BioProject

Tumor transformation is the result of genetic modifications that alter gene transcription, thus producing a specific oncogenic program. More...

Tumor transformation is the result of genetic modifications that alter gene transcription, thus producing a specific oncogenic program. However, in recent years, several exciting discoveries have shown that also aberrant epigenetic modifications play a major role in the genesis and progression of cancer. Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancerous pathology resulting from the clonal expansion of plasma cells, and characterized by abnormal production and secretion of antibody proteins. This disease shows a great heterogeneity, caused by both genetic and epigenetic abnormalities, and despite the numerous therapeutic advances remains an incurable pathology. Here we show that the RNA Polymerase II binding protein, Che-1/AATF is required for MM cells growth by sustaining genome wide transcription and the recruitment of Pol II to the DNA. Notably, we found that Che-1 localizes on active chromatin and its depletion leads to accumulation of heterochromatin by a global decrease of histone acetylation. Moreover, we show that Che-1 directly interacts with histones and competes with HDAC class I members for histones binding. Strikingly, Che-1 downregulation decreases BRD4 chromatin accumulation and further sensitize MM cells to bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) inhibitors. Overall, our findings identify an essential role of Che-1 in maintaining open chromatin required for sustaining MM growth, and support Che-1 as a possible target for MM therapy, alone or in combination with BET inhibitors. Overall design: This series contains the transcriptomic profiling for control and Che-1 silencing in the Multiple Myeloma KMS-27 cell line. Less...