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SAMHD1 is a key regulator of the lineage-specific response of acute lymphoblastic leukaemias to nelarabine

Rothenburger, Tamara, McLaughlin, Katie-May, Herold, Tobias, Schneider, Constanze, Oellerich, Thomas, Rothweiler, Florian, Feber, Andrew, Fenton, Tim R., Wass, Mark N., Keppler, Oliver T., and others. (2020) SAMHD1 is a key regulator of the lineage-specific response of acute lymphoblastic leukaemias to nelarabine. Communications Biology, 3 (1). ISSN 2399-3642. (doi:10.1038/s42003-020-1052-8) (KAR id:81870)

Abstract

The nucleoside analogue nelarabine, the prodrug of arabinosylguanine (AraG), is effective against T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) but not against B-cell ALL (B-ALL). The underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, data from pharmacogenomics studies and a panel of ALL cell lines reveal an inverse correlation between nelarabine sensitivity and the expression of SAMHD1, which can hydrolyse and inactivate triphosphorylated nucleoside analogues. Lower SAMHD1 abundance is detected in T-ALL than in B-ALL in cell lines and patient-derived leukaemic blasts. Mechanistically, T-ALL cells display increased SAMHD1 promoter methylation without increased global DNA methylation. SAMHD1 depletion sensitises B-ALL cells to AraG, while ectopic SAMHD1 expression in SAMHD1-null T-ALL cells induces AraG resistance. SAMHD1 has a larger impact on nelarabine/AraG than on cytarabine in ALL cells. Opposite effects are observed in acute myeloid leukaemia cells, indicating entity-specific differences. In conclusion, SAMHD1 promoter methylation and, in turn, SAMHD1 expression levels determine ALL cell response to nelarabine.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1038/s42003-020-1052-8
Subjects: R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Depositing User: Martin Michaelis
Date Deposited: 25 Jun 2020 14:15 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 18:21 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/81870 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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