Nuclear Structure and Function

NuclearStructure280-220

Regulatory machinery for vital cellular processes, including transcription, replication, repair, and apoptosis, as well as biological control of proliferation, lineage commitment, phenotype, tumor promotion, and tumor suppression are organized in distinct nuclear microenvironments. Our group has identified molecular and epigenetic mechanisms that govern localization of lineage-determining regulatory proteins to subnuclear sites of transcription. Applying a combination of genetic, biochemical, and in situ cell biological techniques supported by advanced bioinformatic analysis, we have identified unique trafficking signals in Runx proteins, master regulators of osteogenesis, hematopoiesis, and neurogenesis/gastro-intestinal development. Disruption of physiological localization of proteins to distinct subnuclear sites (e.g., ‘Runx foci’) results in altered transcriptional programs ultimately leading to compromised cell growth and differentiation. Clinical relevance of these findings is emphasized by aberrant subnuclear targeting of these proteins under a variety of pathological conditions that include acute myelogenous leukemia, as well as breast and prostate cancers. Currently, we are using genomic (high-throughput DeepSeq) and proteomic (high resolution mass spec) approaches to define mechanisms that relate subnuclear organization of regulatory factors and gene loci with biological control of cell function and pathological disruption in cancer. Nuclear microenvironments are being explored that support the function of Runx proteins. We are investigating subnuclear organelles including Histone Locus Bodies (see Genetic and Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression). Utilizing a recently developed degron approach to rapidly and selectively degrade the RUNX1 transcription factor, which is an obligatory tumor suppressor in normal mammary epithelial cells, we are, for the first time, defining initial parameters of control that epigenetically mediate an epithelial to mesenchymal transition and initiation of breast cancer tumor genesis. 

Our laboratory examines the chromatin structure and higher-order chromatin organization of genes that mediate cell cycle control (e.g., histone genes) and osteoblast differentiation (e.g., osteocalcin and Runx2 genes) (see Musculoskeletal Biology and Pathology).

 

Landmark Papers

  • Andrew J. Fritz, Mohammed El Dika, Rabail H. Toor, Princess D. Rodriguez, Stephen J. Foley, Rahim Ullah, Daijing Nie, Bodhisattwa Banerjee, Dorcas Lohese, Karen C. Glass, Seth Frietze, Prachi N. Ghule, Jessica L. Heath, Anthony N. Imbalzano, Andre van Wijnen, Jonathan Gordon, Jane B. Lian, Janet L. Stein, Gary S. Stein. Epigenetic-mediated regulation of gene expression for biological control and cancer: cell and tissue structure, function, and phenotype, Nuclear, Chromosomal, and Genomic Architecture in Biology and Medicine. Switzerland: Springer Nature. 2022. In print. 
  • Zaidi SK, Young DW, Javed A, Pratap J, Montecino M, van Wijnen A, Lian JB, Stein JL, Stein GS. Nuclear microenvironments in biological control and cancer. Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Jun;7(6):454-63.

  • Vradii D, Zaidi SK, Lian JB, van Wijnen AJ, Stein JL, Stein GS. Point mutation in AML1 disrupts subnuclear targeting, prevents myeloid differentiation, and effects a transformation-like phenotype. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 May 17;102(20):7174-9.

  • Javed A, Barnes GL, Pratap J, Antkowiak T, Gerstenfeld LC, van Wijnen AJ, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Impaired intranuclear trafficking of Runx2 (AML3/CBFA1) transcription factors in breast cancer cells inhibits osteolysis in vivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2005 Feb 1;102(5):1454-9.

  • Young DW, Zaidi SK, Furcinitti PS, Javed A, van Wijnen AJ, Stein JL, Lian JB, Stein GS. Quantitative signature for architectural organization of regulatory factors using intranuclear informatics. J Cell Sci. 2004 Oct 1;117(Pt 21):4889-96.

  • McNeil S, Zeng C, Harrington KS, Hiebert S, Lian JB, Stein JL, van Wijnen AJ, Stein GS. The t(8;21) chromosomal translocation in acute myelogenous leukemia modifies intranuclear targeting of the AML1/CBFalpha2 transcription factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1999 Dec 21;96(26):14882-7.