STAT (Signal transducer and activator of transcription) is a potent transcription factor and its aberrant activation by phosphorylation is associated with human cancers [1][2][3][4] . We have shown previously that overactivation of JAK, which phosphorylates STAT 5,6 , disrupts heterochromatin formation globally in Drosophila melanogaster 7 . However, it remains unclear how this effect is mediated and whether STAT is involved. Here, we demonstrate that Drosophila STAT (STAT92E) is involved in controlling heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1) distribution and heterochromatin stability. We found, unexpectedly, that loss of STAT92E, had the same effects as overactivation of JAK in disrupting heterochromatin formation and heterochromatic gene silencing, whereas overexpression of STAT92E had the opposite effects. We have further shown that the unphosphorylated or 'transcriptionally inactive' form of STAT92E is localized on heterochromatin in association with HP1, and is required for stabilizing HP1 localization and histone H3 Lys 9 methylation (H3mK9). However, activation by phosphorylation reduces heterochromatin-associated STAT92E, causing HP1 displacement and heterochromatin destabilization. Thus, reducing levels of unphosphorylated STAT92E, either by loss of STAT92E or increased phosphorylation, causes heterochromatin instability. These results suggest that activation of STAT by phosphorylation controls both access to chromatin and activity of the transcription machinery.To understand the molecular mechanism underlying JAK/STAT-mediated tumour formation, we have previously investigated the role of JAK in a Drosophila leukaemia model, in which a hyperactive mutant form of JAK (Tum-1) causes leukaemia-like overproliferation of blood cells 5,8 . We have demonstrated that oncogenic JAK disrupts heterochromatin formation globally, allowing transcriptional activation of genes that are not necessarily direct targets of STAT 7,9 . The molecular mechanism underlying the effects of Hopscotch (Hop, Drosophila JAK) on heterochromatin remains unclear. It may be mediated by phosphorylation of STAT92E, as in the canonical JAK/STAT pathway 10,11 . Alternatively, Hop may activate cellular targets other than STAT92E 9 .To investigate whether disruption of heterochromatin induced by Hop-activation 7 is mediated by STAT92E, we examined the effects of reducing stat92E + dosage on heterochromatic gene silencing, which can be measured by position-effect variegation (PEV) 12 We next examined the epistatic relationship between HP1 and STAT92E ( Fig. 1d-k). HP1, encoded by Su(var)205, is a constitutive component of heterochromatin and is essential for heterochromatic gene silencing 12,13 . Consistent with the results described above, we found that increasing stat92E + dosage by a chromosomal duplication (referred to as 3 × stat92E + , Fig. 1f) or a stat92E + transgene ( Supplementary Information, Fig. S1) enhanced heterochromatic gene silencing, resulting in complete silencing of the variegated white + gene. This effect was antagonized,...

Tumor suppressors known to date impede cancer growth by arresting the cell cycle or promoting apoptosis. Here we show that unphosphorylated human STAT5A functions as a tumor suppressor capable of repressing multiple oncogenes via heterochromatin formation. Unphosphorylated STAT5A binds to heterochromatin protein 1α (HP1α) and stabilizes heterochromatin. Expressing unphosphorylated STAT5A or HP1α inhibits colon cancer growth in mouse xenograft models. Transcriptome profiling shows that expressing an unphosphorylatable STAT5A has similar effects to overexpressing HP1α in global gene expression. Notably, the majority of the genes commonly repressed by unphosphorylated STAT5A and HP1α have been implicated in cancer development. Finally, down-regulation, somatic mutations, and deletions of STAT5 genes are found in certain human cancers. These results suggest that unphosphorylated STAT5A may epigenetically suppress tumor growth by promoting heterochromatin formation.JAK/STAT | Drosophila | fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) | transcription H eterochromatin plays a role in chromosomal compaction and transcriptional silencing and is emerging as a mechanism of tumor suppression. Certain tumor suppressors, such as breast cancer type 1 susceptibility protein (BRCA1) and the retinoblastoma protein (RB), have been shown to promote heterochromatin formation at specific loci or maintain the stability of constitutive heterochromatin (1-4). On the other hand, oncogenic JAK disrupts heterochromatin formation in both Drosophila and human cells (5, 6). In addition, a reduction in the levels of heterochromatin protein 1 (HP1), the major component and a determinant of heterochromatin (7), is associated with human cancer progression, including colon and breast cancers and leukemia (8). The target genes normally repressed by heterochromatin, however, have not been systematically investigated.Previous studies using a Drosophila leukemia model have demonstrated a noncanonical mode of JAK/STAT signaling, in which the unphosphorylated form of STAT is localized in heterochromatin in association with HP1; STAT activation (by phosphorylation) causes its dispersal from heterochromatin, leading to HP1 delocalization and heterochromatin loss (9-11). Moreover, unphosphorylated STAT and heterochromatin are essential for maintaining genomic stability and counteracting aging in Drosophila (12, 13). To investigate whether unphosphorylated STAT in mammals also promotes heterochromatin formation, and whether this constitutes a mechanism of tumor suppression, we examined the interaction between human STAT5A and HP1α (also known as "chromobox protein homolog 5," or CBX5) in human cells, tested their effects on tumorigenesis in mouse xenograft models, and examined their effects on global gene transcription by means of expression profiling. Results STAT5A and HP1αPhysically Interact. To test whether human STAT5A physically interacts with human HP1α, we used a series of plasmids to express HP1α-Flag and wild-type or mutant GFP-tagged STAT5A (...

BackgroundTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer that lacks ER/PR and HER2 receptors. Hence, there is urgency in developing new or novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of TNBC. Our study shows that the Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) is a marker associated with TNBC and may play a key role in TNBC disease progression.Experimental designELISA method was used to measure secreted MCP-1, and mRNA levels were determined by Real-time PCR in numerous cancer cell lines, representing various breast cancer subtypes. Cellular invasiveness was determined by Boyden chamber assay.ResultsOur data show that MCP-1 is upregulated in TNBC cell lines both transcriptionally as well as in secreted protein levels compared to ER-positive luminal cell line, MCF-7. Breast cancer patients, with Basal or Claudin-low subtypes, also showed high expression of MCP-1. MCP-1 treatment induced cell invasion in various breast cancer cell types, without affecting cell proliferation. Small molecule antagonists against Chemokine Receptor 2 (CCR2), cognate receptor for MCP-1 as well as the MAP kinase pathway inhibitor U0126 negatively affected MCP-1 induced MCF-7 cell invasion. This suggests that MCP-1-CCR2 axis may regulate invasiveness via the MAP Kinase pathway. Knocking down MCP-1 decreased cell invasion in TNBC cell line BT-549, along with downregulation of key epithelial to mesenchymal transition markers, N-cadherin and Vimentin.ConclusionOur study suggests that MCP-1 mediated pathways could be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of TNBC, and could reduce cancer health disparities.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s10549-018-4760-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lung cancer remains a challenging disease. It is responsible for the high cancer mortality rates in the US and worldwide. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms operative in lung cancer is an important first step in developing effective therapies. Accumulating evidence over the last 2 decades suggests a critical role for Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) as a point of convergence for various signaling pathways that are dysregulated in the disease. In this review, we discuss possible molecular mechanisms involving STAT3 in lung tumorigenesis based on recent literature. We consider possible roles of STAT3 in cancer cell proliferation and survival, in the tumor immune environment, and in epigenetic regulation and interaction of STAT3 with other transcription factors. We also discuss the potential role of STAT3 in tumor suppression, which complicates strategies of targeting STAT3 in cancer therapy.