Transcriptional addiction in cancer cells is mediated by YAP/TAZ through BRD4

Nat Med. 2018 Oct;24(10):1599-1610. doi: 10.1038/s41591-018-0158-8. Epub 2018 Sep 17.

Abstract

Cancer cells rely on dysregulated gene expression. This establishes specific transcriptional addictions that may be therapeutically exploited. Yet, the mechanisms that are ultimately responsible for these addictions are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the transcriptional dependencies of transformed cells to the transcription factors YAP and TAZ. YAP/TAZ physically engage the general coactivator bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), dictating the genome-wide association of BRD4 to chromatin. YAP/TAZ flag a large set of enhancers with super-enhancer-like functional properties. YAP/TAZ-bound enhancers mediate the recruitment of BRD4 and RNA polymerase II at YAP/TAZ-regulated promoters, boosting the expression of a host of growth-regulating genes. Treatment with small-molecule inhibitors of BRD4 blunts YAP/TAZ pro-tumorigenic activity in several cell or tissue contexts, causes the regression of pre-established, YAP/TAZ-addicted neoplastic lesions and reverts drug resistance. This work sheds light on essential mediators, mechanisms and genome-wide regulatory elements that are responsible for transcriptional addiction in cancer and lays the groundwork for a rational use of BET inhibitors according to YAP/TAZ biology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyltransferases
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics*
  • Carcinogenesis / drug effects
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / genetics
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phosphoproteins / genetics*
  • RNA Polymerase II / genetics
  • Regulatory Elements, Transcriptional / drug effects
  • Small Molecule Libraries / pharmacology
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Transcription, Genetic*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Small Molecule Libraries
  • Transcription Factors
  • YAP-Signaling Proteins
  • YAP1 protein, human
  • Acyltransferases
  • TAFAZZIN protein, human
  • RNA Polymerase II