Characterization of a novel OTX2-driven stem cell program in Group 3 and Group 4 medulloblastoma.

ABSTRACT: Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant primary pediatric brain cancer. Among the most aggressive subtypes, Group 3 and Group 4 originate from stem/progenitor cells, frequently metastasize, and often display the worst prognosis, yet we know the least about the molecular mechanisms driving their progression. Here, we show that the transcription factor orthodenticle homeobox 2 (OTX2) promotes self-renewal while inhibiting differentiation in vitro and increases tumor initiation from MB stem/progenitor cells in vivo. To determine how OTX2 contributes to these processes, we employed complementary bioinformatic approaches to characterize the OTX2 regulatory network and identified novel relationships between OTX2 and genes associated with neuronal differentiation and axon guidance signa

SUBMITTER: Stromecki M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5891039 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature