novel insights into the genetics and pathophysiology of adrenocortical tumors

International audienceAdrenocortical tumors (ACTs) are typically unilateral and can be classified as benign adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs) or malignant adrenocortical cancers (ACCs). In rare cases, tumors may occur in both adrenal glands as micronodular hyperplasia (primary pigmented nodular adrenal dysplasia) or as macronodular hyperplasia (primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia, PBMAH). The study of certain tumor predisposition syndromes has improved our understanding of sporadic ACTs. Most ACAs are associated with abnormalities of the cAMP signaling pathway, whereas most ACCs are linked to alterations in IGF2, TP53, or the Wnt/βcatenin pathways. Over the past year, single-nucleotide polymorphism array technology and next-generation sequencing have identified novel genetic alterations in ACTs that shed new light on the molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis. Among these are somatic mutations of PKA catalytic subunit alpha gene (PRKACA) in ACA, germline, and somatic mutations of armadillo repeat containing 5 gene (ARMC5) in primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia and somatic alterations of the E3 ubiquitin ligase gene ZNRF3 in ACC. This review focuses on the recent discoveries and their diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic implications

Combined transcriptome studies identify AFF3 as a mediator of the oncogenic effects of β-catenin in adrenocortical carcinoma

International audienceAdrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a very aggressive tumor, and genomics studies demonstrate that the most frequent alterations of driver genes in these cancers activate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. However, the adrenal-specific targets of oncogenic β-catenin-mediating tumorigenesis have not being established. A combined transcriptomic analysis from two series of human tumors and the human ACC cell line H295R harboring a spontaneous β-catenin activating mutation was done to identify the Wnt/β-catenin targets. Seven genes were consistently identified in the three studies. Among these genes, we found that AFF3 mediates the oncogenic effects of β-catenin in ACC. The Wnt response element site located at nucleotide position − 1408 of the AFF3 transcriptional start sites (TSS) mediates the regulation by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. AFF3 silencing decreases cell proliferation and increases apoptosis in the ACC cell line H295R. AFF3 is located in nuclear speckles, which play an important role in RNA splicing. AFF3 overexpression in adrenocortical cells interferes with the organization and/or biogenesis of these nuclear speckles and alters the distribution of CDK9 and cyclin T1 such that they accumulate at the sites of AFF3/speckles. We demonstrate that AFF3 is a new target of Wnt/β-catenin pathway involved in ACC, acting on transcription and RNA splicing

Characterization of O-GlcNAc cycling and proteomic identification of differentially O-GlcNAcylated proteins during G1/S transition in human epithelial cells

La O-GlcNAcylation est une glycosylation dynamique et réversible sous le contrôle de la O-GlcNAc Transférase (OGT) qui transfère un résidu de GlcNAc sur les Ser/Thr de protéines intracellulaires, et de la O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Plusieurs travaux dont ceux de notre équipe ont montré l'importance de la dynamique de O-GlcNAcylation pour la progression normale du cycle cellulaire, et plus particulièrement de la mitose. L’objectif de mes travaux de thèse était de comprendre comment la balance O-GlcNAc participe au contrôle des étapes précoces du cycle cellulaire. J’ai d’abord montré dans différentes lignées cellulaires que l’entrée en phase S s’accompagne d’une baisse marquée du niveau de O-GlcNAc, corrélée à une augmentation de l’expression et de l’activité de l’OGA endogène. Par protéomique, 58 protéines cytosoliques et nucléaires différentiellement O-GlcNAcylées à la transition G1/S ont ensuite été identifiées dans les cellules MCF7 synchronisées. Ces protéines interviennent dans des processus cellulaires essentiels à la phase G1 dont la régulation de la transcription, de la traduction et de la mise en conformation des protéines, et de la réplication de l’ADN. Par immunoprécipitation, les variations O-GlcNAc dépendantes du cycle cellulaire ont été confirmées sur les protéines cytosoliques CK8, hnRNP K et Caprine 1, et sur les protéines nucléaires du complexe de pré-réplication, MCM-3, -4, -6, et -7. Ces travaux montrent donc que la transition G1/S est étroitement liée à la dynamique de O-GlcNAcylation et soulignent un rôle potentiel de cette glycosylation dans le contrôle de l’initiation de la réplication de l’ADN et par là même, dans le maintien de l'intégrité génomique.O-GlcNAcylation is a highly dynamic and reversible glycosylation which is governed by O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) that transfers the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue onto Ser/Thr of intracellular proteins, and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Over the last decade, we and others have shown that dynamics of O-GlcNAcylation was important in regulating the cell cycle progression, and more particularly the mitosis events. The aim of my work was to explore how O-GlcNAc balance is implicated in the control of cellular proliferation by focusing on the early steps in the cell cycle. We highlighted in several cell lines that S-phase entry is associated with a marked decrease in the overall level of O-GlcNAcylated proteins, concordant with an increase in both the expression and activity of endogenous OGA. Then, using a proteomic approach we identified 58 cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins differentially O-GlcNAcylated between G0, G1 and S phases. These proteins are involved in key cellular functions that are essential for G1 and S progression, such as protein folding and translation, transcription or DNA replication. By immunoprecipitation, we further confirmed the cell cycle-dependent O-GlcNAc variations of CK8, hnRNP K, Caprin-1, and MCM -3, -4, -6, and -7 proteins which are part of the pre-replicative complex. To conclude, this study shows that there is a close link between the dynamics of O-GlcNAc and G1/S transition and provides a descriptive overview of differentially O-GlcNAcylated proteins at the G1/S transition, highlighting a potential role of O-GlcNAcylation in the initiation of DNA synthesis and therefore, in the maintenance of genome integrity

Etude de la dynamique de O-GlcNAcylation et identification de protéines différentiellement O-GlcNAcylées au cours de la transition G1/S du cycle cellulaire de cellules épithéliales humaines

La O-GlcNAcylation est une glycosylation dynamique et réversible sous le contrôle de la O-GlcNAc Transférase (OGT) qui transfère un résidu de GlcNAc sur les Ser/Thr de protéines intracellulaires, et de la O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Plusieurs travaux dont ceux de notre équipe ont montré l'importance de la dynamique de O-GlcNAcylation pour la progression normale du cycle cellulaire, et plus particulièrement de la mitose. L objectif de mes travaux de thèse était de comprendre comment la balance O-GlcNAc participe au contrôle des étapes précoces du cycle cellulaire. J ai d abord montré dans différentes lignées cellulaires que l entrée en phase S s accompagne d une baisse marquée du niveau de O-GlcNAc, corrélée à une augmentation de l expression et de l activité de l OGA endogène. Par protéomique, 58 protéines cytosoliques et nucléaires différentiellement O-GlcNAcylées à la transition G1/S ont ensuite été identifiées dans les cellules MCF7 synchronisées. Ces protéines interviennent dans des processus cellulaires essentiels à la phase G1 dont la régulation de la transcription, de la traduction et de la mise en conformation des protéines, et de la réplication de l ADN. Par immunoprécipitation, les variations O-GlcNAc dépendantes du cycle cellulaire ont été confirmées sur les protéines cytosoliques CK8, hnRNP K et Caprine 1, et sur les protéines nucléaires du complexe de pré-réplication, MCM-3, -4, -6, et -7. Ces travaux montrent donc que la transition G1/S est étroitement liée à la dynamique de O-GlcNAcylation et soulignent un rôle potentiel de cette glycosylation dans le contrôle de l initiation de la réplication de l ADN et par là même, dans le maintien de l'intégrité génomique.O-GlcNAcylation is a highly dynamic and reversible glycosylation which is governed by O-GlcNAc Transferase (OGT) that transfers the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residue onto Ser/Thr of intracellular proteins, and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). Over the last decade, we and others have shown that dynamics of O-GlcNAcylation was important in regulating the cell cycle progression, and more particularly the mitosis events. The aim of my work was to explore how O-GlcNAc balance is implicated in the control of cellular proliferation by focusing on the early steps in the cell cycle. We highlighted in several cell lines that S-phase entry is associated with a marked decrease in the overall level of O-GlcNAcylated proteins, concordant with an increase in both the expression and activity of endogenous OGA. Then, using a proteomic approach we identified 58 cytoplasmic and nuclear proteins differentially O-GlcNAcylated between G0, G1 and S phases. These proteins are involved in key cellular functions that are essential for G1 and S progression, such as protein folding and translation, transcription or DNA replication. By immunoprecipitation, we further confirmed the cell cycle-dependent O-GlcNAc variations of CK8, hnRNP K, Caprin-1, and MCM -3, -4, -6, and -7 proteins which are part of the pre-replicative complex. To conclude, this study shows that there is a close link between the dynamics of O-GlcNAc and G1/S transition and provides a descriptive overview of differentially O-GlcNAcylated proteins at the G1/S transition, highlighting a potential role of O-GlcNAcylation in the initiation of DNA synthesis and therefore, in the maintenance of genome integrity.LILLE1-Bib. Electronique (590099901) / SudocSudocFranceF

PRKACB variants in skeletal disease or adrenocortical hyperplasia: effects on protein kinase A

Genetic variants in components of the protein kinase A (PKA) enzyme have been associated with various defects and neoplasms in the context of Carney complex (CNC) and in isolated cases, such as in primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD), cortisol-producing adrenal adenomas (CPAs), and various cancers. PRKAR1A mutations have been found in subjects with impaired cAMP-dependent signaling and skeletal defects; bone tumors also develop in both humans and mice with Prkar1a abnormalities. We studied the PRKACB gene in 148 subjects with PPNAD and related disorders, who did not have other PKA-related defects and identified two subjects with possibly pathogenic PRKACB gene variants and unusual bone and endocrine phenotypes. The first presented with bone and other abnormalities, and carried a de novo c.858_860GAA (p.K286del) variant. The second subject carried the c.899 C>T (p.T300M) variant and had a PPNAD-like phenotype. Both variants are highly conserved in the PRKACB gene. In functional studies, the p.K286del variant affected PRKACB protein stability and led to increased PKA signaling. The p.T300M variant did not affect protein stability or response to cAMP and its pathogenicity remains uncertain. We conclude that PRKACB germline variants are uncommon but may be associated with phenotypes that resemble those of other PKA-related defects. However, detailed investigation of each variant is needed as PRKACB appears to be only rarely affected in these conditions, and variants such as p.T300M maybe proven to be clinically insignificant, whereas others (such as p.K286del) are clearly pathogenic and may lead to a novel skeletal syndrome phenotype

ARMC5 Mutations in a Large Cohort of Primary Macronodular Adrenal Hyperplasia: Clinical and Functional Consequences

International audienceCONTEXT:Primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) is a rare cause of primary adrenal Cushing's syndrome (CS). ARMC5 germline mutations have been identified recently in PBMAH.OBJECTIVE:To determine the prevalence of ARMC5 mutations and analyze genotype-phenotype correlation in a large cohort of unrelated PBMAH patients with subclinical or clinical CS.PATIENTS AND METHODS:ARMC5 was sequenced in 98 unrelated PBMAH index cases. PBMAH was identified by bilateral adrenal nodular enlargement on computed tomography scan. The effect on apoptosis of ARMC5 missense mutants was tested in H295R and HeLa cells. Clinical and hormonal data were collected including midnight and urinary free cortisol levels, ACTH, androgens, renin/aldosterone ratio, cortisol after overnight dexamethasone suppression test, cortisol and 17-hydroxyprogesterone after ACTH 1-24 stimulation and illegitimate receptor responses. Computed tomography and histological reports were analyzed.RESULTS:ARMC5-damaging mutations were identified in 24 patients (26%). The missense mutants and the p.F700del deletion were unable to induce apoptosis in both H295R and HeLa cell lines, unlike the wild-type gene. ARMC5-mutated patients showed an overt CS more frequently, compared to wild-type patients: lower ACTH, higher midnight plasma cortisol, urinary free cortisol, and cortisol after dexamethasone suppression test (P = .003, .019, .006, and <.001, respectively). Adrenals of patients with mutations were bigger and had a higher number of nodules (P = .001 and <.001, respectively).CONCLUSIONS:ARMC5 germline mutations are common in PBMAH. Index cases of mutation carriers show a more severe hypercortisolism and larger adrenals. ARMC5 genotyping may help to identify clinical forms of PBMAH better and may also allow earlier diagnosis of this disease