RBFOX2 deregulation promotes pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis through alternative splicing

Michelle Maurin, Mohammadreza Ranjouri, Cristina Megino-Luque, Justin Y. Newberg, Dongliang Du, Katelyn Martin, Robert E. Miner, Mollie S. Prater, Dave Keng Boon Wee, Barbara Centeno, Shondra M. Pruett-Miller, Paul Stewart, Jason B. Fleming, Xiaoqing Yu, Jose Javier Bravo-Cordero, Ernesto Guccione, Michael A. Black, Karen M. Mann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

RNA splicing is an important biological process associated with cancer initiation and progression. However, the contribution of alternative splicing to pancreatic cancer (PDAC) development is not well understood. Here, we identify an enrichment of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) involved in splicing regulation linked to PDAC progression from a forward genetic screen using Sleeping Beauty insertional mutagenesis in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. We demonstrate downregulation of RBFOX2, an RBP of the FOX family, promotes pancreatic cancer progression and liver metastasis. Specifically, we show RBFOX2 regulates exon splicing events in transcripts encoding proteins involved in cytoskeletal remodeling programs. These exons are differentially spliced in PDAC patients, with enhanced exon skipping in the classical subtype for several RBFOX2 targets. RBFOX2 mediated splicing of ABI1, encoding the Abelson-interactor 1 adapter protein, controls the abundance and localization of ABI1 protein isoforms in pancreatic cancer cells and promotes the relocalization of ABI1 from the cytoplasm to the periphery of migrating cells. Using splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) we demonstrate the ABI1 ∆Ex9 isoform enhances cell migration. Together, our data identify a role for RBFOX2 in promoting PDAC progression through alternative splicing regulation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number8444
JournalNature communications
Volume14
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2023
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
  • General Physics and Astronomy

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