Uterine mesenchymal tumors are genetically heterogenous; those with uniform cytomorphology, best exemplified by endometrial stromal tumors, often contain various fusion genes. Novel fusions involving ESR1 and GREB1, key factors in sex hormone pathways, have been implicated in rare uterine mesenchymal tumors. Particularly, the fusions between 5′-ESR1/GREB1 and 3′-NCOA2/NCOA3 were recently identified in 4 uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor (UTROSCT). By RNA sequencing, pathology review, and FISH screening, we identified 4 uterine sarcomas harboring rearranged GREB1, including GREB1-NCOA2 and the novel GREB1-NR4A3, GREB1-SS18, and GREB1-NCOA1, validated by RT-PCR and/or FISH. They occurred in the myometrium of postmenopausal women and were pathologically similar despite minor differences. Tumor cells were generally uniform and epithelioid, with vesicular nuclei and distinct to prominent nucleoli. Growth patterns included solid sheets, trabeculae/cords, nests, and fascicles. Only 1 tumor showed small foci of definitive sex-cord components featuring well-formed tubules, retiform structures, Leydig-like cells, and lipid-laden cells and exhibiting convincing immunoreactivity to sex-cord markers (calretinin, α-inhibin, and Melan-A). In contrast, all the 4 classic UTROSCT we collected occurred in premenopausal patients, consisted predominantly of unequivocal sex-cord elements, prominently expressed multiple sex-cord markers, and harbored ESR1-NCOA3 fusion. Combined with previously reported cases, GREB1-rearranged tumors involved significantly older women (P=0.001), tended to be larger and more mitotically active, showed more variable and often inconspicuous sex-cord differentiation, and appeared to behave more aggressively than ESR1-rearranged UTROSCT. Therefore, these 2 groups of tumors might deserve separate consideration, despite some overlapping features and the possibility of belonging to the same disease spectrum.
RAS association domain family 4 (RASSF4) is involved in tumorigenesis. Chen et al. show that RASSF4 regulates store-operated Ca2+ entry and ER–PM junctions by affecting PI(4,5)P2 levels. RASSF4 interacts with and regulates the activity of ARF6, an upstream regulator of PIP5K and PI(4,5)P2.
Rationale Signal initiation by the HDL receptor scavenger receptor class B, type I (SR-BI), which is important to actions of HDL on endothelium and other processes, requires cholesterol efflux and the C-terminal transmembrane domain (CTTM). The CTTM uniquely interacts with plasma membrane (PM) cholesterol. Objective The molecular basis and functional significance of SR-BI interaction with plasma membrane cholesterol are unknown. We tested the hypotheses that the interaction is required for SR-BI signaling, and that it enables SR-BI to serve as a plasma membrane cholesterol sensor. Methods and Results In studies performed in COS-M6 cells, mutation of a highly-conserved CTTM glutamine to alanine (SR-BI-Q445A) decreased PM cholesterol interaction with the receptor by 71% without altering HDL binding or cholesterol uptake or efflux, and it yielded a receptor incapable of HDL-induced signaling. Signaling prompted by cholesterol efflux to methyl-β-cyclodextrin (CD) was also prevented, indicating that PM cholesterol interaction with the receptor enables it to serve as a PM cholesterol sensor. Using SR-BI-Q445A, we further demonstrated that PM cholesterol sensing by SR-BI does not influence SR-BI-mediated reverse cholesterol transport to the liver in mice. However, the PM cholesterol sensing does underlie apolipoprotein B intracellular trafficking in response to postprandial micelles or CD in cultured enterocytes, and it is required for HDL activation of eNOS and migration in cultured endothelial cells and HDL-induced angiogenesis in vivo. Conclusion Through interaction with plasma membrane cholesterol, SR-BI serves a PM cholesterol sensor, and the resulting intracellular signaling governs processes in both enterocytes and endothelial cells.
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