Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Intrinsic BET inhibitor resistance in SPOP-mutated prostate cancer is mediated by BET protein stabilization and AKT-mTORC1 activation

  • Pingzhao Zhang
  • , Dejie Wang
  • , Yu Zhao
  • , Shancheng Ren
  • , Kun Gao
  • , Zhenqing Ye
  • , Shangqian Wang
  • , Chun Wu Pan
  • , Yasheng Zhu
  • , Yuqian Yan
  • , Yinhui Yang
  • , Di Wu
  • , Yundong He
  • , Jun Zhang
  • , Daru Lu
  • , Xiuping Liu
  • , Long Yu
  • , Shimin Zhao
  • , Yao Li
  • , Dong Lin
  • Yuzhuo Wang, Liguo Wang, Yu Chen, Yinghao Sun*, Chenji Wang, Haojie Huang
*Corresponding author for this work
  • Fudan University
  • Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN
  • Nanchang University
  • Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  • Second Military Medical University
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
  • Provincial Health Services Authority

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) protein inhibitors are emerging as promising anticancer therapies. The gene encoding the E3 ubiquitin ligase substrate-binding adaptor speckle-Type POZ protein (SPOP) is the most frequently mutated in primary prostate cancer. Here we demonstrate that wild-Type SPOP binds to and induces ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of BET proteins (BRD2, BRD3 and BRD4) by recognizing a degron motif common among them. In contrast, prostate cancer-Associated SPOP mutants show impaired binding to BET proteins, resulting in decreased proteasomal degradation and accumulation of these proteins in prostate cancer cell lines and patient specimens and causing resistance to BET inhibitors. Transcriptome and BRD4 cistrome analyses reveal enhanced expression of the GTPase RAC1 and cholesterol-biosynthesis-Associated genes together with activation of AKT-mTORC1 signaling as a consequence of BRD4 stabilization. Our data show that resistance to BET inhibitors in SPOP-mutant prostate cancer can be overcome by combination with AKT inhibitors and further support the evaluation of SPOP mutations as biomarkers to guide BET-inhibitor-oriented therapy in patients with prostate cancer.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1055-1062
Number of pages8
JournalNature Medicine
Volume23
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2017
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Intrinsic BET inhibitor resistance in SPOP-mutated prostate cancer is mediated by BET protein stabilization and AKT-mTORC1 activation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this