A new phase in egg biology: Chromosome segregation typically requires centrosomes, which generate the microtubule spindle. However, mammalian eggs build a spindle and segregate chromosomes without centrosomes. How acentrosomal spindles are organized has remained elusive. So et al. show that centrosomal and microtubule-associated proteins are repurposed into a large “liquid-like meiotic spindle domain” (LISD) in eggs. The domains localized to spindle poles and also extended to the spindle fibers that connect to kinetochores. LISDs formed by phase separation and were required for spindle assembly, serving as reservoirs that locally sequester and mobilize spindle assembly factors within the large egg cytoplasm. Science , this issue p. eaat9557

Kallikrein 13 (KLK13) was first identified as an enzyme that is downregulated in a subset of breast tumors. This serine protease has since been implicated in a number of pathological processes including ovarian, lung and gastric cancers. Here we report the design, synthesis and deconvolution of libraries of internally quenched fluorogenic peptide substrates to determine the specificity of substrate binding subsites of KLK13 in prime and non-prime regions (according to the Schechter and Berger convention). The substrate with the consensus sequential motive ABZ-Val-Arg-Phe-Arg-ANB-NH₂ demonstrated selectivity towards KLK13 and was successfully converted into an activity-based probe by the incorporation of a chloromethylketone warhead and biotin bait. The compounds described may serve as suitable tools to detect KLK13 activity in diverse biological samples, as exemplified by overexpression experiments and targeted labeling of KLK13 in cell lysates and saliva. In addition, we describe the development of selective activity-based probes targeting KLK13, to our knowledge the first tool to analyze the presence of the active enzyme in biological samples.

Increased plasma and adipose tissue protease activity is observed in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. It has been proposed that specific proteases contribute to the link between obesity, adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic diseases. We have recently shown that ablation of the serine protease kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (Klk7) specifically in adipose tissue preserves systemic insulin sensitivity and protects mice from obesity-related AT inflammation. Here, we investigated whether whole body Klk7 knockout (Klk7^−/−) mice develop a phenotype distinct from that caused by reduced Klk7 expression in adipose tissue. Compared to littermate controls, Klk7^−/− mice gain less body weight and fat mass both under chow and high fat diet (HFD) feeding, are hyper-responsive to exogenous insulin and exhibit preserved adipose tissue function due to adipocyte hyperplasia and lower inflammation. Klk7^−/− mice exhibit increased adipose tissue thermogenesis, which is not related to altered thyroid function. These data strengthen our recently proposed role of Klk7 in the regulation of body weight, energy metabolism, and obesity-associated adipose tissue dysfunction. The protective effects of Klk7 deficiency in obesity are likely linked to a significant limitation of adipocyte hypertrophy. In conclusion, our data indicate potential application of specific KLK7 inhibitors to regulate KLK7 activity in the development of obesity and counteract obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic diseases.

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are secretory proteinases known to proteolytically process components of the extracellular matrix, modulating the pericellular environment in physiology and in pathologies. The interconnection between these families remains elusive. To assess the cross-activation of these families, we developed a peptide, fusion protein-based exposition system (Cleavage of exposed amino acid sequences, CleavEx) aiming at investigating the potential of KLK14 to recognize and hydrolyze proMMP sequences. Initial assessment identified ten MMP activation domain sequences which were validated by Edman degradation. The analysis revealed that membrane-type MMPs (MT-MMPs) are targeted by KLK14 for activation. Correspondingly, proMMP14-17 were investigated in vitro and found to be effectively processed by KLK14. Again, the expected neo-N-termini of the activated MT-MMPs was confirmed by Edman degradation. The effectiveness of proMMP activation was analyzed by gelatin zymography, confirming the release of fully active, mature MT-MMPs upon KLK14 treatment. Lastly, MMP14 was shown to be processed on the cell surface by KLK14 using murine fibroblasts overexpressing human MMP14. Herein, we propose KLK14-mediated selective activation of cell-membrane located MT-MMPs as an additional layer of their regulation. As both, KLKs and MT-MMPs, are implicated in cancer, their cross-activation may constitute an important factor in tumor progression and metastasis.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with complex karyotype is characterized by high genomic complexity, including frequent TP53 mutations and chromothripsis. Genomic rearrangements can reposition active enhancers near proto-oncogenes, leading to their aberrant expression; however, a comprehensive understanding of these events in AML is still incomplete. To facilitate the discovery of such “enhancer hijacking” events, we developed Pyjacker, a computational tool, and applied it to 39 AML samples with complex karyotype. Pyjacker identified several enhancer hijacking events in AML patient samples, including aberrant expression of MNX1, which can result from del(7)(q22q36) and is associated with hijacking of a CDK6 enhancer. MNX1 activation occurred in 1.4% of patients with AML and showed significant co-occurrence with BCOR mutations. Through a xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that MNX1 is required for leukemia cell fitness. Pyjacker is an easy-to-use, accurate, and broadly applicable tool for identifying consequences of genomic events driving tumorigenesis, especially when germline genomic data are missing. Significance: This study examines the consequences of structural alterations in AML and demonstrates that proto-oncogene activation by enhancer hijacking is an understudied pathomechanism. MNX1 overexpression demonstrates that deletions on chromosome 7q can not only lead to haploinsufficiency but also to activation of oncogenes by enhancer hijacking.

Acute myeloid leukemia with complex karyotype (ckAML) is characterized by high genomic complexity, including frequent TP53 mutations and chromothripsis. We hypothesized that the numerous genomic rearrangements could reposition active enhancers near proto-oncogenes, leading to their aberrant expression. We developed pyjacker, a computational tool for the detection of enhancer hijacking events, and applied it to a cohort of 39 ckAML samples. Pyjacker identified motor neuron and pancreas homeobox 1 ( MNX1 ), a gene aberrantly expressed in 1.4% of AML patients, often as a result of del(7)(q22q36) associated with hijacking of a CDK6 enhancer. MNX1 -activated cases show significant co-occurrence with BCOR mutations and a gene signature shared with t(7;12)(q36;p13) pediatric AML. We demonstrated that MNX1 is a dependency gene, as its knockdown in a xenograft model reduces leukemia cell fitness. In conclusion, enhancer hijacking is a frequent mechanism for oncogene activation in AML. Statement of significance: This study examines the consequences of structural alterations and demonstrates that proto-oncogene activation by enhancer hijacking is an overlooked pathomechanism in AML. MNX1 overexpression demonstrates that deletions on chromosome 7q can not only lead to haploinsufficiency, but also to activation of oncogenes by enhancer hijacking, providing a novel leukemogenic mechanism.