TRIM24 Is an Oncogenic Transcriptional Activator in Prostate Cancer

Cancer Cell. 2016 Jun 13;29(6):846-858. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2016.04.012. Epub 2016 May 26.

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) signaling is a key driver of prostate cancer (PC). While androgen-deprivation therapy is transiently effective in advanced disease, tumors often progress to a lethal castration-resistant state (CRPC). We show that recurrent PC-driver mutations in speckle-type POZ protein (SPOP) stabilize the TRIM24 protein, which promotes proliferation under low androgen conditions. TRIM24 augments AR signaling, and AR and TRIM24 co-activated genes are significantly upregulated in CRPC. Expression of TRIM24 protein increases from primary PC to CRPC, and both TRIM24 protein levels and the AR/TRIM24 gene signature predict disease recurrence. Analyses in CRPC cells reveal that the TRIM24 bromodomain and the AR-interacting motif are essential to support proliferation. These data provide a rationale for therapeutic TRIM24 targeting in SPOP mutant and CRPC patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / pathology
  • Receptors, Androgen / chemistry
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics*
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SPOP protein, human
  • TRIM24 protein, human