Stable Fos expression in the osteoblast lineage results in the development of osteosarcomas (OS) in mice, yet the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Using a genetic system in which Fos expression can be induced in osteoblasts in a doxycycline-dependent manner and through subsequent RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis, we were able to identify novel transcriptional targets of Fos in osteoblasts. These included a distinct activation of cellular response toward replication stress (RS), exemplified by a Fos-dependent induction of the RS-suppressing Chk1 kinase. Importantly, Fos expression protects osteoblasts from RS and DNA damage likely through upregulation of Chk1 and facilitates transformation by Ras/E1A oncogenes. These data reveal a novel function of Fos in safeguarding genome stability during replication, which is particularly relevant in conditions of oncogene-induced S-phase entry.
Keywords: AP-1; Chk1; DNA damage; Fos; osteoblast; osteosarcoma; replication stress.