BRD9 Is a Critical Regulator of Androgen Receptor Signaling and Prostate Cancer Progression

Cancer Res. 2021 Feb 15;81(4):820-833. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-20-1417. Epub 2020 Dec 21.

Abstract

Switch/sucrose-nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complexes are critical regulators of chromatin dynamics during transcription, DNA replication, and DNA repair. A recently identified SWI/SNF subcomplex termed GLTSCR1/1L-BAF (GBAF; or "noncanonical BAF", ncBAF) uniquely contains bromodomain-containing protein BRD9 and glioma tumor suppressor candidate region 1 (GLTSCR1) or its paralog GLTSCR1-like (GLTSCR1L). Recent studies have identified a unique dependency on GBAF (ncBAF) complexes in synovial sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumors, both of which possess aberrations in canonical BAF (cBAF) and Polybromo-BAF (PBAF) complexes. Dependencies on GBAF in malignancies without SWI/SNF aberrations, however, are less defined. Here, we show that GBAF, particularly its BRD9 subunit, is required for the viability of prostate cancer cell lines in vitro and for optimal xenograft tumor growth in vivo. BRD9 interacts with androgen receptor (AR) and CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF), and modulates AR-dependent gene expression. The GBAF complex exhibits overlapping genome localization and transcriptional targets as bromodomain and extraterminal domain-containing (BET) proteins, which are established AR coregulators. Our results demonstrate that GBAF is critical for coordinating SWI/SNF-BET cooperation and uncover a new druggable target for AR-positive prostate cancers, including those resistant to androgen deprivation or antiandrogen therapies. SIGNIFICANCE: Advanced prostate cancers resistant to androgen receptor antagonists are still susceptible to nontoxic BRD9 inhibitors, making them a promising alternative for halting AR signaling in progressed disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • PC-3 Cells
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / pharmacology
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists
  • BRD9 protein, human
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Transcription Factors