TFE3 fusion oncoprotein condensates drive epigenetic reprogramming and cancer progression [CUT&RUN]
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ABSTRACT: Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. This cancer is primarily driven by fusion oncoproteins (FOs) arising from chromosomal rearrangements, yet their role in oncogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we investigate TFE3 fusion in tRCC, focusing on NONO::TFE3 and SFPQ::TFE3, constituting 30-40% of all TFE3 FOs. We find that TFE3 FOs form liquid-like condensates with heightened transcriptional activity, selectively recruiting active transcription markers to TFE3 target genes and promoting cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. The coiled-coil domains (CCD) of NONO and SFPQ are essential for condensate formation, prolonging TFE3 FOs' chromatin binding time and enhancing transcription. We comprehensively investigated the genome-wide recruitment of TFE3 FOs and their CCD-altered variants, uncovering widespread changes in chromatin accessibility and genomic binding specifically at TFE3 and AP-1 regulated loci. We also observe altered H3K27ac deposition at enhancers and super-enhancers notably at pro-growth and stemness markers such as BCL2 and CD44, and identify novel oncogenic target genes of TFE3 FOs. Disruption of condensate formation, resulting from CCD domain alterations in FOs, robustly dysregulates their role in chromatin accessibility, chromatin binding, H3K27ac occupancy, and gene expression. Altogether our integrated analyses underscore the critical functions of TFE3 FO condensates in driving RCC progression, offering pivotal insights for future targeted therapeutic strategies.
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. This cancer is primarily driven by fusion oncoproteins (FOs) arising from chromosomal rearrangements, yet their role in oncogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we investigate TFE3 fusion in tRCC, focusing on NONO::TFE3 and SFPQ::TFE3, constituting 30-40% of all TFE3 FOs. We find that TFE3 FOs form liquid-like condensates with heightened transcriptional activity, selectively recruiting active transcription markers to TFE3 target genes and promoting cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. The coiled-coil domains (CCD) of NONO and SFPQ are essential for condensate formation, prolonging TFE3 FOs' chromatin binding time and enhancing transcription. We comprehensively investigated the genome-wide recruitment of TFE3 FOs and their CCD-altered variants, uncovering widespread changes in chromatin accessibility and genomic binding specifically at TFE3 and AP-1 regulated loci. We also observe altered H3K27ac deposition at enhancers and super-enhancers notably at pro-growth and stemness markers such as BCL2 and CD44, and identify novel oncogenic target genes of TFE3 FOs. Disruption of condensate formation, resulting from CCD domain alterations in FOs, robustly dysregulates their role in chromatin accessibility, chromatin binding, H3K27ac occupancy, and gene expression. Altogether our integrated analyses underscore the critical functions of TFE3 FO condensates in driving RCC progression, offering pivotal insights for future targeted therapeutic strategies.
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to its aggressiveness and limited treatment options. This cancer is primarily driven by fusion oncoproteins (FOs) arising from chromosomal rearrangements, yet their role in oncogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here we investigate TFE3 fusion in tRCC, focusing on NONO::TFE3 and SFPQ::TFE3, constituting 30-40% of all TFE3 FOs. We find that TFE3 FOs form liquid-like condensates with heightened transcriptional activity, selectively recruiting active transcription markers to TFE3 target genes and promoting cell proliferation, migration, and drug resistance. The coiled-coil domains (CCD) of NONO and SFPQ are essential for condensate formation, prolonging TFE3 FOs' chromatin binding time and enhancing transcription. We comprehensively investigated the genome-wide recruitment of TFE3 FOs and their CCD-altered variants, uncovering widespread changes in chromatin accessibility and genomic binding specifically at TFE3 and AP-1 regulated loci. We also observe altered H3K27ac deposition at enhancers and super-enhancers notably at pro-growth and stemness markers such as BCL2 and CD44, and identify novel oncogenic target genes of TFE3 FOs. Disruption of condensate formation, resulting from CCD domain alterations in FOs, robustly dysregulates their role in chromatin accessibility, chromatin binding, H3K27ac occupancy, and gene expression. Altogether our integrated analyses underscore the critical functions of TFE3 FO condensates in driving RCC progression, offering pivotal insights for future targeted therapeutic strategies.
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare, aggressive kidney cancer primarily occurring in children. They are genetically defined by translocations involving MiT/TFE gene family members, TFE3. We utilized human kidney organoids, or tubuloids, to engineer a tRCC model by expressing of one of the most common MiT/TFE fusions, SFPQ-TFE3. Lentiviral transductions were performed as previously described with lentiviruses encoding either pLKO.1-UbC-luciferase-blast (TubCtrl), pLKO.1-UbC-TFE3-blast (TubTFE3), or pLKO.1-UbC-SFPQ-TFE3-blast (TubFus). Two days post transduction, 5 µg/ml blasticidin was added to the culture medium to select for successfully transduced cells. To study the genome-wide binding sites of the fusion, we conducted CUT&RUN sequencing. CUT&RUN experiments were performed using a modified protocol for low cell numbers using the following antibodies: anti-TFE3 (ab93808, Abcam, 1:2000). Libraries were sequenced using an Illumina NextSeq2000 (2x100bp).
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) is a rare, aggressive kidney cancer primarily occurring in children. They are genetically defined by translocations involving MiT/TFE gene family members, TFE3 or, rarely, TFEB. The biology underlying tRCC development remains poorly understood, partly due to the lack of representative experimental models. We utilized human kidney organoids, or tubuloids, to engineer a tRCC model by expressing one of the most common MiT/TFE fusions, SFPQ-TFE3. Fusion expressing tubuloids adopt a tRCC-like phenotype and gene expression signature in vitro and grow as clear cell RCC upon xenotransplantation in mice. Genome-wide binding analysis suggests that SFPQ-TFE3 reprograms gene expression signatures by aberrant genome-wide DNA binding. Combining these analyses with single-cell mRNA readouts reveals a derailed epithelial differentiation trajectory that is at the root of transformation towards tRCC. Our study demonstrates that SFPQ-TFE3 expression is sufficient to transform kidney epithelial cells into tRCC and defines the trajectories underlying malignant transformation.
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) most commonly involves an ASPSCR1-TFE3 fusion, but molecular mechanisms remain elusive and animal models are lacking. Here, we show that human ASPSCR1-TFE3 driven by Pax8-Cre (a credentialed clear cell RCC driver) disrupted nephrogenesis and glomerular development, causing neonatal death, while the clear cell RCC failed driver, Sglt2-Cre, induced aggressive tRCC (as well as alveolar soft part sarcoma) with complete penetrance and short latency. However, in both contexts, ASPSCR1-TFE3 led to characteristic morphological cellular changes, loss of epithelial markers, and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Electron microscopy of tRCC tumors showed lysosome expansion, and functional studies revealed simultaneous activation of autophagy and mTORC1 pathways. Comparative genomic analyses encompassing an institutional human tRCC cohort (including a hitherto unreported SFPQ-TFEB fusion) and a variety of tumorgraft models (ASPSCR1-TFE3, PRCC-TFE3, SFPQ-TFE3, RBM10-TFE3, and MALAT1-TFEB) disclosed significant convergence in canonical pathways (cell cycle, lysosome, and mTORC1) and less established pathways such as Myc, E2F, and inflammation (IL-6/JAK/STAT3, interferon-γ, TLR signaling, systemic lupus, etc.). Therapeutic trials (adjusted for human drug exposures) showed antitumor activity of cabozantinib. Overall, this study provides insight into MiT/TFE-driven tumorigenesis, including the cell of origin, and characterizes diverse mouse models available for research
Project description:The oncogenic mechanisms by which TFE3 fusion proteins drive translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) are poorly characterised. Here, we integrated loss and gain of function experiments with multi-omics analyses in tRCC cell lines and patient tumors. High nuclear accumulation of NONO-TFE3 or PRCC-TFE3 fusion proteins promotes their broad binding across the genome, engaging a core set of M/E-box-containing regulatory elements to activate specific gene expression programs as well as promiscuous binding to active promoters to stimulate mRNA synthesis. Within the core program, TFE3 fusions directly regulate genes involved in ferroptosis resistance and oxidative phosphorylation metabolism (OxPhos) increasing functional OxPhos levels. Consequently, human tRCC tumors display high OxPhos scores that persist during their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT of tRCC tumours was further associated with presence of mesenchymal tRCC cancer cells and myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) that are both hallmarks of poor prognostic outcomes. We provide unique insights into how broad genomic binding of TFE3 fusion proteins promotes tRCC tumourigenesis by regulating OxPhos and ferroptosis resistance and more generally stimulating RNA synthesis.
Project description:The oncogenic mechanisms by which TFE3 fusion proteins drive translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC) are poorly characterised. Here, we integrated loss and gain of function experiments with multi-omics analyses in tRCC cell lines and patient tumors. High nuclear accumulation of NONO-TFE3 or PRCC-TFE3 fusion proteins promotes their broad binding across the genome, engaging a core set of M/E-box-containing regulatory elements to activate specific gene expression programs as well as promiscuous binding to active promoters to stimulate mRNA synthesis. Within the core program, TFE3 fusions directly regulate genes involved in ferroptosis resistance and oxidative phosphorylation metabolism (OxPhos) increasing functional OxPhos levels. Consequently, human tRCC tumors display high OxPhos scores that persist during their epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT of tRCC tumours was further associated with presence of mesenchymal tRCC cancer cells and myofibroblast cancer-associated fibroblasts (myCAFs) that are both hallmarks of poor prognostic outcomes. We provide unique insights into how broad genomic binding of TFE3 fusion proteins promotes tRCC tumourigenesis by regulating OxPhos and ferroptosis resistance and more generally stimulating RNA synthesis.
Project description:Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) with Xp11 translocation (Xp11 RCC) constitute a distinctive molecular subtype characterized by chromosomal translocations involving the Xp11.2 locus, resulting in gene fusions between the TFE3 transcription factor with a second gene (usually ASPSCR1, PRCC, NONO, or SFPQ). RCCs with Xp11 translocations comprise up to 1-4% of adult cases, frequently displaying papillary architecture with epithelioid clear cells.
Project description:Translocation renal cell carcinoma is a rare but aggressive cancer driven by oncogenic fusions between the DNA-binding transcription factor TFE3 and diverse subunits. We have found that these diverse fusions promote condensate formation and activation of target genes. To investigate what the condensates formed by different TFE3 fusions partition we used a cell-free method relying on condensate reconstitution within a nuclear extract. Using recombinant purified PRCC-TFE3 or ASPL-TFE3, we reconstituted condensates in a soluble nuclear extract. The extract was then fractionated by centrifugation into a supernatant and pellet. For each fusion supernatant and pellet fractions were collected in triplicate. Samples were individually labeled using a 6-plex tandem mass tag (TMT) post-tryptic isobaric labeling strategy and the three supernatant and three pellet fractions of each fusion were mixed and analyzed by LC-MS to provide quantitative measurements of partitioning. In summary, we deposit 2 TMT 6-plex samples which represent triplicates for each PRCC-TFE3 (1071162 F1-8) and ASPL-TFE3 (1069084 F1-8).
TMT labels 126, 127, 128: Sup
TMT labels 129, 130, 131: Pellet
Project description:Microphtalmia-associated-transcriptional-factor-family translocation renal cell carcinoma (MiTF-tRCC) currently includes two main subtypes: “TFEB-tRCC” most often characterized by a t(6;11)(p21;q13) that generates a fusion of TFEB with MALAT1 and “TFE3-tRCC” characterized by rearrangements of TFE3 at Xp11.23 (2-3) that produce a variety of fusion genes. FISH is a handy method in routine practice that allows the detection of a rearrangement of TFE3. However, it reaches its limits in cases of micro-inversions or insertions: in fact paracentric microinversions that involve GRIPAP1 (Xp11.23) (23, Classe) or RBM10 (Xp11.3), very close to TFE3 , are most often undetectable.We report the clinical, immunohistological, genomic and molecular description of four novel TFE3-tRCC with RBM10-TFE3 fusion detected by targeted RNASeq analysis that illustrate the difficulties of diagnosis, especially in reason of disconcerting negative TFE3 FISH results.