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Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
Published on: March 27, 2020
A mechanism misregulating p27 in tumors discovered in a functional genomic screen
Carrie M Garrett-Engele1, Michael A Tasch, Harry C Hwang
1Division of Basic Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Abstract:
The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(KIP1) is a tumor suppressor gene in mice, and loss of p27 protein is a negative prognostic indicator in human cancers. Unlike other tumor suppressors, the p27 gene is rarely mutated in tumors. Therefore misregulation of p27, rather than loss of the gene, is responsible for tumor-associated decreases in p27 protein levels. We performed a functional genomic screen in p27(+/-) mice to identify genes that regulate p27 during lymphomagenesis. This study demonstrated that decreased p27 expression in tumors resulted from altered transcription of the p27 gene, and the retroviral tagging strategy enabled us to pinpoint relevant transcription factors. inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (Id3) was isolated and validated as a transcriptional repressor of p27. We further demonstrated that p27 was a downstream target of Id3 in src-family kinase Lck-driven thymic lymphomagenesis and that p27 was an essential regulator of Lck-dependent thymic maturation during normal T-cell development. Thus, we have identified and characterized transcriptional repression of p27 by Id3 as a new mechanism decreasing p27 protein in tumors.
Insights
The inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (Id3) gene represses the tumor suppressor p27(KIP1) during lymphomagenesis. This transcriptional repression is a novel mechanism causing decreased p27 protein levels in tumors.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27(KIP1) acts as a tumor suppressor, and its reduced levels indicate poor prognosis in human cancers.
- Unlike other tumor suppressors, the p27 gene is seldom mutated, suggesting its downregulation results from misregulation rather than gene loss.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes regulating p27 expression during lymphomagenesis using a functional genomic screen.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind decreased p27 protein levels in tumors.
Main Methods:
- Functional genomic screen in p27(+/-) mice to identify regulatory genes.
- Retroviral tagging strategy to pinpoint transcription factors involved in p27 gene regulation.
- Validation of identified genes as transcriptional repressors or activators of p27.
Main Results:
- Decreased p27 expression in tumors was attributed to altered p27 gene transcription.
- The inhibitor of DNA binding 3 (Id3) was identified as a transcriptional repressor of p27.
- p27 was confirmed as a downstream target of Id3 in src-family kinase Lck-driven thymic lymphomagenesis.
- p27 plays a crucial role in Lck-dependent thymic maturation during normal T-cell development.
Conclusions:
- Transcriptional repression of p27 by Id3 is a newly identified mechanism contributing to reduced p27 protein levels in tumors.
- Understanding this Id3-p27 interaction provides insights into lymphomagenesis and T-cell development.
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