Project description:The MYC axis is commonly disrupted in cancer, mostly by activation of the MYC family of oncogenes, but also by genetic inactivation of MAX, the obligate partner of MYC, and of the MAX partner, MGA, both of which are members of the polycomb repressive complex, ncPRC1.6. While the oncogenic properties of the MYC family have been extensively studied, the tumor suppressor functions of MAX and MGA and the role of the MYC genes in MAX-mutant cells remain unclear. To address these knowledge gaps, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA-sequencing and mass spectrometry-based proteomic analysis in MAX-restituted and MYC oncogenic-transformed cell lines derived from human small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which is a high-grade neuroendocrine type of lung cancer. We found that MAX-mutant SCLC cells express ASCL1 and ASCL1-dependent targets, implying that these cells belong to the ASCL1-dependent group of SCLCs. In the absence of MAX, even after ectopic overexpression of MYC, we found no recruitment of MYC to the DNA. Furthermore, MAX reconstitution triggered pro-differentiation expression profiles that shifted when MAX and oncogenic MYC were co-expressed. Although ncPRC1.6 could be formed, the lack of MAX restricted global MGA occupancy, selectively driving its recruitment towards E2F6 motifs. Conversely, MAX restitution enhanced MGA occupancy and global gene repression of genes involved in different functions, including stem-cell and DNA repair/replication. Our data reveal that MAX-mutant SCLCs have ASCL1 characteristics, and are MYC-independent, and that their oncogenic features include deficient ncPRC1.6-mediated gene repression.
Project description:The MYC-axis is disrupted in cancer, mostly by activation of the MYC-oncogenes but also through inactivation of the MYC-partner, MAX, or of the MAX-partner, MGA, both also members of the polycomb repressive complex, ncPRC1.6. Here, we use genetically modified MAX-deficient small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells and apply genome wide and proteomics analysis to study the tumor suppressor function of MAX. We find that MAX-mutant SCLCs classify as ASCL1-type and lack MYC-transcriptional activities. MAX-restitution triggers pro-differentiation expression profiles that shift when MAX and oncogenic MYC (HMYC/MAX) are co-expressed. Despite the ncPRC1.6 can be formed, the lack of MAX restricts global MGA-occupancy, selectively driving its recruitment towards E2F6-motifs. Conversely, MAX-restitution enhances MGA-occupancy and global gene repression of genes involved in different functionalities, including stem-cell and DNA repair/replication. Collectively, these findings reveal that MAX-mutant SCLCs have ASCL1-characteristics, are MYC-independent and their oncogenic features include a deficient ncPRC1.6-mediated gene repression.
Project description:The goal of this study was to compare the genomic occupancy of MAX, MNT, MGA and RNA pol II Ser5 in MAX restored versus MAX null SCLC (mRPMaxKO)
Project description:Max is an obligate dimerization partner for the Myc transcription factors and for several repressors, such as Mnt, Mxd1-4 and Mga, collectively thought to antagonize Myc function in transcription and oncogenesis. Mga, in particular, is part of the variant Polycomb group repressive complex PRC1.6. Here, we show that ablation of the distinct PRC1.6 subunit Pcgf6 – but not Mga – accelerates Myc-induced lymphomagenesis in Eµ-myc transgenic mice. Unexpectedly, however, Pcgf6 loss shows no significant impact on transcriptional profiles, in neither pre-tumoral B-cells, nor lymphomas. Altogether, these data unravel an unforeseen, Mga- and PRC1.6-independent tumor suppressor activity of Pcgf6.
Project description:Max is an obligate dimerization partner for the Myc transcription factors and for several repressors, such as Mnt, Mxd1-4 and Mga, collectively thought to antagonize Myc function in transcription and oncogenesis. Mga, in particular, is part of the variant Polycomb group repressive complex PRC1.6. Here, we show that ablation of the distinct PRC1.6 subunit Pcgf6 – but not Mga – accelerates Myc-induced lymphomagenesis in Eµ-myc transgenic mice. Unexpectedly, however, Pcgf6 loss shows no significant impact on transcriptional profiles, in neither pre-tumoral B-cells, nor lymphomas. Altogether, these data unravel an unforeseen, Mga- and PRC1.6-independent tumor suppressor activity of Pcgf6.
Project description:SARS-CoV-2 infection causes COVID-19, a severe acute respiratory disease associated with cardiovascular complications including long-term outcomes. The presence of virus in cardiac tissue of patients with COVID-19 suggests this is a direct, rather than secondary, effect of infection.Here, by expressing individual SARS-CoV-2 proteins in the Drosophila heart, we demonstrate interaction of virus Nsp6 with host proteins of the MGA/MAX complex (MGA, PCGF6 and TFDP1).
Project description:The transcription factor Max is a basic helix-loop-helix leucine zipper (bHLHLZ) protein that forms homodimers or interacts with other bHLHLZ proteins, including Myc and Mxd proteins. Among this dynamic network of interactions, the Myc/Max heterodimer has crucial roles in regulating normal cellular processes, but its transcriptional activity is deregulated in a majority of human cancers. Despite this significance, the arsenal of high-quality chemical probes to interrogate these proteins remains limited. We utilized small molecule microarrays (SMMs) to identify compounds that bind Max in a mechanistically unbiased manner. We discovered the asymmetric polycyclic lactam, KI-MS2-008, which stabilizes the Max homodimer while reducing Myc protein and Myc-regulated transcript levels. KI-MS2-008 also decreases viable cancer cell growth in a Myc-dependent manner and suppresses tumor growth in vivo. This approach demonstrates the feasibility of modulating Max with small molecules and supports altering Max dimerization as an alternative approach to targeting Myc.
