AML1/ETO trans-activates c-KIT expression through the long range interaction between promoter and intronic enhancer.

The AML1/ETO onco-fusion protein is crucial for the genesis of t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is well documented as a transcriptional repressor through dominant-negative effect. However, little is known about the transactivation mechanism of AML1/ETO. Through large cohort of patient's expression level data analysis and a series of experimental validation, we report here that AML1/ETO transactivates c-KIT expression through directly binding to and mediating the long-range interaction between the promoter and intronic enhancer regions of c-KIT. Gene expression analyses verify that c-KIT expression is significantly high in t(8;21) AML. Further ChIP-seq analysis and motif scanning identify two regulatory regions located in the promoter and intronic enhancer region of c-KIT, respectively. Both regions are enriched by co-factors of AML1/ETO, such as AML1, CEBPe, c-Jun, and c-Fos. Further luciferase reporter assays show that AML1/ETO trans-activates c-KIT promoter activity through directly recognizing the AML1 motif and the co-existence of co-factors. The induction of c-KIT promoter activity is reinforced with the existence of intronic enhancer region. Furthermore, ChIP-3C-qPCR assays verify that AML1/ETO mediates the formation of DNA-looping between the c-KIT promoter and intronic enhancer region through the long-range interaction. Collectively, our data uncover a novel transcriptional activity mechanism of AML1/ETO and enrich our knowledge of the onco-fusion protein mediated transcription regulation.

Tian Y ，Wang G ，Hu Q ，Xiao X ，Chen S ... -  《-》

RUNX1-ETO Depletion in t(8;21) AML Leads to C/EBPα- and AP-1-Mediated Alterations in Enhancer-Promoter Interaction.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with mutations in transcriptional and epigenetic regulator genes impairing myeloid differentiation. The t(8;21)(q22;q22) translocation generates the RUNX1-ETO fusion protein, which interferes with the hematopoietic master regulator RUNX1. We previously showed that the maintenance of t(8;21) AML is dependent on RUNX1-ETO expression. Its depletion causes extensive changes in transcription factor binding, as well as gene expression, and initiates myeloid differentiation. However, how these processes are connected within a gene regulatory network is unclear. To address this question, we performed Promoter-Capture Hi-C assays, with or without RUNX1-ETO depletion and assigned interacting cis-regulatory elements to their respective genes. To construct a RUNX1-ETO-dependent gene regulatory network maintaining AML, we integrated cis-regulatory element interactions with gene expression and transcription factor binding data. This analysis shows that RUNX1-ETO participates in cis-regulatory element interactions. However, differential interactions following RUNX1-ETO depletion are driven by alterations in the binding of RUNX1-ETO-regulated transcription factors.

Ptasinska A ，Pickin A ，Assi SA ，Chin PS ，Ames L ，Avellino R ，Gröschel S ，Delwel R ，Cockerill PN ，Osborne CS ，Bonifer C ... -  《Cell Reports》

Epigenetic Silencing of Eyes Absent 4 Gene by Acute Myeloid Leukemia 1-Eight-twenty-one Oncoprotein Contributes to Leukemogenesis in t(8;21) Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Huang S ，Jiang MM ，Chen GF ，Qian K ，Gao HH ，Guan W ，Shi JL ，Liu AQ ，Liu J ，Wang BH ，Li YH ，Yu L ... -  《-》

MEIS2 Is an Oncogenic Partner in AML1-ETO-Positive AML.

Homeobox genes are known to be key factors in leukemogenesis. Although the TALE family homeodomain factor Meis1 has been linked to malignancy, a role for MEIS2 is less clear. Here, we demonstrate that MEIS2 is expressed at high levels in patients with AML1-ETO-positive acute myeloid leukemia and that growth of AML1-ETO-positive leukemia depends on MEIS2 expression. In mice, MEIS2 collaborates with AML1-ETO to induce acute myeloid leukemia. MEIS2 binds strongly to the Runt domain of AML1-ETO, indicating a direct interaction between these transcription factors. High expression of MEIS2 impairs repressive DNA binding of AML1-ETO, inducing increased expression of genes such as the druggable proto-oncogene YES1. Collectively, these data describe a pivotal role for MEIS2 in AML1-ETO-induced leukemia.

Vegi NM ，Klappacher J ，Oswald F ，Mulaw MA ，Mandoli A ，Thiel VN ，Bamezai S ，Feder K ，Martens JHA ，Rawat VPS ，Mandal T ，Quintanilla-Martinez L ，Spiekermann K ，Hiddemann W ，Döhner K ，Döhner H ，Stunnenberg HG ，Feuring-Buske M ，Buske C ... -  《Cell Reports》

Chromatin modifications induced by the AML1-ETO fusion protein reversibly silence its genomic targets through AML1 and Sp1 binding motifs.

Maiques-Diaz A ，Chou FS ，Wunderlich M ，Gómez-López G ，Jacinto FV ，Rodriguez-Perales S ，Larrayoz MJ ，Calasanz MJ ，Mulloy JC ，Cigudosa JC ，Alvarez S ... -  《-》