The PP2A-Integrator-CDK9 axis fine-tunes transcription and can be targeted therapeutically in cancer.
Cell
; 184(12): 3143-3162.e32, 2021 06 10.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34004147
Gene expression by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) is tightly controlled by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) at discrete checkpoints during the transcription cycle. The pausing checkpoint following transcription initiation is primarily controlled by CDK9. We discovered that CDK9-mediated, RNAPII-driven transcription is functionally opposed by a protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) complex that is recruited to transcription sites by the Integrator complex subunit INTS6. PP2A dynamically antagonizes phosphorylation of key CDK9 substrates including DSIF and RNAPII-CTD. Loss of INTS6 results in resistance to tumor cell death mediated by CDK9 inhibition, decreased turnover of CDK9 phospho-substrates, and amplification of acute oncogenic transcriptional responses. Pharmacological PP2A activation synergizes with CDK9 inhibition to kill both leukemic and solid tumor cells, providing therapeutic benefit in vivo. These data demonstrate that fine control of gene expression relies on the balance between kinase and phosphatase activity throughout the transcription cycle, a process dysregulated in cancer that can be exploited therapeutically.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Transcription, Genetic
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RNA-Binding Proteins
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Tumor Suppressor Proteins
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 9
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Protein Phosphatase 2
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Molecular Targeted Therapy
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Neoplasms
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Cell
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Country of publication:
Estados Unidos