FSCN1 as a new druggable target in adrenocortical carcinoma

ABSTRACT:

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with a high risk of relapse and metastatisation. The actin-bundling protein fascin (FSCN1) is overexpressed in aggressive ACC and represents a reliable prognostic indicator. FSCN1 has been shown to synergize with the Rho/Rac GEF VAV2 in enhancing the invasion properties of ACC cancer cells. Based on those results, we investigated the effects of FSCN1 inactivation by CRISPR/Cas9 or pharmacological blockade on the invasive properties of ACC cells, both in vitro and in an in vivo metastatic ACC zebrafish model. Here we showed that FSCN1 is a transcriptional target for Beta-catenin in H295R ACC cells and that its inactivation resulted in defects in cell attachment and proliferation. Additionally, FSCN1 knock-out modulated the expression of genes involved in cytoskeleton dynamics and cell adhesion. When SF-1 dosage was upregulated in H95R cells, activating their invasive capacities, FSCN1 knock-out reduced the number of filopodia, lamellipodia/ruffles and focal adhesions, while decreasing cell invasion in Matrigel. Similar effects were produced by the FSCN1 inhibitor G2-044, which also diminished the invasion of ACC cell lines (CU-ACC2, JIL-2266, MUC-1) expressing lower levels of FSCN1 than H295R. In the zebrafish model, metastases formation was significantly reduced in FSCN1 knock-out cells and G2-044 significantly reduced the number of metastases formed by ACC cells. Our results indicate that FSCN1 represents a new druggable target for ACC and provide the rationale for future clinical trials with FSCN1 inhibitors in patients with ACC, possibly in combination with immunotherapy.

INSTRUMENT(S): Liquid Chromatography MS - negative - reverse phase, Liquid Chromatography MS - positive - reverse phase

SUBMITTER: Andrei Turtoi 

PROVIDER: MTBLS6402 | MetaboLights | 2023-03-20

REPOSITORIES: MetaboLights