Mutant CEBPA directly drives the expression of the targetable tumor-promoting factor CD73 in AML

Sci Adv. 2019 Jul 10;5(7):eaaw4304. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw4304. eCollection 2019 Jul.

Abstract

The key myeloid transcription factor (TF), CEBPA, is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the direct molecular effects of this leukemic driver mutation remain elusive. To investigate CEBPA mutant AML, we performed microscale, in vivo chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing and identified a set of aberrantly activated enhancers, exclusively occupied by the leukemia-associated CEBPA-p30 isoform. Comparing gene expression changes in human CEBPA mutant AML and the corresponding Cebpa Lp30 mouse model, we identified Nt5e, encoding CD73, as a cross-species AML gene with an upstream leukemic enhancer physically and functionally linked to the gene. Increased expression of CD73, mediated by the CEBPA-p30 isoform, sustained leukemic growth via the CD73/A2AR axis. Notably, targeting of this pathway enhanced survival of AML-transplanted mice. Our data thus indicate a first-in-class link between a cancer driver mutation in a TF and a druggable, direct transcriptional target.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 5'-Nucleotidase / genetics*
  • Animals
  • Binding Sites
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic
  • Epigenesis, Genetic
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / mortality
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mutation*
  • Nucleotide Motifs
  • Prognosis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics

Substances

  • CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins
  • CEBPA protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Protein Isoforms
  • 5'-Nucleotidase
  • NT5E protein, human