Transient loss of Polycomb components induces an epigenetic cancer fate.

ABSTRACT: Although cancer initiation and progression are generally associated with the accumulation of somatic mutations^1,2, substantial epigenomic alterations underlie many aspects of tumorigenesis and cancer susceptibility^3-6, suggesting that genetic mechanisms might not be the only drivers of malignant transformation⁷. However, whether purely non-genetic mechanisms are sufficient to initiate tumorigenesis irrespective of mutations has been unknown. Here, we show that a transient perturbation of transcriptional silencing mediated by Polycomb group proteins is sufficient to induce an irreversible switch to a cancer cell fate in Drosophila. This is linked to the irreversible derepression of genes that can drive tumorigenesis, including members of the JAK-STAT signall

SUBMITTER: Parreno V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11096130 | biostudies-literature | 2024 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature