Project description:Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, among whom overexpression or amplification of MYC oncogenes has been associated with poor clinical outcome. Although the MYC functions during normal development and oncogenesis in various systems have been extensively investigated, the transcriptional targets mediating MYC effects in MB are still elusive. Their identification and roles during MB onset and progression are important and will ultimately suggest novel potential therapeutic targets. cDNA microarray analysis was used to compare the effects of overexpressing and silencing MYC on the transcriptome of a MB-derived cell line. We identified 209 genes with potential relevance to MYC-dependent cellular responses in MB. Among the MYC-responsive genes, we found members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role during the development of the cerebellum. In particular, the cytokine gene BMP7 was identified as a direct target of MYC in MB cells. Similar to the effect induced by BMP7 silencing by siRNA, the use of a small-molecule inhibitor of the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway reduced cell viability in a panel of MB cells. Altogether, our findings indicate that high MYC levels drive BMP7 expression in MB to induce pro-survival and pro-proliferative cellular pathways. This observation suggests that targeting the BMP/SMAD pathway may be a new therapeutic concept for the treatment of childhood MB. 6 samples (3 replicates for each sample): wild-type MB cell line, empty vector-transfected control cell line, 2 c-MYC-overexpressing clones, 1 clone upon c-MYC silencing, 1 silencing control cell line.
Project description:Medulloblastoma (MB) is the most common malignant brain tumor in children, among whom overexpression or amplification of MYC oncogenes has been associated with poor clinical outcome. Although the MYC functions during normal development and oncogenesis in various systems have been extensively investigated, the transcriptional targets mediating MYC effects in MB are still elusive. Their identification and roles during MB onset and progression are important and will ultimately suggest novel potential therapeutic targets. cDNA microarray analysis was used to compare the effects of overexpressing and silencing MYC on the transcriptome of a MB-derived cell line. We identified 209 genes with potential relevance to MYC-dependent cellular responses in MB. Among the MYC-responsive genes, we found members of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, which plays a crucial role during the development of the cerebellum. In particular, the cytokine gene BMP7 was identified as a direct target of MYC in MB cells. Similar to the effect induced by BMP7 silencing by siRNA, the use of a small-molecule inhibitor of the BMP/SMAD signaling pathway reduced cell viability in a panel of MB cells. Altogether, our findings indicate that high MYC levels drive BMP7 expression in MB to induce pro-survival and pro-proliferative cellular pathways. This observation suggests that targeting the BMP/SMAD pathway may be a new therapeutic concept for the treatment of childhood MB.
Project description:A hallmark of high-risk childhood medulloblastoma is the dysregulation of RNA translation. Currently, it is unknown whether medulloblastoma dysregulates the translation of putatively oncogenic non-canonical open reading frames. To address this question, we performed ribosome profiling of 32 medulloblastoma tissues and cell lines and observed widespread non-canonical ORF translation. We then developed a step-wise approach using multiple CRISPR-Cas9 screens to elucidate non-canonical ORFs and putative microproteins implicated in medulloblastoma cell survival. We determined that multiple lncRNA-ORFs and upstream open reading frames (uORFs) exhibited selective functionality independent of the main coding sequence. A microprotein encoded by one of these ORFs, ASNSD1-uORF or ASDURF, was upregulated, associated with the MYC family oncogenes, and was required for medulloblastoma cell survival through engagement with the prefoldin-like chaperone complex. Our findings underscore the fundamental importance of non-canonical ORF translation in medulloblastoma and provide a rationale to include these ORFs in future studies seeking to define new cancer targets.
Project description:MYC is a driver oncogene in many cancers. Inhibition of MYC promises high therapeutic potential, but specific MYC inhibitors remain unavailable for clinical use. Previous studies suggest that MYC amplified Medulloblastoma cells are vulnerable to HDAC inhibition. Using co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and ChIP-sequencing we show that HDAC2 is a cofactor of MYC in MYC amplified primary medulloblastoma and cell lines. The MYC-HDAC2 complex is bound to genes defining the MYC-dependent transcriptional profile. Class I HDAC inhibition leads to stabilization and reduced DNA binding of MYC protein inducing a down-regulation of MYC activated genes (MAGs) and up-regulation of MYC repressed genes (MRGs). MAGs and MRGs are characterized by opposing biological functions and distinct E-box distribution. We conclude that MYC and HDAC2 (class I) are localized in a complex in MYC amplified medulloblastoma and drive a MYC-specific transcriptional program, which is reversed by the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat. Thus, the development of HDAC inhibitors for treatment of MYC amplified medulloblastoma should include HDAC2 in its profile in order to directly target MYC´s trans-activating and trans-repressing function.
Project description:MYC is a driver oncogene in many cancers. Inhibition of MYC promises high therapeutic potential, but specific MYC inhibitors remain unavailable for clinical use. Previous studies suggest that MYC amplified Medulloblastoma cells are vulnerable to HDAC inhibition. Using co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and ChIP-sequencing we show that HDAC2 is a cofactor of MYC in MYC amplified primary medulloblastoma and cell lines. The MYC-HDAC2 complex is bound to genes defining the MYC-dependent transcriptional profile. Class I HDAC inhibition leads to stabilization and reduced DNA binding of MYC protein inducing a down-regulation of MYC activated genes (MAGs) and up-regulation of MYC repressed genes (MRGs). MAGs and MRGs are characterized by opposing biological functions and distinct E-box distribution. We conclude that MYC and HDAC2 (class I) are localized in a complex in MYC amplified medulloblastoma and drive a MYC-specific transcriptional program, which is reversed by the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat. Thus, the development of HDAC inhibitors for treatment of MYC amplified medulloblastoma should include HDAC2 in its profile in order to directly target MYC´s trans-activating and trans-repressing function.
Project description:MYC is a driver oncogene in many cancers. Inhibition of MYC promises high therapeutic potential, but specific MYC inhibitors remain unavailable for clinical use. Previous studies suggest that MYC amplified Medulloblastoma cells are vulnerable to HDAC inhibition. Using co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and ChIP-sequencing we show that HDAC2 is a cofactor of MYC in MYC amplified primary medulloblastoma and cell lines. The MYC-HDAC2 complex is bound to genes defining the MYC-dependent transcriptional profile. Class I HDAC inhibition leads to stabilization and reduced DNA binding of MYC protein inducing a down-regulation of MYC activated genes (MAGs) and up-regulation of MYC repressed genes (MRGs). MAGs and MRGs are characterized by opposing biological functions and distinct E-box distribution. We conclude that MYC and HDAC2 (class I) are localized in a complex in MYC amplified medulloblastoma and drive a MYC-specific transcriptional program, which is reversed by the class I HDAC inhibitor entinostat. Thus, the development of HDAC inhibitors for treatment of MYC amplified medulloblastoma should include HDAC2 in its profile in order to directly target MYC´s trans-activating and trans-repressing function.
Project description:Deregulation of N-myc is a leading cause of malignant brain tumors in children. To target N-myc-driven medulloblastoma, most research has focused on identifying genomic alterations or on the analysis of the medulloblastoma transcriptome. Here, we have broadly characterized the translatome of medulloblastoma and shown that N-myc unexpectedly drives selective translation of transcripts that promote protein homeostasis. Cancer cells are constantly exposed to proteotoxic stress associated with alterations in protein production or folding. It remains poorly understood how cancers cope with proteotoxic stress to promote their growth. Here, our data unexpectedly revealed that N-myc regulates the expression of specific components (~5%) of the protein folding machinery at the translational level through the major cap binding protein, eukaryotic initiation factor eIF4E. Reducing eIF4E levels in mouse models of medulloblastoma blocked tumorigenesis. Importantly, targeting Hsp70, a protein folding chaperone translationally regulated by N-myc, suppressed tumor growth in mouse and human medulloblastoma xenograft models. These findings reveal a previously hidden molecular program that promotes medulloblastoma formation and identify new therapies that may have impact in the clinic.
Project description:Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. The highest-risk tumors are driven by recurrent Myc amplifications (Myc-MB) and experience poorer outcomes despite intensive multimodal therapy. The Myc transcription factor defines core regulatory circuitry for these tumors and acts to broadly amplify downstream pro-survival transcriptional programs. Therapeutic targeting of Myc directly has proven elusive, but inhibiting transcriptional cofactors may present an indirect means of drugging the oncogenic transcriptional circuitry sustaining Myc-MB. Independent CRISPR-Cas9 screens were pooled to identify conserved dependencies in Myc-MB. We performed chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) from primary patient Myc-MB samples to map enhancer-promoter interactions. We then treated in vitro and xenograft models with the dual CDK9/7 inhibitor zotiraciclib to evaluate effect on Myc-driven programs and tumor growth. Eight CRISPR-Cas9 screens performed across three independent labs identify CDK9 as a conserved dependency in Myc-MB. Myc-MB cells are susceptible to CDK9 inhibition, which is synergistic with concurrent inhibition of CDK7. The dual CDK9/7 inhibitor zotiraciclib disrupts enhancer-promoter activity in Myc-MB and downregulates Myc-driven transcriptional programs, exerting potent anti-tumor effect.
Project description:Medulloblastoma is the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood. The highest-risk tumors are driven by recurrent Myc amplifications (Myc-MB) and experience poorer outcomes despite intensive multimodal therapy. The Myc transcription factor defines core regulatory circuitry for these tumors and acts to broadly amplify downstream pro-survival transcriptional programs. Therapeutic targeting of Myc directly has proven elusive, but inhibiting transcriptional cofactors may present an indirect means of drugging the oncogenic transcriptional circuitry sustaining Myc-MB. Independent CRISPR-Cas9 screens were pooled to identify conserved dependencies in Myc-MB. We performed chromatin conformation capture (Hi-C) from primary patient Myc-MB samples to map enhancer-promoter interactions. We then treated in vitro and xenograft models with the dual CDK9/7 inhibitor zotiraciclib to evaluate effect on Myc-driven programs and tumor growth. Eight CRISPR-Cas9 screens performed across three independent labs identify CDK9 as a conserved dependency in Myc-MB. Myc-MB cells are susceptible to CDK9 inhibition, which is synergistic with concurrent inhibition of CDK7. The dual CDK9/7 inhibitor zotiraciclib disrupts enhancer-promoter activity in Myc-MB and downregulates Myc-driven transcriptional programs, exerting potent anti-tumor effect.