Selective Enhancer Gain of Function Deregulates MYC Expression in Multiple Myeloma.
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Abstract | MYC deregulation occurs in the majority of multiple myeloma (MM) cases and is associated with progression and worse prognosis. Enhanced MYC expression occurs in about 70% of MM patients, but it is known to be driven by translocation or amplification events in only ~40% of myelomas. Here, we used CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) to uncover an epigenetic mechanism of MYC regulation whereby increased accessibility of a plasma cell-type specific enhancer leads to increased MYC expression. This native enhancer activity was not associated with enhancer hijacking events but led to specific binding of c-MAF, IRF4, and SPIB transcription factors that activated MYC expression in the absence of known genetic aberrations. In addition, focal amplification was another mechanism of activation of this enhancer in approximately 3.4% of MM patients. Together, these findings define an epigenetic mechanism of MYC deregulation in MM beyond known translocations or amplifications and point to the importance of non-coding regulatory elements and their associated transcription factor networks as drivers of MM progression. |
Year of Publication | 2024
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Journal | Cancer research
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Date Published | 09/2024
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ISSN | 1538-7445
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DOI | 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-24-1440
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PubMed ID | 39312195
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