MYEOV increases HES1 expression and promotes pancreatic cancer progression by enhancing SOX9 transactivity

Oncogene. 2020 Oct;39(41):6437-6450. doi: 10.1038/s41388-020-01443-4. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that myeloma overexpressed (MYEOV) is an oncogene and plays crucial roles in multiple human cancers. However, its roles in the development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain elusive. Here, we provide evidence of essential roles of MYEOV in the development and progression of PDAC. In tumor specimens derived from pancreatic cancer patients, MYEOV was overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis. In addition, MYEOV expression in PDAC was upregulated through promoter hypomethylation. MYEOV depletion impaired metastatic ability and proliferation of PDAC cells both in vitro and in vivo, whereas its overexpression had the opposite effect. Mechanistic investigations revealed that MYEOV interacted with SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9 (SOX9), a well-known oncogenic transcription factor in PDAC. This interaction occurred mainly in the nuclei of PDAC cells and increased transcriptional activity of SOX9. Furthermore, MYEOV promoted the expression of Hairy and enhancer of split homolog-1 (HES1), a SOX9 target gene, by enhancing SOX9 DNA-binding ability to the HES1 enhancer without affecting the protein level and subcellular localization of SOX9. HES1 knockdown partly abrogated the oncogenic effect of MYEOV. Our findings suggest that MYEOV could be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PDAC.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / mortality
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / pathology*
  • Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / surgery
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Pancreas / pathology
  • Pancreas / surgery
  • Pancreatectomy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / mortality
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Prognosis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor HES-1 / genetics*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • MYEOV protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • SOX9 protein, human
  • Transcription Factor HES-1
  • HES1 protein, human