RUNX1/RUNX1T1 mediates alternative splicing and reorganises the transcriptional landscape in leukemia

Nat Commun. 2021 Jan 22;12(1):520. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-20848-z.

Abstract

The fusion oncogene RUNX1/RUNX1T1 encodes an aberrant transcription factor, which plays a key role in the initiation and maintenance of acute myeloid leukemia. Here we show that the RUNX1/RUNX1T1 oncogene is a regulator of alternative RNA splicing in leukemic cells. The comprehensive analysis of RUNX1/RUNX1T1-associated splicing events identifies two principal mechanisms that underlie the differential production of RNA isoforms: (i) RUNX1/RUNX1T1-mediated regulation of alternative transcription start site selection, and (ii) direct or indirect control of the expression of genes encoding splicing factors. The first mechanism leads to the expression of RNA isoforms with alternative structure of the 5'-UTR regions. The second mechanism generates alternative transcripts with new junctions between internal cassettes and constitutive exons. We also show that RUNX1/RUNX1T1-mediated differential splicing affects several functional groups of genes and produces proteins with unique conserved domain structures. In summary, this study reveals alternative splicing as an important component of transcriptome re-organization in leukemia by an aberrant transcriptional regulator.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Alternative Splicing*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / genetics*
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / genetics*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid / pathology
  • Models, Genetic
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / genetics*
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA Isoforms / genetics
  • RNA Isoforms / metabolism
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein / genetics*
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein / metabolism
  • Transcription Initiation Site

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 2 Subunit
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • RNA Isoforms
  • RUNX1 Translocation Partner 1 Protein
  • RUNX1 protein, human