Race-Specific Molecular Alterations Correlate With Differential Outcomes for Black and White Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Patients
CANCER
Authors: Bateman, Nicholas W.; Dubil, Elizabeth A.; Wang, Guisong; Hood, Brian L.; Oliver, Julie M.; Litzi, Tracy A.; Gist, Glenn D.; Mitchell, David A.; Blanton, Brian; Phippen, Neil T.; Tian, Chunqiao; Zahn, Christopher M.; Cohn, David E.; Havrilesky, Laura J.; Berchuck, Andrew; Shriver, Craig D.; Darcy, Kathleen M.; Hamilton, Chad A.; Conrads, Thomas P.; Maxwell, G. Larry
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify molecular alterations associated with disease outcomes for white and black patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC). METHODS: EEC samples from black (n = 17) and white patients (n =13) were analyzed by proteomics (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry) and transcriptomics (RNA-seq). Coordinate alterations were validated with RNA-seq data from black (n = 49) and white patients (n = 216). Concordantly altered candidates were further tested for associations with race-specific progression-free survival (PFS) in black (n = 64) or white patients (n = 267) via univariate and multivariate Cox regression modeling and log-rank testing. RESULTS: Discovery analyses revealed significantly altered candidate proteins and transcripts between black and white patients, suggesting modulation of tumor cell viability in black patients and cell death signaling in black and white patients. Eighty-nine candidates were validated as altered between these patient cohorts, and a subset significantly correlated with differential PFS. White-specific PFS candidates included serpin family A member 4 (SERPINA4; hazard ratio [HR], 0.89; Wald P value = .02), integrin subunit alpha 3 (ITGA3; HR, 0.76; P = .03), and Bet1 Golgi vesicular membrane trafficking protein like (BET1L; HR, 0.48; P = .04). Black-specific PFS candidates included family with sequence similarity 228 member B (FAM228B; HR, 0.13; P = .001) and HEAT repeat containing 6 (HEATR6; HR, 4.94; P = .047). Several candidates were also associated with overall survival (SERPINA4 and ITGA3) as well as PFS independent of disease stage, grade and myometrial invasion (SERPINA4, BET1L and FAM228B). CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified and validated molecular alterations in tumors from black and white EEC patients, including candidates significantly associated with altered disease outcomes within these patient cohorts. 12. (C) 2017 American Cancer Society.
Multiple roles of integrin-alpha 3 at the neuromuscular junction
JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE
Authors: Ross, Jacob A.; Webster, Richard G.; Lechertier, Tanguy; Reynolds, Louise E.; Turmaine, Mark; Bencze, Maximilien; Jamshidi, Yalda; Cetin, Hakan; Muntoni, Francesco; Beeson, David; Hodilvala-Dilke, Kairbaan; Conti, Francesco J.
Abstract
The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the synapse between motoneurons and skeletal muscle, and is responsible for eliciting muscle contraction. Neurotransmission at synapses depends on the release of synaptic vesicles at sites called active zones (AZs). Various proteins of the extracellular matrix are crucial for NMJ development; however, little is known about the identity and functions of the receptors that mediate their effects. Using genetically modified mice, we find that integrin-alpha 3 (encoded by Itga3), an adhesion receptor at the presynaptic membrane, is involved in the localisation of AZ components and efficient synaptic vesicle release. Integrin-alpha 3 also regulates integrity of the synapse - mutant NMJs present with progressive structural changes and upregulated autophagy, features commonly observed during ageing and in models of neurodegeneration. Unexpectedly, we find instances of nerve terminal detachment from the muscle fibre; to our knowledge, this is the first report of a receptor that is required for the physical anchorage of pre- and postsynaptic elements at the NMJ. These results demonstrate multiple roles of integrin-alpha 3 at the NMJ, and suggest that alterations in its function could underlie defects that occur in neurodegeneration or ageing.