An in vivo screen identifies PYGO2 as a driver for metastatic prostate cancer

Xin Lu, Xiaolu Pan, Chang Jiun Wu, Di Zhao, Shan Feng, Yong Zang, Rumi Lee, Sunada Khadka, Samirkumar B. Amin, Eun Jung Jin, Xiaoying Shang, Pingna Deng, Yanting Luo, William R. Morgenlander, Jacqueline Weinrich, Xuemin Lu, Shan Jiang, Qing Chang, Nora M. Navone, Patricia TroncosoRonald A. DePinho, Y. Alan Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Advanced prostate cancer displays conspicuous chromosomal instability and rampant copy number aberrations, yet the identity of functional drivers resident in many amplicons remain elusive. Here, we implemented a functional genomics approach to identify new oncogenes involved in prostate cancer progression. Through integrated analyses of focal amplicons in large prostate cancer genomic and transcriptomic datasets as well as genes upregulated in metastasis, 276 putative oncogenes were enlisted into an in vivo gain-of-function tumorigenesis screen. Among the top positive hits, we conducted an in-depth functional analysis on Pygopus family PHD finger 2 (PYGO2), located in the amplicon at 1q21.3. PYGO2 overexpression enhances primary tumor growth and local invasion to draining lymph nodes. Conversely, PYGO2 depletion inhibits prostate cancer cell invasion in vitro and progression of primary tumor and metastasis in vivo. In clinical samples, PYGO2 upregulation associated with higher Gleason score and metastasis to lymph nodes and bone. Silencing PYGO2 expression in patient-derived xenograft models impairs tumor progression. Finally, PYGO2 is necessary to enhance the transcriptional activation in response to ligand-induced Wnt/b-catenin signaling. Together, our results indicate that PYGO2 functions as a driver oncogene in the 1q21.3 amplicon and may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for metastatic prostate cancer. Significance: Amplification/overexpression of PYGO2 may serve as a biomarker for prostate cancer progression and metastasis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3823-3833
Number of pages11
JournalCancer Research
Volume78
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 15 2018

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology
  • Cancer Research

MD Anderson CCSG core facilities

  • Research Animal Support Facility

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'An in vivo screen identifies PYGO2 as a driver for metastatic prostate cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this