The RNA-binding protein SERBP1 functions as a novel oncogenic factor in glioblastoma by bridging cancer metabolism and epigenetic regulation

Adam Kosti, Patricia Rosa De Araujo, Wei Qing Li, Gabriela D.A. Guardia, Jennifer Chiou, Caihong Yi, Debashish Ray, Fabiana Meliso, Yi Ming Li, Talia Delambre, Mei Qiao, Suzanne S. Burns, Franziska K. Lorbeer, Fanny Georgi, Markus Flosbach, Sarah Klinnert, Anne Jenseit, Xiufen Lei, Carolina Romero Sandoval, Kevin HaHong Zheng, Renu Pandey, Aleksandra Gruslova, Yogesh K. Gupta, Andrew Brenner, Erzsebet Kokovay, Timothy R. Hughes, Quaid D. Morris, Pedro A.F. Galante, Stefano Tiziani, Luiz O.F. Penalva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

59 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) function as master regulators of gene expression. Alterations in RBP expression and function are often observed in cancer and influence critical pathways implicated in tumor initiation and growth. Identification and characterization of oncogenic RBPs and their regulatory networks provide new opportunities for targeted therapy. Results: We identify the RNA-binding protein SERBP1 as a novel regulator of glioblastoma (GBM) development. High SERBP1 expression is prevalent in GBMs and correlates with poor patient survival and poor response to chemo- and radiotherapy. SERBP1 knockdown causes delay in tumor growth and impacts cancer-relevant phenotypes in GBM and glioma stem cell lines. RNAcompete identifies a GC-rich region as SERBP1-binding motif; subsequent genomic and functional analyses establish SERBP1 regulation role in metabolic routes preferentially used by cancer cells. An important consequence of these functions is SERBP1 impact on methionine production. SERBP1 knockdown decreases methionine levels causing a subsequent reduction in histone methylation as shown for H3K27me3 and upregulation of genes associated with neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, and function. Further analysis demonstrates that several of these genes are downregulated in GBM, potentially through epigenetic silencing as indicated by the presence of H3K27me3 sites. Conclusions: SERBP1 is the first example of an RNA-binding protein functioning as a central regulator of cancer metabolism and indirect modulator of epigenetic regulation in GBM. By bridging these two processes, SERBP1 enhances glioma stem cell phenotypes and contributes to GBM poorly differentiated state.

Original languageEnglish
Article number195
JournalGenome Biology
Volume21
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 Aug 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer metabolism
  • Epigenetic regulation
  • GBM
  • One carbon cycle
  • RNA-binding protein
  • SERBP1

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