CDK12 controls transcription at damaged genes and prevents MYC-induced transcription-replication conflicts.

The identification of genes involved in replicative stress is key to understanding cancer evolution and to identify therapeutic targets. Here, we show that CDK12 prevents transcription-replication conflicts (TRCs) and the activation of cytotoxic replicative stress upon deregulation of the MYC oncogene. CDK12 was recruited at damaged genes by PARP-dependent DDR-signaling and elongation-competent RNAPII, to repress transcription.

Decoding YAP dependent transcription in the liver.

The transcriptional coactivator YAP is emerging as a master regulator of cell growth. In the liver, YAP activity is linked to hepatomegaly, regeneration, dedifferentiation, and aggressive tumor growth. Here we present genomic studies to address how YAP may elicit such profound biological changes in murine models.

EZH2-induced lysine K362 methylation enhances TMPRSS2-ERG oncogenic activity in prostate cancer.

The TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusion is the most frequent alteration observed in human prostate cancer. However, its role in disease progression is still unclear. In this study, we uncover an important mechanism promoting ERG oncogenic activity.

MYC-Induced Replicative Stress: A Double-Edged Sword for Cancer Development and Treatment.

MYC is a transcription factor that controls the expression of a large fraction of cellular genes linked to cell cycle progression, metabolism and differentiation. MYC deregulation in tumors leads to its pervasive genome-wide binding of both promoters and distal regulatory regions, associated with selective transcriptional control of a large fraction of cellular genes. This pairs with alterations of cell cycle control which drive anticipated S-phase entry and reshape the DNA-replication landscape.

Transcriptional integration of mitogenic and mechanical signals by Myc and YAP.

Mammalian cells must integrate environmental cues to determine coherent physiological responses. The transcription factors Myc and YAP-TEAD act downstream from mitogenic signals, with the latter responding also to mechanical cues. Here, we show that these factors coordinately regulate genes required for cell proliferation.

Activation of the Lin28/let-7 Axis by Loss of ESE3/EHF Promotes a Tumorigenic and Stem-like Phenotype in Prostate Cancer.

Although cancer stem-like cells (CSC) are thought to be the most tumorigenic, metastatic, and therapy-resistant cell subpopulation within human tumors, current therapies target bulk tumor cells while tending to spare CSC. In seeking to understand mechanisms needed to acquire and maintain a CSC phenotype in prostate cancer, we investigated connections between the ETS transcription factor ESE3/EHF, the Lin28/let-7 microRNA axis, and the CSC subpopulation in this malignancy. In normal cells, we found that ESE3/EHF bound and repressed promoters for the Lin28A and Lin28B genes while activating transcription and maturation of the let-7 microRNAs.

ESE3/EHF controls epithelial cell differentiation and its loss leads to prostate tumors with mesenchymal and stem-like features.

Cancer stem cells (CSC) play a significant role in tumor progression, disease recurrence, and treatment failure. Here, we show that the endogenously expressed ETS transcription factor ESE3/EHF controls prostate epithelial cell differentiation and stem-like potential. We found that loss of ESE3/EHF induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stem-like features, and tumor-initiating and metastatic properties in prostate epithelial cells, and reexpression of ESE3/EHF inhibited the stem-like properties and tumorigenic potential of prostate cancer cells.