Project description:RNA-sequencing has been used to obtain and observe transcriptome-wide differences that occur in two parasspeckle-deficient, MYCN-amplified/model high-risk and one paraspeckle-abundant, non-MYCN-amplified/low-risk cell lines, to decipher the role of paraspeckles in this cancer type.
Project description:The MYCN locus is amplified in about half of high-risk neuroblastoma tumors. To identify genomic loci occupied by MYCN protein in the MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cell lines NGP, Kelly and NB-1643, we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with Next-Generation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) using an anti-MYCN antibody.
Project description:MYCN amplification in neuroblastoma leads to aberrant expression of MYCN oncoprotein, which binds active genes promoting transcriptional amplification. Yet how MYCN coordinates transcription elongation to meet productive transcriptional amplification and which elongation machinery represents MYCN-driven vulnerability remain to be identified. We conducted a targeted screen of transcription elongation factors and identified the super elongation complex (SEC) as a unique vulnerability in MYCN-amplified neuroblastomas. MYCN directly binds EAF1 and recruits SEC to enhance processive transcription elongation. Depletion of EAF1 or AFF1/AFF4, another core subunit of SEC, leads to a global reduction in transcription elongation and elicits selective apoptosis of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells. A combination screen reveals SEC inhibition synergistically potentiates the therapeutic efficacies of FDA-approved BCL2 antagonist ABT-199, in part due to suppression of MCL1 expression, both in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells and in patient-derived xenografts. These findings identify disruption of the MYCN-SEC regulatory axis as a promising therapeutic strategy in neuroblastoma.
Project description:Purpose: Identify new targets in MYCN-amplified Neuroblastoma Methods: ChIP-Seq experiments were performed on Kelly and LAN-1 neuroblastoma cells by using the following antibodies: anti-EZH2 (Cell Signaling 5246S); anti-H3K27me3 (Millipore 07-449); anti-H3K4me3 (Abcam ab8580). We evaluated the global EZH2 PRC2-dependence by identifiying direct genome-wide target genes for EZH2, H3K27me3 and H3K4me3. Results: We found that EZH2 serves a PRC2-dependent function in neuroblastoma, repressing neuronal differentiation. Moreover, EZH2-regulated genes were strongly repressed in MYCN-amplified and high-risk primary tumors. Conclusion: Our study supports testing EZH2 inhibitors in patients with MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
Project description:Purpose: Identify new targets in MYCN-amplified Neuroblastoma Methods: Kelly and LAN-1 neuroblastoma cells were treated in duplicate with 2 uM GSK126 (Excess Biosciences M60071-2) or DMSO for 2 or 5 days. RNA was extracted from cells with the RNeasy Kit (Qiagen). RNA libraries were prepared for sequencing using standard Illumina protocols. The pool of sixteen samples was sequenced on two lanes of an Illumina HiSeq, generating single end reads of 32-76 bp length. Transcript abundance (reads and FPKM scores) at GRCh37/hg19 RefSeq gene level was computed with the Feature Counts method implemented in the Bioconductor v3.2 Rsubread package (Liao et al., 2014). Results: Pharmacological suppression of EZH2 inhibited neuroblastoma growth. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that EZH2 serves a PRC2-dependent function in neuroblastoma, repressing neural differentiation. Moreover, EZH2-regulated genes were strongly repressed in MYCN-amplified and high risk primary tumors. These observations demonstrate that MYCN upregulates EZH2 leading to inactivation of a tumor suppressor program in neuroblastoma. Conclusion: Our study supports testing EZH2 inhibitors in patients with MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.
Project description:Understanding the operational molecular, and metabolic networks that determine the balance between pro- and anti-ferroptotic regulatory pathways could unravel unique vulnerabilities to be exploited for cancer therapy. Using genome-wide and single-cell CRISPR activation screens, we identify the selenoprotein P (SELENOP) receptor, LRP8, as a key determinant protecting MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells from ferroptosis in vitro and in orthotopic neuroblastoma mouse models. Specifically, the exquisite dependency on LRP8-mediated selenocysteine import is caused by the failure of MYCN-amplified cells to efficiently utilize alternative forms of selenium/selenocysteine based uptake necessary for selenoprotein biosynthesis. Increased activity of one of such transporters, SLC7A11, in MYCN-amplified cells leads to cysteine overload, progressive mitochondrial decline and impaired proliferation. These data reveal in LRP8 a targetable, and specific vulnerability of MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma cells and disclose a yet-unaccounted mechanism for selective ferroptosis induction that has the potential to become an important therapeutic entry point for MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma.