A novel SWI/SNF complex promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most prevalent and fatal cancer affecting women worldwide. The SWI/SNF complexes exhibit the ability to selectively replace subunits, thereby enabling a wide range of epigenetic functions. As an accessory subunit of this complex, ARID1B is critically involved in modulating chromatin accessibility and transcriptional regulation. Nevertheless, its precise contribution to TNBC pathogenesis remains poorly understood.

ARID1B expression levels in TNBC were detected using immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To investigate ARID1B's biological functions in TNBC, a series of in vitro assays were conducted, complemented by subcutaneous tumor xenograft models. Mass spectrometry analysis was employed to identify ARID1B-interacting proteins, while RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed to screen downstream target genes regulated by ARID1B. The transcriptional regulatory mechanism of ZNF382 mediated by ARID1B was further validated through dual-luciferase reporter assays and Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-qPCR. To determine if ZNF382 knockdown could reverse the cellular effects of ARID1B, SMARCC2, and SMARCB1 inhibition, functional rescue experiments were conducted.

We identified ARID1B as a notable E3 ubiquitin ligase gene associated with breast cancer prognosis, particularly serving as a risk prognostic factor in TNBC. Contrary to its previously reported function as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, we observed that ARID1B transcriptionally represses ZNF382 by forming a novel SWI/SNF complex with SMARCC2 and SMARCB1. This newly assembled complex promotes TNBC proliferation and migration, highlighting a previously unrecognized mechanism of ARID1B in cancer development.

This research enhances the understanding of the intricate roles played by SWI/SNF complex components in TNBC and bridges the gap between the structural specificity of SWI/SNF assembly and the progression of cancer. These findings could potentially unveil novel therapeutic targets for TNBC, thereby advancing the development of more efficacious treatment approaches for this highly aggressive malignancy.