Loss of the tumor suppressor BTG3 drives a pro-angiogenic tumor microenvironment through HIF-1 activation

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Dec 11;11(12):1046. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-03248-5.

Abstract

B-cell translocation gene 3 (BTG3) is a member of the antiproliferative BTG gene family and is a downstream target of p53. Here, we show that senescence triggered by BTG3 depletion was accompanied by a secretome enriched with cytokines, growth factors, and matrix-remodeling enzymes, which could promote angiogenesis and cell scattering in vitro. We present evidence that at least part of these activities can be explained by elevated HIF-1α activity. Mechanistically, the BTG3 C-terminal domain competes with the coactivator p300 for binding the HIF-1α transactivation domain. The angiogenic promoting effect of BTG3 knockdown was largely diminished upon co-depletion of HIF-1α, indicating that HIF-1α is a major downstream target of BTG3 in the control of angiogenesis. In vivo, ectopic expression of BTG3 suppresses angiogenesis in xenograft tumors; and syngenic tumor growth and metastasis were enhanced in Btg3-null mice. Moreover, analysis of clinical datasets revealed that a higher BTG3/VEGFA expression ratio correlates with improved patient survival in a number of cancer types. Taken together, our findings highlight the non-autonomous regulation of tumor microenvironment by BTG3 while suppressing tumor progression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / deficiency*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / genetics
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms / blood supply
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic
  • Protein Binding
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tumor Microenvironment* / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / deficiency*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • BTG3 protein, human
  • Btg3 protein, mouse
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A