In Vivo Genetic Screens of Patient-Derived Tumors Revealed Unexpected Frailty of the Transformed Phenotype

作者：Bossi Daniela; Cicalese Angelo; Dellino Gaetano I; Luzi Lucilla; Riva Laura; D'Alesio Carolina; Diaferia Giuseppe R; Carugo Alessandro; Cavallaro Elena; Piccioni Rossana; Barberis Massimo; Mazzarol Giovanni; Testori Alessandro; Punzi Simona; Pallavicini Isabella; Tosti Giulio; Giaco Luciano; Melloni Giorgio; Heffernan Timothy P; Natoli Gioacchino; Draetta Giulio F; Minucci Saverio; Pelicci PierGiuseppe; Lanfrancone Luisa^*

来源：Cancer Discovery, 2016, 6(6): 650-663.

DOI：10.1158/2159-8290.CD-15-1200

he identification of genes maintaining cancer growth is critical to our understanding of tumorigenesis. We report the first in vivo genetic screen of patient-derived tumors, using metastatic melanomas and targeting 236 chromatin genes by expression of specific shRNA libraries. Our screens revealed unprecedented numerosity of genes indispensable for tumor growth (similar to 50% of tested genes) and unexpected functional heterogeneity among patients (<15% in common). Notably, these genes were not activated by somatic mutations in the same patients and are therefore distinguished from mutated cancer driver genes. We analyzed underlying molecular mechanisms of one of the identified genes, the Histone-lysine N-methyltransferase KMT2D, and showed that it promotes tumorigenesis by dysregulating a subset of transcriptional enhancers and target genes involved in cell migration. The assembly of enhancer genomic patterns by activated KMT2D was highly patient-specific, regardless of the identity of transcriptional targets, suggesting that KMT2D might be activated by distinct upstream signaling pathways.
SIGNIFICANCE: Drug targeting of biologically relevant cancer-associated mutations is considered a critical strategy to control cancer growth. Our functional in vivo genetic screens of patient-derived tumors showed unprecedented numerosity and interpatient heterogeneity of genes that are essential for tumor growth, but not mutated, suggesting that multiple, patient-specific signaling pathways are activated in tumors.

• 出版日期2016-6