ASCL1 is a MYCN- and LMO1-dependent member of the adrenergic neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry

Nat Commun. 2019 Dec 9;10(1):5622. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-13515-5.

Abstract

A heritable polymorphism within regulatory sequences of the LMO1 gene is associated with its elevated expression and increased susceptibility to develop neuroblastoma, but the oncogenic pathways downstream of the LMO1 transcriptional co-regulatory protein are unknown. Our ChIP-seq and RNA-seq analyses reveal that a key gene directly regulated by LMO1 and MYCN is ASCL1, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. Regulatory elements controlling ASCL1 expression are bound by LMO1, MYCN and the transcription factors GATA3, HAND2, PHOX2B, TBX2 and ISL1-all members of the adrenergic (ADRN) neuroblastoma core regulatory circuitry (CRC). ASCL1 is required for neuroblastoma cell growth and arrest of differentiation. ASCL1 and LMO1 directly regulate the expression of CRC genes, indicating that ASCL1 is a member and LMO1 is a coregulator of the ADRN neuroblastoma CRC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Agents / metabolism*
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Regulatory Networks*
  • Humans
  • LIM Domain Proteins / metabolism*
  • N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / metabolism
  • Survival Analysis
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*

Substances

  • ASCL1 protein, human
  • Adrenergic Agents
  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • LIM Domain Proteins
  • LMO1 protein, human
  • MYCN protein, human
  • N-Myc Proto-Oncogene Protein
  • Transcription Factors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret