Targeting Super-Enhancer-Associated Oncogenes in Osteosarcoma with THZ2, a Covalent CDK7 Inhibitor.
Clin Cancer Res
; 26(11): 2681-2692, 2020 06 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31937612
PURPOSE: Malignancy of cancer cells depends on the active transcription of tumor-associated genes. Recently, unique clusters of transcriptional enhancers, termed super-enhancers, have been reported to drive the expression of genes that define cell identity. In this study, we characterized specific super-enhancer-associated genes of osteosarcoma, and explored their potential therapeutic value. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Super-enhancer regions were characterized through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA level of CDK7 in patient specimens and confirm the regulation of sensitive oncogenes by THZ2. The phosphorylation of the initiation-associated sites of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) C-terminal repeat domain (CTD) was measured using Western blotting. Microarray expression analysis was conducted to explore transcriptional changes after THZ2 treatment. A variety of in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to assess the effects of CDK7 knockdown and THZ2 treatment in osteosarcoma. RESULTS: Super-enhancers were associated with oncogenic transcripts and key genes encoding cell-type-specific transcription factors in osteosarcoma. Knockdown of transcription factor CDK7 reduced phosphorylation of the RNAPII CTD, and suppressed the growth and metastasis of osteosarcoma. A new specific CDK7 inhibitor, THZ2, suppressed cancer biology by inhibition of transcriptional activity. Compared with typical enhancers, osteosarcoma super-enhancer-associated oncogenes were particular vulnerable to this transcriptional disruption. THZ2 exhibited a powerful anti-osteosarcoma effect in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Super-enhancer-associated genes contribute to the malignant potential of osteosarcoma, and selectively targeting super-enhancer-associated oncogenes with the specific CDK7 inhibitor THZ2 might be a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with osteosarcoma.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Neoplasias Óseas
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Osteosarcoma
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Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica
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Elementos de Facilitación Genéticos
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Quinasas Ciclina-Dependientes
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Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
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Female
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Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Cancer Res
Asunto de la revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos