Gene expression in primary AML patients

ABSTRACT: Cancer cell type-selective addiction of transcription-chromatin regulatory program provides opportunities for therapeutic interventions. Here, we uncovered an IRF8-MEF2D transcription factor (TF) regulatory circuit as an acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-biased dependency. Combining CRISPR-based genetic screens, transcriptional analysis, and chromatin profiling, we demonstrated that a chromatin regulator, ZMYND8, directly regulates IRF8 and MYC expression through occupying AML-specific enhancer regions. ZMYND8 was essential for AML proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. The ZMYND8-occupied IRF8 enhancer was further characterized using Circular Chromosome Conformation Capture and CRISPRi-based perturbation assays and was observed in  primary patient cells. Importantly, mutagenesis experiments revealed that the PHD/Bromodomain/PWWP reader module is required for ZMYND8 tethering to leukemia-essential co-activator BRD4 for enhancer-mediated gene regulation. Our results rationalize ZMYND8 as a potential selective therapeutic target for modulating the IRF8/MYC transcriptional networks in AML.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE157634 | GEO | 2021/09/06

REPOSITORIES: GEO