RECQ1 helicase is involved in replication stress survival and drug resistance in multiple myeloma

Leukemia. 2017 Oct;31(10):2104-2113. doi: 10.1038/leu.2017.54. Epub 2017 Feb 10.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell cancer with poor survival, characterized by the expansion of multiple myeloma cells (MMCs) in the bone marrow. Using a microarray-based genome-wide screen for genes responding to DNA methyltransferases (DNMT) inhibition in MM cells, we identified RECQ1 among the most downregulated genes. RecQ helicases are DNA unwinding enzymes involved in the maintenance of chromosome stability. Here we show that RECQ1 is significantly overexpressed in MMCs compared to normal plasma cells and that increased RECQ1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in three independent cohorts of patients. Interestingly, RECQ1 knockdown inhibits cells growth and induces apoptosis in MMCs. Moreover, RECQ1 depletion promotes the development of DNA double-strand breaks, as evidenced by the formation of 53BP1 foci and the phosphorylation of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and histone variant H2A.X (H2AX). In contrast, RECQ1 overexpression protects MMCs from melphalan and bortezomib cytotoxicity. RECQ1 interacts with PARP1 in MMCs exposed to treatment and RECQ1 depletion sensitizes MMCs to poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor. DNMT inhibitor treatment results in RECQ1 downregulation through miR-203 deregulation in MMC. Altogether, these data suggest that association of DNA damaging agents and/or PARP inhibitors with DNMT inhibitors may represent a therapeutic approach in patients with high RECQ1 expression associated with a poor prognosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bortezomib / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • DNA Breaks, Double-Stranded
  • DNA Damage
  • DNA Methylation / drug effects
  • DNA Replication / drug effects
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics*
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • DNA-Cytosine Methylases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / physiology*
  • Enzyme Induction
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Melphalan / pharmacology
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / enzymology*
  • Multiple Myeloma / genetics
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Neoplasm Proteins / genetics
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / enzymology
  • Plasma Cells / drug effects
  • Plasma Cells / enzymology
  • Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1 / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RecQ Helicases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • RecQ Helicases / genetics
  • RecQ Helicases / physiology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • MIRN203 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Bortezomib
  • DNA-Cytosine Methylases
  • PARP1 protein, human
  • Poly (ADP-Ribose) Polymerase-1
  • RECQL protein, human
  • RecQ Helicases
  • Melphalan