Interlocking core regulatory circuits enable viral hijacking in Merkel cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT: Merkel Cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer. The conditions and cell type(s) of MCC are unknown. Virus positive MCC (VP-MCC) is driven by T antigens expressed from integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). We found that VP-MCC required lineage-specific neuroendocrine transcription factors (TFs), including ATOH1, INSM1, ISL1, LHX3, POU4F3, and SOX2 that were central to core regulatory (CR) transcriptional circuitry. MCPyV small T antigen and host CR TFs co-bound VP-MCC super enhancers while T antigen expression was directly regulated by LHX3 and ISL1, establishing an interlocking network between host CR circuitry and the oncovirus. Moreover, MCPyV integration sites were enriched near VP- MCC super enhancers, further suggesting a functional relationship between viral oncogenesis and core neuroendocrine circuitry.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE261681 | GEO | 2025/05/24

REPOSITORIES: GEO