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The AP-1 transcription factor FOSL1 causes melanocyte reprogramming and transformation

Oncogene volume 36, pages 5110–5121 (2017)Cite this article

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Abstract

The MAPK pathway is activated in the majority of melanomas and is the target of therapeutic approaches. Under normal conditions, it initiates the so-called immediate early response, which encompasses the transient transcription of several genes belonging to the AP-1 transcription factor family. Under pathological conditions, such as continuous MAPK pathway overactivation due to oncogenic alterations occurring in melanoma, these genes are constitutively expressed. The consequences of a permanent expression of these genes are largely unknown. Here, we show that FOSL1 is the main immediate early AP-1 member induced by melanoma oncogenes. We first examined its role in established melanoma cells. We found that FOSL1 is involved in melanoma cell migration as well as cell proliferation and anoikis-independent growth, which is mediated by the gene product of its target gene HMGA1, encoding a multipotent chromatin modifier. As FOSL1 expression is increased in patient melanoma samples compared to nevi, we investigated the effect of enhanced FOSL1 expression on melanocytes. Intriguingly, we found that FOSL1 acts oncogenic and transforms melanocytes, enabling subcutaneous tumor growth in vivo. During the process of transformation, FOSL1 reprogrammed the melanocytes and downregulated MITF in a HMGA1-dependent manner. At the same time, AXL was upregulated, leading to a shift in the MITF/AXL balance. Furthermore, FOSL1 re-enforced pro-tumorigenic transcription factors MYC, E2F3 and AP-1. Together, this led to the enhancement of several growth-promoting processes, such as ribosome biogenesis, cellular detachment and pyrimidine metabolism. Overall, we demonstrate that FOSL1 is a novel reprogramming factor for melanocytes with potent tumor transformation potential.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Melanoma Research Network of the Deutsche Krebshilfe eV (German Cancer Aid) and by the research unit FOR2314, project 5 (German Research Foundation). We are furthermore grateful to Manfred Gessler (Dept of Developmental Biochemistry, University of Würzburg) for providing us with the pSB-ET-iE vector and to Stefan Gaubatz (Dept. of Physiological Chemistry, University of Würzburg) for the E2F3 antibody. We would also like to thank Marie-Christine Dabauvalle (Dept of Zoology and Developmental Biology, University of Würzburg) for sharing the fibrillarin antibody with us.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiological Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    K Maurus, A Hufnagel, F Geiger, S Kneitz, M Schartl & S Meierjohann

  2. Institute of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    K Maurus & E Geissinger

  3. Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich University Hospital (LMU), Munich, Germany

    S Graf & C Berking

  4. Division of Immunology, Paul-Ehrlich Institute, Langen, Germany

    A Heinemann

  5. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Essen/Düsseldorf, Essen, Germany

    A Paschen

  6. Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Division of Electron Microscopy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    C Stigloher

  7. Department of General, Experimental Surgery, Visceral, Vascular, and Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    C Otto

  8. Institute of Biochemistry, Emil-Fischer-Centrum, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany

    A Bosserhoff

  9. Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany

    A Bosserhoff

  10. Comprehensive Cancer Center Mainfranken, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany

    M Schartl & S Meierjohann

  11. Texas A&M Institute for Advanced Studies and Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA,

    M Schartl

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Maurus, K., Hufnagel, A., Geiger, F. et al. The AP-1 transcription factor FOSL1 causes melanocyte reprogramming and transformation. Oncogene 36, 5110–5121 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/onc.2017.135

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