Silencing of thrombospondin-1 is critical for myc-induced metastatic phenotypes in medulloblastoma

Cancer Res. 2010 Oct 15;70(20):8199-210. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-4562. Epub 2010 Sep 28.

Abstract

Mechanisms by which c-Myc (Myc) amplification confers aggressive medulloblastoma phenotypes are poorly defined. Here, we show using orthotopic models that high Myc expression promotes cell migration/invasion and induces metastatic tumors, which recapitulate aggressive histologic features of Myc-amplified primary human medulloblastoma. Using ChIP-chip analysis, we identified cell migration and adhesion genes, including Tsp-1/THBS1, ING4, PVRL3, and PPAP2B, as Myc-bound loci in medulloblastoma cells. Expression of Tsp-1 was most consistently and robustly diminished in medulloblastoma cell lines and primary human tumors with high Myc expression (n = 101, P = 0.032). Strikingly, stable Tsp-1 expression significantly attenuated in vitro transformation and invasive/migratory properties of high Myc-expressing medulloblastoma cells without altering cell proliferation, whereas RNA interference-mediated Myc knockdown was consistently accompanied by increased Tsp-1 levels and reduced cell migration and invasion in medulloblastoma cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays revealed colocalization of Myc and obligate partner Max and correlated diminished RNA polymerase II occupancy (∼3-fold decrease, P < 0.01) with increased Myc binding at a core Tsp-1 promoter. Reporter gene and/or gel shift assays confirmed direct repression of Tsp-1 transcription by Myc and also identified JPO2, a Myc interactor associated with metastatic medulloblastoma, as a cofactor in Myc-mediated Tsp-1 repression. These findings indicate the Myc-regulatory network targets Tsp-1 via multiple mechanisms in medulloblastoma transformation, and highlight a novel critical role for Tsp-1 in Myc-mediated aggressive medulloblastoma phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Division
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genes, myc*
  • Humans
  • Medulloblastoma / genetics*
  • Medulloblastoma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / genetics*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / methods
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • RNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • RNA, Neoplasm / isolation & purification
  • Thrombospondin 1 / deficiency
  • Thrombospondin 1 / genetics*

Substances

  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc
  • RNA, Neoplasm
  • Thrombospondin 1