GSE119522
PI3K inhibition activates SGK1 via a feedback loop to promote chromatin-based regulation of ER-dependent gene expression
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway integrates extracellular stimuli to phosphorylate and activate key downstream effectors such as AKT and serum-and glucocorticoid-inducible kinase (SGK1). We have previously reported that the PI3K pathway regulates ER-dependent transcription in breast cancer through the phosphorylation of the epigenetic regulator KMT2D by AKT. Here, we provide new insights into how the PI3K pathway propagates its effects to control KMT2D and ER function via SGK1, another PI3K downstream effector. Specifically, we show that PI3K inhibition, via a negative feedback loop, activates SGK1 to promote chromatin-based regulation of ER-dependent gene expression. PI3K/AKT inhibitors activate ER, which subsequently promotes SGK1 transcription through direct binding to its promoter. Elevated SGK1, in turn, phosphorylates KMT2D, suppressing its function and altering the chromatin landscape to attenuate ER-dependent expression. Thus, we have determined that SGK1 regulates the chromatin landscape and ER-dependent transcription via the direct phosphorylation of KMT2D. These findings reveal an ER-SGK1-KMT2D signaling circuit aimed to attenuate ER response through a previously unknown role for SGK1 to program chromatin and ER transcriptional output. Overall design: Genome-wide analysis of chromatin accessibility upon overexpression of catalytically active SGK1 S422D