed. The ALK mRNA (p=0.043), ALK 220 kDa (p=0.009) and ALK 140 kDa (p=0.025) protein levels were higher in ALK mutant (n=6) than WT cell lines (n=13). ALK mRNA and protein levels significantly correlated with ERK1 and ERK2 protein levels, and also with PHOX2B mRNA levels, a neural differentiation marker which is mutated in NBL. Response to ALK inhibitor TAE684 was also significantly correlated with ALK levels. ALK mutant cell lines (n=4) demonstrated a higher sensitivity towards ALK inhibitor TAE684 (14.9 fold more sensitive, p=0.004) than eight WT cell lines. These results underline the importance of ALK mutations but also ALK levels for response to ALK inhibitors in NBL cell lines. Furthermore, the strong correlation of PHOX2B and ALK suggests that neural differentiation stage may be correlated with ALK levels in neuroblastoma. These data will enhance understanding of ALK inhibitor response in future patient trials.
Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor response in neuroblastoma is highly correlated with ALK mutation status, ALK mRNA and protein levels.
Sex, Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
TGFβ signaling directs serrated adenomas to the mesenchymal colorectal cancer subtype.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of TGF at the premalignant stage of CRC development.
TGFβ signaling directs serrated adenomas to the mesenchymal colorectal cancer subtype.
Specimen part, Treatment
View SamplesColorectal cancer can be divided into four consensus molecular subtypes, which might associate with distinct precursor lesions. The aim of this study was to determine the subtype affiliation of two types of colorectal adenomas: tubular adenomas (TAs) and sessile serrated adenomas (SSAs) and to determine the activity of TGF signaling and the role of this cytokine in subtype affiliation.
TGFβ signaling directs serrated adenomas to the mesenchymal colorectal cancer subtype.
Specimen part
View SamplesThis SuperSeries is composed of the SubSeries listed below.
Epigenetic drug combination induces genome-wide demethylation and altered gene expression in neuro-ectodermal tumor-derived cell lines.
Sex, Specimen part, Disease, Cell line, Treatment
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