Abstract

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the regulation of breast cancer initiation and progression. LncRNAs are differentially expressed in breast cancer subtypes. Basal-like breast cancers are generally poorly differentiated tumors, are enriched in embryonic stem cell signatures, lack expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and HER2 (triple-negative breast cancer), and show activation of proliferation-associated factors. We hypothesized that lncRNAs are key regulators of basal breast cancers. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas, we identified lncRNAs that are overexpressed in basal tumors compared to other breast cancer subtypes and expressed in at least 10% of patients. Remarkably, we identified lncRNAs whose expression correlated with patient prognosis. We then evaluated the function of a subset of lncRNA candidates in the oncogenic process in vitro. Here, we report the identification and characterization of the chromatin-associated lncRNA, RP11-19E11.1, which is upregulated in 40% of basal primary breast cancers. Gene set enrichment analysis in primary tumors and in cell lines uncovered a correlation between RP11-19E11.1 expression level and the E2F oncogenic pathway. We show that this lncRNA is chromatin-associated and an E2F1 target, and its expression is necessary for cancer cell proliferation and survival. Finally, we used lncRNA expression levels as a tool for drug discovery in vitro, identifying protein kinase C (PKC) as a potential therapeutic target for a subset of basal-like breast cancers. Our findings suggest that lncRNA overexpression is clinically relevant. Understanding deregulated lncRNA expression in basal-like breast cancer may lead to potential prognostic and therapeutic applications.

Details

Title
LncRNA RP11-19E11 is an E2F1 target required for proliferation and survival of basal breast cancer
Author
Giro-Perafita, A 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Luo, L 1 ; Khodadadi-Jamayran, A 2 ; Thompson, M 1 ; Oksuz, B Akgol 3 ; Tsirigos, A 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Dynlacht, B D 5 ; Sánchez, I 5 ; Esteva, F J 1 

 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Perlmutter Cancer Center, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA 
 Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 
 Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Program in Systems Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, USA 
 Applied Bioinformatics Laboratories, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 
 Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA 
Pages
1-14
Publication year
2020
Publication date
2020
Publisher
Nature Publishing Group
e-ISSN
23744677
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2333915186
Copyright
© 2020. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.