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A STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 axis suppresses lung tumorigenesis
Abstract:
The cohesin complex is a critical regulator of gene expression. STAG2 is the most frequently mutated cohesin subunit across several cancer types and is a key tumor suppressor in lung cancer. Here, we coupled somatic CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and tumor barcoding with an autochthonous oncogenic KRAS-driven lung cancer model and show that STAG2 is uniquely tumor suppressive among all core and auxiliary cohesin components. The heterodimeric complex components PAXIP1 and PAGR1 have highly correlated effects with STAG2 in human lung cancer cell lines, are tumor suppressors in vivo , and are epistatic to STAG2 in oncogenic KRAS-driven lung tumorigenesis in vivo . STAG2 inactivation elicits changes in gene expression, chromatin accessibility and 3D genome conformation that impact cancer cell state. Gene expression and chromatin accessibility similarities between STAG2- and PAXIP1-deficient neoplastic cells further relates STAG2-cohesin to PAXIP1/PAGR1. These findings reveal a STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 tumor-suppressive axis and uncover novel PAXIP1-dependent and PAXIP1-independent STAG2-cohesin mediated mechanisms of lung tumor suppression.
Summary:
STAG2 is a frequently mutated cohesin subunit across several cancers and one of the most important functional suppressors of lung adenocarcinoma. Our findings underscore important roles of STAG2 in suppressing lung tumorigenesis and highlight a STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 tumor-suppressive program that may transcend cancer type.
Insights
STAG2, a cohesin component, acts as a crucial tumor suppressor in lung cancer. Its inactivation impacts gene expression and genome structure, revealing a STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 tumor-suppressive axis.
Area of Science:
- Cancer Biology
- Epigenetics
- Genomics
Background:
- The cohesin complex regulates gene expression and is crucial for genome stability.
- STAG2 is a frequently mutated cohesin subunit and a key tumor suppressor in lung cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the tumor-suppressive role of STAG2 and its associated factors in lung cancer.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which STAG2 loss impacts cancer cell state and tumorigenesis.
Main Methods:
- Somatic CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing and tumor barcoding in an autochthonous KRAS-driven lung cancer model.
- Analysis of gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and 3D genome conformation.
- In vivo and in vitro studies using human lung cancer cell lines.
Main Results:
- STAG2 is uniquely tumor suppressive among cohesin components.
- PAXIP1 and PAGR1 exhibit correlated effects with STAG2 and function as tumor suppressors.
- STAG2 inactivation alters gene expression, chromatin accessibility, and 3D genome conformation.
- A STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 tumor-suppressive axis was identified.
Conclusions:
- STAG2 is a critical functional suppressor of lung adenocarcinoma.
- A STAG2-PAXIP1/PAGR1 tumor-suppressive program is identified, potentially relevant across cancer types.
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