Sestrin1, a tumor suppressor that can be rescued

Maria C Donaldson1, Natalya Katanayeva1, Elisa Oricchio1

  • 1Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.

Insights

SESTRIN1 acts as a tumor suppressor in follicular lymphoma by regulating mTORC1. Inhibiting EZH2 reactivates SESTRIN1, restoring its tumor-suppressive function and offering a potential epigenetic therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • SESTRIN1 functions as a tumor suppressor in follicular lymphoma.
  • It regulates the activity of mTORC1, a key cellular pathway.
  • Inactivation occurs via chromosomal deletions or epigenetic silencing by mutant EZH2 (Y641X).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SESTRIN1 in follicular lymphoma.
  • To explore the potential of targeting EZH2 for SESTRIN1 re-expression.
  • To assess the feasibility of epigenetically controlling mTORC1 activity.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of SESTRIN1 inactivation mechanisms in follicular lymphoma.
  • Pharmacological inhibition of EZH2.
  • Assessment of SESTRIN1 re-expression and tumor suppressive activity restoration.

Main Results:

  • SESTRIN1 is inactivated by chromosomal deletions or EZH2 (Y641X) mutations.
  • Pharmacological EZH2 inhibition leads to SESTRIN1 re-expression.
  • Re-expressed SESTRIN1 restores its tumor suppressive activity.

Conclusions:

  • SESTRIN1 is a crucial tumor suppressor in follicular lymphoma.
  • Targeting EZH2 offers a strategy for epigenetic restoration of SESTRIN1.
  • This approach may enable epigenetic control of mTORC1 activity in cancer therapy.

Related Concept Videos

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
6.1K
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
5.3K
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes01:05

Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes

Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
9.9K
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
4.8K
Negative Regulator Molecules01:23

Negative Regulator Molecules

Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.
38.6K
Replicative Cell Senescence02:15

Replicative Cell Senescence

Replicative cell senescence is a property of cells that allows them to divide a finite number of times throughout the organism's lifespan while preventing excessive proliferation. Replicative senescence is associated with the gradual loss of the telomere — short, repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosomes. Telomeres are bound by a group of proteins to form a protective cap on the ends of chromosomes. Embryonic stem cells express telomerase — an enzyme that adds...
4.5K