Project description:Background: Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease characterized by the development of multiple Schwannomas, usually occurring on both VIIIth (vestibular) cranial nerves. Bromodomain and extra-terminal domain (BET) proteins regulate gene transcription and their activity is required in a variety of cancers including malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). The use of BET inhibitors as a therapeutic option to treat NF2 schwannomas has not been explored and is the focus of this study. Methods: A panel of normal and NF2-null Schwann cell and schwannoma cell lines were used to characterize the impact of the BET inhibitor JQ1 in vitro and in vivo. The mechanism of action was explored by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the BET BRD4, phospho-kinase arrays and immunohistochemistry of BRD4 in human vestibular schwannomas. Results: JQ1 inhibited the proliferation of NF2-null schwannoma and Schwann cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Further, loss of NF2 by CRISPR deletion or siRNA knockdown increased the sensitivity of cells to JQ1. Knock-down experiments identified BRD4 as the BET family member mediating the majority of JQ1 effects on cell proliferation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated elevated levels of BRD4 protein in human vestibular schwannomas. BRD4 ChIP experiments identified the small G-protein Rac1 and PI3K signaling pathways as sensitive to JQ1. Conclusions: NF2 deficient Schwann cell and schwannoma cells are sensitive to BET inhibition, primarily mediated by BRD4, which is overexpressed in human vestibular schwannomas. BRD4 regulates Rac/Ras and PI3K signaling pathways and inhibition of these pathways by JQ1 impedes NF2 Schwannoma growth. These findings implicate BET inhibition as a therapeutic option for NF2-deficient schwannomas.
Project description:Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) are benign nerve sheath Schwann cell tumors, common in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), that are characterized by biallelic mutations in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene. Atypical neurofibromas (ANF) show additional frequent loss of CDKN2A/Ink4a/Arf and may be precursor lesions of aggressive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST). We combined loss of Nf1 in developing
Project description:The project aimed at determining whether the Polycomb complex PRC2 has a unique composition in androgen independent prostate cancer cells and the project aimed at determining whether EZH2, the enzymatic subunit of PRC2, retains any functional role in the context of Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) where either EED or SUZ12, two essential subunits of PRC2 are inactivated.