ALDH1A3-regulated long non-coding RNA NRAD1 is a potential novel target for triple-negative breast tumors and cancer stem cells

Dejan Vidovic, Thomas T. Huynh, Prathyusha Konda, Cheryl Dean, Brianne M. Cruickshank, Mohammad Sultan, Krysta M. Coyle, Shashi Gujar, Paola Marcato

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To discover novel therapeutic targets for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and cancer stem cells (CSCs), we screened long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) most enriched in TNBCs for high expression in CSCs defined by high Aldefluor activity and associated with worse patient outcomes. This led to the identification of non-coding RNA in the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 A pathway (NRAD1), also known as LINC00284. Targeting NRAD1 in TNBC tumors using antisense oligonucleotides reduced cell survival, tumor growth, and the number of cells with CSC characteristics. Expression of NRAD1 is regulated by an enzyme that causes Aldefluor activity in CSCs, aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) and its product retinoic acid. Cellular fractionation revealed that NRAD1 is primarily nuclear localized, which suggested a potential function in gene regulation. This was confirmed by transcriptome profiling and chromatin isolation by RNA purification, followed by sequencing (ChIRP-seq), which demonstrated that NRAD1 has enriched chromatin interactions among the genes it regulates. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis revealed that NRAD1 regulates expression of genes involved in differentiation and catabolic processes. NRAD1 also contributes to gene expression changes induced by ALDH1A3; thereby, the induction of NRAD1 is a novel mechanism through which ALDH1A3 regulates gene expression. Together, these data identify lncRNA NRAD1 as a downstream effector of ALDH1A3, and a target for TNBCs and CSCs, with functions in cell survival and regulation of gene expression.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-378
Number of pages16
JournalCell Death and Differentiation
Volume27
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019, The Author(s).

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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