ACTL6A Is Co-Amplified with p63 in Squamous Cell Carcinoma to Drive YAP Activation, Regenerative Proliferation, and Poor Prognosis

Publication date: Available online 29 December 2016
Source:Cancer Cell
Author(s): Srinivas Vinod Saladi, Kenneth Ross, Mihriban Karaayvaz, Purushothama R. Tata, Hongmei Mou, Jayaraj Rajagopal, Sridhar Ramaswamy, Leif W. Ellisen
Loss-of-function mutations in SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling subunit genes are observed in many cancers, but an oncogenic role for SWI/SNF is not well established. Here, we reveal that ACTL6A, encoding an SWI/SNF subunit linked to stem cell and progenitor cell function, is frequently co-amplified and highly expressed together with the p53 family member p63 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). ACTL6A and p63 physically interact, cooperatively controlling a transcriptional program that promotes proliferation and suppresses differentiation, in part through activation of the Hippo-YAP pathway via regulators including WWC1. Ectopic ACTL6A/p63 expression promotes tumorigenesis, while ACTL6A expression and YAP activation are highly correlated in primary HNSCC and predict poor patient survival. Thus, ACTL6A and p63 collaborate as oncogenic drivers in HNSCC.

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Teaser

Saladi et al. show that ACTL6A, which encodes an SWI/SNF subunit, is frequently amplified and highly expressed together with TP63 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). ACTL6A and p63 coordinately regulate key genes, including WWC1, to dictate oncogenic YAP activity and patient outcomes in HNSCC.


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