Definition of a FoxA1 Cistrome that is Crucial for G1-S Phase Cell-Cycle Transit in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

摘要

The enhancer pioneer transcription factor FoxA1 is a global mediator of steroid receptor (SR) action in hormone-dependent cancers. In castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), FoxA1 acts as an androgen receptor co-factor to drive G2-M phase cell-cycle transit. Here we describe a mechanistically distinct SR-independent role for FoxA1 in driving G1-S phase cell-cycle transit in CRPC. By comparing FoxA1 binding sites in prostate cancer cell genomes, we defined a co-dependent set of FoxA1-MYBL2 and FoxA1-CREB1 binding sites within the regulatory regions of the Cyclin E2 and E2F1 genes that are critical for CRPC growth. Binding at these sites upregulate the Cyclin E2 and Cyclin A2 genes in CRPC but not in earlier stage androgen-dependent prostate cancer (ADPC), establishing a stage-specific role for this pathway in CRPC growth. Mechanistic investigations indicated that FoxA1, MYBL2 or CREB1 induction of histone H3 acetylation facilitated nucleosome disruption as the basis for co-dependent transcriptional activation and G1-S phase cell-cycle transit. Our findings establish FoxA1 as a pivotal driver of the cell-cycle in CRPC which promotes G1-S phase transit as well as G2-M phase transit through two distinct mechanisms.