Oncogenic splicing factor SRSF1 is a critical transcriptional target of MYC

Cell Rep. 2012 Feb 23;1(2):110-7. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2011.12.001.

Abstract

The SR protein splicing factor SRSF1 is a potent proto-oncogene that is frequently upregulated in cancer. Here, we show that SRSF1 is a direct target of the transcription factor oncoprotein MYC. These two oncogenes are significantly coexpressed in lung carcinomas, and MYC knockdown downregulates SRSF1 expression in lung-cancer cell lines. MYC directly activates transcription of SRSF1 through two noncanonical E-boxes in its promoter. The resulting increase in SRSF1 protein is sufficient to modulate alternative splicing of a subset of transcripts. In particular, MYC induction leads to SRSF1-mediated alternative splicing of the signaling kinase MKNK2 and the transcription factor TEAD1. SRSF1 knockdown reduces MYC's oncogenic activity, decreasing proliferation and anchorage-independent growth. These results suggest a mechanism for SRSF1 upregulation in tumors with elevated MYC and identify SRSF1 as a critical MYC target that contributes to its oncogenic potential by enabling MYC to regulate the expression of specific protein isoforms through alternative splicing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing / genetics
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Mice
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • MAS1 protein, human
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Mas
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors