Parallelized multidimensional analytic framework applied to mammary epithelial cells uncovers regulatory principles in EMT

Nat Commun. 2023 Feb 8;14(1):688. doi: 10.1038/s41467-023-36122-x.

Abstract

A proper understanding of disease etiology will require longitudinal systems-scale reconstruction of the multitiered architecture of eukaryotic signaling. Here we combine state-of-the-art data acquisition platforms and bioinformatics tools to devise PAMAF, a workflow that simultaneously examines twelve omics modalities, i.e., protein abundance from whole-cells, nucleus, exosomes, secretome and membrane; N-glycosylation, phosphorylation; metabolites; mRNA, miRNA; and, in parallel, single-cell transcriptomes. We apply PAMAF in an established in vitro model of TGFβ-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) to quantify >61,000 molecules from 12 omics and 10 timepoints over 12 days. Bioinformatics analysis of this EMT-ExMap resource allowed us to identify; -topological coupling between omics, -four distinct cell states during EMT, -omics-specific kinetic paths, -stage-specific multi-omics characteristics, -distinct regulatory classes of genes, -ligand-receptor mediated intercellular crosstalk by integrating scRNAseq and subcellular proteomics, and -combinatorial drug targets (e.g., Hedgehog signaling and CAMK-II) to inhibit EMT, which we validate using a 3D mammary duct-on-a-chip platform. Overall, this study provides a resource on TGFβ signaling and EMT.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* / genetics
  • Hedgehog Proteins* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta