Targeting MYC effector functions in pancreatic cancer by inhibiting the ATPase RUVBL1/2 (SLAM-Seq)
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ABSTRACT: The hallmark oncogene MYC drives the progression of most human tumors, but direct inhibition of MYC by small molecules has not yet entered the clinical testing phase. As a transcription factor, MYC is dependent on a variety of binding partners for its molecular oncogenic function. Here, we explored the possibility of targeting MYC via its interactome, through a genetic screen in pancreatic ductal adenoma carcinoma (PDAC) models. While several MYC-binding partners are important for cultured PDAC cells but dispensable for tumors in their natural environment in mice, the nuclear AAA-ATPases RUVBL1 and -2 are most essential among all MYC-binding partners in vivo. Induced degradation of RUVBL by the auxin-degron system leads to rapid arrest of PDAC cells in culture and complete regression of tumors in mice, which is preceded by immune cell infiltration. Mechanistically, RUVBL is required for MYC-mediated elongation of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and thus for the establishment of MYC dependent oncogenic gene expression patterns. Overall, three relevant observations emerged from our study. First, our study shows that tumor cell dependencies are strongly influenced by their environment and that genetic screens in cultured cells need to be carefully validated in vivo. Second, we have shown that the auxin-degron system can be applied in a PDAC model, allowing target validation and molecular analysis in living mice. Third, our study identifies RUVBL1 as a druggable vulnerability in MYC driven cancer.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE216092 | GEO | 2024/06/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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