ZBTB7A is a modulator of KDM5-driven transcriptional networks in basal breast cancer
Benedetto DiCiaccio1, Marco Seehawer1, Zheqi Li1
1Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Abstract:
We previously described that the KDM5B histone H3 lysine 4 demethylase is an oncogene in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Here, we report that KDM5A is amplified and overexpressed in basal breast tumors, and KDM5 inhibition (KDM5i) suppresses the growth of KDM5-amplified breast cancer cell lines. Using CRISPR knockout screens in a basal breast cancer cell line with or without KDM5i, we found that deletion of the ZBTB7A transcription factor and core SAGA complex sensitizes cells to KDM5i, whereas deletion of RHO-GTPases leads to resistance. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed co-localization of ZBTB7A and KDM5A/B at promoters with high histone H3K4me3 and dependence of KDM5A chromatin binding on ZBTB7A. ZBTB7A knockout altered the transcriptional response to KDM5i at NF-κB targets and mitochondrion-related pathways. High expression of ZBTB7A in triple-negative breast cancer is significantly associated with poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Our work furthers the understanding of KDM5-mediated gene regulation and identifies mediators of sensitivity to KDM5i.
Insights
KDM5A amplification drives basal breast cancer growth. Inhibiting KDM5A suppresses tumors, with ZBTB7A deletion increasing sensitivity and RHO-GTPases conferring resistance, offering new therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
Background:
- KDM5B is an oncogene in estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer.
- KDM5A is amplified and overexpressed in basal breast cancer subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate KDM5A's role in basal breast cancer.
- Identify mechanisms of sensitivity and resistance to KDM5 inhibition (KDM5i).
Main Methods:
- CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screens.
- Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq).
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq).
Main Results:
- KDM5 inhibition suppresses KDM5-amplified basal breast cancer cell growth.
- ZBTB7A deletion sensitizes cells to KDM5i; RHO-GTPase deletion confers resistance.
- ZBTB7A is crucial for KDM5A chromatin binding and influences transcriptional responses.
Conclusions:
- KDM5A is a therapeutic target in basal breast cancer.
- ZBTB7A and RHO-GTPases are key mediators of KDM5i response.
- High ZBTB7A expression correlates with poor chemotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer.
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