Overexpression and alternative splicing of NF-YA in breast cancer

Sci Rep. 2019 Sep 10;9(1):12955. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-49297-5.

Abstract

NF-Y is a CCAAT-binding trimeric transcription factor, whose regulome, interactome and oncogenic potential point to direct involvement in cellular transformation. Yet little is known about the levels of NF-Y subunits in tumors. We focused on breast carcinomas, and analyzed RNA-Seq datasets of TCGA and 54 BRCA cell lines at gene and isoforms level. We partitioned all tumors in the four major subclasses. NF-YA, but not histone-fold subunits NF-YB/NF-YC, is globally overexpressed, correlating with the proliferative Ki67 marker and a common set of 840 genes, with cell-cycle, metabolism GO terms. Their promoters are enriched in NF-Y, GC-rich and E2F sites. Surprisingly, there is an isoform switch, with the "short" isoform -NF-YAs- becoming predominant in tumors. E2F genes are also overexpressed in BRCA, but no switch in isoforms is observed. In Basal-like Claudinlow cell lines and tumors, expression of NF-YAl -long- isoform is high, together with 11 typical EMT markers and low levels of basal Keratins. Analysis of Progression-Free-Intervals indicates that tumors with unbalance of NF-YA isoforms ratios have worst clinical outcomes. The data suggest that NF-YA overexpression increases CCAAT-dependent, pro-growth genes in BRCA. NF-YAs is associated with a proliferative signature, but high levels of NF-YAl signal loss of epithelial features, EMT and acquisition of a more aggressive behavior in a subset of Claudinlow Basal-like tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing*
  • BRCA1 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA1 Protein / metabolism*
  • BRCA2 Protein / genetics
  • BRCA2 Protein / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • CCAAT-Binding Factor / genetics*
  • CCAAT-Binding Factor / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • E2F Transcription Factors / genetics
  • E2F Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • BRCA1 Protein
  • BRCA1 protein, human
  • BRCA2 Protein
  • BRCA2 protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CCAAT-Binding Factor
  • E2F Transcription Factors
  • NFYA protein, human