Fosl1 is a transcriptional effector of BRAF V600E-driven intestinal tumorigenesis.
The serrated neoplasia pathway is an alternate route to colorectal cancer (CRC) development where BRAF V600E is the most common initiating genetic alteration. BRAFV600E-driven tumorigenesis requires gene expression changes mediated by activation of the ERK MAPK signaling pathway. However, the key effectors of this process are elusive. Here, we identify the ERK-regulated transcription factor Fosl1, one such effector. We show that Fosl1 is dispensable for the initiation of BRAFV600E-driven serrated neoplasia in mice but promotes progression of the disease by regulating the expression of genes involved in inflammation, immunity, cell cycle control, fetal-like programming, and gastric metaplasia. Notably, transgenic Fosl1 expression alone was sufficient to induce tumors with a BRAF V600E-like serrated morphology and transcriptional profile. These findings reveal a mechanism through which oncogenic BRAF-driven ERK signaling reprograms transcription to drive serrated neoplasia.
Authors
Alam Alam, Nightingale Nightingale, Lesmana Lesmana, Liu Liu, Jenkins Jenkins, Richardson Richardson, Croft Croft, Luk Luk, Reehorst Reehorst, Chionh Chionh, Vukelic Vukelic, Basheer Basheer, Tulchinsky Tulchinsky, Badshah Badshah, Dumenil Dumenil, Bakiri Bakiri, Wagner Wagner, Tebbutt Tebbutt, Whitehall Whitehall, Mariadason Mariadason, Dhillon Dhillon
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