title: The splicing factor SRSF1 regulates apoptosis and proliferation to promote mammary epithelial cell transformation.
abstract: The splicing-factor oncoprotein SRSF1 (also known as SF2/ASF or ASF/SF2) is upregulated in breast cancers. We investigated the ability of SRSF1 to transform human and mouse mammary epithelial cells in vivo and in vitro. SRSF1-overexpressing COMMA-1D cells formed tumors, following orthotopic transplantation to reconstitute the mammary gland. In three-dimensional (3D) culture, SRSF1-overexpressing MCF-10A cells formed larger acini than control cells, reflecting increased proliferation and delayed apoptosis during acinar morphogenesis. These effects required the first RNA-recognition motif and nuclear functions of SRSF1. SRSF1 overexpression promoted alternative splicing of BIM (also known as BCL2L11) and BIN1 to produce isoforms that lack pro-apoptotic functions and contribute to the phenotype. Finally, SRSF1 cooperated specifically with MYC to transform mammary epithelial cells, in part by potentiating eIF4E activation, and these cooperating oncogenes are significantly coexpressed in human breast tumors. Thus, SRSF1 can promote breast cancer, and SRSF1 itself or its downstream effectors may be valuable targets for the development of therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Anczuków
authors.forename: Avi Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Akerman
authors.forename: Shipra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Lixing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhan
authors.forename: Rotem
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karni
authors.forename: Senthil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Muthuswamy
authors.forename: Adrian R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Krainer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002460:Cell Line; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors
chemical_list: D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000068103:Serine-Arginine Splicing Factors