Acetyltransferase Domain Research Articles

Global Lysine Crotonylation Alterations of Host Cell Proteins Caused by Brucella Effector BspF.

In Brucella spp., the type IV secretion system (T4SS) is essential for bacterial intracellular survival and inhibition of the host innate immune response. The Brucella T4SS secretes 15 different effectors to escape host immunity and promote intracellular replication. Among them, BspF has a GNAT-family acetyltransferase domain, implying its acetyltransferase activity. We confirmed that BspF has acetyltransferase activity (data not shown) and de-crotonyltransferase activity. However, BspF overexpressed in HEK-293T cells can also enhance octamer crotonylation in vitro. Then we enriched crotonylated proteins and conducted LC-MS to study the crotonylation changes of proteins in HEK-293T cells caused by BspF overexpression. A total of 5,559 crotonylation sites were identified on 1,525 different proteins, of which 331 sites on 265 proteins were significantly changed. We found that Rab9A and RAP1B in proteomics data have a great impact on Brucella survival, so we speculate that BspF may influence the function of host proteins by altering crotonylation, thereby promoting the intracellular propagation of Brucella.

Loss of O-GlcNAcase catalytic activity leads to defects in mouse embryogenesis

O-GlcNAcylation is an essential post-translational modification that has been implicated in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. O-GlcNAcase (OGA), the sole enzyme catalyzing the removal of O-GlcNAc from proteins, has emerged as a potential drug target. OGA consists of an N-terminal OGA catalytic domain and a C-terminal pseudo histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain with unknown function. To investigate phenotypes specific to loss of OGA catalytic activity and dissect the role of the HAT domain, we generated a constitutive knock-in mouse line, carrying a mutation of a catalytic aspartic acid to alanine. These mice showed perinatal lethality and abnormal embryonic growth with skewed Mendelian ratios after day E18.5. We observed tissue-specific changes in O-GlcNAc homeostasis regulation to compensate for loss of OGA activity. Using X-ray microcomputed tomography on late gestation embryos, we identified defects in the kidney, brain, liver, and stomach. Taken together, our data suggest that developmental defects during gestation may arise upon prolonged OGA inhibition specifically because of loss of OGA catalytic activity and independent of the function of the HAT domain.

Elucidating the protein substrate recognition of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) toward O-GlcNAcase (OGA) using a GlcNAc electrophilic probe

The essential human O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) transferase (OGT) is the sole enzyme responsible for modifying thousands of intracellular proteins with the monosaccharide O-GlcNAc. This unique modification plays crucial roles in human health and disease, but the substrate recognition of OGT remains poorly understood. Intriguingly, the only human enzyme reported to remove this modification, O-GlcNAcase (OGA), is O-GlcNAc modified. Here, we exploited a GlcNAc electrophilic probe (GEP1A) to rapidly screen OGT mutants in a fluorescence assay that can discriminate between altered OGT-sugar and -protein substrate binding to help elucidate the binding mode of OGT toward OGA protein substrate. Since OGT tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain plays a key role in OGT-OGA binding, we screened 30 OGT TPR mutants, which revealed 15 “ladder like” asparagine or aspartate residues spanning TPRs 3–7 and 10–13.5 that affect OGA O-GlcNAcylation. By applying a truncated OGA construct, we found that OGA's N-terminal region or pseudo histone acetyltransferase domain is not required for its O-GlcNAcylation, suggesting OGT functionally interacts with OGA through its catalytic and/or stalk domains. This work represents the first effort to systemically investigate each OGT TPR and our findings will facilitate the development of new strategies to investigate the role of substrate-specific O-GlcNAcylation.

Recurrent Crebbp Mutations in Follicular Lymphoma Appear Localized to the Committed B-Cell Lineage

Background: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is genetically characterized by translocations involving the BCL2 locus on chromosome 18q21. However, up to 70% of healthy individuals also carry detectable t(14;18)-positive cells, suggesting BCL2 translocation is critical but not sufficient for FL development. Chromatin modifying genes (CMGs) including KMT2D, CREBBP, EZH2, and EP300 are almost ubiquitously mutated in FL. We previously reported the direct characterization by ultra-deep sequencing of pre-diagnostic blood and tissue specimens from 19 subjects who ultimately developed FL. CREBBP lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) domain mutations were the most commonly observed precursor lesions, detected in blood a median of 7.5 years before diagnosis in patients developing FL (8/19, 42%) but not in healthy adults with or without detected BCL2 translocations (0/13, p=0.01 and 0/20, p<0.001, respectively) (Schroers-Martin et al, ASH Annual Meeting 2017). While the BCL2 translocation is thought to occur in pre-B-cell precursors in the bone marrow, the high prevalence of CMG mutations raises the possibility that, analogous to myeloid age-related clonal hematopoiesis, such early lesions could occur in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) rather than in the committed B-cell lineage. Methods: To address this question of mutational hierarchy, we studied blood, bone marrow aspirate, and lymph node samples from 6 patients with CREBBP or KMT2D mutations in their FL tumor. We analyzed flow-sorted purified hematopoietic cell populations by deep sequencing, including isotype-specific mature B-cell, mature T-cell, and precursor populations encompassing HSCs and common lymphoid progenitors (CLPs). Patients additionally underwent routine clinical sequencing of tumor biopsy and marrow specimens. Results: Bulk sequencing of a diagnostic bone marrow aspirate from patient FL002 revealed a CREBBP mutation concordant with FL tumor biopsy. To ascertain the population bearing this mutation, we sorted to high purity viable marrow aspirate cells (Fig. A). The CREBBP mutation was confirmed in the mature B-cell compartment at an AF of 40.3% but was not detected in other cell populations. To validate this finding, a similar sorting strategy was employed on viable bone marrow aspirate or peripheral blood samples from another 4 FL patients bearing CREBBP mutations (Fig B). In each case, CREBBP was absent from the CD34+ precursor population. In patient CIML004 a characteristic KMT2D stop mutation was likewise absent in precursors. An atypical case sheds additional light on the localization of early FL mutations. Patient LYM267 was diagnosed with Grade 1-2 FL bearing CREBBP and NRAS mutations. Eight years into a prolonged remission after chemoimmunotherapy, he developed cutaneous and gingival myeloid sarcoma without radiographic or histopathological evidence of FL recurrence. While the CREBBP mutation was not detected in myeloid sarcoma or bone marrow biopsies, concordant NRAS mutations and clonal VDJ rearrangements were seen in all 3 compartments (Fig. C). This unusual clonal lineage favors the occurrence of the CREBBP mutation later than the branch point between morphologically distinct lymphoid and myeloid tumors, likely in the committed B-cell lineage after pre-BCR rearrangements (Fig D). Conclusions: HSCs are believed to be the cell of origin in several lymphoid leukemias, and mouse models have demonstrated lymphoma development with induced CREBBP lesions in HSCs (Horton et al Nat Cell Bio 2017). However, in sorted hematopoietic cell populations from marrow and peripheral blood, we observed CREBBP mutations in B-cell lineages but never in CD34+/CD20- precursor populations or paired lymphoid/myeloid disease. Our data therefore are not in support of HSCs as a precursor reservoir in FL. Given that cells harboring the t(14;18) translocation in healthy individuals appear derived from the germinal center, recurrent mutations in CREBBP are likely to occur after the pre-B-cell stage. Figure Disclosures Kurtz: Genentech: Consultancy; Foresight Diagnostics: Other: Ownership; Roche: Consultancy. Khodadoust:Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy. Nadel:Innate Pharma: Research Funding; Institut Roche: Research Funding. Diehn:RefleXion: Consultancy; Varian Medical Systems: Research Funding; Illumina: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; BioNTech: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy. Roulland:Celgene/BMS: Research Funding; Roche: Honoraria. Alizadeh:Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Chugai: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Pfizer: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy.

Abstract IA25: CREBBP: Not all mutations are created equal

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) and the EZB/C3 subtype of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) are characterized by frequent mutations of chromatin-modifying genes, including KMT2D, CREBBP, and EZH2. Genomic analysis of serial biopsies from FL patients has allowed the reconstruction of evolutionary phylogenies and highlighted CREBBP mutations as occurring predominantly as early events in disease evolution and residing within common progenitor cells that seed relapse. Patient tumor cells with CREBBP mutations have significantly reduced MHC class II expression and perturbed T-cell responses to tumor, suggesting a role for CREBBP mutations in driving immune evasion. Knock-out and knock-down studies of Crebbp confirmed its tumor-suppressor function in animal models, but uncovered some differences compared to the phenotypes observed in association with CREBBP mutations in primary tumors. Mutations of CREBBP most often encode missense amino acid substitutions within the catalytic lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) domain rather than nonsense/frameshift variants that result in a loss of protein expression. Here I will discuss recently published and unpublished data regarding the function of CREBBP mutations in B-cell lymphoma, functional differences between classes of mutations (KAT domain missense vs. nonsense/frameshift) and between different mutational hotspots within the KAT domain. Furthermore, I will discuss how these functional insights provide a rationale for targeted therapeutic strategies in B-cell lymphoma. Citation Format: Michael R. Green. CREBBP: Not all mutations are created equal [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Meeting: Advances in Malignant Lymphoma; 2020 Aug 17-19. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Blood Cancer Discov 2020;1(3_Suppl):Abstract nr IA25.

Crystal structure of GCN5 PCAF N-terminal domain reveals atypical ubiquitin ligase structure

General control nonderepressible 5 (GCN5, also known as Kat2a) and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF, also known as Kat2b) are two homologous acetyltransferases. Both proteins share similar domain architecture consisting of a PCAF N-terminal (PCAF_N) domain, acetyltransferase domain, and a bromodomain. PCAF also acts as a ubiquitin E3 ligase whose activity is attributable to the PCAF_N domain, but its structural aspects are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrated that GCN5 exhibited ubiquitination activity in a similar manner to PCAF and its activity was supported by the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5. Moreover, we determined the crystal structure of the PCAF_N domain at 1.8 Å resolution and found that PCAF_N domain folds into a helical structure with a characteristic binuclear zinc region, which was not predicted from sequence analyses. The zinc region is distinct from known E3 ligase structures, suggesting this region may form a new class of E3 ligase. Our biochemical and structural study provides new insight into not only the functional significance of GCN5 but also into ubiquitin biology.

Computational insights into the binding mode of curcumin analogues against EP300 HAT domain as potent acetyltransferase inhibitors

Acetylation plays a key role in maintaining and balancing cellular regulation and homeostasis. Acetyltransferases are an important class of enzymes which mediate this acetylation process. EP300 is a type 3 major lysine (K) acetyl transferase, and its aberrant activity is implicated in many human diseases. Hence, targeting EP300 mediated acetylation is a necessary step to control the associated diseases. Currently, a few EP300 inhibitors are known, among which curcumin is the most widely investigated molecule. However, due to its instability, chemical aggregation and reactivity, its inhibitory activity against the EP300 acetyltransferase domain is disputable. To address this curcumin problem, different curcumin analogues have been synthesized. These molecules were selected for screening against the EP300 acetyltransferase domain using in silico docking and MD analysis. We have successfully elucidated that the curcumin analogue CNB001 is a potential EP300 inhibitor with good drug-like characteristics.

Screening of a large Rubinstein–Taybi cohort identified many novel variants and emphasizes the importance of the CREBBP histone acetyltransferase domain

Pathogenic variants within the CREBBP and EP300 genes account for the majority of individuals with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RSTS). Data are presented from a large cohort of 395 individuals referred for diagnostic testing of CREBBP, and of the 19 CREBBP missense variants classified as likely pathogenic in this study, 17 were within the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, providing evidence that this domain is critical to the normal function of the CREBBP protein (CBP). The data presented here, combined with other published results, suggest that the presence of a missense variant within the CBP HAT domain can be considered as moderate evidence of pathogenicity in the context of official variant interpretation guidelines. Within our study cohort, 129 had a pathogenic or likely pathogenic CREBBP variant and 5 had a variant of uncertain significance (VUS) which warranted familial studies. 147 of the remaining probands were also screened for EP300 and a further 16 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified, plus one VUS. Therefore, this analysis has provided a molecular diagnosis in at least 145 individuals with RSTS (37%) and identified a wide range of variants (n = 133) of which 103 were novel.

Enhancer RNAs predict enhancer-gene regulatory links and are critical for enhancer function in neuronal systems.

Genomic enhancer elements regulate gene expression programs important for neuronal fate and function and are implicated in brain disease states. Enhancers undergo bidirectional transcription to generate non-coding enhancer RNAs (eRNAs). However, eRNA function remains controversial. Here, we combined Assay for Transposase-Accessible Chromatin using Sequencing (ATAC-Seq) and RNA-Seq datasets from three distinct neuronal culture systems in two activity states, enabling genome-wide enhancer identification and prediction of putative enhancer–gene pairs based on correlation of transcriptional output. Notably, stimulus-dependent enhancer transcription preceded mRNA induction, and CRISPR-based activation of eRNA synthesis increased mRNA at paired genes, functionally validating enhancer–gene predictions. Focusing on enhancers surrounding the Fos gene, we report that targeted eRNA manipulation bidirectionally modulates Fos mRNA, and that Fos eRNAs directly interact with the histone acetyltransferase domain of the enhancer-linked transcriptional co-activator CREB-binding protein (CBP). Together, these results highlight the unique role of eRNAs in neuronal gene regulation and demonstrate that eRNAs can be used to identify putative target genes.

Abstract 4669: Pharmacologic inhibition of CBP/p300 suppresses estrogen-induced gene expression and proliferation in ER+ luminal breast cancer cells

Abstract Luminal breast cancer, defined by the expression of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), comprises nearly two thirds of all breast cancer cases and most patients with breast cancer die of this subtype. ERα is a steroid nuclear receptor that functions as a transcription factor to upregulate genes such as MYC that are involved in cell cycle progression. Antagonists of ERα are the standard of care treatment for ER+ luminal breast cancer, but resistance to these antagonists in advanced patients is a major clinical issue. Therefore, there is an unmet medical need to develop more effective therapies for treating ER+ breast cancer. CBP/p300 are two paralogous acetyltransferases that catalyze histone acetylation at enhancers and promoters to activate gene expression. They serve as transcriptional co-activators for several oncogenic signaling pathways, including the pro-growth androgen and estrogen signaling pathways in cancer. Due to their emerging role in promoting tumor growth, the oncogenic functions of CBP/p300 and means of their pharmacologic inhibition are under intense investigation for developing potential therapeutics for cancer treatment. CBP/p300's acetyltransferase (HAT) domain and their bromodomain represent tractable drug targets and potent and specific small molecule inhibitors have been developed for both. However, the pharmacologic effects and anticancer efficacy of these compounds in breast cancer remain largely unexplored. Previous research shows that CBP/p300 serve as co-activators for ERα and are responsible for catalyzing Histone 3, lysine 18 and 27 acetylation (H3K18ac and H3K27ac) at ERα target genes. We hypothesize that CBP/p300 are critical for ERα function in driving oncogene expression and their pharmacologic inhibition will block ERα-mediated gene expression underpinning the tumor growth of luminal breast cancer. In support of our hypothesis, we report that small molecule inhibitors of the CBP/p300 HAT domain and bromodomain strongly inhibit estrogen- induced MYC expression and prevent colony formation in vitro of a panel of ER+ cell lines. Furthermore, inhibition of CBP/p300 also downregulates ERα activity in a luciferase assay using a construct driven by the conical ERα-binding DNA sequence. H3K27ac ChIP-seq data in the ER+ luminal breast cancer MCF-7 cells indicate that pharmacologic inhibition of CBP/p300 catalytic function blocks specific enhancer function. Our study suggests pharmacologically targeting CBP/p300 may be an effective strategy for treating luminal breast cancer. (Supported by James and Esther King Biomedical Research Program, and Bankhead-Coley Cancer Research Program, Florida Department of Health) Citation Format: Aaron Richard Waddell, Iqbal Mahmud, Zhiguang Huo, Daiqing Liao. Pharmacologic inhibition of CBP/p300 suppresses estrogen-induced gene expression and proliferation in ER+ luminal breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4669.

CBP-mediated Slug acetylation stabilizes Slug and promotes EMT and migration of breast cancer cells.

Slug, a member of the Snail family of transcriptional repressors, plays a key role in cancer progression, cellular plasticity, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). Slug is a fast-turnover protein and its stability is controlled by post-translational modifications. Here, we identified that Slug is acetylated by acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP) in breast cancer cells. CBP directly interacts with the C-terminal domain of Slug through its catalytic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain, leading to acetylation of Slug at lysines 166 and 211. Analysis with acetylation-specific antibodies revealed that Slug is highly acetylated in metastatic breast cancer cells. Notably, Slug acetylation, mediated by CBP at lysines 166 and 211, doubles its half-life and increases its stability. Further, acetylated Slug downregulates the expression of E-cadherin, the epithelial marker, and upregulates the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin, thereby promoting breast cancer cell migration. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that CBP-mediated Slug acetylation increases its stability, promoting EMT and migration of breast cancer cells.

The SAGA continues: The rise of cis- and trans-histone crosstalk pathways

Fueled by key technological innovations during the last several decades, chromatin-based research has greatly advanced our mechanistic understanding of how genes are regulated by epigenetic factors and their associated histone-modifying activities. Most notably, the landmark finding that linked histone acetylation by Gcn5 of the Spt–Ada–Gcn5–acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex to gene activation ushered in a new area of chromatin research and a realization that histone-modifying activities have integral genome functions. This review will discuss past and recent studies that have shaped our understanding of how the histone-modifying activities of SAGA are regulated by, and modulate the outcomes of, other histone modifications during gene transcription. Because much of our understanding of SAGA was established with budding yeast, we will focus on yeast as a model. We discuss the actions of cis- and trans-histone crosstalk pathways that involve the histone acetyltransferase, deubiquitylase, and reader domains of SAGA. We conclude by considering unanswered questions about SAGA and related complexes.

CARM1 inhibition reduces histone acetyltransferase activity causing synthetic lethality in CREBBP/EP300-mutated lymphomas.

Somatic mutations affecting CREBBP and EP300 are a hallmark of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). These mutations are frequently monoallelic, within the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain and usually mutually exclusive, suggesting that they might affect a common pathway and their residual WT expression is required for cell survival. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we found that inhibition of CARM1 activity (CARM1i) slows DLBCL growth and that the levels of sensitivity are positively correlated with the CREBBP/EP300 mutation load. Conversely, treatment of DLBCLs that do not have CREBBP/EP300 mutations with CARM1i and a CBP/p300 inhibitor revealed a strong synergistic effect. Our mechanistic data show that CARM1i further reduces the HAT activity of CBP genome wide and downregulates CBP target genes in DLBCL cells, resulting in a synthetic lethality that leverages the mutational status of CREBBP/EP300 as a biomarker for the use of small molecule inhibitors of CARM1 in DLBCL and other cancers.

Enhancement of Production of D-Glucosamine in Escherichia coli by Blocking Three Pathways Involved in the Consumption of GlcN and GlcNAc.

D-Glucosamine is a commonly used dietary supplement that promotes cartilage health in humans. Metabolic flux analysis showed that D-glucosamine production could be increased by blocking three pathways involved in the consumption of glucosamine-6-phosphate and acetylglucosamine-6-phosphate. By homologous single-exchange, two key genes (nanE and murQ) of Escherichia coli BL21 were knocked out, respectively. The D-glucosamine yields of the engineered strains E. coli BL21ΔmurQ and E. coli BL21ΔnanE represented increases by factors of 2.14 and 1.79, respectively. Meanwhile, for bifunctional gene glmU, we only knocked out its glucosamine-1-phosphate acetyltransferase domain by 3D structural analysis to keep the engineered strain E. coli BL21glmU-Δgpa survival, which resulted in an increase in the production of D-glucosamine by a factor of 2.16. Moreover, for further increasing D-glucosamine production, two genes encoding rate-limiting enzymes, named glmS and gna1, were coexpressed by an RBS sequence in those engineered strains. The total concentrations of D-glucosamine in E. coli BL21 glmU-Δgpa', E. coli BL21ΔmurQ', and E. coli BL21ΔnanE' were 2.65g/L, 1.73g/L, and 1.38g/L, which represented increases by factors of 8.83, 5.76, and 3.3, respectively.

Targeting the SAGA and ATAC Transcriptional Coactivator Complexes in MYC-Driven Cancers.

Targeting epigenetic regulators, such as histone-modifying enzymes, provides novel strategies for cancer therapy. The GCN5 lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) functions together with MYC both during normal development and in oncogenesis. As transcription factors, MYC family members are difficult to target with small-molecule inhibitors, but the acetyltransferase domain and the bromodomain in GCN5 might provide alternative targets for disruption of MYC-driven functions. GCN5 is part of two distinct multiprotein histone-modifying complexes, SAGA and ATAC. This review summarizes key findings on the roles of SAGA and ATAC in embryo development and in cancer to better understand the functional relationships of these complexes with MYC family members, as well as their future potential as therapeutic targets.

Articles of Significant Interest in This Issue

Induced gene expression in response to Notch signaling relies on a transcriptional coactivator of the mastermind-like (MAML) family, but the mechanism by which MAML recruitment results in a transcriptional response remains incompletely understood. Rogers et al. (e00014-20) show that the transcriptional response to Notch depends on a p300-interacting region of MAML, yet artificial recruitment of the p300 histone acetyltransferase domain by fusion to the Notch-binding part of MAML activates transcription of only a subset of Notch target genes. This work reveals differential requirements for MAML1-dependent recruitment activities at different Notch-responsive loci, highlighting the molecular complexity of Notch-dependent transcription.

Cancer mutations inhibit the coactivator activity of p300 core

p300 is an important transcription coactivator that enhances gene expression by acetylating histones through its catalytic core domain. p300 is mutated in some cancers, and cancer mutations in the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain can inactivate the coactivator function of the protein. However, many mutations in the p300 catalytic core that have been observed in human tumors have not been characterized for functional effects on p300 coactivator activity. The goal of this study was to screen cancer mutations using a previously published system in which the p300 catalytic core is fused to deactivated Cas9 (p300core‐dCas9). Cancer mutations in the bromodomain, PHD/RING domain, and histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain were created in the p300core‐dCas9 protein. After the addition of guide RNA targeting p300core‐dCas9 to the promoter of a given target gene, quantitative PCR was performed to measure the coactivator function of the wild‐type and mutant proteins. Mutations in the bromodomain showed variable effects on gene expression activation, while mutations in the PHD/RING domain and HAT domain were inhibitory. These results demonstrate that cancer mutations in the p300 core can alter p300 function and provide insight into the effects of cancer mutations that occur outside of the HAT domain.Support or Funding InformationLongwood University Faculty Research and Development Grant

Selective Inhibition of HDAC3 Targets Synthetic Vulnerabilities and Activates Immune Surveillance in Lymphoma.

CREBBP mutations are highly recurrent in B-cell lymphomas and either inactivate its histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain or truncate the protein. Herein, we show that these two classes of mutations yield different degrees of disruption of the epigenome, with HAT mutations being more severe and associated with inferior clinical outcome. Genes perturbed by CREBBP mutation are direct targets of the BCL6-HDAC3 onco-repressor complex. Accordingly, we show that HDAC3-selective inhibitors reverse CREBBP-mutant aberrant epigenetic programming, resulting in: (i) growth inhibition of lymphoma cells through induction of BCL6 target genes such as CDKN1A and (ii) restoration of immune surveillance due to induction of BCL6-repressed IFN pathway and antigen-presenting genes. By reactivating these genes, exposure to HDAC3 inhibitors restored the ability of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to kill DLBCL cells in an MHC class I and II-dependent manner, and synergized with PD-L1 blockade in a syngeneic model in vivo. Hence, HDAC3 inhibition represents a novel mechanism-based immune epigenetic therapy for CREBBP-mutant lymphomas. SIGNIFICANCE: We have leveraged the molecular characterization of different types of CREBBP mutations to define a rational approach for targeting these mutations through selective inhibition of HDAC3. This represents an attractive therapeutic avenue for targeting synthetic vulnerabilities in CREBBP-mutant cells in tandem with promoting antitumor immunity.This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 327.

Tau acetylates and stabilizes β-catenin thereby promoting cell survival.

Overexpressing Tau counteracts apoptosis and increases dephosphorylated β-catenin levels, but the underlying mechanisms are elusive. Here, we show that Tau can directly and robustly acetylate β-catenin at K49 in a concentration-, time-, and pH-dependent manner. β-catenin K49 acetylation inhibits its phosphorylation and its ubiquitination-associated proteolysis, thus increasing β-catenin protein levels. K49 acetylation further promotes nuclear translocation and the transcriptional activity of β-catenin, and increases the expression of survival-promoting genes (bcl2 and survivin), counteracting apoptosis. Mutation of Tau's acetyltransferase domain or co-expressing non-acetylatable β-catenin-K49R prevents increased β-catenin signaling and abolishes the anti-apoptotic function of Tau. Our data reveal that Tau preserves β-catenin by acetylating K49, and upregulated β-catenin/survival signaling in turn mediates the anti-apoptotic effect of Tau.

HBO1 is required for the maintenance of leukaemia stem cells.

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by transcriptional dysregulation that results in a block in differentiation and increased malignant self-renewal. Various epigenetic therapies aimed at reversing these hallmarks of AML have progressed into clinical trials, but most show only modest efficacy owing to an inability to effectively eradicate leukaemia stem cells (LSCs)1. Here, to specifically identify novel dependencies in LSCs, we screened a bespoke library of small hairpin RNAs that target chromatin regulators in a unique ex vivo mouse model of LSCs. We identify the MYST acetyltransferase HBO1 (also known as KAT7 or MYST2) and several known members of the HBO1 protein complex as critical regulators of LSC maintenance. Using CRISPR domain screening and quantitative mass spectrometry, we identified the histone acetyltransferase domain of HBO1 as being essential in the acetylation of histone H3 at K14. H3 acetylated at K14 (H3K14ac) facilitates the processivity of RNApolymeraseII to maintain the high expression of key genes (including Hoxa9 and Hoxa10) that help to sustain the functional properties of LSCs. To leverage this dependency therapeutically, we developed a highly potent small-molecule inhibitor of HBO1 and demonstrate its mode of activity as a competitive analogue of acetyl-CoA. Inhibition of HBO1 phenocopied our genetic data and showed efficacy in a broad range of human cell lines and primary AML cells from patients. These biological, structural and chemical insights into a therapeutic target in AML will enable the clinical translation of these findings.