Role of Fra-2 in breast cancer: influence on tumor cell invasion and motility
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
Authors: Milde-Langosch, Karin; Janke, Stanislava; Wagner, Ines; Schroerder, Christine; Streichert, Thomas; Bamberger, Ana-Maria; Jaernicke, Fritz; Loening, Thomas
Abstract
Fra-2 (Fos-related antigen 2) is a member of the Fos family of AP-1 transcription factors which is often up-regulated in mammary carcinomas. Previous results suggested that it might be involved in the regulation of breast cancer invasion and metastasis. In order to analyze the role of Fra-2 in breast cancer cells, it was silenced in the highly invasive MDA-MB231 cells using RNA interference. On the other hand, stable transfectants of the weakly invasive MCF7 cell line were established in order to analyze the effects of Fra-2 overexpression. In both approaches, cell proliferation was not or only weakly influenced by Fra-2. In contrast, the invasive potential of the cells was increased, and a weaker effect on motility was observed. By cDNA microarray analysis of the MCF7 transfectants followed by validation on a protein level, we identified several Fra-2 target genes which might be involved in cell invasion and migration, i.e., ALCAM and connexin 43. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of various genes which are associated with a more malignant behavior of the tumors in vivo were up- or downregulated, i.e., members of the MAGE family, S100P, TIMP2, IL24 etc. These results show that Fra-2 overexpression is associated with a more aggressive tumor phenotype and is probably involved in breast cancer progression in vivo.
Bromodomain and extraterminal proteins foster the core transcriptional regulatory programs and confer vulnerability in liposarcoma
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
Authors: Chen, Ye; Xu, Liang; Mayakonda, Anand; Huang, Mo-Li; Kanojia, Deepika; Tan, Tuan Zea; Dakle, Pushkar; Lin, Ruby Yu-Tong; Ke, Xin-Yu; Said, Jonathan W.; Chen, Jianxiang; Gery, Sigal; Ding, Ling-Wen; Jiang, Yan-Yi; Pang, Angela; Puhaindran, Mark Edward; Goh, Boon Cher; Koeffler, H. Phillip
Abstract
Liposarcomas (LPSs) are a group of malignant mesenchymal tumors showing adipocytic differentiation. Here, to gain insight into the enhancer dysregulation and transcriptional addiction in this disease, we chart super-enhancer structures in both LPS tissues and cell lines. We identify a bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein-cooperated FUS-DDIT3 function in myxoid LPS and a BET protein-dependent core transcriptional regulatory circuitry consisting of FOSL2, MYC, and RUNX1 in de-differentiated LPS. Additionally, SNAI2 is identified as a crucial downstream target that enforces both proliferative and metastatic potentials to de-differentiated LPS cells. Genetic depletion of BET genes, core transcriptional factors, or SNAI2 mitigates consistently LPS malignancy. We also reveal a compelling susceptibility of LPS cells to BET protein degrader ARV-825. BET protein depletion confers additional advantages to circumvent acquired resistance to Trabectedin, a chemotherapy drug for LPS. Moreover, this study provides a framework for discovering and targeting of core oncogenic transcriptional programs in human cancers.