An oncogenic MYB feedback loop drives alternate cell fates in adenoid cystic carcinoma.

Nat Genet
Authors
Keywords
Abstract

Translocation events are frequent in cancer and may create chimeric fusions or 'regulatory rearrangements' that drive oncogene overexpression. Here we identify super-enhancer translocations that drive overexpression of the oncogenic transcription factor MYB as a recurrent theme in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Whole-genome sequencing data and chromatin maps highlight distinct chromosomal rearrangements that juxtapose super-enhancers to the MYB locus. Chromosome conformation capture confirms that the translocated enhancers interact with the MYB promoter. Remarkably, MYB protein binds to the translocated enhancers, creating a positive feedback loop that sustains its expression. MYB also binds enhancers that drive different regulatory programs in alternate cell lineages in ACC, cooperating with TP63 in myoepithelial cells and a Notch program in luminal epithelial cells. Bromodomain inhibitors slow tumor growth in ACC primagraft models in vivo. Thus, our study identifies super-enhancer translocations that drive MYB expression and provides insight into downstream MYB functions in alternate ACC lineages.

Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Nat Genet
Volume
48
Issue
3
Pages
265-72
Date Published
2016 Mar
ISSN
1546-1718
URL
DOI
10.1038/ng.3502
PubMed ID
26829750
PubMed Central ID
PMC4767593
Links
Grant list
HHSN268200900039C / DE / NIDCR NIH HHS / United States
U54 HG006991 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
HHSN268200900039C 04 / PHS HHS / United States
Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States