MUC1-C represses the RASSF1A tumor suppressor in human carcinoma cells

Oncogene. 2019 Nov;38(47):7266-7277. doi: 10.1038/s41388-019-0940-1. Epub 2019 Aug 21.

Abstract

RASSF1A encodes a tumor suppressor that inhibits the RAS→RAF→MEK→ERK pathway and is one of the most frequently inactivated genes in human cancers. MUC1-C is an oncogenic effector of the cancer cell epigenome that is overexpressed in diverse carcinomas. We show here that MUC1-C represses RASSF1A expression in KRAS wild-type and mutant cancer cells. Mechanistically, MUC1-C occupies the RASSF1A promoter in a complex with the ZEB1 transcriptional repressor. In turn, MUC1-C/ZEB1 complexes recruit DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) to the CpG island in the RASSF1A promoter. Targeting MUC1-C, ZEB1, and DNMT3b thereby decreases methylation of the CpG island and derepresses RASSF1A transcription. We also show that targeting MUC1-C regulates KRAS signaling, as evidenced by RNA-seq analysis, and decreases MEK/ERK activation, which is of importance for RAS-mediated tumorigenicity. These findings define a previously unrecognized role for MUC1-C in suppression of RASSF1A and support targeting MUC1-C as an approach for inhibiting MEK→ERK signaling.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • MUC1 protein, human
  • Mucin-1
  • RASSF1 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins