Gene Molecular Function Mutant Phenotype DOWN- up PATTERN

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Gene Molecular Function Mutant Phenotype DOWN- up PATTERN DOWN- UP PATTERN Supplementary Fig.3. Talylor et al Gene Molecular Function Mutant Phenotype Arrestin 1 Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling, disrupts the interaction of Rhodopsin Light-dependent eye degeneration with the G-protein, transducin Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling, disrupts the interaction of Rhodopsin Arrestin 2 Light-dependent eye degeneration with the G-protein, transducin inaD Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling Light-dependent eye degeneration inaF Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling Defect. LAVG Ca2+ channel function inaC Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling, Diacylglycerol-binding protein kinase C Defect. Rhodopsin-mediated signaling Gb 76C Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling, b-subunit of heterotrimeric G-protein GTPase Light-dependent eye degeneration (Transducin) Gg 30A Heterotrimeric G-protein GTPase involved in rhodopsin-mediated signaling Unknown 2+ trp Light-activated voltage-gated Ca channel Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling, eye degen. trp-like Light-activated voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling, eye degen. ninaE Long-wave sensitive opsin in R1-R6, mediates G-protein-coupled signaling Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling, rhabdomere degen. Rhodopsin 3 UV-sensitive opsin in R7-8, mediates G-protein-coupled signaling Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling Rhodopsin 4 UV-sensitive opsin in R7, mediates G-protein-coupled signaling Defect. Rhodopsin-mediated signaling Rhodopsin 5 Blue-sensitive in R8, mediates G-protein-coupled signaling Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling Rab-RP1 Rab-like GTPase involved in intracellular signaling Unknown oxidoreductase Short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase, implicated in repulsive axon guidance Unknown CG4979 Phosphatidylserine-specific phospholipase A1 Unknown chaoptic Extracellular membrane glycoprotein, mediates homophilic photoreceptor cell adhesion Rhabdomeres highly deranged ninaC Deactivation of rhodopsin-mediated signaling, calmodulin-binding serine/threonine Defect. Rhod-mediated signaling, kinase reduced Rhodopsin levels. msta Unknown, expressed in photoreceptor cells Unknown PIP82 Unknown, expressed in photoreceptor cells Unknown CG13077 Unknown Unknown CG1561 Unknown Unknown CG4468 Unknown Unknown.
Recommended publications
  • ADP-Ribosylation Factor, a Small GTP-Binding Protein, Is Required for Binding of the Coatomer Protein Fl-COP to Golgi Membranes JULIE G
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 89, pp. 6408-6412, July 1992 Biochemistry ADP-ribosylation factor, a small GTP-binding protein, is required for binding of the coatomer protein fl-COP to Golgi membranes JULIE G. DONALDSON*, DAN CASSEL*t, RICHARD A. KAHN*, AND RICHARD D. KLAUSNER* *Cell Biology and Metabolism Branch, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and tLaboratory of Biological Chemistry, Division of Cancer Treatment, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892 Communicated by Marc Kirschner, April 20, 1992 (receivedfor review February 11, 1992) ABSTRACT The coatomer is a cytosolic protein complex localized to the Golgi complex, although their functions have that reversibly associates with Golgi membranes and is Impli- not been defined. Distinct among these proteins is the ADP- cated in modulating Golgi membrane transport. The associa- ribosylation factor (ARF), originally identified as a cofactor tion of 13-COP, a component of coatomer, with Golgi mem- required for in vitro cholera toxin-catalyzed ADP- branes is enhanced by guanosine 5'-[v-thioltriphosphate ribosylation of the a subunit of the trimeric GTP-binding (GTP[yS]), a nonhydrolyzable analogue of GTP, and by a protein G, (G,.) (19). ARF is an abundant cytosolic protein mixture of aluminum and fluoride ions (Al/F). Here we show that reversibly associates with Golgi membranes (20, 21). that the ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) is required for the ARF has been shown to be present on Golgi coated vesicles binding of (-COP. Thus, 13-COP contained in a coatomer generated in the presence of GTP[yS], but it is not a com- fraction that has been resolved from ARF does not bind to Golgi ponent of the cytosolic coatomer (22).
    [Show full text]
  • In Vivo Mapping of a GPCR Interactome Using Knockin Mice
    In vivo mapping of a GPCR interactome using knockin mice Jade Degrandmaisona,b,c,d,e,1, Khaled Abdallahb,c,d,1, Véronique Blaisb,c,d, Samuel Géniera,c,d, Marie-Pier Lalumièrea,c,d, Francis Bergeronb,c,d,e, Catherine M. Cahillf,g,h, Jim Boulterf,g,h, Christine L. Lavoieb,c,d,i, Jean-Luc Parenta,c,d,i,2, and Louis Gendronb,c,d,i,j,k,2 aDépartement de Médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; bDépartement de Pharmacologie–Physiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; cFaculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; dCentre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; eQuebec Network of Junior Pain Investigators, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; fDepartment of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; gSemel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; hShirley and Stefan Hatos Center for Neuropharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095; iInstitut de Pharmacologie de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; jDépartement d’Anesthésiologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada; and kQuebec Pain Research Network, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 5N4, Canada Edited by Brian K. Kobilka, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, and approved April 9, 2020 (received for review October 16, 2019) With over 30% of current medications targeting this family of attenuates pain hypersensitivities in several chronic pain models proteins, G-protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) remain invaluable including neuropathic, inflammatory, diabetic, and cancer pain therapeutic targets.
    [Show full text]
  • Supporting Information
    Supporting Information Yee et al. 10.1073/pnas.1100495108 SI Materials and Methods Open Biosystems; SUR1 (Abcc8, clone sequence BC141411.1) Reagents. Synthetic oligonucleotides were purchased from Gen- was purchased from imaGenes. Each stock was grown in liquid elink. Kits for plasmid and DNA fragment purification were from medium, and plasmid DNAs were purified using a miniplasmid kit Qiagen. Restriction endonucleases were from New England from Qiagen. Constructs from Open Biosystems were obtained in Biolabs. Dispase and collagenase A were from Roche. the pCMV-SPORT6 vector, and constructs from imaGenes were obtained in the pYX-Asc vector. Plasmid DNA from the above Isolation and RT of Total RNAs. Two adult (2- to 10-mo-old) C57BL/ clones was purified using a Qiagen midiprep kit and sequenced 6 mice were killed by cervical dislocation. Their tongues were by the dye terminator method at the University of Pennsylvania excised and placed in a PBS solution containing 2 mM EGTA, DNA Sequencing Facility using an ABI 96-capillary 3730XL and the epithelium containing CV papillae was peeled off, taking Sequencer (Applied Biosystems). Clone DNAs were digested care to minimize contamination from underlying muscle tissue. with SalI and transcribed by T7 or T3 RNA polymerases for NT lingual epithelium devoid of taste buds was isolated from the antisense probes, or they were digested with Not1 and transcribed ventral surface of the tongue in a similar way. Total RNA was by Sp6 RNA polymerase for sense probes. Probes were generated isolated using the Pure-Link RNA mini kit from Invitrogen with the digoxigenin (DIG) RNA Labeling kit (Roche) and were (catalog no.
    [Show full text]
  • Supplementary Table 2
    Supplementary Table 2. Differentially Expressed Genes following Sham treatment relative to Untreated Controls Fold Change Accession Name Symbol 3 h 12 h NM_013121 CD28 antigen Cd28 12.82 BG665360 FMS-like tyrosine kinase 1 Flt1 9.63 NM_012701 Adrenergic receptor, beta 1 Adrb1 8.24 0.46 U20796 Nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group D, member 2 Nr1d2 7.22 NM_017116 Calpain 2 Capn2 6.41 BE097282 Guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha 12 Gna12 6.21 NM_053328 Basic helix-loop-helix domain containing, class B2 Bhlhb2 5.79 NM_053831 Guanylate cyclase 2f Gucy2f 5.71 AW251703 Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 12a Tnfrsf12a 5.57 NM_021691 Twist homolog 2 (Drosophila) Twist2 5.42 NM_133550 Fc receptor, IgE, low affinity II, alpha polypeptide Fcer2a 4.93 NM_031120 Signal sequence receptor, gamma Ssr3 4.84 NM_053544 Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 Sfrp4 4.73 NM_053910 Pleckstrin homology, Sec7 and coiled/coil domains 1 Pscd1 4.69 BE113233 Suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 Socs2 4.68 NM_053949 Potassium voltage-gated channel, subfamily H (eag- Kcnh2 4.60 related), member 2 NM_017305 Glutamate cysteine ligase, modifier subunit Gclm 4.59 NM_017309 Protein phospatase 3, regulatory subunit B, alpha Ppp3r1 4.54 isoform,type 1 NM_012765 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 2C Htr2c 4.46 NM_017218 V-erb-b2 erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog Erbb3 4.42 3 (avian) AW918369 Zinc finger protein 191 Zfp191 4.38 NM_031034 Guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha 12 Gna12 4.38 NM_017020 Interleukin 6 receptor Il6r 4.37 AJ002942
    [Show full text]
  • GTP-Binding Proteins • Heterotrimeric G Proteins
    GTP-binding proteins • Heterotrimeric G proteins • Small GTPases • Large GTP-binding proteins (e.g. dynamin, guanylate binding proteins, SRP- receptor) GTP-binding proteins Heterotrimeric G proteins Subfamily Members Prototypical effect Gs Gs, Golf cAMP Gi/o Gi, Go, Gz cAMP , K+-current Gq Gq, G11, G14, Inositol trisphosphate, G15/16 diacylglycerol G12/13 G12, G13 Cytoskeleton Transducin Gt, Gustducin cGMP - phosphodiesterase Offermanns 2001, Oncogene GTP-binding proteins Small GTPases Family Members Prototypical effect Ras Ras, Rap, Ral Cell proliferation; Cell adhesion Rho Rho, Rac, CDC42 Cell shape change & motility Arf/Sar Arf, Sar, Arl Vesicles: fission and fusion Rab Rab (1-33) Membrane trafficking between organelles Ran Ran Nuclear membrane plasticity Nuclear import/export The RAB activation-inactivation cycle REP Rab escort protein GGT geranylgeranyl-transferase GDI GDP-dissociation inhibitor GDF GDI displacementfactor Lipid e.g. RAS e.g. ARF1 modification RAB, Gi/o of GTP-binding proteins Lipid modification Enzyme Reaction Myristoylation N-myristoyl-transferase myristoylates N-terminal glycin Farnesylation Farnesyl-transferase, Transfers prenyl from prenyl-PPi Geranylgeranylation geranylgeranyltransferase to C-terminal CAAX motif Palmitoylation DHHC protein Cysteine-S-acylation General scheme of coated vesicle formation T. J. Pucadyil et al., Science 325, 1217-1220 (2009) Published by AAAS General model for scission of coated buds T. J. Pucadyil et al., Science 325, 1217-1220 (2009) Published by AAAS Conformational change in Arf1 and Sar1 GTPases, regulators of coated vesicular transport This happens if protein is trapped in the active conformation Membrane tubules formed by GTP- bound Arf1 Membrane tubules formed by GTP-bound Sar1 Published by AAAS T.
    [Show full text]
  • Exocytosis by Networks of Rab Gtpases Decoding the Regulation
    The Journal of Immunology Decoding the Regulation of Mast Cell Exocytosis by Networks of Rab GTPases Nurit P. Azouz,* Takahide Matsui,† Mitsunori Fukuda,† and Ronit Sagi-Eisenberg* Exocytosis is a key event in mast cell functions. By this process, mast cells release inflammatory mediators, contained in secretory granules (SGs), which play important roles in immunity and wound healing but also provoke allergic and inflammatory responses. The mechanisms underlying mast cell exocytosis remained poorly understood. An essential step toward deciphering the mechanisms behind exocytosis is the identification of the cellular components that regulate this process. Because Rab GTPases regulate specific trafficking pathways, we screened 44 Rabs for their functional impacts on exocytosis triggered by the Fc«RI or combination of Ca2+ ionophore and phorbol ester. Because exocytosis involves the continuous reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, we also repeated our screen in the presence of cytochalasin D that inhibits actin polymerization. In this paper, we report on the identification of 30 Rabs as regulators of mast cell exocytosis, the involvement of 26 of which has heretofore not been recognized. Unexpectedly, these Rabs regulated exocytosis in a stimulus-dependent fashion, unless the actin skeleton was disrupted. Functional clustering of the identified Rabs suggested their classification as Rabs involved in SGs biogenesis or Rabs that control late steps of exocytosis. The latter could be further divided into Rabs that localize to the SGs and Rabs that regulate transport from the endocytic recycling compartment. Taken together, these findings unveil the Rab networks that control mast cell exocytosis and provide novel insights into their mechanisms of action.
    [Show full text]
  • ADP Ribosylation Factor 6 Is Activated and Controls Membrane Delivery
    JCBArticle ADP ribosylation factor 6 is activated and controls membrane delivery during phagocytosis in macrophages Florence Niedergang,1 Emma Colucci-Guyon,1 Thierry Dubois,1 Graça Raposo,2 and Philippe Chavrier1 1Membrane and Cytoskeleton Dynamics Group and 2Electron Microscopy Group, UMR 144 Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut Curie, F-75248 Paris Cedex 05, France ngulfment of particles by phagocytes is induced by immunoglobulins (FcRs). A dominant-negative mutant of their interaction with specific receptors on the cell ARF6 (T27N mutation) dramatically affected FcR-mediated Esurface, which leads to actin polymerization and the phagocytosis. Expression of ARF6-T27N lead to a reduction extension of membrane protrusions to form a closed phago- in the focal delivery of vesicle-associated membrane protein some. Membrane delivery from internal pools is considered 3ϩ endosomal recycling membranes at phagocytosis sites, to play an important role in pseudopod extension during whereas actin polymerization was unimpaired. This resulted phagocytosis. Here, we report that endogenous ADP ribosyla- in an early blockade in pseudopod extension and accumu- tion factor 6 (ARF6), a small GTP-binding protein, undergoes lation of intracellular vesicles, as observed by electron a sharp and transient activation in macrophages when phago- microscopy. We conclude that ARF6 is a major regulator of cytosis was initiated via receptors for the Fc portion of membrane recycling during phagocytosis. Introduction Phagocytosis is the mechanism of internalization used by cells the plasma membrane to be locally elongated to form the to take up relatively large particles (Ͼ0.5 ␮m) into an intra- engulfing pseudopods (Castellano et al., 2001; May and cellular compartment or phagosome.
    [Show full text]
  • An Analysis of DNA Methylation in Human Adipose Tissue Reveals Differential Modification of Obesity Genes Before and After Gastric Bypass and Weight Loss Miles C
    Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library, The George Washington University Health Sciences Research Commons Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Genomics and Precision Medicine Publications 1-22-2015 An analysis of DNA methylation in human adipose tissue reveals differential modification of obesity genes before and after gastric bypass and weight loss Miles C. Benton Alice Johnstone David Eccles Brennan Harmon Mark T. Hayes See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: http://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/smhs_intsysbio_facpubs Part of the Systems Biology Commons Recommended Citation Benton, M.C., Johnstone, A., Eccles, D., Harmon, B., Hayes, M.T. et al. (2015). An analysis of DNA methylation in human adipose tissue reveals differential modification of obesity genes before and after gastric bypass and weight loss. Genome Biology, 16:8. This Journal Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Genomics and Precision Medicine at Health Sciences Research Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Genomics and Precision Medicine Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Health Sciences Research Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Miles C. Benton, Alice Johnstone, David Eccles, Brennan Harmon, Mark T. Hayes, Rod A. Lea, Lyn Griffiths, Eric P. Hoffman, Richard S. Stubbs, and Donia Macartney-Coxson This journal article is available at Health Sciences Research Commons: http://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/smhs_intsysbio_facpubs/ 112 Benton et al. Genome Biology (2015) 16:8 DOI 10.1186/s13059-014-0569-x RESEARCH Open Access An analysis of DNA methylation in human adipose tissue reveals differential modification of obesity genes before and after gastric bypass and weight loss Miles C Benton1,2, Alice Johnstone1,5, David Eccles1, Brennan Harmon4, Mark T Hayes3,5, Rod A Lea2, Lyn Griffiths2, Eric P Hoffman4, Richard S Stubbs3,5 and Donia Macartney-Coxson1* Abstract Background: Environmental factors can influence obesity by epigenetic mechanisms.
    [Show full text]
  • A Presynaptic Role for the ADP Ribosylation Factor (ARF)-Specific GDP͞GTP Exchange Factor Msec7-1
    Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA Vol. 96, pp. 1094–1099, February 1999 Neurobiology A presynaptic role for the ADP ribosylation factor (ARF)-specific GDPyGTP exchange factor msec7-1 URI ASHERY*†,HENRIETTE KOCH†‡,VOLKER SCHEUSS*, NILS BROSE‡, AND JENS RETTIG*§ *Department of Membrane Biophysics, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, D-37077 Goettingen, Germany; and ‡Department of Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, D-37075 Goettingen, Germany Communicated by Erwin Neher, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Goettingen, Germany, November 30, 1998 (received for review September 15, 1998) ABSTRACT ADP ribosylation factors (ARFs) represent a cycle. In the axon terminal, transmitter is released by fusion of family of small monomeric G proteins that switch from an synaptic vesicles with the plasma membrane. Synaptic vesicles inactive, GDP-bound state to an active, GTP-bound state. One are formed by budding from early endosomal compartments. member of this family, ARF6, translocates on activation from They then are filled with neurotransmitter and translocate to intracellular compartments to the plasma membrane and has a specialized region of the plasma membrane, the active zone, been implicated in regulated exocytosis in neuroendocrine where they dock and mature to a fusion competent state. cells. Because GDP release in vivo is rather slow, ARF acti- Vesicles then fuse with the plasma membrane in response to vation is facilitated by specific guanine nucleotide exchange an elevated intracellular calcium concentration (e.g., after an factors like cytohesin-1 or ARNO. Here we show that msec7-1, action potential). Vesicular protein and lipid components are a rat homologue of cytohesin-1, translocates ARF6 to the retrieved by clathrin-mediated endocytosis and are recycled plasma membrane in living cells.
    [Show full text]
  • Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Intracellular Trafficking and Signal Transduction
    Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 4-25-2012 12:00 AM Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Intracellular Trafficking and Signal Transduction Jessica L. Esseltine The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Stephen SG Ferguson The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Physiology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Jessica L. Esseltine 2012 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Cell Biology Commons Recommended Citation Esseltine, Jessica L., "Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Intracellular Trafficking and Signal Transduction" (2012). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 473. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/473 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. MODULATION OF G PROTEIN-COUPLED RECEPTOR INTRACELLULAR TRAFFICKING AND SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION (Spine Title: GPCR Intracellular Trafficking and Signal Transduction) (Thesis format: integrated article) by Jessica Lynn Esseltine Graduate Program in Physiology Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada April, 2012 © Jessica Lynn Esseltine 2012 Abstract The seven transmembrane-spanning G Protein-coupled Receptor (GPCR) super family is the largest family of cell-surface receptors, comprising greater than 650 members. GPCRs represent the primary targets of most therapeutic drugs. Desensitization, endocytosis and recycling are major mechanisms of receptor regulation and intracellular trafficking of GPCRs is linked to the Rab family of small G proteins.
    [Show full text]
  • Small G-Protein They Bind GTP, and “OFF” After the GTP Has Been Hydrolyzed to GDP (Which in Turn Remains Bound)
    MONOMERIC G-PROTEINS (GTPases) In addition to heterotrimeric G-proteins, there is a superfamily of small monomeric G-proteins. Their size is around 21 kDa, approximately one half of the average size of the subunits of heterotrimeric proteins. These small proteins also operate as switches, which are “ON” when Small G-protein they bind GTP, and “OFF” after the GTP has been hydrolyzed to GDP (which in turn remains bound). There is a larger family of small GTP-binding switch proteins, related to G Monomeric G-proteins are activated by proteins which induce a conformational change resulting in reduced affinity to GDP, and thus in G-protein : heterotrimeric G proteins GDP release. The general term for such proteins is GEF (guanine nucleotide exchange factor). The GEFs of the small G-proteins are not the activated receptors, but rather proteins downstream the signaling cascade. GEFs vary with regard to their mode of activation and their selectivity for specific monomeric G-proteins. Small GTP-binding proteins include (roles indicated): initiation & elongation factors (protein synthesis). Compared to the subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, GTPase activity Ras (growth factor signal cascades). of the monomeric G-proteins is very low in the absence of interference. Rab (vesicle targeting and fusion). However, association with a protein of the GAP (GTPase-activating ARF (forming vesicle coatomer coats). protein) type results in very rapid GTP hydrolysis. Ran (transport of proteins into & out of the nucleus). As in the case of GEFs, the activation state of GAPs can be regulated, and Rho (regulation of actin cytoskeleton) GAPs are selective with regard to the small G-proteins they affect.
    [Show full text]
  • Small Gtpases in Cancer: Still Signaling the Way
    cancers Editorial Small GTPases in Cancer: Still Signaling the Way Paulo Matos 1,2 1 BioISI—Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; [email protected] 2 Department of Human Genetics, National Health Institute ‘Dr. Ricardo Jorge’, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal In recent decades, many advances in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancer have been witnessed. However, cancerous diseases are still the second leading cause of death worldwide [1]. Moreover, the incidence of cancer in the last three decades has nearly tripled and some estimates indicate that this may increase by five-fold by 2030 [1,2]. Even more worrying, several epidemiological studies have indicated that the incidence of certain types of cancer is increasing sharply among young adults [1,3]. Despite a tremendous worldwide research effort, cancer is a highly complex and het- erogeneous disease and the precise molecular mechanisms associated with its pathogenesis are still largely unclear. It is commonly accepted that the development of tumors requires an initiator event, usually exposure to DNA damaging agents that cause genetic alterations such as gene mu- tations or chromosomal abnormalities, leading to deregulated cell proliferation. Although the mere stochastic accumulation of further mutations may cause tumor progression, it is now well established that the interaction of tumor cells with their surrounding microen- vironment has an important role in modulating the epigenetic events that, together with genetic alterations, determine the initiation and progression of cancer [4]. In addition, changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME), such as abnormal vascula- ture, different immune cell infiltrates, hypoxic conditions, and variations in the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), are known to promote the selection of diverse malig- nant subpopulations within a single tumor mass [5].
    [Show full text]