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Chimeric AR Motifs and Neo-Enhancer Expansion in Prostate Cancer Development
Chimeric AR Motifs and Neo-Enhancer Expansion in Prostate Cancer Development
상세정보
- 자료유형
- 학위논문 서양
- 최종처리일시
- 20260202105233
- ISBN
- 9798291567555
- DDC
- 616.99
- 저자명
- Eyunni, Sanjana.
- 서명/저자
- Chimeric AR Motifs and Neo-Enhancer Expansion in Prostate Cancer Development
- 발행사항
- [Sl] : University of Michigan, 2025
- 발행사항
- Ann Arbor : ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2025
- 형태사항
- 216 p
- 주기사항
- Source: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-02, Section: B.
- 주기사항
- Advisor: Chinnaiyan, Arul M.;Parolia, Abhijit.
- 학위논문주기
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Michigan, 2025.
- 초록/해제
- 요약While cancer has traditionally been viewed as a genetic disease, the role of epigenetics, which literally translates to "above genetics," has revealed another layer of complexity. Somatic and germline mutations, in collaboration with reversible histone and DNA chemical modifications, reprogram chromatin architecture and modulate gene expression. Multiprotein complexes deposit and interpret these epigenetic marks, functioning as readers, writers, or erasers of epigenetic information. Notably, many epigenetic proteins are mutated or aberrantly expressed in cancer, leading to the recognition of "nonmutational epigenetic reprogramming" as a new hallmark of human cancers. Today, we reframe cancer as a result of interactions between the genome and epigenome, a theme that is the focus of my thesis. Here, we uncover the genomic and epigenomic contributions underlying oncogenic androgen receptor (AR) reprogramming, prostate cancer development, and therapy resistance, with a particular emphasis on understanding the interplay between two key proteins: FOXA1 and NSD2.The cellular identity of a prostate cell is determined by the expression of AR and its downstream signaling. In a normal prostate luminal epithelial cell, AR drives terminal differentiation, i.e., its activity impedes proliferation. However, upon transformation, AR activates malignant and proliferative gene programs, largely mediated through extensive reprogramming of AR's chromatin occupancy. Here, using a CRISPR-screening approach, we identified NSD2, an H3K36 dimethyltransferase, as a critical epigenetic cofactor responsible for reprogramming AR at its tumor-specific enhancers. Notably, NSD2 expression is abnormally induced in prostate cancer, where it collaborates with FOXA1 to reprogram AR binding at enhancer sites that harbor chimeric FOXA1:AR half-motifs. Loss of NSD2 inactivates cancer hallmark features of invasion and migration and fosters increased dependency on a paralogous gene called NSD1. Hence, we developed a dual NSD1/2 PROTAC degrader that exhibits preferential cytotoxicity in ARdependent prostate cancer. Altogether, we characterize NSD2 as an essential AR neo-enhanceosome subunit that enables its oncogenic activity, and position NSD1/2 as viable cotargets in advanced prostate cancer.NSD2-dependent reprogramming of AR at chimeric half-sites relies on FOXA1's pioneering activity. FOXA1 decompacts chromatin to recruit lineage-specific transcription factors, such as AR in the prostate epithelia, and chromatin remodeling proteins. Earlier, our lab found FOXA1 to be recurrently altered in over 35% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cases in Caucasian White men, which recur within three distinct structural classes with distinct clinical incidence and gain-of-function. More recently, FOXA1 was reported to be mutated in over 40% of primary prostate cancer in Chinese patients, positioning FOXA1 as a commonly mutated oncogene in this disease. Yet, its tumorigenic potential and pathobiology remain unexplored in vivo. As a central component of this thesis, we have developed and characterized the first in-field transgenic mouse models that conditionally overexpress FOXA1 Class 1 or Class 2 mutant in the mouse prostate luminal epithelia. Our findings reveal that FOXA1 Class 1 mutations, that disrupt the wing2 sub-secondary region, in a Trp53-null background drive highgrade, AR-dependent luminal prostate adenocarcinoma. In contrast, Class 2 mutations are unable to drive disease formation. Instead, they induce intra-luminal plasticity by reprogramming differentiated cells into an AR-positive, luminal progenitor state that is androgen-insensitive. Mechanistically, Class 1 mutants co-activate mTORC1 signaling and reprogram AR at chimeric AR half-sites in concert with aberrantly gained NSD2. On the other hand, Class 2 mutations activate stemness genes and decompact over 40,000 new enhancer elements, bound by stemnessassociated transcription factors, like KLF5 and AP1. This instructs an androgen-insensitive luminal progenitor cell fate, making the Class 2-mutant mouse prostate tissues relatively resistant to atrophy upon androgen withdrawal through castration. Collectively, these findings establish FOXA1 as a key driver of prostate cancer development, showcasing how specific alterations in this single oncogene can either trigger tumorigenesis in early disease or enable resistance to treatment in more advanced stages.In summary, this doctoral thesis elucidates the functional and phenotypic impacts of FOXA1 mutations in prostate cancer and identifies NSD2 as a cancer-specific epigenetic regulator that collaborates with FOXA1 to drive AR-dependent oncogenesis. Notably, this work presents the first evidence of FOXA1-driven prostate adenocarcinoma formation in murine models and further substantiates the structural classification of distinct FOXA1 alterations within its coding region or genomic locus. Furthermore, this thesis characterizes collaborative reprogramming of the prostate cancer epigenome by the NSD1 and NSD2 paralogous enzymes, emphasizing paralog co-targeting as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced, lethal forms of the disease.
- 일반주제명
- Oncology
- 일반주제명
- Pathology
- 일반주제명
- Health sciences
- 일반주제명
- Pharmacology
- 키워드
- Prostate cancer
- 키워드
- Mutations
- 키워드
- Transgenic mice
- 기타저자
- University of Michigan Molecular & Cellular Pathology
- 기본자료저록
- Dissertations Abstracts International. 87-02B.
- 전자적 위치 및 접속
- 로그인 후 원문을 볼 수 있습니다.
MARC
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■006m o d
■007cr#unu||||||||
■020 ▼a9798291567555
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■035 ▼a(MiAaPQ)umichrackham006466
■040 ▼aMiAaPQ▼cMiAaPQ
■0820 ▼a616.99
■1001 ▼aEyunni, Sanjana.
■24510▼aChimeric AR Motifs and Neo-Enhancer Expansion in Prostate Cancer Development
■260 ▼a[Sl]▼bUniversity of Michigan▼c2025
■260 1▼aAnn Arbor▼bProQuest Dissertations & Theses▼c2025
■300 ▼a216 p
■500 ▼aSource: Dissertations Abstracts International, Volume: 87-02, Section: B.
■500 ▼aAdvisor: Chinnaiyan, Arul M.;Parolia, Abhijit.
■5021 ▼aThesis (Ph.D.)--University of Michigan, 2025.
■520 ▼aWhile cancer has traditionally been viewed as a genetic disease, the role of epigenetics, which literally translates to "above genetics," has revealed another layer of complexity. Somatic and germline mutations, in collaboration with reversible histone and DNA chemical modifications, reprogram chromatin architecture and modulate gene expression. Multiprotein complexes deposit and interpret these epigenetic marks, functioning as readers, writers, or erasers of epigenetic information. Notably, many epigenetic proteins are mutated or aberrantly expressed in cancer, leading to the recognition of "nonmutational epigenetic reprogramming" as a new hallmark of human cancers. Today, we reframe cancer as a result of interactions between the genome and epigenome, a theme that is the focus of my thesis. Here, we uncover the genomic and epigenomic contributions underlying oncogenic androgen receptor (AR) reprogramming, prostate cancer development, and therapy resistance, with a particular emphasis on understanding the interplay between two key proteins: FOXA1 and NSD2.The cellular identity of a prostate cell is determined by the expression of AR and its downstream signaling. In a normal prostate luminal epithelial cell, AR drives terminal differentiation, i.e., its activity impedes proliferation. However, upon transformation, AR activates malignant and proliferative gene programs, largely mediated through extensive reprogramming of AR's chromatin occupancy. Here, using a CRISPR-screening approach, we identified NSD2, an H3K36 dimethyltransferase, as a critical epigenetic cofactor responsible for reprogramming AR at its tumor-specific enhancers. Notably, NSD2 expression is abnormally induced in prostate cancer, where it collaborates with FOXA1 to reprogram AR binding at enhancer sites that harbor chimeric FOXA1:AR half-motifs. Loss of NSD2 inactivates cancer hallmark features of invasion and migration and fosters increased dependency on a paralogous gene called NSD1. Hence, we developed a dual NSD1/2 PROTAC degrader that exhibits preferential cytotoxicity in ARdependent prostate cancer. Altogether, we characterize NSD2 as an essential AR neo-enhanceosome subunit that enables its oncogenic activity, and position NSD1/2 as viable cotargets in advanced prostate cancer.NSD2-dependent reprogramming of AR at chimeric half-sites relies on FOXA1's pioneering activity. FOXA1 decompacts chromatin to recruit lineage-specific transcription factors, such as AR in the prostate epithelia, and chromatin remodeling proteins. Earlier, our lab found FOXA1 to be recurrently altered in over 35% of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) cases in Caucasian White men, which recur within three distinct structural classes with distinct clinical incidence and gain-of-function. More recently, FOXA1 was reported to be mutated in over 40% of primary prostate cancer in Chinese patients, positioning FOXA1 as a commonly mutated oncogene in this disease. Yet, its tumorigenic potential and pathobiology remain unexplored in vivo. As a central component of this thesis, we have developed and characterized the first in-field transgenic mouse models that conditionally overexpress FOXA1 Class 1 or Class 2 mutant in the mouse prostate luminal epithelia. Our findings reveal that FOXA1 Class 1 mutations, that disrupt the wing2 sub-secondary region, in a Trp53-null background drive highgrade, AR-dependent luminal prostate adenocarcinoma. In contrast, Class 2 mutations are unable to drive disease formation. Instead, they induce intra-luminal plasticity by reprogramming differentiated cells into an AR-positive, luminal progenitor state that is androgen-insensitive. Mechanistically, Class 1 mutants co-activate mTORC1 signaling and reprogram AR at chimeric AR half-sites in concert with aberrantly gained NSD2. On the other hand, Class 2 mutations activate stemness genes and decompact over 40,000 new enhancer elements, bound by stemnessassociated transcription factors, like KLF5 and AP1. This instructs an androgen-insensitive luminal progenitor cell fate, making the Class 2-mutant mouse prostate tissues relatively resistant to atrophy upon androgen withdrawal through castration. Collectively, these findings establish FOXA1 as a key driver of prostate cancer development, showcasing how specific alterations in this single oncogene can either trigger tumorigenesis in early disease or enable resistance to treatment in more advanced stages.In summary, this doctoral thesis elucidates the functional and phenotypic impacts of FOXA1 mutations in prostate cancer and identifies NSD2 as a cancer-specific epigenetic regulator that collaborates with FOXA1 to drive AR-dependent oncogenesis. Notably, this work presents the first evidence of FOXA1-driven prostate adenocarcinoma formation in murine models and further substantiates the structural classification of distinct FOXA1 alterations within its coding region or genomic locus. Furthermore, this thesis characterizes collaborative reprogramming of the prostate cancer epigenome by the NSD1 and NSD2 paralogous enzymes, emphasizing paralog co-targeting as a promising therapeutic strategy for advanced, lethal forms of the disease.
■590 ▼aSchool code: 0127.
■650 4▼aOncology
■650 4▼aPathology
■650 4▼aHealth sciences
■650 4▼aPharmacology
■653 ▼aProstate cancer
■653 ▼aAndrogen receptor reprogramming
■653 ▼aMutations
■653 ▼aTransgenic mice
■653 ▼aParalog co-targeting
■690 ▼a0566
■690 ▼a0571
■690 ▼a0992
■690 ▼a0419
■71020▼aUniversity of Michigan▼bMolecular & Cellular Pathology.
■7730 ▼tDissertations Abstracts International▼g87-02B.
■790 ▼a0127
■791 ▼aPh.D.
■792 ▼a2025
■793 ▼aEnglish
■85640▼uhttp://www.riss.kr/pdu/ddodLink.do?id=T17359903▼nKERIS▼z이 자료의 원문은 한국교육학술정보원에서 제공합니다.


